Thank you. Thank you very much!
~ Carmen
This past summer, I took three days to really explore my hometown, Memphis, Tennessee (see 3 Days in Memphis). I had lived here for over ten years and never ventured to all of the tourist spots. If you have never “played tourist” where you live, I highly recommend it. For one thing, I knew Elvis was discovered and lived in Memphis (Graceland), but I loved learning about all of the places he loved to eat and places he hung out.
One of my favorite foods I ate while playing tourist was Elvis’s favorite, too–the fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. I ordered it for breakfast at the Arcade restaurant (see 24 Hours in Memphis–Civil Rights Focus).
Arcade “Breakfast”
And I ordered it again the very next day for lunch while touring Graceland! (see 24 Hours in Memphis or Music Lovers). It’s no wonder that Elvis started looking a bit heavier in his later years! This is not going to be listed on any diet plan. It’s fried goodness!
Lunch at the Graceland diner: Rockabilly’s Burger Shop
Fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches are easy enough to make at home, but just like everything else, I decided to try to try and make it over a campfire using the pie irons that I love so much (see Camp Cooking Equipment You’ll Love). Instead of a savory sandwich, I made it just a touch sweeter.
If you don’t have a pie iron, I’m sure an iron skillet would work just fine. If you’d like to pick up a pie iron to try out on your next camping trip or backyard fire pit, order through this link and we’ll get a little commission (and it won’t cost you anything extra)!
So this week we have been camping in Florida, the weather was perfect campfire temperatures! The sandwiches were just as easy as making them at home, but a whole lot more fun using the pie irons. Everyone enjoyed making their own. We hope you enjoy making them, too!
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Servings | person |
- 2 slices sandwich bread (Texas toast works well, too)
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/2 sliced banana
- powdered sugar
- whipped cream
- 1/2 bag charcoal
Ingredients
|
- Light charcoal and let it burn down until briquettes are white. We were making the Elvis sandwiches for dessert, so we just used the charcoal we had lit making our supper.
- Slice 1/2 of a banana into 1/4' slices.
- Butter the outside of sandwich bread. On the inside spread peanut butter on one side. For an extra peanut buttery taste, cover both slices of bread with peanut butter.
- Add a layer of bananas on top of the peanut butter.
- Put the top (other slice of bread) on the sandwich and place in the pie iron. Don't worry if the bread doesn't seem to fit. The pie iron will work similar to a panini-maker and flatten the bread down.
- Close the pie iron and stick over the coals, about 5 minutes on each side. For the final two minutes on each side, put the pie iron directly on the coals to toast up the bread. This is the only part of the recipe that is a little tricky. The timing will depend on how hot your coals are and whether or not your pie iron is already hot from prior use. If you're the second person to use the iron, then it won't take near as long to cook the Elvis sandwich. I'd rather check the sandwich progress often, then end up with a burned sandwich!
- When the sandwich bread is light brown, take the sandwich out of the pie iron. I usually use a fork so that I don't accidentally burn my fingers.
- Sprinkle a light dusting of powered sugar on top.
- Add a dollop of whipping cream and enjoy!
Variations:
You can pretty much add any kind or spread or dessert-type filling. Nutella is a good substitute for peanut butter. To make the sandwich even sweeter, add chocolate chips and/or marshmallow cream to the inside.
Have you ever eaten a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich? Please share by commenting below! We’d love to hear about any camping recipes we should check out. Keep up with all of our travel, camping, and cycling tips by following us onFacebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest(lots of camping pins). Leave us your email (blue box at the bottom of the post) to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and never miss a post!
~ Carmen
PLEASE PIN ME!
Emilee W
October 13, 2016 7:52 pmThis looks amazingggg. Pinning for later!
Pack Your Baguios
October 16, 2016 7:36 amThanks for pinning!
Southern and Style
October 15, 2016 5:03 pmThis sounds SO yummy. My husband and I are planning a camping trip this month and I’m adding these supplies to my packing list!
xoxo, SS
Southern And Style
Pack Your Baguios
October 16, 2016 7:37 amGreat! Have a wonderful time camping.
Jesi Allen
October 15, 2016 11:11 pmThese sandwiches can definitely pack it on. I make a variation with peanut/almond butter on one side and honey on the other on toast with banana in the middle. It’s fabulous.
And I love the nifty little sandwich tool for camping. I need one of those.
Pack Your Baguios
October 16, 2016 7:38 amYour variation sounds divine! I’ll have to try it.
Paige Strand
October 17, 2016 12:38 pmHow have I never heard of this? This looks epic!! Especially for like camping or holidays
Pack Your Baguios
October 17, 2016 5:49 pmIt is sooo good and easy to make!