PB&J Jello Shots
PB&J Jello Shots
These PB&J Jello Shots turn the nostalgic flavor of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich into a fun party shot! Made with grape Jello and vanilla vodka, each little purple Jello shot gets a creamy peanut butter rim and a tiny square of toasted bread on a cocktail pick.
They look like miniature peanut butter and jelly sandwiches turned into Jello shots—and they are ridiculously cute.
The grape Jello gives you that classic grape-jelly flavor, while vanilla vodka adds a smooth sweetness that works surprisingly well with the peanut butter. Then you get a little bite of toasted bread with each shot to bring the whole PB&J idea together.
If you’re looking for a unique Jello shot recipe for a party, birthday, girls’ night, or backyard get-together, these are definitely going to get people talking.
Why You’ll Love These PB&J Jello Shots
- Fun twist on a childhood favorite
- Made with grape Jello
- Vanilla vodka adds a sweet, smooth flavor
- Creamy peanut butter rim
- Adorable toasted bread garnish
- Easy to make ahead
- Great conversation starter
- Perfect for parties
- A Jello shot people probably haven’t seen before
PB&J Jello Shots Ingredients
You’ll need:
For the Jello Shots
- 1 box (3 ounces) grape Jello
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup vanilla vodka
For the Peanut Butter Rim
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
For the Toasted Bread Garnish
- 2 slices white sandwich bread
- Cocktail picks or toothpicks
You’ll also need approximately 12–16 small shot cups, depending on their size and how full you make them.
How to Make PB&J Jello Shots
Step 1: Prepare the Grape Jello
Add the grape Jello powder to a medium heat-safe bowl.
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the gelatin.
Whisk for approximately 2 minutes, or until the gelatin has completely dissolved.
You don’t want any undissolved Jello remaining at the bottom of the bowl.
Step 2: Add the Cold Water
Pour in 1/2 cup cold water and stir.
This starts cooling the gelatin mixture before you add the vodka.
Step 3: Add the Vanilla Vodka
Stir in 1/2 cup vanilla vodka.
Mix until everything is completely combined.
Vanilla vodka works really well in these because the subtle vanilla sweetness softens the grape flavor and pairs beautifully with peanut butter.
Step 4: Fill the Shot Cups
Arrange your small plastic or glass shot cups on a baking sheet or tray.
Carefully divide the grape Jello mixture between the cups.
Don’t fill them completely to the top. Leaving a little room makes them much easier to carry and serve.
Step 5: Refrigerate
Transfer the tray to the refrigerator.
Chill the Jello shots for approximately 2–4 hours, or until completely firm.
For a party, you can easily make the Jello portion the night before.
How to Make the Peanut Butter Rim
Once the Jello shots have completely set, it’s time for the part that makes these really taste like PB&J.
Place the creamy peanut butter in a shallow bowl.
If your peanut butter is particularly thick, stir it really well first so it’s easier to work with.
Using a small knife or spoon, spread a thin layer of peanut butter around the rim of each shot cup.
You don’t need a huge amount.
You want enough peanut butter that you taste it with the grape Jello, but not so much that it becomes messy or overwhelms the shot.
Make the Tiny Toasted Bread Garnishes
This is my favorite part.
Take slices of white sandwich bread and cut them into small squares.
You want the squares to be tiny enough to sit neatly on top of a Jello shot.
Toast the little bread squares until they’re lightly golden.
Let them cool completely.
Carefully push one toasted bread square onto the end of a cocktail pick or toothpick.
Place the pick down into the set Jello so the tiny piece of toast sits just above the shot.
Now it actually looks like a miniature PB&J!
Jennie’s Thoughts
I don’t know exactly what made me think, “I should turn a peanut butter and jelly sandwich into a Jello shot,” but once I thought of it, I had to make it.
And honestly, the little piece of toast is what makes the whole thing for me.
I knew I wanted grape Jello because grape jelly is such a classic PB&J flavor. Then I used vanilla vodka because I wanted something sweeter and smoother than plain vodka.
But I still needed the peanut butter.
Instead of trying to put peanut butter into the Jello—which could completely change the texture—I put it around the rim.
That way, when you take the shot, you get grape Jello and creamy peanut butter together.
Then I cut white bread into tiny squares, toasted them, put each one on a toothpick, and stuck the toothpick right down into the Jello.
It’s silly in the best possible way.
They look adorable sitting together on a tray, and everyone immediately understands what they’re supposed to be.
If you’re looking for a Jello shot that’s actually different from all the usual flavors, I think these PB&J Jello Shots are such a fun one.
What Do PB&J Jello Shots Taste Like?
The grape Jello gives these shots a sweet, fruity grape flavor similar to classic grape jelly.
Vanilla vodka adds a little warmth and sweetness without competing with the grape.
Then you get the creamy, salty-sweet peanut butter from the rim.
Follow it with that tiny bite of toast, and suddenly the whole thing makes sense.
It’s sweet, salty, fruity, creamy, and nostalgic all at once.
Why Vanilla Vodka?
You could make grape Jello shots with regular vodka, but I really like vanilla vodka for this recipe.
Vanilla naturally works with both grape and peanut butter, and it gives the shots a slightly sweeter, almost dessert-like flavor.
It also makes these feel more intentional than simply making grape Jello shots and putting peanut butter around the cup.
Can I Use Another Jello Flavor?
Grape is my first choice because it gives you that instantly recognizable grape PB&J flavor.
But you could absolutely play around with other versions.
Try:
- Strawberry Jello for strawberry PB&J
- Raspberry Jello for raspberry jam PB&J
- Cherry Jello for cherry PB&J
You could even make several flavors and arrange them together on a party tray.
What Kind of Peanut Butter Works Best?
Use smooth, creamy peanut butter.
Chunky peanut butter will make the rims much harder to apply and eat.
A traditional creamy peanut butter also tends to hold its shape better than very runny natural peanut butter.
You want a thin, neat coating around the rim rather than peanut butter dripping down the sides of the cups.
What Kind of Bread Should I Use?
Plain white sandwich bread is perfect.
That’s partly because the mild flavor doesn’t compete with the Jello shot, but it also gives you that nostalgic childhood PB&J look.
Toast it until it’s lightly golden so the tiny squares have a little structure.
Very soft untoasted bread can become soggy quickly once it’s placed near the Jello.
Don’t Add the Toast Too Early
You can prepare the Jello shots ahead of time, but I recommend adding the toasted bread garnishes shortly before serving.
Even toasted bread can eventually absorb moisture from the Jello and refrigerator.
Make the Jello shots in advance, then add the peanut butter rims and toast picks closer to party time.
Can I Make PB&J Jello Shots Ahead of Time?
Yes.
The grape Jello shots can be prepared 1–2 days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
Wait to add the peanut butter rims and toasted bread until closer to serving.
This keeps everything looking fresh and makes the little toast garnishes much better.
How Many Jello Shots Does This Recipe Make?
The exact number depends on the size of your shot cups and how full you fill them.
You should get approximately 12–16 Jello shots from one 3-ounce box of Jello.
If you’re making them for a larger party, double the recipe.
How to Serve PB&J Jello Shots
Arrange all of the finished shots together on a large serving tray.
The bright purple Jello, peanut butter rims, and tiny toast garnishes make them cute enough that you really don’t need much additional decoration.
For a fun party display, you could place a few grapes or small bunches of grapes around the tray.
Just make sure guests know the toast is attached to a toothpick before they take the shot.
PB&J Jello Shots for a Party
These would be so much fun for:
- Birthday parties
- Backyard parties
- Girls’ nights
- Game nights
- Summer parties
- Tailgates
- Retro-themed parties
- Adult birthday celebrations
They’re especially good when you want to bring something that isn’t another ordinary Jello shot flavor.
Important Allergy Note
Because these Jello shots use peanut butter, make sure guests know that they contain peanuts.
If you’re serving several kinds of Jello shots at a party, keep the PB&J shots clearly labeled and separated from other flavors to help prevent accidental exposure.
The Cutest Peanut Butter and Jelly Jello Shots
Sometimes the most fun party recipes come from taking something completely familiar and turning it into something unexpected.
That’s exactly what these PB&J Jello Shots do.
Sweet grape Jello and vanilla vodka give you the “jelly,” creamy peanut butter around the rim gives you the “PB,” and that tiny toasted square of bread brings the whole idea together.
They’re easy, nostalgic, a little ridiculous, and absolutely adorable on a party tray.
And once people see that tiny piece of toast sticking out of the top, they’re definitely going to want to know what you made.
