Homemade Uncrustables PB&J Recipe - Perfect for School Lunches (2024)

Posted: · Updated: · By Chrysa

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Pack a lunch your kid will be excited to eat with these easy homemade uncrustables peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!

I have to say this may not be so much a “recipe” as it is a “how-to”. Whatever it is, kids love Uncrustables, but they have their drawbacks – number one being that they can be expensive!!

If your kid is a big peanut butter and jelly fan they can go through a lot of these in a hurry and the price can really add up.

BUT, with a simple tool and some basic, inexpensive ingredients, you can make them yourself, toss them in the freezer and save a LOT of money!

Homemade Uncrustables PB&J Recipe - Perfect for School Lunches (2)Wonder Sandwich Sealer N Decruster (Colors may vary)Homemade Uncrustables PB&J Recipe - Perfect for School Lunches (3)

To make these easily, we recommend a sandwich sealer. Check at your local store or you can find them here on Amazon.

Technically you can also make these by cutting off the crusts with a knife and using a fork to crimp the edges, but it is so much easier with this tool that you will be glad you spent the $5 to get it. Especially once you see how much money you’re saving by making your own Uncrustables rather than buying them!

Homemade Uncrustables PB&J Recipe - Perfect for School Lunches (4)

If you want to make even more homemade, you can use our homemade peanut butter recipe and our homemade strawberry jam recipe. Actually, you can use any flavor of jelly or jam you like.

Homemade Uncrustables PB&J Recipe - Perfect for School Lunches (5)

Homemade Uncrustables PB&J Recipe

INGREDIENTS & TOOLS:

Homemade Uncrustables PB&J Recipe - Perfect for School Lunches (6)

How to Make Homemade Uncrustables:

Make sure you get bread that is large enough to trim without hitting the crust.
For each sandwich, get two slices of bread.
Spread peanut butter on each slice of the bread, being careful to stay in the center and avoid where the cutting and sealing occurs.
Apply jelly to the middle of one slice.
Place the peanut butter only slice on top of the peanut butter and jelly slice (peanut butter side down).
Place cutter on top of sandwich and press down firmly (make sure crust is completely cut away).
Remove crust while cutter is still in place.
Make sure you have pressed down completely on the blue center sealing piece.
Lift off cutter and place sandwich in sandwich bag and place in freezer.

Homemade Uncrustables PB&J Recipe - Perfect for School Lunches (7)Cute Panda Pocket Bread CutterHomemade Uncrustables PB&J Recipe - Perfect for School Lunches (8)

If you want to take the uncrustables to a whole other level, you can also try this panda-shaped sandwich cutter.

It takes a lot more work because you need to fill in the eyes/face after you make your sandwich, but they ARE super cute!

It might be worth it to get a reluctant eater to start eating the sandwiches in their lunch. There is a video on the product page you can watch to see exactly how it works.

Homemade Uncrustables PB&J Recipe - Perfect for School Lunches (9)

Homemade Uncrustables PB&J Recipe - Perfect for School Lunches (10)

Homemade Uncrustables PB&J

Chrysa

Pack a lunch your kid will be excited to eat with these easy homemade uncrustables peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Sandwich

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 215 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup jelly
  • 8 slices bread

Instructions

  • For each sandwich, lay out two slices of bread.

  • Spread 1 Tablespoon peanut butter on each slice of the bread, being careful to stay in the center and avoid where the cutting and sealing occurs.

  • Apply 1 Tablespoon jelly to the middle of one slice.

  • Place the peanut butter only slice on top of the peanut butter and jelly slice (peanut butter side down).

  • Place cutter on top of sandwich and press down firmly (make sure crust is completely cut away).

  • Remove crust while cutter is still in place.

  • Make sure you have pressed down completely on the blue center sealing piece.

  • Lift off cutter and place sandwich in sandwich bag and place in freezer.

Notes

Make sure you get bread that is large enough to trim without hitting the crust.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 6gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 233mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10g

I am not a nutritionist. These values were calculated automatically with the Spoonacular Food API.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Homemade Uncrustables PB&J Recipe - Perfect for School Lunches (2024)

FAQs

How do you pack a PB&J for lunch? ›

Tips for meal prepping PB&J

Go for something sturdy so they sandwich lasts. Don't over fill the sandwiches. If you add in too much peanut butter or jelly, your lunchboxes will end up a sticky mess. A coupe of tablespoons of each on each piece of bread is plenty.

How do you keep homemade Uncrustables fresh? ›

You can serve them right after making or add to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. You can also wrap each one in plastic wrap to help ensure they stay super fresh, then freeze in a freezer bag. To pack a frozen sandwich, simply place it in a lunch box in the morning and it will thaw by lunchtime.

Can you make PB&J ahead of time? ›

One thing I like to make is Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches. I make them in large batches, wrap them up and keep them in the freezer for easy lunches or snacks for my kids. They are less expensive than pre-made frozen sandwiches and I have better control over the ingredients.

How long will a peanut butter and jelly sandwich last unrefrigerated? ›

How long can you leave a peanut butter and jelly sandwich out? Most types of sandwiches can be safely left out at room temperature for about two hours — or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do PB&J uncrustables need to be refrigerated? ›

Uncrustables sandwiches should not be thawed and refrozen. Once thawed, Uncrustables sandwiches may be refrigerated for up to 24 hours. However, refrigerating may dry out the bread. For best flavor and experience, we recommend eating within 8 to 10 hours of thawing.

How long do homemade Uncrustables last? ›

Freezing homemade uncrustables is so easy! Place the sandwiches into individual zip bags, and store them in the freezer, making sure they're in a place they won't get squished. You can freeze them for up to 1 month, but I guarantee your stash of frozen uncrustables will be gone long before then!

Is it cheaper to make your own Uncrustables? ›

Homemade uncrustables are a quick, freezable, kid-friendly option for easy school lunches! They are always a hit with the littles, and they also work great for car trips, vacations, picnics, and other events! You control the ingredients, and they generally come out cheaper than their store-bought counterparts!

What bread is best for homemade Uncrustables? ›

Tips for Making Sealed Sandwiches

The Best Bread: Soft sandwich bread works best with this cutter and sealer, as it'll ensure the top doesn't crack or give way to the fillings inside once sealed.

How do you keep Uncrustables from getting soggy? ›

Most kids LOVE Uncrustables sandwiches —they are convenient and easy! But expensive. Making them yourselves saves a lot of money…and they taste better! To ensure they don't get soggy from the jelly, put a very think layer of peanut butter on both pieces of bread.

How do you make PB and J not soggy? ›

"Use the proper amount of jelly, but don't spread it on the whole slice," the commenter said. Then, when you're ready to eat, gently push the middle of your sandwich so that the jelly spreads out. This cuts down on the jelly-to-bread exposure time, which is what makes the bread go soggy.

Can you eat uncrustables left out overnight? ›

Uncrustables crustless sandwiches should be eaten within 8-10 hours of thawing.

What is the best bread for PB&J? ›

The Bread. As we have already discussed, it is vital for a PB&J to be made with soft, white bread. Enter: Japanese milk bread, also known as Hokkaido milk bread, also known as shokupan. It is the lightest and fluffiest bread you will ever taste.

How long does a sandwich last in a lunchbox? ›

It's best to consume a sandwich within 2-3 hours after packing it in a lunchbox. This is because bacteria can grow rapidly at room temperature, especially in perishable foods such as meat, cheese, and vegetables.

Can you pack peanut butter and jelly for school lunch? ›

Don't forget safe, simple sandwiches like peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter and banana, other nut and seed spreads (tahini, sunflower, peanut butter) on crackers or bread, and pita bread stuffed with vegetables.

How do you keep PB&J sandwiches fresh? ›

Make sure to store your sandwich at the coldest temp possible without freezing. Do you put the peanut butter or jelly on the bread first? I put the peanut butter on both sides of the bread and jam, usually grape, in the middle. This way the bread doesn't get soggy.

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