10 Amazing Peanut Butter & Jelly Recipes Perfectly Acceptable For Adults

Peanut butter and jelly was a groundbreaking combination for good reason—it’s high in energy, provides just the right amount of sweetness, and it’s insanely simple.

Unfortunately, though, peanut butter and jelly isn’t something that you find in a grown up’s kitchen unless there are children around.

And, why?! Why should we be robbed of such a delicious and nutritious snack simply because we are afraid of the repercussions of leaving sticky jelly marks on the laptop keyboard or having peanut butter breath while talking to our boss…

OK, these things are easily fixable with some soap and mints. And, to make matters even better, there are dozens of ways to reinvent traditional peanut butter and jelly so that you don’t feel like you’re a 10-year-old headed to your first day of fifth grade.

Here are 10 recipes that update your traditional peanut butter and jelly so that you don’t have to give it up in the name of maturity.

1. Peanut Butter & Jelly Macarons

For the truly refined peanut butter and jelly connoisseur.  Not only are they beautiful, but these macarons are hiding something delicious. You can see the peanut butter seeping out of the middle, but you don’t really know that they feature jelly until you bite into them—the jelly is hidden in the purple “buns.” Classier than your traditional sandwich and still super fun. Get the recipe at Joanne Eats Well With Others.

2. PB&J Muffins

PB&J gets ultimately simple in muffin form, and even more delicious with streusel topping and a berry jam drizzle, according to Real Simple. Each batch contains a whopping three-quarter cup of peanut butter, so you’re not giving up any of the PB&J’s better half (in my humble opinion) with this recipe. Get it at Erica’s Sweet Tooth.

3. Peanut Butter & Jelly Banana Bread

If you haven’t experience the beauty of a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich with banana slices added in, then shame on you. But it’s OK, because now you can experience it in an upscale form. This bread features a raspberry jam twist, and it’s a great way to use those overripe bananas that you swore you would eat every morning as your daily fruit. Get the recipe at Taste and Tell.

4. PB&J Donuts

For an snack with a little extra sweet, try these insanely-soft, super-moist donuts, courtesy of Real Simple. They’re full of jam, dipped in a peanut butter glaze, and topped with real chopped peanuts, so no one can tell you that you look a day under the age of any talented, seasoned pastry chef. Find the recipe at Broma Bakery.

5. No-Bake Peanut Butter & Jelly Granola Bars

Oh heck yes, you read that right: no baking required. The ultimate in lazy yet still updated peanut butter and jelly recipes is right here. These are perfect for a quick snack or those mornings when you have zero time to make a proper breakfast. Not only are these granola bars quick to make and delicious, they’re also super healthy. They don’t contain any butter; instead, they use coconut oil, honey, peanut butter, rolled oats, quick oats, and oat flour—and jelly on top, of course. Get the recipe at Dessert Now Dinner Later.

6. PB&J Overnight Oats

Oatmeal is like the ultimate healthy breakfast food. They contain a ton of fiber, make an easy, balanced breakfast, provide important minerals, are naturally gluten free, and they can help with weight control, according to Everyday Health. For this recipe, you just mix together almond milk, chia seeds, chunky or creamy peanut butter, and jam, (some people also add protein powder for an extra punch) and then let the mixture sit in the refrigerator overnight. You can even make extra so you can live off of it for a few days. Get the super simple recipe at Fit Foodie Finds.

7. PB & J Granola

This makes a great finger-food snack or an wonderful topping for yogurt. In case the simplicity of this treat doesn’t snag you, here’s the real selling point: The total prep time is 20 minutes. Find the recipe at Maebells.

8. Peanut Butter & Jelly Pancakes

An old weekend classic turned combined with your favorite childhood sandwich. It really can’t get any better. Blogger Liz DellaCroce makes these yogurt batter pancakes in advance with her children and then freezes them so that she can have fresh, homemade pancakes available throughout the week for both snacks and breakfasts. Get the recipe at DellaCroce’s blog, The Lemon Bowl.

9. Vegan PB&J Cups

This might sound super complicated, but the entire recipe will only take you about 20 minutes, and you will feel like a dessert expert by the end. These PB&J cups feature a peanut butter shell and a juicy chia jam stuffing inside. The shell is made with coconut oil, cacoa butter, and zero sugar, which makes it creamy and healthy. Find the recipe at Love Me, Feed Me.

10. Peanut Butter Burger With Strawberry Relish

Yes, it sounds weird, but blogger Gerry Speirs swears by this burger, which couples bacon with peanut butter (a truly addictive combination that I can actually attest to) and then tops it all off with strawberry jam relish. If you really want to step into the PB&J big leagues, then try out this recipe Speirs’ blog, Foodness Gracious.

Images: Joanne Eats Well With Others; Erica’s Sweet Tooth; Taste and Tell; Broma Bakery; Dessert Now Dinner Later; Fit Foodie Finds; Maebells; The Lemon Bowl; Love Me, Feed Me; Foodness Gracious