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Loaded with peanut butter, banana, bacon, and honey, this griddled sandwich is gooey and satisfying.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__mt-static__support__uploads__LeeZalben_150px-5ac2d05f3efa47dba065791142625475.jpg "Elvis's Favorite Sandwich is the King of All Peanut Butter Sandwiches (1)")
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Why It Works
- The sandwich is a combination of sweet, salty, creamy, and crispy all at once.
- Prepare to gyrate.
While Elvis is primarily known for being one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century, we can't ignore his namesake sandwich—the one with peanut butter, banana, and bacon all smashed together.
Nicknamed the "Elvis" sandwich, this collision of delicious indulgence is made up of ingredients that seem like they'd clash, but much like Elvis's music—a dynamic rockabilly fusion of heartfelt country and soulful rhythm and blues—they create something beautiful. The combo issweet, salty, creamy, and crunchyall at once.
There are a number of versions of the story about how Elvis came to love these sandwiches.
In the one I've always heard, Elvis and some friends were hanging out at Graceland in February of 1976 when someone started talking about an outrageous sandwich they tried at a restaurant called theColorado Gold Mine Company. This"Fool's Gold Loaf"combined peanut butter, bananas, and bacon in a hollowed-out loaf of French bread, which was then deep-fried.
Elvis was so tempted by the sound of this decadent sandwich that he flew everyone from Memphis to Denver in the middle of the night on his private jet.The sandwich didn't disappoint,and The King reportedly bought the recipe from the restaurant's owner and passed it on toW. Pauline Nicholson, his personal cook,and asked her to have one standing by at all times.
I've been racking my brain, and short of a few paid endorsem*nts, I can't think of another celebrity so tied to a particular food as Elvis is with the peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwich.
Have you ever had one?Or do you have your own unique combo that you're somewhat famous for?
Adapted from The Peanut Butter & Co. Cookbook by Lee Zalben.
January 2011
This recipe was cross-tested in 2023 and updated with more accurate measurements to guarantee best results.
Recipe Details
Elvis Presley's Favorite Peanut Butter Sandwich
Prep5 mins
Cook10 mins
Active10 mins
Total15 mins
Serves1 sandwich
Ingredients
3 tablespoons peanut butter (1 3/4 ounces; 50g), divided
2 slices white sandwich bread, lightly toasted
1/2 large ripe banana ( 2 1/4 ounces; 64g), sliced crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices
2 slices cooked bacon, optional
2 tablespoons honey, optional
3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter, divided
Directions
Spread peanut butter evenly on one side of both slices of bread. Place banana slices on top of peanut butter in an even layer on one of the slices. Top with bacon slices, if using and drizzle with honey, if using. Top with the remaining slice of bread, peanut butter-side down and press gently to secure sandwich.
Heat a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium heat for 3 minutes. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in preheated skillet. Gently transfer the prepared sandwich to the melted butter in the skillet and cook until the underside of bread is golden brown and crispy, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
Flip the sandwich, adding the remaining 1 tablespoon butter while flipping, and continue to cook until the second underside is golden brown and crispy, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let sit for 3 minutes, then transfer to a cutting board. Slice in half, and serve immediately.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20231031-SEAElvisPeanutButterSandwich-FredHardy-Step1-9b2706509afa466896b46e7e70672cdc.jpg "Elvis's Favorite Sandwich is the King of All Peanut Butter Sandwiches (2)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20231031-SEAElvisPeanutButterSandwich-FredHardy-05-2034d88f75aa419c81f16c3da352c52f.jpg "Elvis's Favorite Sandwich is the King of All Peanut Butter Sandwiches (3)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20231031-SEAElvisPeanutButterSandwich-FredHardy-Step3-a15358ad709342fb8d5a3bde626da80a.jpg "Elvis's Favorite Sandwich is the King of All Peanut Butter Sandwiches (4)")
Special Equipment
10-inch cast-iron skillet or griddle
Notes
Smooth or crunchy peanut butter will work well in this recipe.
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| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 1050 | Calories |
| 69g | Fat |
| 93g | Carbs |
| 25g | Protein |
Show Full Nutrition Label
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| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 1 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 1050 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 69g | 88% |
| Saturated Fat 29g | 147% |
| Cholesterol 114mg | 38% |
| Sodium 928mg | 40% |
| Total Carbohydrate 93g | 34% |
| Dietary Fiber 6g | 22% |
| Total Sugars 50g | |
| Protein 25g | |
| Vitamin C 6mg | 31% |
| Calcium 134mg | 10% |
| Iron 4mg | 21% |
| Potassium 754mg | 16% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
