Fun Recipes to Celebrate National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

Fun Recipes to Celebrate National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

Published on Apr 1, 2024

It's that time of the year again to break out the peanut butter and jelly for National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2nd. This beloved childhood sandwich combination is celebrated annually across the United States. While the classic PB&J sandwich is simple, we've come up with some creative recipes that put a fun twist on this nostalgic duo.

  1. Peanut Butter and Jelly Waffles/ Pancake

While the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a beloved lunchbox staple, shake things up this National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day by starting your morning off right with these PB&J Waffles or Pancakes. Blending the creamy nuttiness of peanut butter with the sweet tang of your favorite jelly right into the batter results in a breakfast treat that's sure to please both kids and kids at heart. With just a few simple ingredients, these waffles and pancakes come together in a snap for an easy yet indulgent way to celebrate the nut butter and jam pairing we love. Plus, sneaking in a bit of PB&J into your breakfast provides an energizing protein-packed start to the day. Now let's get into the recipe…

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup jelly or jam of your choice
  • Oil or butter for cooking
  • Toppings: additional peanut butter, jelly, banana slices

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Create a well in the center.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, peanut butter, and jelly until smooth.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the well of the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined but still lumpy.
  • Heat your waffle iron or griddle over medium heat and brush with oil or butter. Scoop the batter onto the iron/griddle and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions until golden brown.
  • Serve warm waffles/pancakes topped with additional peanut butter, jelly, and banana slices. Enjoy a fun twist on PB&J for breakfast!

 

Cooking Tips

  • Make sure to mix the wet and dry ingredients separately before combining. This helps prevent over-mixing and ensures the batter stays light and fluffy.
  • For waffles, allow the waffle iron to preheat thoroughly before cooking. This helps the batter cook evenly without burning.
  • Grease the waffle iron/pan generously so the waffles/pancakes don't stick. Re-grease as needed between batches.
  • Use a 1/4 cup measuring spoon or ice cream scoop to portion the batter evenly. This results in waffles/pancakes of similar thickness.
  • Cook waffles/pancakes until the tops are covered with bubbles and the edges look dry. For waffles, check that steam has stopped emerging from the iron.
  • Resist the urge to open the iron/lift the pan too early. The waffles/pancakes need time to set without overcooking the bottoms.
  • Keep the first batch warm in a 200F oven on a baking sheet while cooking the remainder.
  • Top warm waffles/pancakes immediately to prevent sogginess from toppings like peanut butter and jelly.
  1. PB&J Smoothie

For a delicious on-the-go breakfast or snack, blend together creamy peanut butter, sweet jam, and your favorite milk or yogurt for this PB&J Smoothie. All the comforting flavors of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich come together in drinkable form without any blender prep work required. Simply pour, blend, and enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 1 banana, sliced
  • 1 cup milk of your choice (dairy, almond, etc)
  • 1/2 cup Greek or regular plain yogurt
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup jelly or jam
  • 4-5 ice cubes

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients into a high-powered blender.
  • Blend on high speed until completely smooth and frothy, about 1 minute.
  • Taste and adjust flavors as desired by adding more peanut butter, jelly, or a splash of milk.
  • Pour into glasses filled with extra ice and enjoy!

Cooking Tips

  • For a creamier texture, chill ingredients before blending.
  • Start with less milk/ice and adjust the amounts to taste.
  • For fun flavors, swap in different jams like raspberry or apricot.
  • Make a large batch to store in the refrigerator for quick grab-and-go smoothies.
  • Give jars a good shake before measuring peanut butter to redistribute oils.
  1. No-Bake PB&J Balls

For an easy peanut butter and jelly treat that barely requires any time in the kitchen, these no-bake PB&J balls are just the ticket. Kids will love rolling the soft billet mixture into balls and coating them with toppings of their choice.