This easy no-bake peanut butter bars recipe is my family’s absolute favorite dessert. These peanut butter bars have the most delightfully crunchy texture topped with the rich flavor of chocolate. It will remind you of a homemade version of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups…did you put your chocolate in my peanut butter?
Why You’ll Love These No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
This is my husband’s favorite recipe of all time. He is a big fan of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups so I think that is why. While many desserts seem to capture the taste of Reeses Peanutbutter Cups, these no bake peanutbutter chocolate bars also have a similar texture making them extra yummy!
Simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Do you remember the old TV commercial that famously stated “you put your chocolate in my peanut butter”? It became a classic and proved to us that chocolate and peanut butter belong together!
I took a long way around to say that I love chocolate and peanut butter together so this No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars recipe is one I make quite a bit! It’s so easy and did I mention it’s no-bake?
This No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars recipe has only five ingredients!
Peanut Butter Bars No Bake Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter, melted
- 2 1/2 cups Sugar
- 1 cup Peanut Butter
- 2 cups Graham Crackers, crumbled
- 2 cups Chocolate Chips, melted
How to make Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
Step 1
The star of this recipe is, of course, peanut butter. You want to make sure you are using soft peanut butter. I use organic peanut butter that tends to be softer and creamier.
Step 2
Since you need about 2 cups of Graham Crackers, I used two sleeves of the Graham Crackers. Put them in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into crumbs. This is also a great stress reliever!
Step 3
In a large mixing bowl add the sugar, graham crackers, and peanut butter.
Step 4
Melt your butter, then add it to the mixing bowl and combine all of the ingredients.
Step 5
Put the mixture into an 8×8 baking pan. You won’t be baking this dish but it’s a good solid pan to keep the bars together.
Step 6
Using a spatula, flatten the peanut butter mixture into the pan. The flatter the better!
Step 7
In the meantime, you need to melt the chocolate chips.
These can be melted in the microwave using the directions on the bag or you can do it the traditional way on the stove. Simply heat up a pan of water and place the chips in a glass bowl. You don’t want the water to boil, just heat up enough to melt the chocolate.
Step 8
Spread the melted butter on top of the peanut butter mixture. Make sure you spread this evenly.
Step 9
Then put in the refrigerator for at least 1-hour to allow the chocolate to set over the peanut butter mixture. This will make it much easier to cut into squares and serve.
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars Variations
If you want to do more chocolate to even the ratio, double the chocolate chips in this recipe. But you don’t want to melt more than 2 cups of chocolate at a time. This is perfect for dessert or a party! Have fun making this dessert!
How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are great as part of a cookie platter or served alone. Do be aware that if you place them next to other cookies, these will be gone first!
How to Store Peanut Butter Bars
Store your leftover peanut butter bars (if you have any) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Can I make No Bake Peanut Butter Bars in advance?
This No Bake Peanut Butter Bar recipe is the perfect make-ahead dessert because it is chilled before serving. While it will last up to a week in the fridge, it is best in the first 48 hours.
How long do Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars last?
I have successfully stored homemade peanut butter bars in the fridge for up to a week, but they taste best in the first 3 days.
Can I freeze this Peanut Butter Bars recipe?
Yes, freezing peanut butter bars after they have cooled works great. It is best to defrost them overnight in the fridge before serving.
Peanut Butter Bars (No Bake) FAQs
I love the taste of graham crackers, but if you are looking for a substitution, any dry cookie, wafer or animal crackers can be used instead to make dry crumbs that mix well with this recipe.
The ingredients for the best tasting peanut butter bar are: butter, sugar, peanut butter, graham crackers and chocolate chips.
Yes! While peanut butter tends to last longer than most pantry foods (generally 6-18 months if unopened), it can go bad and develop a rancid taste.
Most peanut butter brands do not need to be refrigerated after opening and can last up to 3 months once the jar has been opened. There are a few brands that do require refrigeration and that will be labeled if necessary.
No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
This fun, simple no-bake peanut butter bars recipe is a sure hit. With smooth peanut butter, graham crackers, and chocolate on top, you'll find the right sweetness your tastebuds have been looking for!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter, melted
- 2 1/2 cups Sugar
- 1 cup Peanut Butter
- 2 cups Graham Crackers, crumbled
- 2 cups Chocolate Chips, melted
Instructions
- Put graham crackers in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Melt butter in a saucepan.
- Mix together the crumbled graham crackers, sugar, peanut butter, and melted butter.
- Add to 8x8 pan and flatten to take out the air pockets.
- Melt chocolate in the microwave or on the stove using a bowl and hot water.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter mixture and spread it out evenly.
- Put in the refrigerator to set the chocolate - 1 hour should be enough time.
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Have you tried this Peanut Butter Bars recipe? What do your guests think?
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