If you like peanut butter cups, you’ll LOVE these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars. They’re rich, decadent, and easy to make with 5 ingredients!
It’s hard to eat just one of these no-bake peanut butter bars. …Which makes sense, because they’re like an even better version of a Reese’s peanut butter cup. A crisp chocolate layer tops a rich, fudgy peanut butter base. If you’re anything like me, you’ll finish one square and then return to the pan for another sliver…and then another.
Aside from the fact that they’re delicious, I’ve been loving these chocolate peanut butter bars for a few reasons this summer.
- They’re no-bake, so you don’t have to heat up the house in order to make them.
- They’re SO easy. Just 5 ingredients!
- The recipe is super kid-friendly! Our little one loves mixing together the peanut butter layer and pressing it into the pan.
Many similar recipes for chocolate peanut butter bars say that you can’t make them with natural peanut butter, but I’m happy to report that this one comes out great with it. I hope you love this easy no-bake treat!
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars Ingredients
You just need 5 ingredients to make this peanut butter bars recipe:
- Graham cracker crumbs – They give the peanut butter layer its structure and add yummy graham cracker flavor. Use store-bought graham cracker crumbs or make your own in the food processor from about 8 full graham cracker sheets. Use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Powdered sugar – It sweetens the peanut butter layer and helps bind it together.
- Salted butter – For rich, buttery flavor. Vegan butter works here too!
- Creamy peanut butter – You’ll use some in the peanut butter layer and more in the chocolate topping.
- And chocolate chips – I like to use dark chocolate chips here. If you prefer sweeter chocolate, feel free to use semi-sweet chocolate chips instead.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Best Peanut Butter to Use
I like to use creamy natural peanut butter in this recipe.
Just make sure that it’s well-stirred and smooth. The dry, stiff peanut butter that you sometimes find at the bottom of a jar won’t work here. It needs to be runny to bind the peanut butter layer together.
How to Make Peanut Butter Bars
The first step in this recipe is making the peanut butter layer.
If you aren’t using store-bought graham cracker crumbs, make your own. Break 8 graham cracker sheets into pieces and place them in a food processor. Pulse until they break down into fine crumbs.
Measure 1 1/2 cups of the graham cracker crumbs and place them in a large bowl. Add the powdered sugar and stir to combine. Then, add the peanut butter and melted butter and mix until well combined.
Press the peanut butter mixture into an 8×8-inch pan lined with parchment paper.
Next, make the chocolate layer.
Combine the chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons peanut butter in a microwave-safe medium bowl.
Melt the chocolate and peanut butter together by microwaving on high, stirring every 20 seconds.
When the chocolate mixture is smooth, pour it on top of the peanut butter layer and evenly spread it over the bars. (An offset spatula is great for this!)
Finally, chill the peanut butter bars overnight in the refrigerator, or until the chocolate is firm and the peanut butter layer is fully set.
Slice and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Don’t skimp on the chilling time. The chocolate will set up after just a few hours, but the peanut butter layer needs 8 hours or more to become completely firm. Looking at the chocolate layer, it can be tempting to slice the bars sooner. While they’ll still taste great, they have the best, most cohesive texture after a full overnight chill.
- Slice them with a large sharp knife. As the chocolate sets up, it becomes firm and snappy. It can crack if you try to slice the bars with a too small or dull knife. You’ll get the most even bars if you use a large sharp knife to cut them.
Storage
These no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
They also freeze well for up to 3 months. Transfer them to the fridge to thaw overnight.
More Peanut Butter Recipes
If you love these chocolate peanut butter bars, try one of these yummy peanut butter recipes next:
Peanut Butter Bars
Serves 16
These no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars taste even better than peanut butter cups! Made with just 5 ingredients, they’re an easy, delicious treat.
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs, 6 ounces, from about 8 full graham cracker sheets
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted if lumpy
- ½ cup salted butter, 1 stick, melted, plus more for the pan
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter, plus 2 tablespoons for the chocolate layer
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Prevent your screen from going dark
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Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar. Add the melted butter and 1 cup peanut butter and mix until well combined.
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Use your hands to evenly press the peanut butter mixture into the prepared pan.
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In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and the remaining 2 tablespoons peanut butter. Microwave on high, stirring every 20 seconds, until the mixture is smooth. Evenly spread over the peanut butter layer.
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Refrigerate the bars overnight, or until the chocolate is firm and the peanut butter layer is fully set. The chocolate will set up sooner, but the peanut butter layer requires a full overnight chill. Slice and serve.
To make these bars vegan, use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.
To make them gluten-free, use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs.