No bake, no fuss! These No Bake Peanut Butter Bars taste like peanut butter cups in bar form and everyone will keep coming back for more!
These No Bake Peanut Butter Bars are the ultimate dessert for peanut butter lovers, combining a rich, creamy peanut butter base with a smooth layer of chocolate on top. Made with simple pantry staples and no oven required, these bars come together quickly and set up beautifully in the refrigerator.
Really, they are so simple to throw together and only require a handful of ingredients. The hardest part is waiting for them to chill in the fridge! For more no-bake recipes you have to check out my No Bake Peanut Butter Pie, No Bake Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Bars, and No Bake Rocky Road Bars.
Table of Contents
Why I Love These No Bake Bars
- You only need a few ingredients and a majority of them are likely already in your kitchen!
- No oven needed—just stir, spread, and chill. Super simple.
- It only takes 15 minutes to put together and then they just need to chill in the fridge until set.
Recipe Ingredients
Peanut Butter – Creamy peanut butter like Skippy or Jif is best for a smooth consistency.
Graham Cracker Crumbs – Adds structure and texture to the bars.
Chocolate Chips – A thick chocolate layer on top is what makes these bars so irresistible.
For a full list of ingredients and amounts, see the recipe card below.
Variations
Crunchy or Creamy Peanut Butter – You can use either one, depending on what you have on hand. Creamy peanut butter blends smoothly, while crunchy can offer a different consistency, but both work well.
Other Nut Butter – While almond butter or other nut butter might seem like an easy swap, they tend to be softer and may not hold the bars together as well as processed peanut butter. Stick with the classic for best results.
How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Step 1: Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil, then set aside.
Step 2: In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Add graham crackers, powdered sugar, 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix until combined.
Step 3: Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating an even layer.
Step 4: In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and the remaining 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Microwave to melt, then stir until smooth. Spread over the top of the pressed mixture.
Step 5: Place the pan in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours. The bars should be firm.
Step 6: To cut, remove from the refrigerator and slice with a sharp chef’s knife. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Expert Tips
Crush Graham Crackers Finely – For the best texture, make sure to crush your graham crackers into fine crumbs before mixing. It helps the bars turn out smoother and fudgy, without any graininess.
Microwave Chocolate in Intervals – When melting the chocolate chips, microwave them in short bursts and stir them in between. This keeps the chocolate from overheating or burning.
FAQs
Definitely! Feel free to mix in things like mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or peanut butter chips. Just fold them into the peanut butter mixture before pressing it into the pan.
Not at all! If you’d prefer something different, you can try a peanut butter topping using peanut butter chips, or even skip the topping entirely. It’s up to you!
Storage Info
To STORE No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for about a week. You can eat them straight from the fridge or let them come to room temperature before serving.
To FREEZE these, you can either wrap individual bars or the whole slab in plastic wrap, then wrap it a second time in foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Let them defrost and come to room temperature before serving.
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter - (1 stick)
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter - divided
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp kosher sea salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil, then set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Add graham crackers, powdered sugar, 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix until combined.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating an even layer.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and the remaining 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Microwave to melt, then stir until smooth. Spread over the top of the pressed mixture.
- Place the pan in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours. The bars should be firm.
- To cut, remove from the refrigerator and slice with a sharp chef's knife. Serve cold or at room temperature.
These bars had a smooth peanut butter flavor that wasn’t greasy or heavy.
Thank you so much for this very delicious and tasty no bake peanut butter bars recipe! Will surely have this again. Fam really loves it! Highly recommended!
Love that these are No-Bake and Peanut Butter. Two of my favorite things.
Looks fabulous
Tastes fabulous too.
We loved these bars. The peanut butter chocolate ratio was delicious.