14 Ways To Upgrade Your Same-Old Peanut Butter And Jelly Sandwich

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches may not be the most gourmet meal, but there is no questioning their popularity. Whether packed in a lunchbox for a meal at work or school, placed in a cooler for a family picnic, or made fresh for a quick meal or snack at home, nearly everyone has had more than their fair share of this sandwich. One of the appeals of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is its simplicity. You only need two slices of bread, some peanut butter, and some jelly. Spread the peanut butter and jelly on one slice of bread each, stack the two slices together, and a few seconds later, your sandwich is ready to go.

However, this simplicity is also a downside of the popular sandwich. Eating that same old sandwich over and over again can get boring and make it lose its appeal. Fortunately, there are a few simple upgrades that will transform a one-boring sandwich into something you're going to want to work into your regular meal rotation. To help us upgrade the mundane to the magnificent, we tapped two experts for their ideas and guidance — Chef Chuck Love, Chef at Pier 48 Fish House and Oyster Bar, and James Callery, Head Chef at Cross Keys in Newbury.

Nothing says a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich can't taste good. However, If you want to make it taste as good as possible, Chef Chuck Love says, "I would start by elevating the quality of the ingredients you're using." Instead of looking for the least expensive peanut butter, he recommends searching for peanut butter with fewer additives, such as Peanut Butter & Co.'s crunchy or Spread the Love Naked organic peanut butter. Compared to their counterparts, natural peanut butter is typically made without added salt or sugar. Just keep in mind that the oils in natural peanut butter may separate some, so mixing it before spreading it on a slice of bread to make a sandwich may be necessary. You can also try storing natural peanut butter upside down to minimize separation.

Obviously, peanut butter is only one of the components of the sandwich. Chef Chuck Love also recommends "explor[ing] the option of making your own jelly or jam — homemade is always better!" The extra work to make your own fruit spread should be well worth it when you taste that first bit of the sandwich — yum!

Who says you have to stick with only the traditional ingredients when making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Do you think the peanut butter and jelly will show up and start pounding on your door? There is nothing wrong with experimenting with some less standard ingredients. Take Chef Chuck Love's approach: "Bacon makes everything better! I prefer applewood-smoked bacon or maple-flavored bacon. It's a great way to add an extra protein source and make the sandwich more savory." If you make your bacon extra crispy, you'll also notice a subtle crunch, even when sandwiched between the softer bread and other ingredients.

Bacon isn't the only meat to try. Just as some smoked ham is an ingredient that can upgrade a tuna melt, James Callery recommends piling some between the peanut butter and jelly. He says, "The savory taste of the smoky ham tempers the sweetness of the peanut butter and jelly." Callery offers one additional saying, "Toast it once more to give it a crispy texture."

If you're like many, you probably make your peanut butter and jelly sandwiches using grape or strawberry jelly. While there is nothing inherently wrong with either of these options, monotony could be one of the factors that makes the sandwich less and less appealing. Love explains, "Options like raspberry, blackberry, blueberry [preserve], or even a blend of fruits [can] offer a creative and flavorful alternative." 

Once you explore more unique flavors, you may never return to the same-old strawberry or grape jelly. And, even if you venture back into more familiar waters, your tastebuds will have had a chance to take a break. So, what's old may become new again and make the traditional flavors taste better than you remember. Just remember to check the expiration dates if you're experimenting with multiple jelly flavors at the same time. You want to make sure your jelly doesn't go bad before you have a chance to use it all up.

Correct us if we are wrong, but PB&J stands for peanut butter and jelly, not peanut buttery and jelly sandwich. So, why not look for alternative ways to enjoy the flavors that don't involve spreading peanut butter and jelly between two slices of bread? One idea that James Callery shares is to "make it as a PB&J pudding. Put a little effort and turn it into pudding rather than just a sandwich."

Imagine the richness and creaminess that will result when you combine peanut butter and jelly into a pudding. Start with some vanilla pudding mix and whole milk or heavy cream. Once you've made the pudding, fold in a few tablespoons of peanut butter and jelly. "To add texture, add sliced almonds or cashews," Callery suggests. You could also serve some graham crackers with the pudding and use it as a sweet dip.

You can easily upgrade the flavor of a standard peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the help of some spices or seasonings. Chuck Love recommends "adding a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg." He explains that this addition offers "warmth and is a great way to sweeten natural peanut butter."

However, don't feel limited to cinnamon and nutmeg when you want to make your sandwich a bit more exciting. If you're a fan of hot and spicy foods, try upping the fire level of your sandwich. Add some cumin or red pepper flakes to the peanut butter, grind some fresh pepper into the jam, or add a layer of sriracha sauce between the peanut butter and jelly when assembling the sandwich. You can also purchase a raspberry jalapeño jam if you want a little heat in your sammy.

One reason you might be getting tired of that same-old peanut butter and jelly sandwich could be its texture — or lack thereof. Creamy peanut butter, jelly, and soft bread don't offer much excitement for your mouth. They are all pretty smooth. And, while you could consider using chunky peanut butter, you might not have any around or may simply not be a fan of having chunks of nuts in your peanut butter. Instead, James Callery suggests, "Pop[ping] some granola bits in your PB&J. This will make the sandwich healthier and give it more crunch, enhancing its flavor."

Adding granola opens a whole new world of options. As you probably know, there are different types and flavors of granola, so each will alter the taste and texture of the sandwich in different ways. For example, a standard honey oat granola will have a much subtler impact on the sandwich's flavor than a sweeter one with chocolate or dried fruit.

"For those with a sweet tooth," shares Chuck Love, "a few semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips on the sandwich or even baked into the bread will do the trick, without overpowering the other flavors in the sandwich." Such additions will transform a lunch or snack into a more decadent dessert.

Chocolate isn't the only way to make your sandwich sweeter, however. If you want something a bit more subtle, that won't push the sandwich into dessert territory. In that case, Love says you should add "natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup as opposed to artificial sweeteners in your PB&J." For best results, stir the honey or maple syrup into the peanut butter before putting the sandwich together. You can even control how much sweeter the sandwich will taste based on how much of either natural sweetener you add to your creamy or even crunchy peanut butter.

Whipping the peanut butter is another option that will help you give your sandwich a new and exciting texture. Chuck Love explains, "Whipped foods have become very popular since the trend of whipped coffee a few years back." To whip peanut butter, you'll need the peanut butter, a bowl, and an electric hand mixture — such as the KitchenAid 5 ultra power speed hand mixer or Hamilton Beach 6-speed electric hand mixer. Then, simply add your peanut butter to a bowl and beat it with the mixer. This process will incorporate more air into the peanut butter, giving it a lighter and airy texture. If desired, add a little bit of honey or powdered sugar for a sweeter finish.

Love shares that he prefers unwhipped peanut butter inside a PB&J because of its classic taste and texture. However, he offers an idea for those who have similar thoughts but still might want to experiment a bit with whipped peanut butter: "A dab of whipped peanut butter could be a great way to top the sandwich for a fun plating idea."

Did you know Elvis Presley's favorite sandwich featured peanut butter, bacon, and bananas? If you want to channel the King of Rock 'n' Roll, add some fresh fruit to your sandwiches (along with some bacon if desired). Bananas are the top choice. Their flavors pair well with peanut butter, and offer a slight twist to the traditional texture of the sandwich.

However, bananas are far from the only fresh fruit you could add to a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "Add slices of sour strawberries to your sandwich to cut the sweetness. If you use strawberry jam as your jelly, adding strawberries will enhance the flavor and contribute tartness to the sandwich," says James Callery. Beyond strawberries and bananas, you are only limited by your imagination. Some other fresh fruits you could try include sliced peaches or apples, chopped-up grapes or cherries, or even kiwi or mango for a tropical twist. In addition to fresh fruit, you could also try some dried fruits, such as raisins, apricots, or cranberries.

As a fun twist, why not add some cheese to your PB&J? If you want to try this idea, James Callery suggests toasting the sandwich after stacking a few slices between the peanut butter and jelly. He explains, "The PB&J will taste better since the cheese will cut through the sandwich's richness and impart a fresh flavor. The jelly's sugar will caramelize during toasting, giving the sandwich a new taste."

Cheese is another addition that offers a range of flavors. As you likely know, there are several different types of cheese, each of which will impart a distinct flavor and texture. You could try something on the milder side, such as Muenster or Gouda. Alternatively, you could consider something that will offer a stronger and more distinct flavor to your sandwich, such as sharp cheddar cheese, pepper Jack, or blue cheese. Another idea is to bake Brie or Camembert cheese in the oven. Once soft, you could mix these with the jelly before spreading it on the sandwich.

Making your sandwich using crunchy peanut butter is one way to add texture. The peanut pieces add a pleasant crunch and help you avoid an overly smooth and textureless sandwich. You can further upgrade the texture by adding chopped nuts to the peanut butter before spreading it. Experiment with different chopped peanuts, such as the old favorite — honey-roasted. Add a smattering of heat with habanero pepper or a touch of sweetness with toffee peanuts.

Don't limit yourself to only adding chopped peanuts because it is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. James Callery advises, "Walnuts and almonds would be the perfect options. They can add crunch, making the sandwich more enjoyable to eat." As with peanuts, you can consider plain or seasoned walnuts or almonds. Other chopped nuts, such as pecans, pistachios, or hazelnuts, could also make a nice addition to your sandwich.

As tasty as a peanut buttery and jelly sandwich is, it isn't always the healthiest — or even most filling — choice. James Callery suggests mixing some protein powder with the peanut butter. He explains, "It helps make the sandwich more satisfying and can also add nutrients to a carb-loaded sandwich."

In addition to transforming a basic sandwich into a more satisfying meal, stirring in some protein powder can offer other benefits for your PB&J. One of these is giving it a unique flavor. Consider a chocolate protein powder, such as a chocolate milkshake protein powder, for something a bit sweeter. Want the flavor to blend in and be a bit less noticeable? A simpler vanilla protein powder may be a more suitable option. If you're feeling more adventurous, you could explore other flavor options, such as cookies and cream, strawberry, or even pumpkin spice.

Just as the bread you use to make a grilled cheese sandwich matters, so too does the bread you choose for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. James Callery says, "Every bread has a different taste, and pairing them with PB&J will surely give each kind of bread a different taste." A soft white, Italian, or honey wheat bread could be a good choice if you're looking for something more traditional. These breads will put more of the focus on the ingredients inside the sandwich. However, if you want to let the bread take over as the show's real star, go for something a little more bold, such as rye, sourdough, or multigrain bread.

Chuck Love offers an additional option: "Make your own bread, and toast it so the edges offer a crisp bite." If you don't want to commit to the effort required for fully homemade bread, you might consider a perfectly tender flatbread mix kit. But there's no saying that the "bread" for the sandwich has to be actual bread, either. Try a bagel or waffles as alternatives the next time you make a PB&J.

"Nothing beats something homemade," shares James Callery. He recommends upgrading a peanut butter and jelly sandwich by making your own peanut butter. There is something very satisfying about enjoying the fruits (or nuts, in this case) or your labor. As Callery explains, when you make your peanut butter, "You can customize it according to your liking. For example, if you want it extra crunchy, you can add bits of peanuts to it. Or make the peanut butter a bit salty, which is usually done to avoid an overly sweet sandwich."

If you've never made peanut butter, it isn't too difficult with the right tools and a few simple ingredients. You'll need some unsalted dry roasted peanuts, salt (if desired), and a food processor. Add the peanuts to the food processor and turn it on. Because it will take several minutes for the food processor to turn the whole peanuts into smooth and creamy peanut butter, be sure to pause it frequently to let the motor cool down and prevent it from burning out.