These No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are rich, creamy, and easy to make with simple ingredients. Perfect for a quick, indulgent treat!
These No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are the ultimate easy dessert for chocolate and peanut butter lovers. With a rich, creamy peanut butter base and a smooth chocolate topping, they come together in minutes with no baking required. Perfect for a quick treat, potlucks, or just satisfying your sweet tooth, these bars are indulgent, simple, and absolutely irresistible.
For more chocolate peanut butter flavor, make Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn and 2 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge.
Table of contents
Why I Love These Bars
- Quick & Easy – Ready in minutes with no oven required.
- Rich & Decadent – Creamy peanut butter base topped with smooth chocolate.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for dessert, snacks, parties, or gifting.
- Kid-Friendly – Simple to make and fun for kids to help assemble.
Ingredients
- Salted Butter – Melted butter helps bind the peanut butter base and adds richness.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs – Use about 8 full sheets or adjust as needed; provides a crunchy, sturdy base.
- Confectioners’ Sugar – Sift to remove lumps and ensure a smooth, creamy peanut butter mixture.
- Creamy Peanut Butter – Creamy peanut butter works best for a smooth, easy-to-cut base.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – Use good-quality chocolate for a smooth, rich topping.
Find the complete list of ingredients at the bottom.
Variations
- Nut-Free Version – Substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or almond butter for a nut-free alternative.
- Extra Crunch – Add chopped peanuts, almonds, or pretzels to the peanut butter base for added texture.
- Chocolate Twist – Use milk, dark, or white chocolate for the topping, or swirl different chocolates together.
- Mini Bars – Make bite-sized bars for easy snacking or party favors.
- Salted Caramel Drizzle – Add a drizzle of caramel on top for a sweet and salty twist.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Layered – Add a layer of chocolate chips in the base for a double chocolate peanut butter treat.
- Coconut Lovers – Sprinkle shredded coconut on top before the chocolate sets.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare rhe Baking Dish – Line an 8×8 square baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Step 2. Make the Graham Cracker Crust – Mix the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, and confectioners’ sugar together in a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup of peanut butter, then press evenly into prepared baking pan.
Step 3. Make the Chocolate Layer – Melt chocolate chips and remaining peanut butter in the microwave or on the stove. Make sure to use a microwave-safe bowl. Stir until smooth. Spread over peanut butter layer.
Step 4. After mixing the chocolate layer, pour on the peanut butter layer.
Step 5. Place in the Refrigerator. Chill until completely firm, at least 2 hours. Then allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting.
Pro Tips
- Press Base Firmly – Press the peanut butter mixture firmly into the pan to prevent crumbling when cutting.
- Melt Chocolate Slowly – Melt chocolate over low heat or in short bursts in the microwave to avoid burning and achieve a smooth topping.
- Use Parchment Paper – Line the pan with parchment for easy removal and clean edges.
- Chill Completely – Refrigerate until firm before cutting to keep the bars intact.
- Room Temperature Before Serving – Let bars sit at room temperature for a few minutes for a softer, easier-to-bite texture.
- Even Chocolate Layer – Spread the chocolate topping evenly with a spatula for a professional look.
- Cut Clean Slices – Use a sharp knife, wiping it between cuts to prevent chocolate from sticking.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you do not have graham crackers where you live here are some alternatives to use for the graham cracker mixture.
Crushed up Cookies
Ice Cream Cones
Pretzels
Cereal
No, we do not recommend using natural peanut butter. The best kind of peanut butter to use is the no-stir kind, like Jif or skippy. If you use natural peanut butter the bars don’t set up fully.
Naturally peanut butter is to oil and separates easily.
I highly suggest you use a nice food processor. You can also use a mini food processor but it won’t get the graham crackers quite as fine.
I prefer the graham crackers to be crushed into fine crumbs as they mix easier. You can also crush the graham cracker sheets in a zip lock bag with a rolling pin.
The chocolate peanut butter bars are easy to store. Cover leftover bars tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 week. You may also want to use parchment paper during storage between the layers.
Yes, you can freeze the bars by arranging the bars in an airtight container or freezer bar. Place parchment paper between the layers so they don’t stick.
The bars will stay good for up to 3 months. When you are ready to serve, just thaw in the refrigerator.
These freezing instructions are great if you want to make these bars ahead of time.
More Peanut Butter Chocolate Desserts
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- Scotcheroos Recipe
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Try These Easy Dessert Bars
- Homemade Twix Bars Recipe
- Magic Cookie Bars Recipe
- Cheesecake Bars
- Slutty Cheesecake Bars
- 7 Layer Bars Recipe
Make these rich and creamy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars today and enjoy a quick treat that taste indulgent! Don’t forget to leave a star rating and share your favorite mix-ins or toppings in the comments.
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter melted
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs about 8 full sheet graham crackers
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter divided
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 square baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Set aside.
- Mix the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, and confectioners’ sugar together in a medium bowl.
- Stir in 1 cup of peanut butter, then press evenly into prepared baking pan.
- Melt remaining 2 Tablespoons of peanut butter with the chocolate chips in the microwave or on the stove. Stir until smooth. Spread over peanut butter layer.
- Chill in the refrigerator until completely firm, at least 2 hours. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve chilled. Setting them out for a few hours at room temperature for serving is OK.
- Cover leftover bars tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Love this recipe. So easy, pantry staples, and great in the warm weather months when you don’t want to turn that oven on!
I am going to surprise my husband with this dessert. I think he will love it!
I hope he does!
Excellent dessert! Anything with peanut butter and chocolate is great!
I agree with that! Yummy!
I made a double batch for my adult children when they come over in the morning starved to death. Huge hit!! Will definitely be making them again!!
Can I use this same recipe to make peanut butter balls and coat them with chocolate as well? Thanks so much. I have made the bars, which are delicious, but not the pb balls.