Everybody knows that the peanut butter and jelly sandwich is the simplest, best sandwich there is. It's one of the few things that transitions from childhood to adulthood without changing — a PB&J is just as good when you're an adult as when you were a kid. I bet if someone asked you how you for a peanut butter sandwich recipe, you'd have a fast, solid answer, because who doesn't know how to make this classic, right?
Videos by Wide Open Country
Turns out, there are all sorts of ways to construct the perfect PB&J and based on a debate happening on social media, people have strong opinions about what the correct way is.
What is the proper way to make a PB & J?
RT for: bread then peanut butter, jelly on top on peanut butter then breadLike for: bread then peanut butter, jelly on other piece of bread and place together
Trynna settle a discussion
— Lexie Ebensberger (@LexOnTheBeach26) June 23, 2018
So far, the ratio is heavily in favor of putting the jelly on one piece of bread, the peanut butter on the other, and then putting the two pieces together. In fact, Smucker's (a company that knows a thing or two about jelly) says that 96 percent of people put peanut butter on the bread before the jelly.
Quite a few people jumped into the discussion with other methods, including putting peanut butter on both pieces of bread with jelly in the middle and mixing the PB&J in a bowl before spreading it on the bread.
The best way is peanut butter on both pieces of bread then jelly on one
— sean fege (@iaintscared23) June 26, 2018
YOU HAVE TO MIX THE PB&J TOGETHER THEN SPREAD IT ONTO THE BREAD!!!
— Victoria Chapman (@victoria_lynn22) June 25, 2018
And, of course, there was talk about which jelly is the best, as well as quite a few people who ditched jelly completely for other accompaniments.
The real debate is... grape jelly or strawberry jelly? ? #grapejelly
— Uncle Drew ? (@drew_lewis_3) June 25, 2018
Smucker's says that 68 percent of Americans prefer creamy peanut butter to crunchy or chunky peanut butter and that strawberry and grape are our favorite jelly flavors for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. However, it seems like more than a few people are Elvis fans — that is, they like the peanut butter and sliced banana combo that was a favorite of Elvis Presley.
I came here to say, bread, peanut butter, honey on the other side, and slice a banana in between.
— Daddy Does Disney (@DaddyDoesDisney) June 25, 2018
More than a few people also advocated for grilled peanut butter and jelly, with the advice that no matter what order you put the PB&J on, you put some butter on the outside of the sandwich and grill it for a few minutes.
A few people called for swaps like using almond butter for an AB&J or using whole-grain bread instead of white bread or additions like potato chips for extra flavor. If you want to leave the jelly off completely, you might go for the Fluffernutter sandwich, a favorite in New England, which is peanut butter and marshmallow fluff.
If you want to get really wild and crazy, you can try to make a PB&J in space like United States astronaut Robert Kimbrough. You'll need a tortilla instead of bread (crumbs in microgravity are a pain) and Velcro (lots of Velcro).
Regardless of how you make it, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is an American classic. First introduced in the early 1900s in upscale New York tearooms, the sandwich quickly became a staple on the military rations list for soldiers fighting in World War II and then a favorite for kids because of how nutritious it was and the fact that with sliced bread, kids could make the sandwich themselves.
If you're looking for a few recipes to change up your PB&J rotation, we've got five that work any time of day and are sure to please even the pickiest eater.
Cinnamon Toast PB&J
Cinnamon toast is another one of those childhood favorites that adults love, too. Plain old toast turns into something special when you make it cinnamon toast, and adding a PB&J to the deal makes it even sweeter. It's the ultimate in comfort food.
Get the recipe here.
PB&J French Toast
It's peanut butter and jelly for breakfast, which is a great way to start the day. The peanut butter gets all warm and gooey and the jelly means you don't technically need syrup (though you absolutely can drench this dish in good maple syrup). Up to you whether you eat with your hands or use a fork!
Get the recipe here.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Fritters
This idea is a cousin to PB&J doughnuts, just smaller and easier to make. You use pre-made pizza dough (though I think ready made pie crust would work just as well), put a little bit of peanut butter and jelly in them, and deep fry them. Nobody said it was the healthier option, but it is really, really good.
Get the recipe here.
PB&J Crescent Rolls
Another version of the sandwich that uses ready made dough, but it's baked instead of fried (which makes clean up a lot easier). These rolls are great for a snack, for brunch, or for a picnic.
Get the recipe here.
PB&J S'more
I promise not to tell anyone if you eat this PB&J s'more for a meal instead of for dessert. Adding the raspberry-filled chocolate squares isn't a requirement, but it takes the recipe to a whole different level of goodness.
Get the recipe here.
