Say 'Hello' to your new favorite plant-based sandwich! These ultra crunchy Grilled Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwich Sticks are a new fangled twist on the classic grilled PB&J and they are sure to be a home run! Crispy and golden brown on the outside, gooey on the inside, and perfect for a quick lunch or an afternoon snack. One bite and the symphony of crunch that ensues will have you wondering where these delicious sandwiches have been all your life!
When I was little, my Mom did all the cooking, but my Dad would occasionally have to make me something to eat. It was always one of two things, a can of roast beef hash or a grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I can count on one hand the number of times I received the sandwich, which oddly made it even more special. I remember having to be patient waiting for it to cool down enough to eat and then that oh so glorious crunch of the first bite.
If you've ever tried a grilled PB&J you know what I'm talking about, it should almost be classified as dessert! If you haven't, you're in for a treat, literally. This version delivers all the joy of the classic sandwich, is perfect for anyone who loves Sunbutter, and is especially perfect for any peanut allergy friends out there like us!
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💗Why you'll love these Grilled Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwich Sticks
- Crispy on the Outside, Gooey on the Inside: The perfect combination of crunchy and gooey goodness. It's like your childhood favorite with a deliciously crispy twist!
- Kid Friendly Fun: These sandwich sticks are just the right size for little hands (or big ones who just want a fun and delicious snack).
- Peanut Free, But Just as Delicious: Whether you’re avoiding peanuts or just looking for something new, these Sunbutter & Jelly sticks are the perfect alternative without sacrificing any of the flavor you love.
- A Quick & Easy Snack: Whether it's a snack for your kiddos or just a quick lunch for yourself, these sandwich sticks come together in no time. And, no Mr. Grown Up, you don't have to make them into sticks, but it's wayyyy more fun if you do!
- Plant-Based: Vegans and non vegans alike are sure to love my healthier plant-based version of this crunchy treat!
🍽Equipment
For making these sandwiches you'll need a non stick skillet or griddle. A cutting board (less messy for buttering the bread and perfect for cutting into sticks). A butter knife for buttering and a sharp knife for making into sticks. Fun plates for serving!
⏲️Advanced Prep
If you're using a vegan butter such as Miyoko's that comes in a block you'll want to pull it out of the fridge about 20-30 minutes before making the sandwiches so it's spreads easily and without tearing the bread. If you forget the microwave will save the day, so don't fret!
🍓Ingredients
- Vegan Butter: A favorite here at FFF is Miyoko's Plant-Based butter. Salted and Unsalted both work for this recipe. Alternatively, coconut oil (solid, not the liquid kind) also works. The butter adds more flavor.
- Sunbutter: Feel free to use your favorite brand, creamy, crunchy, whatever your heart desires! For this post I used Sunbutter brand Sunflower Seed Butter with No Sugar Added.
- Jam or Jelly: This one is totally your call, whatever Jam or Jelly is your jam (pun intended), use the one that makes you smile the biggest!
- Bread: A good bread will yield the ultimate crunchiness. I found the coolest pre-sliced Rustic Ciabatta Loaf at our local Kroger and it was simply the perfect shape and texture for these sandwiches. I didn't even have to cut them into sticks because the bread loaf was so flat already. A nice sourdough would also be an excellent choice! Be sure to check that your bread of choice is vegan friendly.
🔪Instructions
1.) Gather up your bread of choice, Sunbutter, plant-based butter, and favorite jelly or jam. Preheat a griddle to 325 F (165 C), or preheat a skillet over medium-low heat. This will ensure the perfect crisp without the risk of burning.
2.) Lay the bread out on a cutting board.
3.) Spread Sunbutter and Jelly onto the bread slices.
4.) Put sandwiches together and butter the outsides of the bread.
5.) Place on the pre-heated griddle or skillet.
6.) Grill for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
7.) Using tongs to flip the sandwiches may be easier than using a spatula.
8.) They are done cooking when they look all golden and crispy like this!
9.) Place sandwiches on a rack to cool before enjoying, about 5 minutes.
Serve with fresh fruit and enjoy!
💭Pro Sandwich Making Tips
A good bread will yield the ultimate crunchiness. I found the coolest pre-sliced Rustic Chiabatta Loaf at our local Kroger and it was simply the perfect shape and texture for these sandwiches. I didn't even have to cut them into sticks because the bread loaf was so flat already. A nice sourdough would also be an excellent choice!
Cook low & slow for the best and even crisping all over. Medium-Low heat in a skillet or 325 on a griddle to ensure the perfect crisp without the risk of burning. Kids and phones distract us and then suddenly the trash bin is eating our burnt lunch. So low, slow, and patient is key!
Butter the bread, not the pan/griddle. For that golden brown crust, spread a thin layer of vegan butter or coconut oil directly on the bread before grilling. This helps to get that beautiful, crispy outer layer.
Allow to cool. The middle gets hot so allow the sandwiches or sandwich sticks to cool before diving in so you don't burn your mouth.
Cold butter. If you forgot to pull the butter out of the fridge and now it's suddenly lunchtime simply place it in a dish and microwave for about 15-20 seconds to soften. If it gets really melty use a spoon to drizzle it on the bread and the back of the spoon to spread it around evenly.
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Mix it up and swap out the Sunbutter for Almond butter or Cashew butter for another new twist!
- There are endless Jelly/Jam opportunities just waiting to be tried! I'm a sucker for a good Strawberry Jam myself! But you could try Blueberry, Raspberry, Fig if you're feeling courageous! Have a homemade chia seed jam on hand? Go for it!
- Need your sandwich sticks to be Gluten Free? Just make sure you opt for a GF bread. Make sure it's sturdy enough for grilling to get that awesome crunch.
- A pinch of cinnamon could even be a delicious addition to your Sunbutter. Just sprinkle a pinch onto your Sunbuttered side of the bread before closing up your sandwich.
- Banana? Yes, please! Feel free to swap the jelly or jam with banana slices!
- For a sweeter twist try cinnamon raisin bread and turn these sticks into breakfast just like that!
- If you can't find plant-based butter you can use coconut oil (not the liquid kind). The plant butter does tend to produce the best flavor though.
🧊Storage & Meal Prep
Fridge: If you happen to have any leftover grilled sandwich sticks (lucky you!), let them cool to room temperature before storing. Place them in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Just be sure to reheat them before serving so they stay crispy!
Reheating from the fridge: To keep that crispy texture, pop the sandwich sticks back in a toaster oven or on a griddle for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. If you don’t have a toaster oven, a regular oven at 350°F (175°C) works great too. Just place them on a baking sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Freezer: Want to prep ahead? These sandwiches and sandwich sticks freeze really well. Assemble your sandwich and butter the outsides then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap (before cutting into sticks) and place them in a freezer safe bag or container. They’ll last up to 2-3 months. Then just toss in a pre-heated pan or griddle right from frozen and cook low and slow (follow recipe card cooking instructions as normal). Cut into sticks and enjoy!
📋FAQ's
Yes! To freeze before cooking, assemble the sandwiches, butter the outside of the bread, and freeze them individually on a parchment covered baking sheet. Once solid, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. When ready to cook, grill them directly from frozen for a crispy, gooey treat.
Sunbutter most closely resembles peanut butter for these sandwiches and spreads so beautifully, but you could also try Oat Butter, Soy Butter, or Pumpkin Seed butter to accommodate those with allergies.
Elevate your sandwich sticks with unique dipping sauces such as Kite Hill Plant Based Vanilla Yogurt, or mix up a cinnamon-vanilla almond butter dip by combining almond butter (or sunbutter), a pinch of cinnamon, a splash of vanilla, and enough plant milk to reach desired consistency.
If your sandwich seems soggy or not as crunchy as you hoped it could be the bread. A good bread is key, think Sourdough or Ciabatta from the deli section of your grocery store, something that is more dense. If you opt for the really soft whole wheat or white slices from the bread aisle it won't create that signature crunch that your neighbors should be able to hear when you take the first bite.
👩🏻🍳Creating the shot: A behind the scenes look
Flipping up deliciousness!
Setting up the scene and lighting.
Eating a sandwich stick before announcing to Chris that they're ready, otherwise they'll be gone!
What really happened
I had to make the sandwiches twice because the first time I kept getting distracted and lost track of my prep and cook times. Which was definitely not an issue, Chris' exact words were, "You can make these EVERY DAY!"
💬Did you enjoy this recipe?
If you give these Grilled Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwiches a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a review below or share your own twist in the comments—your feedback and creativity make this space even more delicious.
Grilled Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwich Sticks
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 Sandwich
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These ultra crunchy Grilled Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwich Sticks are a new fangled twist on the classic grilled PB&J and they are sure to be a home run! Crispy and golden brown on the outside, gooey on the inside, and perfect for a quick lunch or an afternoon snack.
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons Sunbutter (use more or less to taste): Feel free to use your favorite brand, creamy, crunchy, whatever your heart desires! For this post I used Sunbutter brand Sunflower Seed Butter with No Sugar Added.
2 Tablespoons Jam or Jelly (use more or less to taste): This one is totally your call, whatever Jam or Jelly is your jam (pun intended), use the one that makes you smile the biggest!
2 Slices Bread: A good bread will yield the ultimate crunchiness. I found the coolest pre-sliced Rustic Ciabatta Loaf at our local Kroger and it was simply the perfect shape and texture for these sandwiches. I didn't even have to cut them into sticks because the bread loaf was so flat already. A nice sourdough would also be an excellent choice!
Vegan Butter: A favorite here at FFF is Miyoko's Plant-Based butter. Salted and Unsalted both work for this recipe. Alternatively, coconut oil (solid, not the liquid kind) also works. The butter adds more flavor.
Instructions
- Gather your bread, Sunbutter, plant-based butter, and favorite jelly or jam. Preheat a griddle to 325°F (165°C) or heat a non stick skillet over medium-low heat.
-
Lay the bread slices on a cutting board.
-
Spread Sunbutter on one slice and jelly on the other.
-
Put the slices together and butter the outsides of the bread.
-
Place the sandwich on the griddle or skillet.
-
Grill for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
-
Flip sandwich(es) using tongs for easier handling.
-
Place sandwich(es) on a rack to cool before enjoying, about 5 minutes.
Notes
Not crunchy? If your sandwich seems soggy or not as crunchy as you hoped it could be the bread. A good bread is key, think Sourdough or Ciabatta from the deli section of your grocery store, something that is more dense. If you opt for the really soft whole wheat or white slices from the bread aisle it won't create that signature crunch that your neighbors should be able to hear when you take the first bite.
Cook low & slow for the best and even crisping all over. Medium-Low heat in a skillet or 325 on a griddle to ensure the perfect crisp without the risk of burning.
Other Nut Free Options: Sunbutter most closely resembles peanut butter for these sandwiches and spreads so beautifully, but you could also try Oat Butter, Soy Butter, or Pumpkin Seed butter to accommodate those with allergies.
Variation: Try swapping the jelly for banana slices!
Freezer: Want to prep ahead? These sandwiches and sandwich sticks freeze really well. Assemble your sandwich and butter the outsides then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap (before cutting into sticks) and place them in a freezer safe bag or container. They’ll last up to 2-3 months. Then just toss in a pre-heated pan or griddle right from frozen and cook low and slow (follow recipe card cooking instructions as normal). Cut into sticks and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: Plant-Based
Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is an estimate calculated using Nutrifox, an online tool. Please note that this information is for general guidance only and should not replace advice from a qualified professional. Additionally, this page may include affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through those links at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Fresh Fun Flavor!
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