The smell of peanut butter as you twist open the jar and the sweet hint of jelly waiting nearby can only mean one thing: a PB&J is coming together. A thick layer spreads across soft white bread, followed by a swipe of fruit, pressed gently into place before it heads off to a lunchbox or plate. For many families, the PB&J is a go-to: quick to make, easy to pack, and almost guaranteed there will be no leftovers. But not every peanut butter and jelly sandwich is built the same. We surveyed more than 2,400 people across the U.S. to find out how Americans really take their PB&Js. From bread type and peanut butter texture to jelly flavor, spread ratios, and even how the sandwich is cut, the results reveal some varied preferences from state to state. In the sections ahead, we’ll break down what the “average” American PB&J looks like, which states eat them most often, and how families across the country put their own spin on this lunchbox staple. How Does Your State Take Its PB&J? Now that we’ve set the table, it’s time to look at the numbers. Our survey uncovered not just how often families eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but exactly how they make them. Before diving into the states, here’s what the “average” PB&J looks like nationwide: Across all states, the most common PB&J build is: Untoasted white bread Smooth peanut butter Strawberry jelly (not jam) A 58:42 peanut butter-to-jelly ratio Not cut A pretty standard look at the classic sandwich, and with over half of Americans (56%) reporting they eat a PB&J at least once per month, that simplicity is key for a quick, comforting bite. The States That Eat PB&Js Most Often Based on the percentage of respondents who eat PB&Js at least monthly, these states lead the way: Ohio — 75% Michigan — 74.5% Mississippi — 68% South Carolina — 68% Iowa — 66% In many of these states, the sandwich looks close to the national norm. Strawberry jelly remains common in Mississippi and South Carolina, while Ohio and Iowa lean toward grape. Michigan stands out for choosing strawberry jam rather than jelly, and for cutting sandwiches diagonally, a small detail that many parents opt for that can class up lunchtime just a little bit. Across this group, peanut butter slightly outweighs jelly, with ratios ranging from 56:44 to 58:42. Most don’t cut their sandwiches at all, keeping things simple and quick. The States That Eat PB&Js Least Often On the other end of the spectrum, these states reported the lowest monthly consumption: Illinois — 36.5% Hawaii — 38.3% Virginia — 38.9% Idaho — 40.8% Minnesota — 44% Even in states where PB&Js show up less often, preferences still tell a story. Illinois and Virginia favor grape spreads, though Virginia prefers jam and uses one of the higher peanut butter ratios in the country at 61:39. Idaho sets itself apart with raspberry jam and a diagonal cut, while Minnesota leans heavier on peanut butter at 59:41. Hawaii mirrors the national preference for strawberry jelly, though with access to fresh tropical fruit year-round, families there may reach for other snack options more often. Readers can interact with the table above to see exactly how their state takes its PB&J. The States That Love the Most Peanut Butter Some states lean more heavily on peanut butter than others. These states reported the highest peanut butter-to-jelly ratios: Massachusetts — 64:36 Rhode Island — 63:37 Wisconsin — 62:38 South Dakota — 62:38 Nevada — 62:38 In these states, peanut butter clearly takes the lead, with jelly used more sparingly than in most of the country. From bread choices to spread ratios, the humble PB&J still looks a little different depending on where you live. Next, we’ll look beyond ingredients and explore more about how Americans put together this childhood staple. Peanut Butter & Jelly Preferences Some sandwich trends come and go. Others stick around and become true parts of Americana. The PB&J fits firmly in the latter category. To understand why, we looked at our survey data to see how Americans as a whole build their sandwiches, how often they eat them, and how they feel about the lunchtime staple. The results show that while preferences vary, the PB&J still holds a steady place in kitchens across the country. How Often Americans Eat PB&Js 56% of Americans eat a PB&J at least monthly 15% eat one weekly 11% eat them multiple times per week That means more than half the country still reaches for this simple staple on a regular basis. Building the Classic When it comes to ingredients, tradition leads. Bread choices White bread — 55% Wheat — 19% Whole grain — 16% White bread remains the go-to, likely because of its soft texture and mild flavor. The nut spread Peanut butter — 94% Almond butter — 5% Sunflower seed butter — less than 1% Cashew butter — less than 1% Peanut butter consistency Smooth — 69% Crunchy — 24% Extra crunchy — 6% Fruit spread flavors Strawberry — 39% Grape — 35% Raspberry — 13% Mixed berry — 6% Apricot or peach — 3% Jam vs. jelly 34% prefer jelly 34% prefer jam 26% don’t care 4% didn’t know the difference Americans may disagree on the details, but the core ingredients stay consistent. Technique Matters A PB&J may be simple, but the way it’s made still sparks strong preferences. Only 3 in 10 prefer their sandwich toasted 24% spread peanut butter on both slices of bread 91% spread peanut butter first The ideal peanut butter-to-jelly ratio lands just under 60:40, favoring peanut butter. Cutting styles also vary: 40% don’t cut their sandwich 31% cut it diagonally 23% cut it down the middle From knife order to cutting style, small choices shape how each person defines the “right” way to make it. More Than a Sandwich Beyond ingredients, the emotional connection stands out. Americans most often describe a PB&J as: Convenient — 73% Comforting — 56% Nostalgic — 56% Practical — 49% It’s quick to make, easy to pack, and familiar across generations. That combination helps explain why it remains a staple in so many homes. What About Those Who Don’t Eat Them? Not everyone can or does enjoy a PB&J. Whether it be dietary restrictions or just not having a taste for the ingredients, we had a segment of the survey who had never had one, so we took the opportunity to ask a few more questions. Among non-eaters in our sample: 25% avoid them for dietary reasons 23% don’t like one of the ingredients 20% have an allergy to one of the ingredients 18% simply haven’t been interested The least appealing aspects include: The overall combination — 36% The jelly or jam — 32% The peanut butter — 30% The bread — 20% The texture — 16% Still, 41% of those who don’t eat PB&Js say they feel like they’re missing out. From everyday convenience to childhood nostalgia, the PB&J continues to earn its place at the table. Preferences may shift by bread, spread, or ratio, but the sandwich remains one many Americans return to again and again. Closing Thoughts From bread choice to spread ratio, this study shows that even the simplest sandwiches come with strong opinions. Across the country, families are still reaching for PB&Js. Just with their own local twist. At its core, this wasn’t just about peanut butter and jelly. It was about the everyday meals that fill lunchboxes, fuel busy afternoons, and bring a little comfort to the table. Those small, daily moments matter. Whether a PB&J is being enjoyed at home in a high chair or on the go in a car seat, some parents rely on traditions and routines to make meal time a little easier (and tastier). Chicco supports families in those same everyday moments, helping make mealtime, travel, and everything in between a little smoother. Methodology To better understand how peanut butter and jelly sandwich preferences look across the U.S., we surveyed residents in 48 states to explore how Americans prefer to build and enjoy their lunchtime classic. Respondents were asked a series of structured questions about their ideal PB&J, including bread type, nut butter preference and consistency, and fruit spread flavor. To ensure relevant responses, only individuals who indicated that they eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at least occasionally were included in the final analysis. The survey ran over a two-week period in February 2026. We excluded Alaska and Wyoming from the analysis due to insufficient survey responses. Fair Use You are welcome to use, reference, and share non-commercial excerpts of this study with proper attribution. If you cite or cover our findings, please link back to this page so readers can view the full methodology, charts, and context.