Level Up Your PB&J Sandwiches With A Unique Topping Upgrade

You're never too old for the joys of a classic PB&J. For a quick lunch, on-the-go snack, or anytime-comfort food, schmear a thick layer of peanut butter onto your choice of bread, dollop on jelly, and call it a day. However, for a food as nonfussy as this sandwich, it does invite a fair share of debate and hot takes — like whether you prefer jelly on one side or both. 

As part of the humble history and evolution of the peanut and jelly sandwich, people have also put creative spins on this classic by pairing ingredients like lemon curd with peanut butter or even adding meat. The latter ingredient would make Elvis Presley proud, as the King of Rock and Roll famously enjoyed his peanut butter sandwiches layered with bananas and bacon. 

But one underrated way you may not have thought of to level up this classic is with a layer of crunchy potato chips nestled in with the PB&J. Flat traditional chip shapes work best between bread and corn versus potato chips for different textures and crispiness. This adds a salty, savory upgrade to the classic flavor combo and your options are nearly endless.

Chips are the obvious side to a sandwich, so it just makes sense to directly add them in as a topping. Any lunch lover has experienced the joy of crunching and smushing potato chips into a more savory meal, like a sub or even a Monte Cristo sandwich. While adding a crush of salty chips to a sweeter-leaning creation like PB&J is less common, it's high time that changed.

The layer of chips adds depth of flavor as it counteracts the sweetness of the ooey-gooey peanut butter and jelly, lending a salty tang to each bite and brightening up the overall flavor. Chips also add an element of interest via texture, adding a crunchy contrast to the pillowy soft bread and gooey innards. The combination possibilities are endless here and you're certainly not limited to just the classic version.

Try a layer of Nacho Cheese Doritos for a savory twist on the traditional flavors and experiment with leaving off the jelly for an all-savory snack. Pile on smoky BBQ chips, tangy salt & vinegar, or embark on a science experiment and work your way through the wide range of Lay's chip flavors to see what does it for your tastebuds. With the added tangy savory element and crackly layer of texture, your most basic snack will never be the same.