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Make a grilled peanut butter and jelly with a crunchy pretzel coating in minutes. A fun twist on a nostalgic classic that is perfect for lunch or dessert.
Know Before You Scroll
What You’ll Need
Sandwich bread, peanut butter, jam, butter, and pretzels.
Flavor Profile
Sweet and salty with a buttery, toasty crunch and a warm, melty peanut butter and jelly center.
Difficulty Level
Easy. Simple assembly with quick stovetop grilling.
Equipment Needed
Nonstick skillet or griddle, shallow bowl or plate, spatula.
Top Tip
Keep the heat on medium-low so the pretzel coating toasts without burning before the filling melts.
Time-Saving Tips
Crush the pretzels in advance and store them in an airtight container until ready to use.
Ingredient Swaps
Use almond or cashew butter in place of peanut butter, or swap the jam for preserves or honey.
In the Test Kitchen
I know what you’re thinking—grilled peanut butter and jelly? Sounds crazy, right? That’s exactly what I thought when a friend first made it for me. But then I took a bite, and wow. It was warm, gooey, and surprisingly delicious. Still, something was missing. It needed a crunch and maybe a little less sweetness to really hit the mark. I knew I wanted something with a real payoff in texture. The breakthrough? Buttering the bread and pressing it straight into crushed salted pretzels before grilling. The pretzels toast right along with the bread, creating a salty, golden crust that perfectly balances the sweetness of the warm, melty peanut butter and jelly filling. Grilled PB&J is simple, a little indulgent, and wildly satisfying.
Ingredient Notes
Bread
Best Choice
Soft white bread, brioche, or sourdough for even browning.
Substitutions
Whole wheat works, but choose a soft loaf rather than dense sandwich bread.
Peanut Butter
Best Choice
Creamy peanut butter spreads evenly and melts smoothly.
Substitutions
Crunchy peanut butter adds texture but is slightly harder to spread.
Jelly
Best Choice
What every you like best with you PB&J!
Substitutions
Any fruit preserves you choose will also work.
Pretzels
Best Choice
Salted pretzel twists or sticks crushed to a coarse crumb, similar to panko.
You can find the full, printable recipe at the top of this post, but you can read the detailed instructions with photos for each step below.
Step By Step Instructions
1
Assemble the Sandwiches
Spread 2 tbsp peanut butter on two slices of bread. Spread 2 tbsp jam on the other two slices. Sandwich together.
2
Butter the Outside:
Spread softened butter on the outside of each sandwich — both sides.
3
Crush the Pretzels
Add pretzels to a shallow plate or bowl and crush with the bottom of a cup or rolling pin until coarse (like panko breadcrumbs).
Gently press the buttered sides of the sandwich into the crushed pretzels so they stick. Press lightly but evenly for full coverage.
4
Grill It
Heat a skillet over medium-low. Grill each sandwich for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and the pretzels are toasty and crisp.
Slice, sprinkle with a pinch of flaky salt (optional), and serve hot!
More Peanut Butter
Recipe
Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly
Ingredients
- 4 slices sandwich bread (brioche or sourdough )
- 4 tbsp peanut butter
- 4 tbsp jam ( or jelly)
- 2 tbsp softened butter
- ½ cup crushed salted pretzels (more coverage = more crunch!)
- Optional: flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Spread 2 tbsp peanut butter on two slices of bread. Spread 2 tbsp jam on the other two slices. Sandwich together.
- Add pretzels to a shallow plate or bowl and crush with the bottom of a cup or rolling pin until coarse (like panko breadcrumbs).
- Spread softened butter on the outside of each sandwich — both sides.
- Gently press the buttered sides of the sandwich into the crushed pretzels so they stick. Press lightly but evenly for full coverage.
- Heat a skillet over medium-low. Grill each sandwich for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and the pretzels are toasty and crisp.
- Slice, sprinkle with a pinch of flaky salt (optional), and serve hot!
Tips
Erren’s Top Tips
Keep the heat on the lower side so the peanut butter has time to melt before the pretzels overbrown.If the pretzels are not sticking well, gently press them in again right before the sandwich goes into the pan.
Use a nonstick or well-seasoned skillet to prevent the pretzel crust from catching.
Variations & Add-Ins
Swap the jam for strawberry preserves or raspberry jam for a more intense fruit flavor.Add thin banana slices inside the sandwich for a classic peanut butter upgrade.
Use almond butter or cashew butter for a different nutty profile.
Storage & Freezing
These sandwiches are best eaten right away while the crust is crisp. They do not store or freeze well once grilled, as the pretzel coating softens over time.
Save to favoritesYour saved recipes will be right here waiting for you every time you visit, so you can easily find and make the meals you love.FAQs
Can I make this in a panini press?
Yes, but keep the heat low and do not press too hard or the pretzel coating can crack off.
What if I only have unsalted pretzels?
They will still work, but add a small pinch of flaky salt after grilling to balance the sweetness.
Can I use jelly instead of jam?
Absolutely. Either works well here since the sandwich is grilled and warm.
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