
This air fryer PBJ takes the nostalgic peanut butter and jelly sandwich and gives it a golden, crispy upgrade no skillet required! It’s the perfect sweet-savory snack or quick lunch when you’re craving comfort with a little crunch. And if you’re a fan of air fryer recipes, you’re going to love how this one turns out!
Whether you’re cooking for picky toddlers, trying something new, or just want to level up your go-to sandwich, this is a fun and easy recipe to try.
If you loved this, check out my Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower next!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
This air fryer peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a quick, mess-free way to upgrade a classic. The air fryer creates a perfectly crispy crust just like an air fryer grilled cheese while the inside stays warm and gooey. It’s ideal for busy mornings, after-school snacks, or a cozy late-night bite. Plus, no stovetop needed!
Kids and adults both love this nostalgic favorite with a fun twist. It’s easy to customize with different breads, nut butters, or jams. Want something even simpler? It’s similar to an air fryer uncrustable, but homemade and tastier.
Whether you’re new to air fryer recipes or looking to get creative, this one’s a keeper. Trust me it’ll become a go-to snack in your weekly rotation. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to cold sandwiches again!

Ingredients You’ll Need
- Bread: We love brioche for its sweet, buttery flavor and thick slices. Sourdough, Texas toast, or multigrain work too.
- Peanut butter: Smooth or chunky. You can also use almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter.
- Jelly or jam: Go classic with strawberry or grape, or try raspberry, blueberry, or even fig preserves.
- Butter: Softened salted butter for spreading. Use plant-based alternatives if needed.

How to Make Air Fryer PBJ
Making a warm, crispy air fryer peanut butter and jelly sandwich is easier than you think and way more delicious than the standard cold version. With just a few pantry staples and less than 10 minutes, you can recreate this childhood favorite with a golden, toasted twist. Here’s how to do it:
1. Prepare the Bread
Start with two slices of your favorite bread. Brioche works best because it’s thick and slightly sweet, but whole wheat, sourdough, or even gluten-free options hold up well in the air fryer.
2. Add the Fillings
Spread 1.5 tablespoons of peanut butter evenly on one slice of bread. On the other slice, spread about 1 tablespoon of jelly or jam. Keep the spreads about ¼ inch from the edges to avoid overflow while cooking this step is key to avoiding a messy air fryer basket.
Variation Tip: Want to make it like a peanut butter fluff air fryer sandwich? Add a layer of marshmallow fluff for a gooey, sweet upgrade!

3. Assemble and Butter the Bread
Press the slices together to form a sandwich. Then, spread a thin layer of softened butter on the outside of both slices. This helps create that irresistible, golden crust similar to an air fryer grilled cheese. If you prefer a lighter version, use olive oil spray or a plant-based butter alternative.
4. Air Fry to Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (if your model recommends it). Place the sandwich in the basket, butter side down. Cook for 3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 1 to 3 minutes. You’re aiming for a crispy, golden exterior and a warm, melty inside.
Quick Tip: Keep an eye on it after flipping to avoid over-toasting. All air fryer recipes can vary slightly depending on the model and settings.

5. Let It Cool and Serve
Once cooked to your desired crispness, let the sandwich cool for 5 minutes. This helps the filling set and prevents burns from the hot jelly. Slice diagonally for that classic PBJ look and serve warm.
Bonus Tip: You can also cut off the crusts before air frying to make it feel more like a homemade air fryer uncrustable!
Tips for the Perfect Air Fryer PBJ
- No need to preheat the air fryer.
- Thicker bread holds up best.
- Check after flipping in 1-minute intervals for that perfect toast.
- Slightly press the sandwich before frying to keep it sealed.

FAQs
Yes! Making a PB&J in the air fryer gives it a warm, crispy, golden-brown finish almost like a grilled cheese but with the sweet-savory twist of peanut butter and jelly. It’s quick, easy, and elevates a classic favorite.
Brioche bread works beautifully due to its soft texture and slight sweetness, but you can use any bread you like white, whole wheat, sourdough, or even gluten-free. Just make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold the fillings and crisp up well in the air fryer.
Yes, buttering the outside of the bread helps achieve that golden, toasted crust. It also prevents the sandwich from drying out. If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can use cooking spray or skip the butter just note the texture might be slightly different.
Set your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 3 minutes per side, flipping halfway through. Depending on your air fryer model, you might need an extra minute or two to get that perfect crisp.
Absolutely! Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter work great. Feel free to mix and match with jams, jellies, or preserves like strawberry, raspberry, or even fig spread for fun flavor combos.
Make sure to spread the peanut butter and jelly evenly, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent overflow. Also, pressing the sandwich slightly before air frying helps seal the edges.

Related Recipes You Might Love
- Deli-Style Pastrami Sandwich
- This bold, deli-style pastrami sandwich is stacked with juicy meat, tangy pickles, and melty cheese perfect for when you’re craving a hearty, savory bite at home.
- Chicken Avocado Wrap
- Fresh, flavorful, and filling, this chicken avocado wrap is a quick lunch or light dinner packed with lean protein, creamy avocado, and crunchy veggies.
- Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe
- This lighter take on chicken salad is creamy, protein-rich, and perfect for meal prep. Serve it on lettuce, in a sandwich, or with crackers!
- Cold Roast Beef Sandwich
- Layered with tender roast beef, crisp veggies, and your favorite spread, this cold sandwich makes a flavorful and easy lunch you can prep ahead.
conclusion
This air fryer peanut butter and jelly sandwich brings a crispy, golden twist to a beloved classic. Whether you’re craving a warm snack or exploring easy air fryer recipes, this quick fix is family-friendly and delicious. From a DIY air fryer uncrustable to a sweet spin on air fryer grilled cheese, this recipe is worth bookmarking. Don’t forget to pin it and share with fellow air fryer fans!
Thanks so much for stopping by! If you give this air fryer peanut butter and jelly sandwich a try, I’d love to hear what you think. Leave a star rating and comment below!


Don’t forget to pin this recipe to your favorite Air Fryer Recipes board on Pinterest so you can find it later. Let’s keep cooking fun and stress-free!

Air Fryer PBJ
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 1 sandwich
Description
This air fryer PBJ takes the nostalgic peanut butter and jelly sandwich and gives it a golden, crispy upgrade—no skillet required! Perfect for a sweet-savory snack or quick comfort lunch with crunch.
Ingredients
- Bread – brioche, sourdough, Texas toast, or multigrain
- Peanut butter – smooth, chunky, or nut butter alternatives
- Jelly or jam – strawberry, grape, raspberry, blueberry, or fig
- Butter – softened salted or plant-based alternative
Instructions
- Spread 1.5 tbsp peanut butter on one slice of bread, and 1 tbsp jam on the other. Press together.
- Spread 1 tsp of softened butter on the outside of each slice.
- Place sandwich in air fryer basket, butter side down. Air fry at 350°F for 3 minutes.
- Flip and cook another 1-3 minutes until golden brown.
- Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Don’t overload the filling to avoid oozing. Slightly pressing the sandwich helps keep it sealed.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 571 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Fat: 36g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 14g
Keywords: air fryer, pbj, peanut butter and jelly, sandwich, quick snack