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Peanut Butter Bars are the no-bake treat that tastes just like a peanut butter cup, with a thick, creamy peanut butter base under a smooth chocolate layer. I started making them for school parties because there is no oven involved and they come together in minutes. Maddie and Lizzie beg for the corner pieces, just like they do with our fudgy brownies.
No oven, no fuss, just a creamy peanut butter base, a chocolate top, and a crunchy toffee finish.
Peanut Butter Bars Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 0 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 15 bars
- ⚡ Calories: 489kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Rich, creamy peanut butter under a smooth chocolate layer with a toffee crunch
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy and no-bake, like our chocolate peanut butter pretzels
Quick Answer
Mix melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and creamy peanut butter into a thick dough, then press it firmly into a 9×13 pan. Melt chocolate chips with a little extra peanut butter until smooth and spread it over the base. Sprinkle on pecans, peanut butter chips, and toffee bits, then refrigerate for at least an hour until set. Cut the peanut butter bars into squares and serve.
Jump to:
- Peanut Butter Bars Quick Look
- Quick Answer
- Why This Recipe Works
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to Make Peanut Butter Bars
- Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Serving Ideas and Suggestions
- Peanut Butter Bars FAQs
- Other Recommended No Bake Dessert Recipes
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- No oven required. These bars set up in the fridge, so there is no baking, no waiting on a hot oven, and no heating up the kitchen.
- Tastes like a giant peanut butter cup. A creamy peanut butter base under a smooth chocolate layer hits that classic chocolate and peanut butter combo everyone loves.
- Graham crumbs add structure. Graham cracker crumbs give the base a sturdy, sliceable texture so the bars hold their shape.
- The toppings add crunch. Pecans, peanut butter chips, and toffee bits scattered on top give every bite a little crunch and extra flavor.
- Made in minutes. The hands-on time is just about 15 minutes, then the fridge does the rest of the work.
- Perfect for a crowd. One 9×13 pan makes plenty of bars, so they are ideal for parties, potlucks, and bake sales.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- They taste just like a peanut butter cup, with a creamy peanut butter base and smooth chocolate top.
- They are completely no-bake and come together in about 15 minutes of hands-on time.
- They are perfect for parties and potlucks, right alongside our chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels.
Key Ingredients
Here is what goes into these no-bake peanut butter bars. Just a handful of simple ingredients.
- Peanut Butter: creamy peanut butter goes into both the base and the chocolate topping for rich, classic flavor.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: they give the base structure so the bars slice cleanly and hold together.
- Powdered Sugar: sweetens the base and helps it firm up into a sturdy, sliceable layer.
- Butter: melted butter binds the base together and adds richness.
- Chocolate Chips: melted with a little peanut butter into a smooth, glossy top layer.
- Pecans, Peanut Butter Chips, and Toffee Bits: the crunchy finishing toppings, like the mix-ins in our Butterfinger brownies.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
These peanut butter bars are easy to make your own.
- Keep them classic: skip the toppings for a simple chocolate and peanut butter bar.
- Switch the nuts: use chopped peanuts or walnuts instead of pecans, or leave them out.
- Add a salty crunch: sprinkle a little flaky sea salt or crushed pretzels over the chocolate.
- Use crunchy peanut butter: swap in crunchy peanut butter for extra texture in the base.
- Go all chocolate: top with a layer of our chocolate cream cheese frosting instead of melted chips.
How to Make Peanut Butter Bars
- In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and one cup of the peanut butter until it forms a thick, even dough.
- Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, using the bottom of a flat glass to flatten it.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips with the remaining half cup of peanut butter and microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Spread the melted chocolate mixture evenly over the top of the peanut butter base.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans, peanut butter chips, and toffee bits all over the chocolate layer.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour until set, then cut into bars and serve.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Press the base firmly so the bars hold together and slice cleanly; a flat glass works perfectly.
- Melt the chocolate gently in short bursts so it stays smooth and does not seize.
- Add the toppings right away while the chocolate is still soft so they stick.
- Chill until fully set before cutting, at least an hour and longer if you can wait.
- Use a warm knife wiped clean between cuts for neat squares.
- Store them cold so the chocolate layer stays firm, the same way we store our chocolate peanut butter pretzels.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
These peanut butter bars are a rich, sweet treat all on their own, perfect cut into small squares since a little goes a long way.
They are made for a dessert table, so serve them next to our fudgy brownies and a bowl of no churn ice cream and let everyone build a plate.
They also pack beautifully for lunchboxes, bake sales, and holiday cookie trays, and they keep well in the fridge so you can make them a day or two ahead.
Peanut Butter Bars FAQs
Yes, keep them in the fridge so the chocolate top and peanut butter base stay firm. They soften quickly at room temperature, so refrigerate them until just before serving.
If the base is too soft, it usually needs more chilling time or a touch more graham cracker crumbs. Make sure you pressed it firmly into the pan and gave it at least an hour in the fridge to set up.
Absolutely. They are a great make-ahead treat. Store them covered in the fridge for up to a week, and they actually slice cleanest after a few hours of chilling.
Yes. Cut them into squares, layer them between parchment in an airtight container, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge or enjoy them slightly frozen for a firmer bite.
Use a classic creamy peanut butter like the no-stir kind for the best texture. Natural peanut butter that separates can make the base oily and harder to set, so it is not the ideal choice here.
Definitely. The pecans, peanut butter chips, and toffee bits add crunch and flavor, but the bars are delicious with just the chocolate layer if you prefer them simple.
Love no-bake treats? Try our chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels next for another easy chocolate peanut butter snack.
For another bite sized treat, our chocolate cherry brownie truffles are rich and fudgy.
Our no bake peanut butter bars are another easy treat to keep on hand.
For a make ahead snack, our no bake peanut butter bars are always a hit.
Our no bake peanut butter bars are another easy fridge dessert.
Our no bake peanut butter bars are another easy treat to stash in the fridge.
Cereal fans, my no bake chex bars load the same chocolate peanut butter combo with crunch.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ¼ cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 & ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup peanut butter chips
- ¼ cup toffee bits
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, combine butter, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and 1 cup of peanut butter.1 cup unsalted butter, 2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 ¼ cups creamy peanut butter
- Press on to the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray, as evenly as you can. I use the bottom of a flat glass to help me flatten the layer out.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine ¼ cup of peanut butter and the chocolate chips.1 & ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Melt on high in 20-second increments, stirring in between. Repeat until smooth.
- Spread the chocolate mixture all over the top of the graham cracker mixture.
- Sprinkle pecans, peanut butter chips, and toffee bits all over the top of the chocolate layer.¼ cup chopped pecans, ¼ cup peanut butter chips, ¼ cup toffee bits
- Refrigerate for at least an hour or longer if possible to set.
- Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
- Use a microwave-safe bowl for melting the chocolate to achieve a smooth chocolate topping.
- If using a food processor, pulse the graham crackers until you have fine crumbs.
- To ensure the peanut butter base is firm, press firmly into the pan using the back of a spoon or the bottom of a flat object.
- For an extra layer of flavor, add a layer of homemade peanut butter cups or peanut butter buckeyes.
- Remember, the hardest part of this recipe is waiting for it to chill in the refrigerator!
Nutrition
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