Healthy Banana Peanut Butter Sandwich

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A grilled healthy banana peanut butter sandwich takes me right back to childhood lunches, but his version has a few upgrades that make it even better. Creamy peanut butter, ripe banana, and crunchy walnuts melt together between slices of hearty bread for a sandwich that is warm, crisp, and packed with flavor. The best thing is that it takes just 15 minutes to make!

Nut butter sandwiches have always been popular in my house, but I wanted something a bit more special than your typical peanut butter and jelly combination. This gourmet banana peanut butter sandwich is great for lunch and even breakfast, especially when I have not had the chance to prepare meals like my peanut butter banana overnight oats. If breakfast is one of your main motivations for getting up in the morning, try this sandwich.

I love taking everyday sandwiches and turning them into something unique, as I did with my goat cheese grilled cheese with pear and arugula. Whenever my kids have play dates, I make these gourmet banana peanut butter sandwiches, and every time I get messages from the parents asking exactly how to make them, since their kids do nothing but rave about the sandwiches.

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🥘 Ingredients

The ingredients for this gourmet banana peanut butter sandwich go beyond the standard ingredients, but are still fairly simple. This is everything I use:

Peanut butter: I use natural peanut butter made with just peanuts and salt for a rich flavor and creamy texture.

Almond butter: Mixing almond butter with peanut butter adds extra nuttiness and a more complex flavor.

Bananas: Ripe bananas provide natural sweetness and become soft and creamy when warmed.

Sprouted wheat bread: I use this for its hearty texture, fiber, and slightly nutty flavor.

Ground cinnamon: A sprinkle of cinnamon adds warmth and pairs well with the banana.

Walnuts: I include chopped walnuts for crunch and healthy fats. 

Honey or maple syrup: I use a small drizzle of either to enhance the fruit’s natural sweetness. You could also use vegan honey if you prefer.

🔪 How To Make

It takes me just a few minutes to make this banana peanut butter sandwich. This is how I do it:

Spread the nut butter: I start by mixing the peanut butter and almond butter, then spread the mixture onto both slices of bread.

Add the bananas and toppings: Next, I arrange sliced bananas over one piece of bread in an even layer and sprinkle over the chopped walnuts, cinnamon, and honey.

Assemble the sandwich: Then, I place the second slice of bread on top with the nut butter side facing down.

Grill until golden: I put the sandwich in a panini press or hot skillet, and grill until the bread becomes golden and lightly crisp.

Cool slightly: I let the sandwich cool slightly, then cut it diagonally and serve it warm.

📖 Variations

These are 3 variations of this banana peanut butter sandwich that my family asks for the most:

Caramelized banana: I replace the ripe banana with a few slices of caramelized banana for a much more decadent alternative. Sometimes I swap out some of the nut butter for a thin spread of white chocolate hazelnut spread. My kids love this version as a breakfast sweet treat. 

Chocolate banana: I sprinkle 1 tablespoon dairy-free chocolate chips or sprinkles over the bananas before grilling. This also works really well with some vegan Nutella mixed into the nut butters.

Apple cinnamon: I replace the banana with 1/2 of a thinly sliced apple and add an extra pinch of cinnamon. I love this version of untoasted bread and let the crispness of the apple shine through. 

🍽 Serving Suggestions

Whenever I serve this banana peanut butter sandwich, I like adding a few simple sides to turn it into a complete meal. The next time you make it for lunch,  try it with some Parmesan kale chips and a grape and avocado salad. 

At home, my kids usually do not like any other food with this sandwich unless it is air fryer banana chips. Instead, they enjoy their sandwiches with a carefully selected drink. My daughter loves her sandwich with a side of vegan homemade chocolate milk, whereas my son goes all in and has his with a vegan peanut butter cup milkshake. 

🧊 Storing And ♨️ Reheating

Refrigeration: I do not recommend storing this sandwich as the bread softens as it sits.

Freezing: This recipe is not suitable for freezing.

Reheating: If I have leftovers, I warm them briefly in a skillet or toaster oven. I prefer making a fresh sandwich.

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