No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

By Maria Lichty

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Quick Summary

No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars- you don’t have to turn on the oven to make these decadent peanut butter chocolate bars! They are the perfect dessert for summertime, potlucks, parties, or anytime!

no bake peanut butter bars on parchment paper with a cup of peanut butter, glass of milk, and knife.

Peanut butter and chocolate, is there a better combo? I don’t think so. I LOVE peanut butter and chocolate together and a few of my favorite recipes include: peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, puppy chow, no bake cookies, and peanut butter blossoms.

I also love these easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars. The are made with basic pantry ingredients and there is no baking involved. They are the perfect dessert for summertime when you don’t want to turn on the oven.

They are also a fun treat to make with kids or whenever you need a super simple dessert. They are easy to make and the results are DELICIOUS!

The bars have a thick peanut butter base that tastes similar to the filling of a Reese’s peanut butter cup, but even better! The bars are finished with a chocolate topping that is silky and smooth. You get a bite of peanut butter and chocolate in every bite! Of course, I add a sprinkling of flaky sea salt to enhance the overall flavor.

You do have to chill the bars before cutting and serving, but don’t let that stop you from making the bars, just plan ahead!

These no-bake peanut bars are the perfect dessert for taking to potlucks and parties. They are nostalgic and always one of the first desserts to go!

no bake peanut butter bar ingredients in bowls.

Bar Ingredients

  • Butter– I use salted butter. If you want to use unsalted butter, add a little salt. Melt the butter and let it cool slightly.
  • Peanut Butteruse a brand like Skippy or Jif for this recipe.
  • Vanilla Extract– use pure vanilla extract.
  • Confectioners’ sugar– I sift the confectioner’s sugar so the bars are smooth.
  • Graham cracker crumbs– you will need 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs, which is 7 graham cracker sheets crushed. Use a food processor or blender to make the crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor or blender, you can place graham crackers in a Ziploc bag and pound the crackers with a rolling pin. Make sure you have fine crumbs.

Chocolate Topping

For the chocolate topping, you will need:

  • Chocolate Chips– I prefer semi-sweet chocolate chips, Guittard is my favorite brand, but you can use milk or dark chocolate chips.
  • Peanut Butter– to bring out the best peanut butter flavor, stir in a little peanut butter to the chocolate topping.
  • Flaky sea saltoptional, but so good! I love sweet and salty!
no bake peanut butter base and powdered sugar in mixing bowl with spatula.

How to Make No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

  • Line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper, depending on how thick you want the bars. Using an 8×8-inch pan will give you thicker bars. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, peanut butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
no bake peanut butter bar base being mixed in mixing bowl.
  • Add the confectioners’ sugar and stir until well combined.
  • Stir in the graham cracker crumbs.
no bake peanut butter bar base pressed in baking dish with parchment paper.
  • Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
  • Place the chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons of peanut butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second burst, stirring each time, until just melted. Stir until mixture is smooth.
no bake peanut butter bars in pan with melted chocolate in the center getting ready to be spread with spatula.
  • Pour evenly over the peanut butter base and smooth with a spatula.
no bake peanut butter bars with chocolate and flaky sea salt in white baking dish.
  • Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill until the bars are firm, about 2 hours.
  • Cut into squares and enjoy!
no bake peanut butter bars with chocolate top and flaky sea salt stacked.

Variations

  • Instead of graham crackers, you can use Digestives, Bisccoff cookies, or Ritz crackers. Place in a food processor or blender to make fine crumbs. Use the same amount (1 cup) and use in place of the graham cracker crumbs.
  • Use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter.
  • You can make these bars with almond butter or sun nut butter. Make sure you stir the nut butters well so they are nice and creamy before using.

How to Store

  • Refrigerator: Store the bars in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
  • Freezer: After the chocolate has set up, you can freeze the peanut butter bars. Freeze in a freezer container or bag for up to 2 months. If you are freezing cut bars and stacking them, place a piece of parchment paper between layers so the bars don’t stick together.
no bake peanut butter bars cut in squares with chocolate topping and flaky sea salt.

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No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars- you don't have to turn on the oven to make these decadent peanut butter chocolate bars! They are the perfect dessert for summertime, potlucks, parties, or anytime!
4.57 from 51 votes

Ingredients
  

For the bars:

For the chocolate topping:

Instructions
 

  • Line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, peanut butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  • Add the confectioners’ sugar and stir until well combined. Stir in the graham cracker crumbs.
  • Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
  • Place the chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons of peanut butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second burst, stirring each time, until just melted. Stir until mixture is smooth.
  • Pour evenly over the peanut butter base and smooth with a spatula. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill until the bars are firm, about 2 hours.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut the bars into squares.

Notes

If you use unsalted butter, add ¼ teaspoon salt to the base of the bars.
Instead of graham crackers, you can use Digestives, Bisccoff cookies, or Ritz crackers.
Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 164mg, Potassium: 199mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 184IU, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 1mg
Keywords chocolate, no bake, peanut butter

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Maria

I'm Maria and my husband is Josh. We share a love of cooking, baking, and entertaining. We enjoy creating recipes that are simple, fresh, and family friendly. We love sitting around the table with good food, good conversation, and good friends and family! Our kitchen is always open!
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4.57 from 51 votes (48 ratings without comment)

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  1. My son is a pb freak so heโ€™d love these!
    I wonder if this recipe would work if I added protein powderโ€ฆ.?

    1. I am sure you could add some protein powder, you might want to reduce the grahams a little so they aren’t dry.

  2. 5 stars
    We canโ€™t stop eating these. I doubled the recipe so I could send some to work with my husband. They are perfect. I wouldnโ€™t change a thing. The sea salt on top is a must!

  3. 2 stars
    Tried these & they are wonderful, didnโ€™t change a thing! Everyone loved them at a family picnic, was even asked to share my secret recipe. Thanks again Maria you all of your wonderful recipes. Cathy

  4. Total success, everyone loved them. I yes chunky peanut butter, and Oreo cookies because thatโ€™s what I had on hand.
    Making them again, using Digestive biscuits.

  5. 5 stars
    We have had a favorite peanut butter bar recipe that I have made for years. It was given to me when I first married by our very dear landlady. I decided to try this one for a new little twist, and we all LOVED it! It will now be another favorite! It is so delicious! I have made many of your recipes, and you are a go to site for me. Thank you for all that you create and share! I know that requires a lot! I also love to see your wonderful family included!