These peanut butter bacon jam bites are a delicious & decidedly adult upgrade to the classic PB & J. Enjoy with a Cabernet Sauvignon, which is also in the bacon jam!
It's Wednesday. Do you know what that means? We're halfway to the weekend, friends! And closer to some really exciting FOOTBALL!
Right now is about the time that I start really getting into football season. In other words, I am TOTALLY a fan...at the end of the season. I'm not going to lie: I really only get invested as we head into the playoffs, because this is when it gets interesting for me. I like my football like I like my food: unexpected, fiesty, and 100% fun.
Sure, we can all throw out some chips and dip for Game Day, but it's such a fabulous opportunity to do a little something extra. You don't have to be super fancy; creating fun football food can be as simple as rethinking the classics.
Peanut Butter Bacon Jam Bites
Good ol' PB & J. Fun fact: I had my first ever peanut butter and jelly sandwich when I was in my 20s. Weird, right? When I was a kid, my mom always made turkey & cheese, spam & rice, mac & cheese for my lunches.
Anywhoo... now as a mom, I make the standard PB & J all the time. But, Game Day is a time to give the classic PB & J the grown-up treatment by adding some boozy bacon jam.
Oh. YEAH.
Have you ever had bacon jam before? I love it so much. It's great just as a dip on its own, but why stop there? Pair your favorite creamy peanut butter and whole wheat bread with this delectable rich elevated jam, bursting with onion and garlic, combined with little bits of bacon. Your friends coming over to watch the big game with you will LOVE it – and I think you will, too!
I've made bacon jam before, but this is a boozy adults-only bacon jam made with Woodbridge Wine's Cabernet Sauvignon. The rich flavor of the dark berries in the Cabernet Sauvignon add so much depth to the bacon jam. The intensity pairs so well with the sweetness of the peanut butter.
The bacon jam takes some time to simmer on the stovetop, and then is pulsed into jam form in a food processor. You can make & assemble these tasty morsels either the morning of the big game, or even the night before.
You can serve full sandwiches, cut them into halves or quarters, or you can have fun with football-shaped cookie cutters. The serving size for this recipe is dependent upon how you serve the bites, how large each slice of bread is, as well as how much bacon jam you put into each of the bites. In general, this recipe will make enough to fill 5-6 full sandwiches, about 10 halves (the size you see in these photos), or approximately 20 quarter square bites.
Unsurprisingly, these PB & Bacon Jam Bites pair perfectly with Woodbridge Wine's Cabernet Sauvignon. At just $10 for a large 1.5 liter bottle, you can have enough wine to use in the bacon jam and to serve your entire 21+ crowd! 
By the way, if you like the football food flags and football bunting banner shown in these photos, I will have them up as a free printable soon! Stay tuned!
Peanut Butter Bacon Jam Bites Recipe
Peanut Butter and Boozy Bacon Jam Bites
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound bacon cut into small pieces
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 garlic clove minced
- ½ apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ maple syrup
- ½ cup cabernet sauvignon
- bread slices
- peanut butter
Instructions
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add bacon and sauté for about 6-8 minutes, until just cooked.
- Remove bacon from pan and place onto a plate; set aside. Try not to nibble on too many bacon pieces while you're cooking the rest of this.
- Add onions and brown sugar to the skillet. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes, just until the onions are translucent.
- Add garlic, vinegar, and maple syrup to the pan. Stir well to combine all ingredients and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
- Lower heat to low-medium and then add wine. Cook down the wine on low-medium for about 5 minutes.
- Return the bacon to the pan. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Watch the bacon mixture carefully and continue to stir every few minutes during this time. Once the ingredients seem to blend well together and the bacon is caramelized and slightly softer, turn off the heat and allow the ingredients to cool for a few minutes.
- Pour all ingredients into a food processor and process until all ingredients are well blended. It's okay to have some bacon bits in there for texture, but you don't want to see/taste full chunks of onion or garlic.
- Spread onto bread slices and top each with a slice topped with peanut butter. Cut into halves, quarters, or fun shapes. Enjoy!
Have you ever tried or made bacon jam before? What other type of elevated classic foods do you like to serve on Game Day?
Christie says
Our favorite restaurant makes bacon jam and puts it on top of pimento cheese. I've never tried to make it. I love your recipe. I have to try to make it at home.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Bacon jam on top of pimento cheese sounds divine!
Logan Can says
These look so yummy! My little man would love them, and I wouldn't mind divulging either!
Melinda says
Oh, I MUST make these! Of course, I'll have to do some traditional PB&J's to keep my kids happy (and sober).
Meredith {MarthaChartreuse} says
Delicious!!! Add bananas, and you are honoring Elvis!
Bonnie says
I've NEVER considered this before. So clever. Thank you for sharing! I can think of quite a few people who would like this.
Alexandra Rood says
Oh yes! This is happening!
Denay DeGuzman says
These Peanut Butter & Bacon Jam Bites look so delicious! What a unique food combination. It's so fun to put a new twist on an age-old favorite. Thanks for sharing your foodie inspiration. :-)
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
I've heard that bacon and peanut butter make a great match - These are so creative and they sound delicious!
courtney says
Ha ha, boozy bacon jam, would never have thought of that! Have fun munching on these during the peak of football season. :)
Nutmeg Nanny says
Peanut butter and bacon? YES PLEASE!
Susan | LunaCafe says
Awesome twist on the proverbial PB&J sandwich. This will be a hit. :-)
Kim Beaulieu says
I absolutely love bacon jam, it's life changing. This is such a cool recipe and the perfect way to celebrate game day.
Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen) says
I have become an addict for bacon jam in all incarnations. This version looks incredible, and I LOVE that you paired with peanut butter! Brilliant! Can't wait to give this one a try, and even change up my usual game day menu options! :o)
Rachel Lloyd says
Such a tasty and fun idea!!! I love pb&J I still eat them every once in awhile as an adult. You can't go wrong!!
Geoff says
I want "GO TEAM!" flags all over my room, For motivation.
And . . . BACON JAAAAAAAM!
That is all.
Kelly@ Texas Type A Mom says
Anything with bacon in it has got my attention! I've never had anything like this before but it looks and sounds amazing! #client
Vicky @ Avocado Pesto says
Yes to anything bacon -- especially a boozy jam! YUM! I am not a football fan at all but I'll still happily dip into that jam!