Best Peanut Butter and Jelly Toast

Here is my favorite peanut butter and jelly toast recipe, with creamy peanut butter, sweet jelly, and perfectly toasted bread that creates the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

This peanut butter and jelly toast is my kids’ go-to breakfast when they’re running late for school. I always keep the ingredients stocked in our kitchen because it’s quick, satisfying, and never fails to put a smile on their faces. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best ones, don’t you think?

What Kind of Peanuts Should I Use?

For homemade peanut butter, you’ll want to use raw, unsalted peanuts since you’ll be adding your own salt and seasonings. You can find these in the bulk bins at most grocery stores or in the baking aisle. Spanish peanuts work great because they’re smaller and blend more easily, but regular Virginia peanuts will work just fine too. If raw peanuts aren’t available, you can use roasted unsalted peanuts – just skip any additional roasting step and blend them directly. Make sure your peanuts are fresh and haven’t been sitting around too long, as stale nuts will give your peanut butter an off flavor.

Options for Substitutions

This homemade PB&J is pretty adaptable – here are some easy swaps you can make:

• Raw peanuts: If you don’t want to make your own peanut butter, store-bought works perfectly fine. You can also use other nuts like almonds, cashews, or sunflower seeds for a different flavor – just blend them the same way.
• Coconut oil: Any neutral oil works here – try avocado oil, vegetable oil, or even a little melted butter if you prefer.
• Strawberries: Mix it up with raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. You can even use regular jam or jelly if you don’t want to make your own – just skip the extra maple syrup since store-bought is already sweetened.
• Maple syrup: Honey, agave, or even a little brown sugar can replace the maple syrup in both the peanut butter and berry mixture.
• Chia seeds: These add a nice crunch and nutrition boost, but they’re totally optional. You could use hemp seeds, chopped nuts, or just leave them out entirely.
• Bread: Any bread works – whole wheat, sourdough, or even bagels. Just toast it to your liking.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making homemade peanut butter is not processing the peanuts long enough – you’ll need to blend for at least 3-5 minutes until the oils release and create that smooth, creamy texture we all love.

Another common error is adding the coconut oil too early in the process, which can actually make your peanut butter seize up, so wait until the peanuts have already started forming a paste before drizzling it in slowly.

When making your strawberry jam, resist the urge to cook it on high heat as this will break down the fruit too quickly and create a watery mess instead of a thick, spreadable consistency – medium-low heat is your friend here.

Don’t forget to let your homemade peanut butter cool completely before spreading, as warm nut butter will make your toast soggy and won’t hold its shape properly.

What to Serve With Peanut Butter and Jelly Toast?

This homemade PB&J toast is pretty satisfying on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a cold glass of milk or your morning coffee. If you’re serving it for breakfast, try adding some sliced banana on the side or a handful of fresh berries to round out the meal. For a more filling brunch, scrambled eggs or Greek yogurt work great alongside the sweet and nutty flavors. You could even cut the toast into strips and serve it with extra strawberry jam for dipping – kids especially love this!

Storage Instructions

Store: Your homemade peanut butter will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. The strawberry chia jam stays fresh for about a week in the fridge too. I like to make both components ahead of time so I can whip up this toast whenever a craving hits!

Make Ahead: This is perfect for meal prep! Make a big batch of both the peanut butter and strawberry jam on Sunday, then you’ll have quick breakfast or snack options all week long. The peanut butter might separate a bit in the fridge, but just give it a good stir before using.

Serve: Once you’ve assembled your toast, it’s best enjoyed right away since the bread can get soggy if it sits too long. If you need to pack it for later, try keeping the toppings separate and assembling just before eating for the best texture.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	10-15 minutes
Total Time	20-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1300-1500
• Protein: 30-40 g
• Fat: 70-90 g
• Carbohydrates: 150-180 g

Ingredients

For the nut spread:

• 1 1/2 cups raw peanuts
• 2 slices toasted bread
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tbsp pure maple syrup

For the fruit chia jam:

• 10 to 12 strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 to 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp maple syrup

Step 1: Blend the Peanut Butter

• 1 1/2 cups raw peanuts
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tbsp pure maple syrup

Combine the raw peanuts, coconut oil, sea salt, ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tablespoon of pure maple syrup in a food processor.

Blend until creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.

If you want a creamier peanut butter, you can add 1/4 cup of oat milk, but keep in mind the freshness will depend on the milk’s expiration date.

Transfer the peanut butter to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

I like to blend a little longer for an extra silky texture.

Step 2: Prepare the Strawberry Chia Jam

• 10 to 12 strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 to 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp maple syrup

Place the strawberries, chia seeds, and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup into a saucepan over medium heat.

Gently mash the strawberries with a spoon as they warm up.

Cook until the mixture starts to bubble and thicken, then remove from the heat.

Let the jam cool and transfer to an airtight container for storage in the fridge.

For a deeper flavor, I sometimes add a pinch more chia seeds toward the end for thicker jam.

Step 3: Toast the Bread

• 2 slices toasted bread

Toast the bread slices to your preferred level of crispness.

This step guarantees that the bread stays sturdy after adding the toppings.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve the Toast

• peanut butter from Step 1
• toasted bread from Step 3
• strawberry chia jam from Step 2

Spread a generous layer of peanut butter (from Step 1) onto each slice of toasted bread (from Step 3).

Top with spoonfuls of strawberry chia jam (from Step 2).

Serve immediately.

For an extra treat, I sometimes sprinkle a little cinnamon on top for added warmth.