Recipes

Gourmet Grilled PB&J

Base serves 2 with leftovers — slide to scale the ingredients.

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

  • 8 slices thick-cut bread (brioche, challah, or sourdough recommended)
  • 2-3 tbsp butter, softened (for griddling)

Peanut Butter Options

  • Classic: creamy or crunchy peanut butter
  • Gourmet: almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter

Jam/Spread Options

  • Classic: strawberry or grape jelly
  • Gourmet: fig jam, raspberry preserves, blackberry jam, or apricot preserves

Optional Gourmet Additions

  • Thinly sliced banana
  • Honey drizzle
  • Flaky sea salt
  • Dark chocolate chips
  • Crumbled bacon (for those who want it)
  • Sliced strawberries or blueberries
  • A thin spread of cream cheese
  • Cinnamon sugar for dusting

For Serving

  • Simple side salad (mixed greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, light vinaigrette)
  • OR tomato soup for dipping (optional)

Instructions

Assembly

  1. Lay out bread slices.
  2. Spread peanut butter (or alternative) generously on one slice of each sandwich (about 2 tbsp).
  3. Spread jam on the other slice (about 1-2 tbsp).
  4. Add any optional gourmet additions:
    • Layer banana slices
    • Drizzle with honey
    • Sprinkle with sea salt
    • Add chocolate chips or fresh berries
  5. Close sandwiches.

Griddling

  1. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
  2. Spread softened butter on the outside of each sandwich (both sides).
  3. Place sandwiches on the heated skillet.
  4. Cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  5. Flip carefully and cook another 2-3 minutes on the other side.
  6. The sandwich should be crispy on the outside with warm, melty fillings.
  7. Optional: If adding cinnamon sugar, sprinkle on the buttered bread before griddling.

Serving

  1. Remove from heat and let cool for 1 minute (filling will be hot!).
  2. Cut diagonally for presentation.
  3. Serve with a simple side salad or tomato soup.

Tips

  • Don't skimp on the butter - it's what makes the outside perfectly golden and crispy.
  • Use room temperature or slightly warm peanut butter for easier spreading.
  • Keep heat at medium - too high and the bread burns before the inside gets melty.
  • For a savory-sweet twist, add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the peanut butter before closing.
  • If the bread is getting too dark but the inside isn't warm, reduce heat and cover the pan for a minute.
  • Make it a complete meal by serving with a simple salad - the freshness balances the richness.
  • Kid-friendly: Stick with classic PB&J flavors, skip the gourmet additions.
  • Adult version: Try almond butter + fig jam + honey + sea salt for an elevated experience.

Flavor Combinations

  • Classic Elevated: Peanut butter + strawberry jam + banana slices + honey
  • Fig & Almond: Almond butter + fig jam + flaky sea salt
  • Chocolate Dream: Peanut butter + raspberry jam + dark chocolate chips
  • Savory-Sweet: Peanut butter + bacon + honey + sea salt (omit jam)
  • Berry Bliss: Cashew butter + blackberry jam + fresh blueberries