Peanut Butter Sandwich: Easy Recipe Ideas
By stephhicks68
Peanut Butter - My Favorite Sandwich Ingredient
I grew up eating peanut butter sandwiches. These repasts were prepared by my father whose culinary skills barely included spreading the thick substance on a piece of bread. Yet, over time, I soon came to appreciate its satisfying, nutty taste, and versatile nature. Filled with protein, a few carbohydrates for energy and fats to keep you satisfied, peanut butter is close to a perfect food, in my humble opinion. It can also be included as part of a vegan or vegetarian diet (be sure to read ingredient labels first), provided you don't have peanut allergies.
While I was in school, I loved peanut butter because it was cheap. As a mom, I still love it because its easy to use for breakfast and lunches (and because it is cheap).
One month last year, I decided to embark upon a culinary challenge. Could I come up with a different sandwich recipe for each day of the week, all of which included peanut butter? Would my kids and husband revolt - or simply get revolted - before the weekend?
Dear reader, no!
We survived the challenge and created a week's worth of peanut butter sandwich recipes. If I don't say so myself, they are all quite tasty and thrifty to make, as well. So c'mon! Give peanut butter a chance. Try these easy recipe ideas that take the peanut butter sandwich from simple to superb!
Peanut Butter and Fruit Sandwiches
Instead of boring old jam or jelly, why not make a peanut butter and fruit sandwich?
The extra fiber and lower sugar in fresh fruit make this meal a healthier alternative.
Start with the freshest sandwich bread (really soft 100% wheat bread is my favorite). Spread 1-2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter on one piece of bread. Now, slice bananas, apples or pears into 1/4 inch pieces. In the summer, you could even try peaches, plums or nectarines. Layer over the peanut butter. If desired, sprinkle lightly with cinnamon sugar or drizzle with honey. You could even go with slivered almonds. Eat open faced, or top with a second piece of bread and enjoy!
If you want to really bring out the natural flavors of the fruit, try lightly broiling the peanut butter and fruit side of the bread for a couple of minutes. Watch closely so that the ingredients don't get too runny. Don't forget to toast the second piece of the bread if you are making a closed sandwich.
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Peanut Butter Paninis
Nothing says comfort food like a grilled sandwich. Broiled or pan fried is tasty, but to really kick it up a notch, use a panini maker. We have a great appliance that we use to grill and sear steaks and chops. It also presses sandwiches on both sides at the same time, toasting the bread and warming the inside ingredients (see some of the panini makers shown to the right).
To make peanut butter paninis, you should use thicker bread than that which you'd ordinarily pull out for regular sandwiches. Fresh french sliced white bread is my favorite. Now, spread peanut butter on one side and your choice of ingredient for the opposite side. Our favorite for this recipe is raspberry jam. Close up the sandwich and then spread butter or margarine on the outside of each slice of bread.
Pre-heat the panini grill to 350 degrees and coat with cooking spray. Grill your peanut butter sandwich for about 3-4 minutes. Carefully remove and dust with powdered sugar on one side before eating. Simply divine!
Grilled Peanut Butter Sandwiches - 3 more ideas!
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Savory Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Grown-ups will appreciate these ideas for savory peanut butter sandwiches. While the ingredients definitely sound unique, the end result is delicious and nutritious. We've tried these two recipes, and there are endless variations on the theme.
Vegetarian savory peanut butter sandwiches:
These open faced sandwiches are so delicious, I'll bet your kids will even enjoy them! Start with thick sliced french bread. Spread peanut butter on both sides, then add thinly sliced tomatoes on top. Lightly salt and pepper (I love using garlic salt for this recipe) and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Broil for 3-4 minutes until cheese is browned and bubbling. Serve open-faced.
Savory peanut butter and chicken sandwiches:
Certainly you've enjoyed Thai chicken pasta with peanut sauce! This sandwich is a variation on the theme, but much less expensive than take-out. I like to use a hearty wheat bread for this recipe. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on the bread. Place a few leaves of fresh basil on top and then add sliced grilled boneless chicken breast. You can also use pieces of prepared rotisserie chicken for this sandwich. If desired, finely chop 1 clove of garlic and sprinkle over the top. Place the open faced sandwich under the broiler for several minutes, carefully remove and enjoy!
For Purists: How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
The Ultimate Kids Peanut Butter Sandwich
What kid doesn't love s'mores? You could be parent of the year if you serve them the ultimate kids peanut butter sandwich - the Smore's Sandwich! But before you try out this recipe, perhaps wait for a weekend...
Nothing healthy about this creation, other than the peanut butter. But any nutritional value is completely eclipsed by the other ingredients here! Start with white Wonder Bread. Spread peanut butter on one side (we recommend the sweetest, most processed brand out there - Jif). Now, add chocolate chips and mini marshmallows or marshmallow whipped topping on top of the peanut butter. Instead of chocolate chips, you could use the Hazelnut/chocolate flavored spread, Nutella.
Broil the sandwich open faced for 3-4 minutes, watching very carefully. The marshmallows will brown slightly and the chocolate chips will get a little bit melted. We find that its best to close the sandwich with the second piece of bread (toasted, of course), rather than to try to eat this open faced. Dust with powdered sugar for a treat they'll never forget!
Change the Bread, Not the Ingredients
If these peanut butter sandwich variations are a little outside of your comfort zone, you can still enjoy the classic lunch fare with a bit of a twist. By changing the bread on which you create the sandwich, but keeping the PB&J, you'll have a new taste.
Try using cinnamon raisin bread, honey wheat bread, homemade pumpkin bread, banana bread or zucchini bread. Mini sandwiches can be created from dinner rolls. You can even make sandwiches using toaster waffles. I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on chocolate chip waffles or blueberry waffles!
What's Your Favorite Peanut Butter Sandwich?
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Comments
I'm with you there! Love homemade bread almost as much as peanut butter! Cheers to you, Steph
Hmmm....my poor kids suffered with PB&J sandwiches for school lunches almost every single day of their 12 years of school...(it was cheap--I bought it in 6# institutional-sized cans!) I don't think they care much for peanut butter these days. LOL
As for me, I still like a PB&J now & then...and I can see the s'mores idea...but try it on raisin bread!! :-D
Here's another, it comes from Girl Scout campouts, where jars of honey would end up making a mess....so we pre-made the peanut butter mix, known as "Pooh Butter."
The name comes from Winnie the Pooh of the A.A. Milne "Pooh" stories...remember, Pooh is a bear...and bears like honey. ;-)
Here's what you do: Mix butter or margarine, peanut butter and honey all together, and store in plastic containers. At lunchtime, spread on bread and eat. Quick lunch!
Fun stuff--voted up, useful and yes, funny... ;-)
Here in England peanut butter is a 'minority' food - and I love it.
For several years I had a job in a fairly seedy area, where I used to be accosted by people begging for coins. I hate to let people go hungry, but I suspected that many of them would use the money for drink or drugs. So I used to carry a peanut butter sandwich in my bag. If a begger asked for money, I would offer "would you like a peanut butter sandwich?" Usually the answer was "NO".
If I still had the sandwich by about 1pm, I would eat it myself.
I don't actually eat peanut butter sandwiches but i do eat toast with peanut butter and various jams, jellies, apple butter or honey.
PB, yum, yum, can't go through a day without it.
I have a friend in Venezuela and whenever she comes to Canada she hits the grocery stores to stock up on Peanut Butter as they apparently cannot buy it there.
One of my favorite Peanut Butter sandwiches is with sliced bananas.
Great Hub!
Mmmm thanks for sharing this one. Some interesting suggestions.
Take care
Eiddwen
I liked sandwich very much. Peanut butter is new for me. Hmmmmm.... Yummy. Good work, Steph. I liked this information. No one better than homemade. Vote up. God bless you.
Love and peace, prasetio
Mmmm great hub. Thanks for sharing what is going to tempt many a taste bud!!!
Take care,
Eiddwen.
Your hub reminds me stephhicks in my youth,I had a Mr.Peanut grinder that smushed peanuts into a peanut butter,I'd bring with me to Grandma's house and apply to her homemade bread.;)
A pbj sandwich never fails to hit the spot!!
It is my most popular lunch when I am at work.
I may have to try the waffle PBJ very soon.
Hi everyone! What great comments! DzyMsLizzy - the Pooh Butter sounds really yummy. I'll have to share with my mother-in-law (her favorite character is the lovable bear, and her nickname is Pooh!) Mentalist acer - would LOVE to have a Mr. Peanut grinder to make my own.
Just Ask Susan - no peanut butter in Venezuela? I could not survive! LOL!
I just had to write this hub as I eat peanut butter myself about twice a day (breakfast and lunch) and love the creative ideas. Another one is to combine peanut butter and spreadable cream cheese with honey on homemade baked banana bread. OMG - delicious!
I'm pretty much straight PB&J, but the PB has to be chunky. I also like it on hot buttered toast or in tortillas. I've eaten Thai food and made Mexican mole that used peanut butter that I enjoyed, but I'm not even a fan of peanut butter cookies. I like your ideas, though.
It's interesting that JAS's friend can't find peanut butter in Venezuela. I wonder if it has to do with Chavez because when we lived there in the 60s, Mom could always buy peanut butter at the grocery store.
Hi stephhicks, I love peanut butter to and i will give some of your suggestions that i have not tried yet with peanut butter a try. I have one for you to kick up a hamburger,just before your ready to remove it from the grill or frying pan put some peanut butter on it, it will melt in your burger and it is real good.
Just Ask Susan i have done the Peanut Butter sandwich with sliced bananas, that is one of my favorite ways to have a Peanut Butter sandwich .
Great delicious hub !!!
Hi again,Steph--
I forgot to mention--my fave afternoon snack: mini-pretzel sticks dipped in PB...I put a tablespoon or so in a small dish (meant for dipping bread in olive oil), and dip each little 'twig' as I eat it. ;-) Reasonably healthy snack.... Cheers!
Hi SJerZGirl - peanut butter on tortillas! That sounds great! And PB in mole sauce? I'm ready to try some new recipes. You don't like peanut butter cookies? Maybe you need a chewier version that is less dry ;-) Thanks for the comment!
Hi kashmir - wow! I definitely need to try the peanut butter on hamburger tip. Next to PB&J, my kids love hamburger-based meals. Here's to a delicious lunch or dinner! Cheers, Steph
Hi again DzyMsLizzy, I should have noted that my dad is a peanut butter fanatic, which is probably why he always made me PB&J sandwiches when I was growing up. These days, you can find the following in his trunk - from Costco, of course: peanut butter filled pretzels and Reeses peanut butter cups. The pretzels can save you a step for your afternoon snack. LOL!! Best, Steph
PB every day for a week. I'm afraid my family would have revolted against me. I do love pb spread on apples sans bread. Yum!
LOL - right Truckstop Sally! They were close to revolting, but the key is to threaten a less appetizing dinner instead, say brussels sprouts and liver... with peanut butter?? Cheers, Steph
Hey, Steph--I LOVE those filled pretzels...but they don't carry them where we can afford to shop... :-(
I love this hub, it so different and amazing what you can do with peanut butter and jelly. Awesome rate up peace & love darski
LOL DzyMsLizzy - I will send you some ;-)
Hi Darski - thank you so much! Peace and love to you too!
Take my bread, take my jelly, not a single word will I utter.
But never, never, never touch my beloved peanut butter.
LOL - that is a great rhyme, drbj! Peanut butter - there is no other! ;-)
I took sandwiches (including PB) for lunches every day from first grade through doctoral studies. I got so sick of everything that could be put between two slices of bread that after I started working where I could nuke leftovers, I didn't voluntarily eat a sandwich of any kind for years.
Now that I'm working at home, it surprises me how often I make sandwiches for lunch or a snack. I might give PB and fruit a try, if I think of it. I used to make grilled PB from time to time, but can't remember the last time.
I have a really great PB fudge recipe that I've made a couple of times, but there are other fudges I like better.
Fun hub. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks allpurposeguru - you really should post the PB fudge recipe! I have a homemade peanut butter cups recipe that is quite good (I wrote a hub on it several years ago), but always looking for new recipe ideas. Cheers, Steph
What an idea for an article, I like it!
Steph, the peanut butter panini sounds wonderful! I am going to have to try it right away. Nice hub, Thanks for sharing my friend.
K9
Ah the absolute joy of Wonder Bread slices carefully sealed by a layer of fresh butter and then PB on the one and J on the other--equal portions of course and when you put the two together you can hear the Angels singing: "Hallelujah, Hallelujah!" Chase each bite with cold milk and you never want it to stop. mmmmmmmmmm.
Thanks Steph for letting us all indulge, I'm going to run around the block now. =:)
Btw, in honor of the fabulous Trivia Bee coming up Feb 11th in beautiful downtown Bend, did you know that the movie "Even Cowgirls get the Blues" was filmed there?
I'm sure many of the HP crowd would like to attend so here's the reservation site:
Hi K9 and Winsome - I am literally enjoying a peanut butter sandwich right now as I moderate comments. ;-) Hallelujah is right :)
Winsome - interesting about the film. I actually did a hub on films shot in Oregon, but somehow missed "Cowgirls" - will have to check it out. thanks much!
Cheers to both of you - Steph
Your hub reminds me of all the times I spent in the US visiting inlaws and trying very hard not to show my dislike of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, standard fare for some there.
Over the years, I got used to the peanut butter and loved piling it into celery and munching happily. I've even tried the hot sandwich - peanut butter and banana. (Not a great favorite, I'm afraid).
It's definitely the kind of thing you grow up with.
The equivalent convenient sandwich here (Ireland) was just plain butter and jam, (what you call jelly).
Nowadays I wouldn't indulge, it was a childhood thing.
Thanks for the hub - enjoy your sandwich!
I was always a PB on celery kinda girl - then I met Bob and he ate the unthinkable....pure peanut butter with mayo on bread....took me a while to get around on that one. He said it never sticks to the roof of your mouth then! Still yuck. Ah well, now we're old and we just do a 'schmear' as I call it on toast~! But those paninis and things look mighty delish...I just may have to try those...and hide the mayo!
Hi chspublish - I'm with you in that any meal you have to eat over and over gets old fast! But PB on celery is also a favorite snack of mine. Butter and jam/jelly is really delicious too - the thicker and sweeter the butter, the better. Thanks for stopping by for a sandwich and comment :)
Hi Audrey - yes, I have NEVER tried peanut butter and mayo, though the thought came to mind while writing this hub. Still... uck! The paninis are very yummy. Hope you enjoy them - hold the mayo! LOL!
@akirchner--LOL...that's why I BUTTER my PB sandwiches--lubrication! ;-) Mayo??? Ick no thanks! Your hubby can have double my share of that! ;-)
Love your ideas--now, I can't complain about what to make for the kids. I also use peanut butter as a dipping sauce--for grilled meat (in Asia, we call them satay). And not just for satay, peanut butter sauce (nothing but peanut butter, honey, chili flakes, a touch of curry powder and lime juice) goes well with vegetable sticks too.
The peanut butter dipping sauce sounds fantastic!! Yum - you should write a hub on that, anginwu! Cheers, Steph
What a fun article about an old snack standard!! When my nephew was young he refused to eat pb&j sandwitches, much to his mother's dispair. So one day, I changed the way it looked by flattening the bread with a rolling pen, then after spreading on the peanut butter and jelly, I rolled it up sort of "cigar" like, and he gobbled it down.
I really enjoyed this "out of the box" look at pb&j!
Thanks!
Thanks RunAbstract - I love the idea of "rolled" peanut butter and jelly! Bet it looked as good as it tasted. Best, Steph
Some great Recipe ideas for Peanut butter dishes. Wow, my cup...sorry...my plate runneth over! :) Rating this up!
Thanks Cheeky Girl - you cannot have too many peanut butter recipes (in my opinion!) ;-)
I'm one of the peanut butter on celery crowd. Nothing better
I'm with you there Peter! PB and celery is a delicious snack!
I love peanut butter sandwich. Wow.. it sound delicious. You made my hungry,LOL. But anyway, thanks for writing this. Vote up as usual. Take care!
Love and peace,
Hi prasetio, thanks! I have to watch my peanut butter intake each day. Just thinking about it makes me hungry too! LOL! Best, Steph
Love your recipe ideas, thanks Steph!
These are some great ideas. Peanut butter is my #1 staple, and as a work-at-home dad I eat it in some form just about every day. But my creative choices usually just involve smooth vs. crunchy (crunchy for sure) and strawberry vs. raspberry vs. grape jam (generally raspberry). Now I'll expand the repertoire!
Hi Chirose and Brian, thank you! Peanut butter is part of my daily diet. :) Best, Steph
Oh my gosh, munchie city! Those paninis are the greatest idea ever.
Thanks Angela - hope you have a delicious lunch! :)
Miles of styles of peanut butter sandwiches. When you thought you had enough of peanut butter, there you are with lovely ideas and ways to present peanut butter. My children had their share of those sandwiches for school as with most children. It was easy and cheap. Now you have given other great ways to use peanut butter. Thank you stephhicks.
Hi Caribqueen - yes, we love peanut butter and changing up the sandwich ideas keep things fresh (and cheap)! Best, Steph
We are a big peanut butter and jelly family my kids have it for lunch and my husband eats them for snacks I just eat peanut butter on everything
We should buy stock in peanut butter. I think our family just set a new record going through one of the extra large jars of peanut butter in a single week. YUM!
I'm hungry now. My favorite is a peanut butter and bananas sandwich.Yum!
Hi caramellatte - love that sandwich too. When I'm pressed for time, I'll just put peanut butter straight onto a banana and run out the door!
More great receipe ideas, Steph! You've inspired me to be more creative when making peanut butter sandwiches. It sounds very delicious with fruit, although I've never tried it with cinnamon, I'll have to give it a go.
Great cloverleaf - its fun to play around with ingredients in the kitchen. Nothing like the good old staple of peanut butter! :)
Neat p-nut butter ideas--great hub!
Here's a winter treat: Banana bread made with whole wheat and oat flour, sans cinnamon, sliced and frozen. Spread a slice with peanut butter and another with no HFC chocolate syrup and top with a second slice of bread. Let sit while you make a cup of hot chocolate. Smile, because the combination of hot drink and frosty sandwich only adds to the wonderful flavors. :)
Oh wow - that combination sounds really delicious RTalloni. I love banana bread, and I'm also a fan of bananas and peanut butter. Adding chocolate... yum! Thanks for the tips!
As a peanut butter lover I just had to read this! You have offer some great ideas with great photos to match. Voted up.
Thanks Tracy! Peanut Butter is a food group into itself at our home. It helps to have some sandwich recipes to change things up a bit. Cheers, Steph
Steph, Such a creative challenge to fill a week with variations on the theme of PB sandwiches!
I appreciate the suggestion about including Nutella. The only problem for me is that sometimes the PB never makes it to the bread cuz Nutella is such a taste and texture sensation!
My favourite bread for PB is flaxseed or multigrain --- their textures complement PB perfectly.
Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards, Stessily
I will definitely have to try the flaxseed bread, Stessily! I love multigrain (my husband calls it twigs and sticks bread... LOL!)
WillStarr 15 months ago
Nothing like a PB&J on toasted homemade bread as a late night snack!
Thanks!