Funky Monkey (Peanut Butter and Fruit Sandwich)

Funky Monkey, a healthy grilled peanut butter and fruit sandwich. Peanut butter and banana, peanut butter and strawberries sandwich.

I originally designed this sandwich for toddlers and preschoolers; the bread was pressed flat and fruit cut thin in order for little mouths to bite into it. For older children and adults like myself who enjoy a peanut butter sandwich every now and then, generous use of ingredients is encouraged—slather on thicker layers, go bigger on the fruit slices, and no need to flatten the bread. It will only make the sandwich fuller and more decadent!

Made with whole wheat bread, sprinkled with flaxseed meal, and drizzled with honey, this is a well rounded, healthy sandwich for lunch or dinner. Finished with a toast to the outside and layered with peanut butter and fruit on the inside, this sandwich is a nice balance of warm versus cold and sweet versus salty.

The recipe below is for the kid version of Funky Monkey (seen in the foreground of the picture); just go bigger and taller for the adult version (in the background).

Funky Monkey (Grilled Peanut Butter & Fruit Sandwich)

3 slices of whole wheat or high fiber bread

1 tbsp. peanut butter

1 tbsp. light cream cheese

1 tsp. honey

1/4 - 1/2 tsp. flaxseed meal

1 small banana, thinly sliced

2 medium strawberries, thinly sliced

2 tsp. butter or margarine, melted

Stack the slices of bread in between two plates. Press firmly down on plates and hold for about 30 seconds to flatten bread. Gently separate bread layers.

Heat a large skillet on medium to medium high. Brush one side of each bread slices with butter. Place, butter-side-down in skillet and grill till golden brown. Remove 2 slices and place on a plate (these will be the outer bread layers). Butter the other side of the remaining slice and grill until golden brown (this will be the middle layer of the sandwich). Transfer to plate.

To assemble: Using one of the outer bread layers, spread peanut butter on the grilled side. Sprinkle with flaxseed and add bananas.

Place the middle bread layer (grilled on both sides) over banana. Spread cream cheese on top, add strawberries, drizzle with honey, and cover with the last piece of bread, grilled-side-down.

Reheat skillet, butter one side of the sandwich, and grill until golden brown. Butter the other side, flip over, and grill. Enjoy!