Top Your Peanut Butter Sandwich With A Satisfying, Crunchy Addition

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, unambiguous as they may be, have undergone significant changes since their invention in the early 20th century. In fact, the first one featured an unusual flavor: currant or crab apple jelly. Still, given their simplicity, they form a good base to experiment with toppings and additions. For all the breakfast lovers out there, try sprinkling a scoop of granola in between the spreads for a crunchy take on the classic.

The method is straightforward, but the results certainly aren't. Before you close up your sandwich, take roughly a ¼ cup of your favorite granola and scatter it evenly across the bread. This spin is perfect for a hearty brunch and changes things up in the lunchbox rotation (be it for school or work). If regular PB&Js are usually too sweet for your palate or they just lack a little oomph, granola can make for a versatile and tactile change. Plus, if you've ever tried PB&J granola, you'll already know that this is a winning flavor combination.

The beauty of granola is how easily it can be customized. There are hundreds of varieties on the market, and many people enjoy DIYing them at home. When adding it to your peanut butter and jelly sandwich, consider if you want a sweet or savory crunch. Both spreads already contain a decent amount of sugar, so foregoing the honey or other sweetening agents in granola can help achieve a more balanced flavor profile. Regarding the flavors themselves, granola is famed for its "everything but the kitchen sink" level of versatility. Don't let this overwhelm you. The basic elements are oats, seeds, and nuts — anything else is a flavor enhancer. Peanut butter and jelly could be more than enough to take this breakfast classic to a new level.

What's more, with all of the peanut butter options on the market, opt for smooth over crunchy. The granola will take care of that element all on its own, so you don't need to overdo it and risk hurting your teeth. As for the jelly, you may actually want to use a version that contains actual fruit bits. Usually, these pieces are softened, and it can add a nice chewy contrast to the harder crunch. Better yet, make your own gorgeous red jam, exactly to your liking.