8 Peanut Butter and Jelly Upgrades for Back to School

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Another school year, another onslaught of brown bag lunches with America's most beloved sandwich: the classic peanut butter and jelly. 

While we'd never want to ruin a good thing, there are a few hacks and tricks to change up your kids' lunchtime routine and enhance the timeless bite. After all, anything that tastes delicious can begin to bore the palate after one too many meals, and variety is (quite literally, if you check our sixth tip below) the spice of life. 

Check out our top recommendations to zhuzh up the affordable and familiar meal. 

1. Consider different bread

White bread is as basic as a food can get and you shouldn't feel limited to it when making a PB&J. There are other varieties that exceed PB&J's vessel in flavor and texture. Take buttery brioche, for instance, which can make any sandwich taste like a gourmet doughnut. 

Zucchini or banana bread will give this stalwart sandwich a subtly sweet edge or try slices of rye to add a peppery departure. You can also ditch loaves altogether and opt for bagels, biscuits, croissants, English muffins, baguettes or homemade crackers. 

2. Incorporate a crunchy element

While the signature smooth texture of a PB&J may be its biggest draw, incorporating a crunchy element can also bring in a pleasant surprise to the palate. Ideas include granola, coconut flakes, seeds and even potato chips. These not only make the mouthfeel more interesting, but they can tie in an earthiness, saltiness or sweetness (or all three) that you wouldn't achieve with a basic recipe.

3. Swap the nut butter

Peanut butter is inarguably fantastic, but many people forget that there is a wonderful world of nut and seed butters that are excellent spreadable alternatives. These include more mainstream varieties such as almond and cashew, but can be as adventurous as brazil nut, pistachio, sunflower seed and hazelnut. Don't be afraid to mix and match, and remember that something as seemingly insignificant as roasting nuts and seeds can completely change the sandwich's flavor profile -- and for the better.

4. Use fresh fruit

Jellies, jams, chutneys and marmalades make peanut butter shine, but actual fresh fruits such as berries, bananas, apples and even nectarines can bring a layer of juiciness, freshness and acidity that sugar-laden jarred products lack. Hit up your local farmer's market, pick up what's in season, slice and layer. The beauty of this type of experimentation is that it's very low-risk -- you're bound to enjoy something from your bounty. 

5. Turn it into dessert

Nutella and marshmallow Fluff may be iconic peanut butter dessert duos, but there are a bevy of other sweet options. Honey, chocolate chips and even salted caramel can turn lunchtime into a full-fledged indulgence. If it pairs well with peanut butter on its own, it will translate well in sandwich form -- guaranteed. 

6. Make it spicy 

There are wonderful spices, such as sweet paprika and smoky chipotle, that stand up to peanut butter's richness, bringing heat and an added layer of complexity that can mimic the flavors of peanut sauces, satays and curries. Either mix these into the peanut butter beforehand or sprinkle them on top as a final step before noshing. 

7. Add something savory

The combination of bacon and peanut butter isn't just a gimmicky social media trend -- it tastes amazing, thanks to the pork's ability to cut through peanut butter's heaviness and sweetness with a certified sodium bomb. Not a meat eater? No problem! Opt for herbs and veggies to also bring in savory flavors such as bitterness, sharpness or umami. 

8. Toast it

For an ever-so-subtle adjustment to the original, try toasting your bread for added crunch and warmth. This is particularly delicious when jelly is substituted with chocolate. As the chocolate melts, it creates a peanut butter cup-like consistency that would give Reese's a run for its money.