I know what you’re thinking… really Amanda?? Did you have nothing else to write about today? It’s not that, really, I swear! I’m actually quite surprised at how many people are unaware of the magnificent time saver: frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
I have 4 kids. Over the years, I have made more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and sack lunches for school than I care to count. I learned this little time saving tip probably 7 or 8 years ago and have been doing it ever since.
If you make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for you child’s school lunch, this will save you a considerable amount of time each morning. The first trick to a great PB&J, one that doesn’t end up with jelly seeping through the bread, is this:
On one side of the bread you spread your peanut butter, then on the other side, put a thin layer of peanut butter. On that thin layer, add a layer of jelly. The peanut butter acts as a “raincoat” and the jelly does not soak through the bread.
I buy an extra loaf of bread just for this purpose (please note, the pictures only show half a loaf as I needed to make more and that’s what I had on hand). I do an assembly line of sandwiches, then when they are all made, I slip each one into a plastic sandwich bag. Then you put each sandwich back inside the bread bag. Store the bread bag in the freezer.
When it comes time to make little Johnny’s lunch in the morning, take one sandwich out of the bag and put it into his lunch bag. By the time lunchtime rolls around at school, his sandwich is perfectly thawed and tastes great.
No, they will not be soggy when they thaw out. This is the MOST common question I receive about this method. And yes, they still taste good! This according to my kids. :)
I even appeared on a local news station once and shared this, among several other time saving tips for back to school such as:
- Buy a bag of chips or pretzels dedicated to lunches. Make up individual baggies of snacks (zipper bags are best for this) and place them back into the empty chip bag. Each morning you just reach in and grab one.
- Cut carrots and celery into sticks and store in baggies.
- Buy small fruits such as clementines and grapes, or dried fruits such as dried cranberries and raisins, and make up individual baggies.
- You can also freeze sandwiches with deli meats, such as ham, turkey, bologna and salami. Make baggies of a piece of lettuce and an individually wrapped piece of cheese to toss in the lunch bag with the frozen sandwich. You can also buy mustard and mayonnaise packets from places like Costco, Sam’s Club and restaurant supply stores.
- To keep jelly from oozing out the bottom of the sandwich, after placing everything inside the lunch bag, place sandwich on top laying flat. Standing it up can cause the jelly to leak out the bottom as it thaws.
So there you have it. :) I’m curious, did you already know about the frozen PB&J trick? Or did you learn something new today?
I submitted this to Tip Me Tuesday
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Amanda Davis
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Jennifer says
Hello, I tried this with my son’s lunch today and he said it taste bad, do you have any suggestions on how to improve taste other than not freezing?
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Jennifer. Hmm, I never told my kids that I was freezing the sandwiches, so they didn’t create any preconceived notions about it ;-) Is it possible that’s what happened with your son? Kids generally are very resistant to trying new foods, and even though PB&J may not be new to him, if he knew it was being frozen that could have caused him to think he wouldn’t like it. My other question for you is did you use the same ingredients you always use? Some kids are texture sensitive. So it just may not work for him. My oldest son grew up intolerant of foods touching each other. If his corn touched his potatoes he lost it. LOL! He’s 22 now and grew out of that, but every kid is different and has different quirks. ;)
Jennifer says
Thank you! I’m full time in school and work two jobs, my hand was hovering over the uncrustables last night while grocery shopping but I just couldn’t spend a fortune on what should be cheap food. I am about to go make a ton of sandwiches for school/work. Do you have a suggestion for how long they should sit in the freezer? I want to make as many as I can right now. I am placing them in a plastic box in the freezer instead of back in the bag to make my freezer a little more user friendly.
Thannks again!
Amanda Formaro says
Hi jennifer! Glad these tips helped! As far as how long to leave them in the freezer.. because I had 4 kids I was making lunches for, they never lasted more than a week. I would make a week’s worth at a time. As they got older they would take two sandwiches (as tweens and teen boys) so it was a LOT of sandwiches! I would say three weeks max, but I’m sure toward the end (mine are all older now) I had some sandwiches is their even longer.
Lana says
Hello I make PB and jam or honey or corm syrup sandwiches for hubby when he is working. I also put PB on both sides one thin and the other spread on the thin side and refrigerate the night before. I have also froze on occasion when I know it will be hot the next day so they stay cold longer. As for those of you who don’t like PB try another nut butter like almond butter.
Amanda Formaro says
Yes almond butter, cashew butter and sun butter are all great options!
Skittles says
I’ve heard this trick before, but I don’t like peanut butter :( Do you know a trick for just jam sandwiches (as in how to freeze)? Thanks!!!!
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Skittles. Do you like butter with your jelly? That would be a great alternative. Otherwise, you could just go ahead and spread the jelly and freeze them right away, but without a peanut butter or butter/margarine “jacket” it will seep through once thawed, unless eaten right away.
Jamie Leitschuh says
How do you do your lunchmeat sandwiches? Do you put mayo or mustard on both sides of the bread before you freeze it? Do you put the cheese on there before you freeze it? Great tips!
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Jamie! For lunch meat I put meat on both sides of the bread, a little drizzle of mustard on one side of the meat, then sandwich cheese between the two. I didn’t put mayo on because it doesn’t freeze well and I would include a little baggie of lettuce and/or tomato that my husband could add at lunch time :)
wayne says
What an awesome idea, Amanda! My boys are now in their early 20’s but I made enough pb&js to last several lifetimes… seemed like it was always at the last minute or the spur of the moment when the boys were hungry. I found your site because I Googled the question and not thinking there was a real solution. I started craving pb&js about 6 weeks ago when I started a diet (15 lbs lost and 10 to go)and always make them individually. Now I can pack an entire weeks lunch in the freezer in about 15 minutes. Brilliant!! Will this also work for Fluffernutters? Thanks for shaving time off of my already hectic work schedule!
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Wayne! I still enjoy a PB&J myself, so I totally understand the craving! I’m glad this tip was helpful to you :) As for the Fluffernutters, that I’m not sure about. I would think the marshmallow would be okay. I would suggest making just one of those and freezing it for about a week. Then take it out and see how it faired! :)
Christina White says
thank you so much for this tip! I spend a fortune in the the smuckers sandwiches! I need to start trimming down costs and and time this is PERFECT! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Christina! This was a life saver for me when my kids were younger. I’m so glad it can help others!
Carissa Bonham says
thanks for the great ideas! I did not know the frozen PB&J trick. I’ve done the “split chips/pretzls into baggies” thing but never thought to put them back in the same big bag. DUH moment! That makes so much sense I feel silly for not having thought of it myself.
Thanks again for the tips. I wanted to let you know that I linked to you in my post on “Tips for Packing Better School Lunches” on Creative Green Living (http://www.creativegreenliving.com/2013/08/tips-for-packing-better-school-lunches.html)
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Carissa! I appreciate being included!
Michelle says
I have been making frozen peanut butter and peanut butter & honey sandwiches for a couple of years…my kids don’t like jelly! I make them special by calling them our special “uncrustables” and take the crust off! I usually make a loaf of sandwiches every couple of weeks…great for lunch or quick meal/snack!
Amanda Formaro says
Great idea using the honey!
Suzie says
This sounds great. I’d tried some before, but the jelly seeped through. Can’t wait to try again with pb on both sides. Also, when it comes to freezing ham sandwiches, can you freeze mustard if its in between 2 pieces of ham, and can you freeze the cheese on the sandwich?
Amanda Formaro says
I would say yes on the mustard and cheese! :)
debbie bosak says
I put Nutella on one side, peanut butter on the other and bananas in the middle of it all!!!
Amanda says
Yum!
Jennifer K says
This is great! I’m totally going to do this. I’m thought about it, but never heard of anyone doing it. Sounds great! I’m going to start my assembly line!
Kristen says
How long will they stay good in the freezer? Otherwise, when is the expiration date?? :)
Amanda says
Good question, I only make enough for a couple of weeks at the most. I would imagine they would be fine for a month or so.
sandra says
i’m going to start doing this!!! :D thank you
;0
jessica massey says
This is a great idea! Totally making these this weekend! Do you think i could cut the crust off? before freezing?
Amanda says
Hi jessica :) Yes of course, you can certainly cut them off. Some people even use cookie cutters or those special “Uncrustables” makers, I think Pampered Chef sells them?
Anne says
Thank you for posting this! I look forward to trying it!
Amanda says
Thanks Anne!
amber says
I wish I had seen this at the beginning of summer for all of our picnics. Thanks great tip had no idea.
Amanda says
You’re welcome Amber, thanks for stopping by!
Boshka Diaz says
This is awesome ! I love you post! I have 3 kids on my own under 5, 3 & 2. I really appreciate the tip :)
Steve Iversen says
I am in corporate sales and have been for many years, so I am out and about most days. I eat several PB sandwiches every day. I just eat one whenever I get hungry. I will be freezing some tonight and trying this for the first time. Also, for those with weight battles, I don’t know if it is coincidence, but am in my 50s and I go through about a jar of PB every two days. I have always been slim and sometimes have trouble keeping weight on, and my cholesterol has always been good
Maybe all the PB does it, who knows?
Amanda Formaro says
Awesome Steve! not sure if that contributes or not, but it’s great you are doing so well :) I’ve been doing this for many, many years. Just pulled one out of the freezer this morning for my youngest son’s lunch :)
Holli says
Super great idea! We already do the circle pb&js – cut them with a cookie cutter. But freezing them is such a great time saver – PLUS it will act as a bit of a cooling agent in the lunch box, keeping food cool. Awesome – thanks!
Amanda Formaro says
You’re quite welcome Holli!