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Use this handy Uncrustable Maker to make your own homemade uncrustables and save a TON of money. These DIY Uncrustables are easy to make and budget friendly!
Uncrustable Maker
It really is the little things in life that get me excited! I loved LOVED making my kids uncrustables years ago – and this is a great deal…
Head over here to grab your uncrustable maker from Amazon today for under $8 (Normally $10) – this highly rated crust-cutter tool is even BETTER than the one I used years ago. It comes with a Small and Large cutter for making toddler-size sandwich or big-kid size sandwiches. PLUS if you're making ham & cheese for instance – you can use the small cutter to cut your meat/cheese fillings to the correct size.
The edges seal up just right – and the filling doesn't get smooshed out like in some cutters I've seen before. (Note: If you want a few shape options –this 3-Pack comes with a Circle, Square and Triangles for around $15)
I love how making your own Uncrustables let's you control the ingredients AND saves you money!
Let's price compare Uncrustables you buy in the store with Uncrustables you make at home:
Store Bought Uncrustables: $1.04 each (4Ct Box for $4.18)
Homemade Uncrustables: 25¢ each
Here – I'll show you the math using Walmart brand pricing:
Great Value Bread – $0.95
Great Value Jelly – $2
Great Value Peanut Butter – $1.74
One loaf of bread makes *10* sandwiches and you'll still have WAY MORE than half of your PB&J left for the next batch. So you're looking at about $2.50 – $3 cost for 10 uncrustables, or 25¢ each
Grab this deal on an Uncrustable Maker while it's on sale – and let me know your favorite Uncrustable flavors that you would make!
Homemade Uncrustables
Several years ago, I ordered my very own decruster tool from Amazon to make homemade uncrustables. Once it arrived in my mailbox, I whipped up exactly 20 DIY uncrustables and got them ready to go.
At the time, my kids were getting ready to go back to school (it was two weeks before), but I was so excited to try this and get them done!
WHY DID IT TAKE ME SO LONG TO FIGURE THIS OUT???
I have always absolutely hated racing around in the morning before school trying to put together school lunches, but even more than that I hate paying so much for Smuckers to make Frozen Uncrustables for me, so making these homemade uncrustables was brilliant.
Kinda sad that it took 14 years of momming for me to figure this one out, but I'm going to teach you how to make them too now so that you can be just as smart as me, probably a whole lot sooner.
Ready? 😉
Uncrustable Ingredients:
Gather up your ingredients:
- Peanut Butter or Nut Free Butter
- Jelly
- or Hazelnut Spread! (I only recently learned about Nutella Uncrustables but BOY do they sound good)
- Bread (You'll want soft sliced bread)
- Decruster Sandwich Sealer Tool
I got a darling Wonder bread sealer back in the day, but it looks like it's no longer available! There are TONS of other cute options though.
How to Make Homemade Uncrustables:
1 . Slather some peanut butter in the center of the bread (not too close to the edges since you'll lose them.) Note that if you spread the peanut butter too far from the center, the spread will get in the way of the cutter being able to form a seal along the edges.
TIP: I like to put peanut butter on both sides of the bread so it keeps the sandwiches from getting soggy. Also it makes them more filling for hungry kiddos.
2 . Plop some jelly on each piece of bread and spread it out. (Ignore this photo – I started out with TOO MUCH JELLY but was in a hurry to take pictures!)
I ended up using a little less on each sandwich. If your family doesn't like nut butters you could also just make these as jelly sandwiches!
3 . Then use the your Uncrustable Maker to remove the crusts from your homemade uncrustables.
Be sure to press down on the outsides only of the de-cruster so you get a nice seal on the sandwich. If the toppings are oozing out the sides (like my first attempt above) you won't get a picture perfect seal but they'll still be okay.
4 . Freeze for quick lunch packing and easy after-school snacks!
Wrap your sandwiches in plastic bags, foil, or saran wrap, and place in larger freezer bag. Be sure to label which type of sandwich you've made if you have picky Peanut Butter & Jelly eaters like I do. You can flash freeze on a baking sheet if you'd like, but it's not 100% necessary.
I have a crunchy-peanut-butter-and-jelly-eater, creamy-peanut-butter-only-eater, and creamy-peanut-butter-and-jelly-eater at home, so I love that I can make all of them at once this way!
Homemade Uncrustable Sandwiches
Ingredients
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
- Bread
- Decruster Tool
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients
- Add peanut butter to the center part of your bread on both sides
- Add your jelly on each sandwich and spread out
- Use your decruster tool to remove the crusts
- Wrap the sandwiches in plastic bags, foil, or Saran Wrap and place into large freezer bags.
- Be sure to label the type of sandwiches included in the bag and the date you placed them into the freezer
Ready to make school mornings even easier? Here are 25 ways to help simplify lunchbox duty!
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The strawberry uncrustables are so hard to find in my grocery store / target where I am in NJ. When I do, I buy multiple boxes at 12.99/ea. since pb&j is the only sandwich my picky eater will have at lunch, I’m thinking I may have to try this tool out.
I think you’ll love it!
I had to comment on this post. The family that invented The Uncrustables lived in Fergus Falls. Mn. and were supplying school districts with them for school lunches. They later sold their business to Smuckers.
How interesting Shawna ~ good to know! 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us!
I’m curious, what did everyone do with their crusts?
Hi LaWana! You can make breadcrumbs using them!
Great idea! Hate to sound dumb, but how do you, usually do that?
Of course not! I usually take all the crusts and dry them out by popping them in the oven, on a low heat, until they harden. Then just shred them on a cheese grater! Hope that helps!
WOW I have an 18 year old that has graduated & didn’t know about this. A rule of thumb at our house is the kids pack their lunches the nite before put what they can in their lunchbox & rest in fridge & then they just throw the fridge stuff in in the morning. My kids have all packed their OWN lunches since they were in the 2nd grade, saves me & they can’t complain about their lunch :)I very rarely buy convience items either so their lunches are pretty healthy. We do a lot of baking here & there is always fruits & veggies available. Amazing enough we only have 5 more years of regular school here….where has the time gone. Oldest has a full time job & at this point no college unless nite courses.
Lemme know if you have issues with soggy sammies after they defrost in the lunch bag….I make these daily – kids LOVE them – but haven’t pre-made and froze them yet. Thanks!!
I think they’ll be fine Lisa – I’ve frozen PB&J’s before (with crusts) and they’ve worked great, so these should be fine! 🙂
I wrap frozen sandwhiches in a paper towel and freeze. The paper towel then collects to moisture and bread is dry.
Amy
U can also wrap in a paper towel before sealing them. Keeps them fresh
That’s a great tip! Thanks so much Lisa.
Weird..there is no smuckers coupon in my redplum 6/29 inserts..checked all 3 that I have.
The sandwich maker is at the dollar tree! I bought mine from amazon, and one from Walmart last year. Was AMAZED to see them at Dollar tree today. I got 6 for back to school baskets for my sons 3 best friends and a few to save for me..lol. Just had to share this amazing deal. Same brand name and everything 🙂
I haven’t seen them at the Dollar Tree, but that’s so good to know – thanks so much for sharing Mari!
Sorry here’s the link!
EVERYONE needs one of these..they are seriously awesome!
http://new.pamperedchef.com/pws/michellerankin/shop/Cook%27s+Tools/Cut-N-Seal%C2%AE/1195
A friend of mine uses a burrito size tortilla shell..cuts three cur let out with this cutter…uses a squirrel bottle with pizza sauce and some shredded mozzarella cheese and ta da homemade pizza lunch ables for super cheap! 🙂 Thought I’d share..this cutter has been kinda life changing for us! 🙂
I agree with Kristen; the Pampered Chef Cut-N-Seal is really the best! You can choose to simply cut the crusts off or cut the crust off AND press it sealed completely! So many uses.
Thanks for sharing Kristen!
You’ve GOT to get this cutter…it’s AMAZING…it’s just like the uncrustables in the freezer section and there’s only one piece to it…push down..seal done! You won’t be sorry! 🙂 I do a whole loaf at a time and use the crust to make breakfast casserole! 🙂 🙂 love your posts! 🙂
Kristen, that is a great idea and great to know, but which cutter are you referring to that everyone needs to get that is so awesome? The PC one? Thanks for the suggestion for using the crusts in the breakfast casserole, also…
I *almost bought a box of uncrustables today because my 2.5 year old is going through a phase where he won’t eat. I had them in the cart and then I fought, hmmmm… I can just back a pb&j and cut it in a circle for him. But I might have to try out that wonder bread thing you used.
I promise it was soooooooo worth it Lydia – I can’t believe that I didn’t find it sooner! Your babies are lots younger than mine, so you can enjoy years of smart mommying 🙂