This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
No-bake Peanut Butter Bars are perfect for potlucks, parties or to simply satisfy your sweet tooth. This updated easy-to-make recipe is always a favorite.
If you love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Buckeye’s and the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate, this is a must make treat!
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars: A Quick and Irresistible Treat!
If you’re craving a delicious dessert without turning on the oven look no further than these mouthwatering No Bake Peanut Butter Bars! With just 7 simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can whip up a batch in about 15 minutes.
While recipes for these delicious bars have been around for ages, this updated version is even better. The filling has been reworked to achieve the perfect consistency and flavor, while the topping has just enough added peanut butter to make the chocolate easy to bite through.
Cut the candy into small two-bite squares or bars for easy handling. Bet you can’t eat just one!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Peanut Butter Filling:
- crushed graham cracker crumbs or vanilla wafers
- powdered sugar
- creamy peanut butter (like Jif, Skippy or Peter Pan)
- melted unsalted butter
- vanilla extract
- table salt (omit if using salted butter)
For the Chocolate Topping:
- creamy peanut butter
- chopped semisweet chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate
Instructions: How to make No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
For the filling:
- Line an 8-inch pan with parchment paper leaving the excess hanging over the sides. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a food processor pulse the graham crackers to fine crumbs. Add the powdered sugar, peanut butter, melted butter, vanilla and salt. Process until smooth. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Refrigerate while preparing the topping.
For the topping:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the peanut butter and chocolate together until melted.
- Pour the chocolate evenly over the top of the peanut butter layer.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours then cut into squares.
NOTE: If you don’t have a food processor, no worries. You can mix the ingredients by hand using a wooden spoon. It takes a little more effort and muscle but you can do it!
What we love about No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
- These bars taste just like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, only better!
- Easy to make with minimal hands on time.
- No need to turn on the oven which is especially great during hot weather.
- Not overly sweet but still ticks the box for a satisfying dessert
- Keeps well for up to a week when refrigerated
- Freezable too!
How to Serve
Cut the bars into squares, rectangles or bite-sized portions. Keep the bars refrigerated until ready to serve.
The bars can sit out at room temperature for several hours while serving then placed back in the refrigerator. On a hot day the bars will become very soft so keep them as cool as possible for the best, firm consistency.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
The Peanut Butter Bars can be made up to 5 days in advance making them perfect for parties and gatherings.
Store the bars in an airtight container in layers between sheets of wax paper. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Any leftover bars can be hidden away in the freezer for a quick and delicious grab-and-go treat. With 6 grams of protein in each bar, you’ll find them very satisfying.
Variations and Add-Ins
Get creative and make this recipe your own with add-ins or substitutions!
- Use dark chocolate or bittersweet chocolate for a slightly less sweet topping. We don’t recommend using milk chocolate chips as it’s a little too rich.
- Sprinkle crushed salted peanuts, coarse sea salt, sprinkles or even additional crushed graham crackers over the chocolate before it’s set for additional visual appeal.
- Fold in a little Rice Crispy cereal, Vanilla wafers or quick oats in place of some of the graham crackers. You can also use a few saltine crackers in place of a few graham crackers.
- Once the bars and chocolate are set, melt additional chocolate to pipe over the bars in a decorative fashion.
More Great Peanut Butter and Chocolate Recipes
Peanut Butter and chocolate together can make some amazing, memorable desserts like this Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Cake and our No-Churn Peanut Butter Fudge Ripple Ice Cream. Here are a few more of our favorites:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
A wonderful marriage of two amazing flavors; chocolate and peanut butter. This rich cake ticks all the boxes for a memorable showstopper dessert
View this Recipe
Chocolate Peanut Butter Revel Bars
Great for large gatherings! These bars are easy to make, travel well and are delicious.
View this Recipe
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Big, soft chewy cookies with loads of texture from the whole grain oats and great peanutty flavor.
View this RecipeThanks for PINNING!
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Equipment
- 8×8-inch baking pan
- parchment paper
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (188g or 12 whole cracker sheets)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (240g)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (263g)
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted (113g or 4oz)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
For the Topping:
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter (50g)
- 7 ounces semisweet chocolate (198g or 1 and ¼ cups chopped)
Instructions
For the filling:
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper leaving the excess hanging over the sides. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a food processor pulse the graham crackers to fine crumbs. Add the powdered sugar, peanut butter, melted butter, vanilla and salt. Process until smooth. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Refrigerate while preparing the topping.
For the topping:
- In a microwave safe measuring cup with a spout combine 3 tablespoons peanut butter and the semisweet chocolate. Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and repeat for another 60 seconds. Stir again then microwave at 50% power in increments of 10 seconds until most of the chocolate is melted. Some small chunks are good. Cover and set aside stirring occasionally until all chocolate is melted and no lumps remain.
- Pour the chocolate evenly over the peanut butter mixture. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours then cut into squares.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars: A Delicious and Effortless Treat!
These No Bake Peanut Butter Bars are a fantastic treat that effortlessly combines the timeless flavors of peanut butter and chocolate. Perfect for potlucks, parties, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, this easy-to-make recipe will surely become a favorite. Happy snacking!
Julie G
These were a huge hit with my family. Incredibly easy to make, had all ingredients on hand and they cut beautifully as well.
They taste almost identical to a Reese cup. The base if full of flavor with graham crackers, which were barely detectable but gave it a wonderful texture, and the peanut butter. Not overly sweet in any way.
For the topping I used what I had on hand…a mix of milk and dark chocolate. Worked out just fine.
They freeze really nicely too. Which is great for those times you need a peanut butter and chocolate pick-me-up. 😉
As always, A+ recipe and new family favorite.
Tricia Buice
Thanks Julie! I love the texture of these bars too. So happy you made these and appreciate the feedback. Hope you and your family are doing great!