Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

These no-bake Peanut Butter Bars are the perfect solution for a quick, irresistible dessert! You can thank your school lunchroom’s lunch lady for this nostalgic dessert! With a creamy peanut butter base and a rich chocolate layer, they offer a delicious combination of flavors and are literally fail-proof.

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We always referred to these as Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars because they were our favorite dessert in high school. While school lunches weren’t my favorite, these chewy peanut butter bars were!

Now, I have replicated the recipe to make for my family! They make the perfect snack when the sweet tooth comes around. These old-fashioned chocolate peanut butter bars are quick to make, and when you cut them into squares, they become the perfect little treat to satisfy a craving without being too much. They only require five ingredients, and take just about 10 minutes to prepare and no oven needed!.

If you are a peanut butter and chocolate fan, be sure to check out our Peanut Butter Balls Recipe or our Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Pie.

Ingredients Notes

This easy recipe only needs 5 ingredients, and the best part is that you probably have them all in your pantry as we speak!

• Butter—This is one of the few recipes for which I prefer salted butter. If you use unsalted butter, maybe add a pinch of salt.
• Graham crackers crumbs – I like to buy them already in crumbs, one less thing to think about, but if you are using graham crackers and crushing them up, you will need about 16 full-sheet crackers. You can substitute a vanilla-based cookie if you desire, but I prefer graham crackers.
• Powdered sugar
• Creamy peanut butter – I am a JIF girl, but Skippy, Peter Pan or most store-bought peanut butter will work just fine. I don’t recommend using natural or homemade peanut butter for this recipe. You can substitute crunchy peanut butter if you want some peanut chunks in your bars.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips – You can swap out the type of chocolate chips you are using for your no-bake bars if you prefer. I have used milk chocolate as well as dark chocolate before and both turned out delicious! Next time I may try butterscotch!

How to make Peanut Butter Bars

1. In a large bowl, combine melted butter, powdered sugar, and graham cracker crumbs. Mix in peanut butter.
2. Spread peanut butter mixture into the bottom of the dish.
3. Add chocolate chips and remaining peanut butter and melt in the microwave.
4. Spread the melted chocolate mixture over the peanut butter batter in the dish.
5. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour. Cut and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Peanut Butter Free: If you prefer a different type of nut butter, such as almond or cashew, you can definitely give this a try. However, the texture would be quite a bit different, and I’m not sure they’d turn out exactly the same. I haven’t tried this, so if you do, please let me know how it goes!
• Garnish: To take these bars up a notch, try adding a fun garnish to the top of the chocolate. I have sprinkled the tops of them with crushed-up Oreos, mini M&M’s, nuts, and even drizzled melted white chocolate. It can be fun to get creative with this.
• If using unsalted butter, be sure to add a pinch of salt to the peanut butter mixture to enhance the flavor and balance the sweetness.
• For easy slicing, remove the bars from the refrigerator and let them sit out for about 10 minutes to soften slightly. Run a sharp knife under very hot water before carefully slicing to achieve clean, smooth cuts.
• If you prefer thinner bars, opt for a 9×13 pan. This pan will spread the mixture more evenly and create a thinner yet equally delicious treat.

Proper Storage

To Store: Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. This helps them keep their shape better.

To Freeze: Cut the bars into individual squares and either place parchment paper between each one or wrap each one individually. The bars will keep for at least three months in the freezer.

More Great Peanut Butter Recipes

• Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
• No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
• Peanut Butter Brownies
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites
• Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread
• Buckeye Bars

5 from 26 votes

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (No Bake Recipe)

Author — Jennifer Fishkind

Serves — 16

This no-bake peanut butter bars are chocolatey and creamy and taste even better than your favorite peanut butter cup!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Chill 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Video

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ ¾ cup butter melted
• ▢ 2 cups graham crackers crushed
• ▢ 2 cups powdered sugar
• ▢ 1 ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
• ▢ 2 ½ cups semi sweet chocolate chips
• ▢ 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

Instructions

 

• Line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper, set aside.
• Using either a stand mixer or a hand held mixer, combine the melted butter, powdered sugar and graham crackers.
• Mix in the 1 ¼ cup of creamy peanut butter, just until well incorporated.
• Evenly spread the peanut butter mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.
• In a heat safe bowl, add the semi sweet chocolate chips and the remaining 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter. Heat for 30 second intervals, stirring well after each interval until the peanut butter and chocolate are smooth.
• Spread the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter base.
• Chill the bars for 1 hour.
• Let the bars sit 10 to 15 minutes, at room temperature, before serving.

Jenn’s Notes

STORAGE:

To Store: Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. This helps them keep their shape better.

To Freeze: Cut the bars into individual squares and either place parchment paper between each one or wrap each one individually. The bars will keep for at least three months in the freezer.

TIPS:

• If you use unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt into the peanut butter mixture.
• To slice, remove from the refrigerator and let them sit out for about 10 minutes. Run a sharp knife under very hot water and carefully slice.
• If you prefer thinner bars, use a 9×13 pan.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 481kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 260mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 280IU | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 3mg

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These no-bake peanut butter bars check all the boxes. They are easy to make, they are super delicious, and they can be made a variety of ways. Chocolate and peanut butter lovers, like me, will absolutely love this snack!