No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars combine creamy peanut butter and chocolate into one luscious treat. If you love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, then you are going to love these peanut butter and chocolate bars.
Our entire family loves anything with chocolate and peanut butter. It is the best combination, and this easy no bake recipe does not disappoint. Everyone will love Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars.
Each bite is just heavenly and melts in your mouth. We make these year round because they are just so amazing. They are perfect for parties, game day, holidays, cookouts and more!
For more chocolate peanut butter flavor, make Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn and 2 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You are going to love these bars because they are a no bake dessert, and you don’t even have to heat up your kitchen. They are not hard to make and inexpensive as well.
They really are so easy for any occasion! The bars taste great and have the best texture.
Ingredients
- Salted Butter. The butter needs to be melted.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs. I used about 8 full sheet graham crackers.
- Confectioners’ Sugar. Sift to remove any lumps.
- Creamy Peanut Butter. Creamy peanut butter is best to make peanut butter bars.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips. Use good quality chocolate.
Find the complete list of ingredients at the bottom.
Variations
- Change the Crust – Get creative on the crust. Crush up cookies, cereal or even pretzel to make an delicious crust.
- Add-ins – Mix in M&M’s or chopped nuts for an amazing chocolate peanut butter bar.
- Drizzle on Top – Drizzle the top of the bars with caramel or white chocolate. Or top with powdered sugar.
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
- Parchment Paper – Make sure to line baking pan with parchment paper. This allows you to remove the bars from the pan easily. It also makes it easy to cut the bars.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs – When combining the graham cracker crumbs, slowly add in the ¼ cup of crumbs so that it mixes easily.
- Chill Bars – Always make sure to give time for the bars to chill. This allows the bars to set and it makes it easy to cut them.
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
It’s your turn to make these luscious No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars. Please leave a comment once you do.
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!!