Fun Recipes to Celebrate National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

Ingredients

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup jelly or jam
• 1 cup shredded coconut or sprinkles for rolling

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, mix together the peanut butter and powdered sugar until well combined.
• Stir in the jelly/jam until fully incorporated. The mixture will be soft and sticky.
• Scoop tablespoon-sized balls and roll between your hands to form evenly shaped balls.
• Place shredded coconut or sprinkles on a plate and roll each ball to coat completely.
• Arrange balls on a serving plate and refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

Cooking Tips

• Use crunchy or smooth peanut butter based on preference.
• Go wild matching jams to coconut flavors.
• For easier handling, wet your hands with water before shaping balls.
• Refrigeration allows balls to firm up before serving.
• Store leftover balls in an airtight container in the fridge.

4. PB&J Pizza

Kids and kids at heart will love getting their pizza on with this fun twist that combines the flavors of peanut butter, jelly, and bananas. Use garlic bread or English muffins as the base for an easy after-school snack the whole family will devour.

Ingredients

• 2 slices Italian bread or garlic bread
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup jelly or jam
• 1 banana, sliced
• Sprinkles or mini chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Slice the bread diagonally into triangles to resemble pizza slices. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Spread peanut butter evenly over each slice, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
• Drizzle or dollop jelly over the peanut butter in a pattern.
• Arrange banana slices over top.
• Sprinkle with toppings like sprinkles or chocolate chips if desired.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden.
• Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Cooking Tips 

• Get creative with toppings like shredded coconut, marshmallows, or raisins. 
• Try different nut butter too.

5. PB&J Protein Brownies/Cookies

Satisfy your peanut butter and jelly craving in a wholesome brownie or cookie form with this high-protein treat. Packed with oats, chocolate, and dried fruit, these snacks will power you through the afternoon without the usual sugar crash.

Brownie Ingredients

• 1 cup oat flour
• 1/3 cup protein powder
• 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/3 cup jam/jelly
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips

Cookie Ingredients

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup jam/jelly
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment for brownies or grease a cookie sheet.
• In a large bowl, mix together brownie ingredients until combined. Scoop and spread into pan.
• For cookies, roll spoonfuls into balls and space on a sheet.
• Bake 18-20 min until set.
• Let cool before frosting with peanut butter frosting if desired.

Cooking Tips

• Add dried fruit like raisins or cranberries. 
• Increase protein with nut butter powder. 
• Keep extras refrigerated for up to a week.

Conclusion

We hope these creative peanut butter and jelly recipes have given you some new ideas to celebrate National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day beyond the classic sandwich. From savory to sweet, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this nostalgic flavor combination all day long. Whether mixing it into waffles and smoothies, rolling it into no-bake balls, or baking it into wholesome treats, we think you'll agree these PB&J twists are worth getting excited about. Be sure to snap a pic of your creations and share it with us on social media using #NationalPBJD for recipe inspiration from others also celebrating. Enjoy the rest of your peanut butter and jelly celebration - we'll see you again next year for even more innovative ways with this beloved duo!