Just when you thought PB&Js couldn’t get any easier, prepping a batch of Homemade Uncrustables makes lunch packing that much smoother. This toddler-friendly, freezer-friendly version uses whole grain bread and simple fillings like smooth, all natural peanut butter and chia jam.
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Brands like Smucker's made the frozen PB&J Uncrustables very popular, but the truth is, we can easily make a homemade version for far cheaper! Making them at home lets you save money while choosing the bread and fillings that work best for your family. You get the same familiar, lunchbox-friendly idea, but with ingredients you want to include! I was hesitant about how these would hold up in the freezer and then going into a lunchbox, so I put them to the test and can confidently say they passed with flying colours.
For more lunchbox ideas, check out my post with over 15 Easy Cold School Lunch Ideas For Kids, or my Ultimate List of Toddler Lunch Ideas!
Ingredients for Easy Homemade Uncrustables
These uncrustables don't need a lot of ingredients! Here is a basic version, but there are ideas for other substitutions below.
- whole grain bread (or bread of choice)
- strawberry chia jam (or banana)
- smooth, all natural peanut butter or sunflower seed butter for nut-free
- hemp hearts (optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
These homemade uncrustables are fairly simple to make. I've made two uncrustable sandwiches below, but you can just make one if you wish or easily double or triple the recipe for batch prepping!
Lay out the slices of bread on a cutting board. Use soft, untoasted bread. Soft bread helps with sealing.
Spread a thin layer of smooth peanut butter or sunflower seed butter on both slices of bread. Spreading it on both sides helps prevent the bread from getting soggy from the jam.
Sprinkle a small amount of hemp hearts over the peanut butter, if using.
Add a scoop of strawberry chia jam to the centre of one slice. Keep the filling away from the edges so it seals well.
Place the second slice of bread on top and gently press together. Use a sandwich cutter or cookie cutter to cut out the shape.
Use a sandwich sealer to press down and seal the two pieces together. If you don't have a sandwich sealer, you can press down with a fork around the edges.
Hint: All-natural peanut butter can be a bit firm, especially if it’s been stored in the fridge. If needed, warm it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften before spreading. This makes it much easier to spread evenly without tearing the bread. Spread the peanut butter on both slices of bread and keep it slightly away from the edges, this helps seal in the filling and prevents the bread from getting soggy once frozen or thawed.
Substitutions
- Nut-free: Use smooth sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter for a nut-free option.
- Fruit filling: Chia jam works well for freezing, but you can also use mashed banana for same-day sandwiches (banana doesn’t freeze well).
- Bread: Whole grain bread is great for providing some fibre, but any soft sandwich bread will work.
Variations
- PB & Banana: Spread peanut butter on both slices of bread and add thin banana slices in the middle, mash in and spread around. Best enjoyed fresh or same day (not freezer-friendly).
- Sunflower Seed Butter & Chia Jam: A great nut-free option that still freezes well.
Equipment
A sandwich cutter and sealer like this set here helps cut and seal the sandwiches together. My kids love the different shapes like dinosaurs or hearts. If you don’t have one, you can use a round cookie cutter to cut the bread, then press the edges together with a fork to seal.
Storage
These can be packed in a lunchbox and enjoyed the same day.
For short-term storage, keep assembled sandwiches in the fridge and use within 24 hours.
For longer storage, freeze the sealed sandwiches in a single layer in an airtight bag or freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to a month. When ready to eat, pop them in a lunchbox and they will thaw by lunchtime. You can also pop into a toaster oven to toast them up. Banana-filled sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh and should not be frozen.
Toddler Tip
These sandwiches are easy for little hands to hold, but for younger toddlers, you can cut them in half or into smaller pieces to make them easier to manage. Make sure you are spreading a thin layer of the nut or seed butter so that it doesn't gob up.
We love serving these with Cinnamon Apples!
FAQ
It’s best to use soft, untoasted bread. However, my kids prefer toasted bread at the moment and so I have tried out toasting the bread first. It can work but the sandwich does not seal as well and can be a bit crumbly.
Yes, as long as you’re using freezer-friendly fillings like peanut butter or sunflower seed butter with jam. Banana does not freeze well and is best for same-day sandwiches.
Don’t toss them! Leftover crusts can be saved and turned into French toast muffins, or used for croutons or pulsing down into breadcrumbs. Store crusts in the fridge for a day or freeze until you’re ready to use them.
Recipe
Homemade Uncrustables
Equipment
- 1 Sandwich cutter and sealer or cookie cutter and fork
Ingredients
- 4 slices whole grain bread soft (only use two slices for one sandwich or more slices if you are batch prepping)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter smooth, all natural
- 2 teaspoon hemp hearts
- 1 tablespoon strawberry chia jam strawberry chia jam recipe
Instructions
- Lay out the slices of bread on a cutting board. Use soft, untoasted bread, this helps the sandwiches seal best.
- Spread a thin layer of smooth peanut butter or sunflower seed butter on one side of both slices of bread. Spreading it on both sides helps prevent the bread from getting soggy.
- Sprinkle a small amount of hemp hearts over the peanut butter, if using.
- Add a scoop of strawberry chia jam to the centre of one slice. Keep the filling away from the edges so it seals well.
- Place the second slice of bread on top and gently press together.
- Use a sandwich cutter or cookie cutter, place on top and cut through to form the shape.
- Then using the sandwich sealer, press down to seal the edges. If using a fork press down around the edges of the sandwich to seal.
- Repeat with remaining bread and fillings.
Notes
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