Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread is a nostalgic treat with a twist, combining all the flavors you loved as a kid into a soft, moist loaf that’s perfect any time of day. Imagine layers of creamy peanut butter, sweet strawberries, and a crunchy peanut streusel all packed into a sliceable, portable snack. This isn’t just an afternoon pick-me-up; it’s a mood-lifting, crave-smashing bake you’ll want to share (or not!). If you’re looking for a deliciously comforting bread that packs a little extra magic, you’ve absolutely found it with this Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient here is thoughtfully selected to guarantee big flavor and the perfect texture in your Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread. Each one plays its part — from toasty peanuts and creamy peanut butter for richness, to fresh strawberries and jam for sparkle and sweetness. Here’s what you’ll need:

Brown sugar (packed): Adds a caramel warmth to both the streusel and bread, keeping everything extra moist.
All-purpose flour: Holds everything together, creating a tender crumb you’ll love in each bite.
Crushed peanuts: Give the streusel its nutty crunch and a little surprise texture with every slice.
Butter (melted): Helps bind the streusel, adding a lovely melt-in-your-mouth finish on top.
Milk: Ensures your bread turns out perfectly soft, with just the right amount of richness.
Eggs: Provide structure and lift to give the loaf its beautiful rise and tender crumb.
Creamy peanut butter: Brings that iconic peanut flavor and a luscious, dense texture.
Baking soda: Works with the eggs to give the loaf the ideal rise without being fussy.
Salt: Boosts all the sweet and nutty flavors, making everything pop just right.
Chopped strawberries: Add bursts of fresh fruit throughout your bites for color, flavor, and moisture.
Strawberry jam: Creates delicious swirls inside the loaf, reminiscent of your favorite sandwich, only better!

How to Make Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread

Step 1: Prep the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan so nothing sticks, and if you want an ultra-easy lift after baking, line just the bottom and long sides with parchment paper. Trust me, this small step saves so much hassle (and mess!) when it’s time to slice.

Step 2: Mix Up the Peanut Streusel

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and those delightfully crunchy peanuts. Drizzle in the melted butter and stir until you’ve got crumbly, nutty clusters. Pop this bowl in the fridge while you prep the bread — chilling gets the crumble extra crisp during baking.

Step 3: Whisk Wet Ingredients

Grab a big mixing bowl and whisk together brown sugar, milk, eggs, and creamy peanut butter. You want everything nice and smooth here — this is the base for all that signature Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread flavor!

Step 4: Stir in Dry Ingredients and Strawberries

Add flour, baking soda, and salt right into the wet mixture. Use a spatula to gently fold it all together (don’t overmix!). Now scatter in the chopped strawberries for ruby-red pockets of yumminess in every slice.

Step 5: Swirl in Strawberry Jam

Spoon dollops of strawberry jam over the batter. With your spatula, give the batter just a few gentle folds to create pretty pink swirls — resist the urge to mix too much, since you want ribbons of jam throughout your Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread.

Step 6: Assemble and Top with Streusel

Pour the luscious batter into your prepared pan and smooth it out evenly. For extra berry flair, sprinkle a few more chopped strawberries across the top. Retrieve your streusel from the fridge, break it up with your fingers or a fork, and scatter it generously across the loaf for a perfectly craggy finish.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 60 to 75 minutes. Halfway through, loosely cover the top with foil or parchment if it’s browning quickly. Your bread is done when a toothpick poked in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 8: Cool Down

Once baked, set the loaf on a wire rack and let it cool in the pan for a full hour — this helps everything firm up for tidier slices. After that, you can lift it out (thanks, parchment!) and let it cool completely before slicing into your beautiful Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread

Garnishes

Dress up each slice with a simple smear of butter, extra peanut butter, or a ribbon of jelly if you’re feeling indulgent. A sprinkle of crushed peanuts or even a dusting of powdered sugar adds crunch and a touch of fancy, making your homemade snack look café-worthy.

Side Dishes

Pair this loaf with a tall glass of milk, hot coffee, or even a fruity smoothie for a cozy breakfast or snack. If you’re serving this as a treat, a side of fresh fruit salad or some crisp apple slices complements the sweet peanutty notes beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving at a brunch or bringing to a potluck, slice and arrange the bread on a colorful platter with bowls of extra jam and peanut butter for dunking. For individual treats, try cutting the bread into thick fingers and packing into lunchboxes for a nostalgic snack that’s easier (and less messy) than a sandwich.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap your Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For even longer freshness, keep it in the fridge, where it’ll stay moist and delicious for up to a week.

Freezing

Slice the cooled loaf, then wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap and pop them all into a freezer bag. Your snack bread can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw slices overnight in the fridge or zap in the microwave for a quick snack any time.

Reheating

Warm slices gently in the toaster oven or microwave for that “just baked” experience. If you’re feeling extra, toast a slice and slather with more peanut butter or jam for the ultimate comfort treat.

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of jam or fruit?

Absolutely! While strawberries make this version classic, you can swap in raspberries, blueberries, or even apricot jam (and matching fruit) for a fun twist on your Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread.

Do I have to use creamy peanut butter?

Creamy peanut butter is best for that iconic smooth texture, but if you love a little extra crunch, go ahead and use chunky. Either way, the result will be rich and delicious.

Why is my bread a little dense?

If the bread feels dense, it might be due to overmixing the batter or not giving the loaf enough time to cool before slicing. Mixing until “just combined” and letting it cool completely will help keep your Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread perfectly tender.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The bread will still be moist and packed with that classic peanut-butter-and-jelly flavor!

How can I tell when the bread is fully baked?

Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of the loaf. When it comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not raw batter), your Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread is ready to cool and slice.

Final Thoughts

If you adore homemade comfort food with a playful twist, you truly can’t go wrong with Peanut Butter Jelly Snack Bread. It’s a recipe that sparks joy, shares happy memories, and never fails to make snack time something special. Gather your ingredients and give it a try — your taste buds (and friends) will thank you!