Lar»Frozen meal recipes»Freezable homemade encrustables
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Homemade encrustables are a quick, freezable, kid-friendly option for easy school snacks! They are always a hit with little ones and also work great for road trips, vacations, picnics and other events! You control the ingredients, and they often come out cheaper than store-bought!
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How to Make (and Freeze) Homemade Crusty Sandwiches
Lazy mom that I am, I'm ALWAYS looking for great ideas for easy school snacks. Bonus if I can find early lunch ideas, because while my body may be out of bed by 6am, my poor brain refuses to wake up until at least 8am.
And God help the poor child who gets one of her mother's "lunches" that she hastily prepared five minutes before leaving for school while her brain was still technically asleep...homemade encrustables(Crustless Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches) are a perfect kid-friendly, mom-sanity-saving option for simple, easy, fuss-free lunches!
For the uninitiated, Uncrustables is the brand name for some commercially available crustless sandwiches that you can find in the frozen food section of your local grocery store. They are, as the name implies, your standard pb&j sandwich without the crust - individually wrapped for your convenience. They come in several different flavors with different bread options as well. Uncrustables are great for lunches, travel, picnics, etc., but they can get a little pricey if you buy them regularly.
The cool thing is that you can do it yourself without much effort! In fact, it's basically making a regular peanut butter and jelly sandwich, with a little change, and then removing the crust and sealing the sides so the goodness inside doesn't become inadvertent lunchtime "art" at all times. your children's clothes.
(Now, if your kids purposely separate them and use the fillings for finger painting at lunchtime, no sandwich seals are going to stop that, and I hope you have a REALLY good stain remover in your laundry arsenal...)
Customize the ingredients
The great thing about making your own homemade encrustables is that you can easily customize the ingredients!
The bread
You'll want to stick with sandwich bread on this one, but it can be white or wheat. 100% whole-grain breads that are too dense don't work well in these sandwiches, nor do most sourdough breads. But most sandwich breads will work fine - round, square, Texas Toast, etc.
The Fillings
You can choose just about any peanut butter you can find - peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower butter, etc.
For the jam/jelly, again, you can choose the flavors! You can also use honey, preserves, freezer jam, etc. I haven't tried this with my raspberry and chia seed jam yet, but I know the jam freezes well, so I think it will work really well with those encrustables! I'll keep you posted if I find out otherwise.
Assembling your homemade Uncrustables sandwiches
To make a successful freezable sandwich, you'll want to make one small change from your normal sandwich-making routine, and that is to spread your peanut butter on BOTH pieces of bread.
Trust me – I did it the “normal” way, with peanut butter on one piece and jelly on the other, and it didn't turn out great. We ended up with soggy sandwiches because the jam soaks through the bread. And no one wants a soggy sandwich - with or without a crust!
So, by putting peanut butter on both pieces of bread, the peanut butter will act as a protective layer to prevent the bread from getting soggy and soaking up all the jam or jam.
Then go ahead and put your jam or jelly on your sandwich pieces. Sometimes I spread a thin layer of jam on both pieces of bread, sometimes I'm lazy and just spoon some jam into the center of a piece using a spoon and say it's good - either works.
Then go ahead and place your two pieces of bread together to form your sandwich.
A quick note here:
You'll notice in my photos that I spread my peanut butter practically to the edges of the bread. I do this because my kids will eat the leftover crust so I'll go ahead and make it as a complete sandwich so they have peanut butter and jelly in their crust sections. But if you have kids who don't eat crusts, spread just the peanut butter and jelly in a circle in the center of the loaf, slightly larger than the size of your sandwich cutter, cup, cookie/cookie cutter, etc. waste your pb&j! Use leftovers from the plain crust to make homemade croutons, use in meatloaf, take to the park to feed the birds/ducks, make homemade breadcrumbs, etc.
Cutting and Sealing Your Homemade Crustables
I happen to have onePampered Chef Cut N Seal Sandwich Sealerwhich I bought about 14 years ago for this purpose. It still works great, and I recommend getting one if you want to make these sandwiches regularly. You can get one from a Pampered Chef consultant through the Pampered Chef website or find them atAmazonas(same price as Pampered Chef).
There are alsosquare plastic versions available online from Amazon, very similar to a version Wonder bread used to market and sell in stores. I haven't tried this myself, but the reviews are decent.
You could also just use a cookie/cookie cutter (you'll want a 3-inch or 4-inch round one) or even a large cup or upside-down cup.
Take your sandwich, center the cutter of your choice over it and press down. You will need to carefully peel off the outer crust sections.
If you have Cut N Seal it will cut and seal the edges of the sandwich for you, just like the square plastic version posted above.
If using a cookie cutter or cup, you may need to pinch the edges of the sandwich to seal. Or, use a fork to make ridges around the edges, as you would a pie crust. There is a fabulous tutorial on this method athappy housewife!
Wrapping Your Crustables for the Freezer
I like to wrap the individually encrustable sandwiches in plastic wrap (cheaper than sandwich bags) and then place a bunch of wrapped sandwiches together in a gallon-sized zip-top freezer bag.
You can also place the sandwiches directly into sandwich bags, then place several of them together in a larger freezer bag.
You will want to place them in the freezer for the first few hours or overnight until they are fully frozen. Then you can move or stack them if needed. Just don't pile anything on top of them until they're fully frozen. Otherwise, you'll end up with a giant frozen mess of squashed sandwiches.
You can also place your sandwiches (already individually wrapped and frozen) in a plastic food storage container in your freezer if you want to be absolutely sure they don't get squashed.
In the lunchboxes they go!
I take the sandwiches straight from the freezer and put them in the school lunch bags – no defrosting necessary. We found that they are almost always defrosted by lunchtime. And as a bonus, they help keep the lunchbox cold before it defrosts!
That's right, that's all! Easy-to-prepare school lunches in advance DONE! We also love to take homemade encrustables for easy lunches on road trips, vacations, picnics, etc. They are also easy to store in small refrigerators in hotel rooms. ????
Harvest:9 sandwiches, depending on bread size Setup time:10 minutes Total time:10 minutes These crusty homemade sandwiches are one of my favorite kids lunch ideas for easy school lunches! They are always a hit with little ones and also work great for road trips, vacations, picnics and other events! Place the individually wrapped sandwiches in a large gallon-size ziptop freezer bag. Label the bag and place it in the freezer to freeze the sandwiches for several hours or overnight until they are solid. Make sure you don't pile anything on top of your sandwiches until they are fully frozen. You can then move them around, stack them, or place them in a plastic food storage container for extra protection. I just take the sandwiches out of the freezer and put them in frozen lunch boxes. They are usually defrosted at lunchtime. If your kids are going to eat crusts, go ahead and spread peanut butter and jelly on the edges of the bread and let your kids eat the crust pieces as a snack. If your kids don't eat crusts, just spread a small circle, slightly larger than the sandwich cutter, of peanut butter and jelly on the bread - no point in wasting it on the uneaten edges! You can then use the crust pieces to make homemade breadcrumbs, croutons, use in meatloaf, feed birds/ducks, etc. As an Amazon Associate and a member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. Harvest:9Portion:1 Nutritional information provided as an estimate only. Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo onFacebook
Crustable Homemade Sandwiches
Ingredients
Instructions
To make a sandwich:
Freeze:
To use:
Grades
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Nutritional information:
Amount per serving:Calories:572Total fat:25gSaturated fat:6gTrans fat:0gunsaturated fat:15gCholesterol:3mgSodium:611mgCarbohydrates:75gFiber:5gSugar:25gProtein:16gDid you make this recipe?
FAQs
Can you freeze DIY Uncrustables? ›
Uncrustables can be frozen! When you've got time, make a large batch of sealed, crustless sandwiches and freeze them. That way when you're short on time, you can just grab one and go! To freeze them, prepare the sandwich like normal and store them in separate zip-lock bags.
How do you store and freeze homemade Uncrustables? ›Freezing homemade uncrustables is so easy! Place the sandwiches into individual zip bags, and store them in the freezer, making sure they're in a place they won't get squished. You can freeze them for up to 1 month, but I guarantee your stash of frozen uncrustables will be gone long before then!
How long can you freeze homemade Uncrustables? ›You can serve them right after making or add to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. You can also wrap each one in plastic wrap to help ensure that they stay super fresh, then freeze in a freezer bag.
How long do homemade Uncrustables last in fridge? ›For best product experience, we do not recommend refrigerating Uncrustables as it may dry out the bread. If you choose to refrigerate the sandwiches, they should be eaten within 1 day or 24 hours for best taste. Uncrustables crustless sandwiches should be eaten within 6-8 hours of thawing.
Can you freeze pre made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? ›Freezing pre-made PB&J sandwiches is a great time-saver once school is in session. Simply pull one out of the freezer in the morning, put it in their lunchbag and they are thawed by noon!
Can you freeze homemade peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? ›You can totally freeze regular Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, they don't need to be cut out and sealed at all. Simply assemble your sandwich as you would normally, skip the cutting/crimping step and place in a freezer bag. Press out the air and seal the bag shut.
Do Uncrustables go bad if frozen? ›If you keep your sandwiches frozen, they can easily last up to a year. But always check the expiration date on the box itself. You may accidentally buy a very old batch that only has a month or two shelf-life left. And if you thaw your Uncrustables, they can only last inside the fridge for a couple of hours.
How do Uncrustables not get soggy? ›To ensure they don't get soggy from the jelly, put a very think layer of peanut butter on both pieces of bread. Then about a tablespoon of jelly or preserves (slightly less if you're using honey) and keep it confined to the center of the bread.
What brand of peanut butter does Uncrustables use? ›Smucker's Peanut Butter Uncrustables, 4 ct / 1.8 oz - Kroger.
What bread is used for Uncrustables? ›Nothing can stop you when you've got this sandwich in hand: Smucker's® Uncrustables Reduced Sugar Peanut Butter & Grape Spread wrapped in crustless wheat bread. It's unstoppably delicious.
Do Uncrustables go bad if not refrigerated? ›
Proper Storage of Uncrustables
If you plan to freeze it, wrap in plastic, then put it in a freezer bag to ensure maximum freshness. Meanwhile, using an airtight container will help keep Uncrustables stay fresh in the fridge and when at room temperature. It all might go bad if not refrigerated and are prone to spoilage.
Smucker's Uncrustables | Bulk Size, 72 Count (2.6 oz Each) | Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly Sandwich | Whole Grain, Non-GMO.
Can you put Uncrustables in the air fryer? ›Yes! From the freezer to the air fryer, it's that simple! Just place the frozen Uncrustable inside your air fryer and it will toast to golden perfection!
What is the ratio of peanut butter and jelly to Uncrustables? ›One loaf of bread makes 10 sandwiches and uses about 10 ounces of peanut butter and about 5 ounces of jelly.
What do you wrap sandwiches in to freeze? ›To freeze, wrap each sandwich tightly with parchment paper or aluminum foil and place it in a gallon-size freezer bag. Write the date on the bag along with what each sandwich is. You might remember, but your family won't know.
Why are Smuckers Uncrustables out of stock? ›What Caused the Uncrustables Shortage? The Uncrustables shortage seems to have started with a Facebook post in September 2021, in which Uncrustables was promoting its Uncured Pepperoni Bites.
How far in advance can you make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? ›How far ahead can you make the sandwiches? These are great to make the night before, or they are so quick to put together in the morning to take to work or school. If you want to make them further ahead of time, keep them covered and refrigerated and consider toasting the bread.
What is the perfect peanut butter to jelly ratio? ›Smooth, generic pb is the standard. On the perfect ratio, Morning Edition consulted an expert: Kevin Pang from the PBS TV show "America's Test Kitchen" suggests that a 5-to-4 is the optimum ratio of peanut butter to jelly.
Do peanut butter and jelly sandwiches get soggy in the fridge? ›The problem with a pre-made PB&J sandwich is that it tends to get soggy sitting in the refrigerator. By spreading the peanut butter on both pieces of the bread, the jelly is unable to soak through and the sandwich remains intact.
Did Uncrustables get smaller? ›The new Uncrustables are different in two key ways: They're smaller, making them an easy snack, but they're also the line's first thaw-and-eat sandwich-style product that isn't peanut butter and jelly.
What happened to the grilled cheese Uncrustables? ›
Sorry to say the Grilled Cheese Uncrustables® have been discontinued. We will let internal teams know you are missing the product. thanks so much!
Did they stop making Nutella Uncrustables? ›The J.M. Smucker Co. discontinued new product launches and reduced production of some items, including hazelnut uncrustables. The J.M. Smucker Firm is the manufacturer of products that are sold under the brand name Uncrustables.
How healthy are Uncrustables? ›Generally speaking, Uncrustables are not considered to be a particularly healthy food option. They are made with frozen white bread, which is filled with high-fructose corn syrup and maltodextrin, both of which are added sugars.
How many flavors of Uncrustables are there? ›New Smucker's Uncrustables Meat and Cheese Bites come in two varieties including Uncured Ham and Cheddar as well as delicious Turkey & Colby Jack.
Are Uncrustables affected by Jif recall? ›Don't worry, if you've been snacking away on Smucker's Uncrustables, Santa Cruz Organic, or any other J.M. Smucker Co. Brand, those brands have not been affected and are totally safe for eating.
Can you make Uncrustables with cookie cutters? ›If you don't have a sandwich sealer or press, no problem! You can make DIY uncrustables using a cooking cutter and a fork instead. Initially, I first made homemade uncrustables using a round 3-inch cookie cutter to cut off the crusts, and then I crimped all around the edges of the bread with a fork to seal.
Is an Uncrustable an empanada? ›Uncrustables are prepackaged sandwiches sold without the crust in the freezer section of most supermarkets and make for a convenient, quick lunch. They are so easy to make yourself at home and these little empanadas are a fun variation of them!
Is an Uncrustable a calzone? ›Uncrustables are calzones, pizza rolls are also calzones, and if you cut a ravioli in half, it becomes a sandwich.
Are there ham and cheese Uncrustables? ›These Uncrustables® Bites are made with yummy uncured ham and cheddar cheese contained in soft bread. They′re a no-fuss, kid-friendly alternative to homemade or frozen sandwiches, perfect for the lunchbox. Kids love ′em (we asked!) and they′re easy to eat without making a mess.
How do you make Uncrustables without a cutter? ›Add a glob of peanut butter to one crustless slice, and a glob of jam or jelly to the other slice. Spread the PB&J on the bread, but not all the way to edge. Place the two crustless slices together and then grab a small plastic cutting board and press each edge of the sandwich together. Trim any excess bread.
Who invented Uncrustables? ›
The Uncrustable sandwich was developed in 1995 by David Geske and Len Kretchman to sell to schools. – They were very simply two pieces of bread that were pressed together with a filling between (like peanut butter and jelly) and then the edges were crimped. They filed for and got a patent on the crimping process.
How much protein is in an Uncrustable? ›Both of the Uncrustables Bites varieties sold at grocery stores contain 9 grams of protein per serving. Club stores and schools offer different sizes, which have slightly different nutrition facts, as reflected on their labels. *Contains 9 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, and 220 mg sodium per serving.
Why do bodybuilders eat Uncrustables? ›“Research supports consuming 60-90 grams of a mix of simple carbohydrates during exercise that digest very rapidly and can be immediately shuttled to the muscles for energy,” says Schwabenbauer, who points out that Uncrustables have a higher carbohydrate count that most commercially-made sport nutrition products.
What happened to the big Uncrustables? ›Our larger Uncrustables® sandwiches are still being sold, but are only available through Smucker's Foodservice. We'll tell our team you'd like to see them sold through traditional stores as well. We'll let our team know that this is still something you would like to see!
Are Uncrustables TSA approved? ›Small individual serving portion snacks are permitted, such the Uncrustables. If you bring a few for your children, they are permitted (not the whole box).
Can you bake Uncrustables? ›Baked PB Uncrustables Directions: -Preheat oven at 350 -Place Uncrustables on nonstick cookie sheet -Bake for 15-20 mins or … Cooking recipes, Meals, Cooking.
Can you put parchment paper in an air fryer? ›With holes to help the hot air circulate and cook your food to perfection, our air fryer liners suit the job perfectly. Parchment paper can handle the heat inside your air fryer - up to 428°F (220°C). To get the best results, add the parchment paper to the air fryer basket at the same time as you add your ingredients.
Are Uncrustables good frozen? ›I enjoy that I can keep the products in the freezer until they are ready to be eaten. They taste so good that even my husband and I eat then on the go before work, after work, or even as a snack in the office.
Can you freeze peanut butter and fluff sandwiches? ›You can absolutely freeze peanut butter and jelly sandwiches without the bread going soggy. There is a small trick to follow though if you want to make sure the jelly doesn't leak out and make the bread turn to mush.
Why are Uncrustables so expensive? ›The price of Uncrustables rising
Hit with higher costs for ingredients, packaging, and transportation, the company announced it would raise prices for consumers to make up for the greater than anticipated inflation. Currently, a 10-count box of Uncrustables can be purchased for roughly $7.00, depending on the seller.
How do you make Uncrustables better? ›
- Turn them into doughnuts. This first trick might just be our favorite. ...
- Stick them in the toaster. Is this suggestion simple? ...
- Speaking of toast.... Think of all the ways you could use Uncrustables to replace bread. ...
- Keep improving breakfast. ...
- Try them somewhere new.
Nothing can stop you when you've got this sandwich in hand: Smucker's® Uncrustables Reduced Sugar Peanut Butter & Grape Spread wrapped in crustless wheat bread.
What are the best sandwiches to freeze? ›Some common sandwich fillings that DO freeze well include:
Cooked roast beef, chicken and turkey (especially tasty when the meat is finely chopped and mixed with a "salad dressing," to add flavor and moistness.) Natural or processed hard and semi-hard cheeses, such as Swiss, Cheddar.
The short answer is yes. Mayonnaise can be frozen, but don't expect the texture to be the same after it thaws.
Can you freeze a sandwich with lettuce? ›This isn't an exhaustive list, but the following won't freeze well in a sandwich: Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, low-fat cheese, soft cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and mayonnaise. If you want to include any of the above on your sandwiches, add them after freezing.