Packaged, crustless PB&J sandwiches called "Uncrustables" debuted in 1995, one year after I was born. I don't remember everything from my childhood, but I do remember those plush, doughy rounds stuffed with the perfect balance of salty peanut butter and sweet jam. Another '90s kid staple? Lunchables. Introduced in 1988, they offer build-your-own meals in convenient plastic containers. (The kid with those mini DIY pizzas or dippable nachos was always the coolest in the cafeteria, IMO.)
So when I heard that Lunchables launched crust-free PB&J sandwiches, my jaw dropped faster than I quit every sport in grade school. Was this the '90s snack mashup of my inner child's dreams?
While Lunchables PB&J is not technically a collab between beloved nostalgic brands (seriously, y'all should talk!), any good millennial can see the similarities between the new Lunchables sandwich and OG Uncrustables. I decided to give the new kid on the block a taste to see how it compared to my favorite childhood snack—no pressure, though.
My Honest Review Of Lunchables PB&J
The new launch from Lunchables sells for $2.49/pack at select retailers nationwide and comes in two flavors: strawberry and grape. Each option contains two triangle-shaped sandwiches stuffed with peanut butter, plus a small tub of jelly for dipping. Why the jam sidecar? "Grounded in kids' love of dipping and the timeless debate between the perfect ratio of peanut butter and jelly in a PB&J—the new product gives kids the freedom to enjoy a PB&J exactly how they like it," Lunchables explained in a press release.
Before I get to the taste, I need to issue a major disclaimer. I'm a 30-year-old woman without kids, nieces, nephews, or younger siblings. This product is not meant for me. To my aging palette, the bread tasted like biodegradable packing peanuts (which is, unfortunately, a popular snack among kids these days) and the jelly reminded me of under-set Jell-O, loose yet jiggly. There was a generous amount of peanut butter inside each sandwich pocket, and it was thick, sweet, and creamy—not bad. Overall, it wasn't for me. And, honestly, I think Lunchables would agree with me on that point.
How Lunchables PB&J Compare To Uncrustables
Like jelly shoes and frosted lip gloss, Uncrustables don't hit as hard in 2025 as they did when I was ten. The alarmingly white bread tasted artificial, but like the Lunchables, they were generously stuffed with distracting fillings. I was impressed, but not surprised, by the quality of the peanut butter and jelly. Smuckers knows what they're doing in that department.
The biggest difference between Uncrustables and the Lunchables dupe is that the latter is stored in the refrigerator and is "no-thaw," which is advertised right on the label. Uncrustables keep in the freezer and must sit at room temp for at least 30 minutes before eating. As a kid, I remember those torturous minutes of waiting well. Major props to Lunchables for doing away with thaw time.
Another big green check in Lunchables' column? In honor of the "remixed" sandwich, the brand brought together hip-hop icons Lil Jon and Twista for the first time in over two decades to remix the song "Peanut Butter Jelly Time." Yes, that song. Fans (myself included) can listen to it on Lunchables' YouTube or Spotify. I can confirm—it's a bop.
The Bottom Line
While neither of these products will wind up in my lunchbox anytime soon, I think your average kid would love to see them there. The point of crust-free, sealed pockets of peanut butter and jelly is not necessarily for the flavor—it's for the fun. At this point in my life, I've found other things that bring me joy, but elementary-school me would have been jumping.
