These peanut butter bars are so easy to make and are ready to eat in 30 minutes or less! Chances are you have most of these ingredients in your pantry, if not all of them.
Why this recipe works
Recipes that don’t require baking are easy and great any time of year. While they are a year-round treat, these peanut butter bars are especially wonderful in the summer, when you don’t want to crank up your oven. And with them being so quick to make, they’re perfect for unexpected company or that last-minute teen request.
Ingredients you will need
Ingredient Info and Substitute Suggestions
CHOCOLATE – I prefer to use baking chocolate for these bars as it’s easier to melt in my opinion, however, you can also use chocolate chips. Semi-sweet, dark chocolate, or milk chocolate are all great options.
PEANUT BUTTER – I used regular creamy peanut butter for this recipe. I have not tested this recipe with natural peanut butter. In natural peanut butter, the oil separates from the butter itself therefore I am uncertain if the bars will harden completely. Some of my readers have suggested adding extra animal cracker/graham cracker crumbs to help it solidify better if you do take this route.
How to Make Peanut Butter Bars
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- In a mixer or a food processor, combine the first four ingredients until smooth.
- Spread into a 13×9 baking pan.
- For the topping, melt the chocolate and peanut butter together in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir. If not completely melted you can heat in 10-second intervals until smooth.
- Spread over the top of the peanut butter layer.
- Chill dessert in the refrigerator for about an hour, or in the freezer for 15 minutes. Cut into bars and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use a hand mixer or even a blender if you don’t have a food processor. We like the food processor because it makes for the smoothest mixture.
This recipe uses semi sweet chocolate for the topping. If you want it a bit sweeter, and closer to the flavor of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, simply substitute milk chocolate for the semi sweet. I prefer to use baking chocolate, but you can certainly use chocolate chips instead.
Yes, absolutely. I would suggest flash freezing the bars first, removing them from the freezer once they are mostly frozen, then transferring them to a large ziptop bag or air-tight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
If you love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, these no-bake chocolate topped peanut butter bars are for you. Easy to make and ready to eat in less than 30 minutes!
More Peanut Butter Recipes
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Lasagna
- Peanut Butter Apple Dip
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- No Bake Peanut Butter Pie
- Fudge Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
- Peanut Butter Cups
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
- No Bake Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies
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No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate It Text ItIngredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 cups animal cracker crumbs or vanilla wafers, graham crackers, etc
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
Topping
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 10 oz semi-sweet chocolate chopped
Things You’ll Need
Instructions
- In a mixer or a food processor, combine the first four ingredients until smooth. Spread into a 13×9 baking pan.
- For the topping, melt the chocolate and peanut butter together in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir. If not completely melted you can heat in 10 second intervals until smooth. Spread over the top of the peanut butter layer.
- Chill dessert in the refrigerator for about an hour, or in the freezer for 15 minutes. Cut into bars and serve.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- You can use a hand mixer or even a blender if you don’t have a food processor. We like the food processor because it makes for the smoothest mixture.
- This recipe uses semi sweet chocolate for the topping. If you want it a big sweeter, and closer to the flavor of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, simply substitute milk chocolate for the semi sweet. I prefer to use baking chocolate, but you can certainly use chocolate chips instead.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on April 15, 2013 but has since been updated with expert tips and new photos.
Amanda Formaro
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Camille says
I made half a batch and used oatmeal because I didn’t have graham crackers or animal crackers. These cookies came out great and were delicious! And they cut very well!
Camille says
Sorry I meant I used quick oats not oatmeal.
Ace says
I found this recipe and wanted to make it right away. Turns out I didn’t have animal crackers or similar so I substituted with oats! Turned out great regardless and taste just like a Reese’s egg!
Emmie Vander Galien says
These bars are amazing. I made them yesterday for our dessert because we were having company that night. They are still fresh and delicious today! I am very exited to continue using this recipes when I want to make bars. Definitely going to recommend to family and friends. They are also super easy to make I am so excited about them!!!
Kaeden says
I suggest that if you make it in a stand mixer you crush up the gram cracker’s in a blender and then put them in a kitchen aid but make sure not to crush them up all the way so there is a little texture
Fran says
This recipe is just like the recipe for an old recipe from the early 70’s. They are shaped into balls and called buckeyes. Google the recipe they are delicious
Pat says
Followed recipe exactly and mine didn’t set came out too soft. I guess less butter next time. Still very tasty!
Colleen says
These were DELICIOUS!! I do have a question tho…the chocolate cracked off. Any tips? Thank you!!
Yvonne says
Better than Reese’s peanut butter cups. I never thought anyone could make Reese’s even better but Amanda proved me wrong.
yomom says
super easy and delious
Adrianne says
This took over an hour to make & was a huge mess. Not worth it, just buy a Reese cup, save an hour of your life & a lot of money.
Bonnie says
What exactly took you an hour to do with this recipe?
CookiNashadi says
Alright, I guess. i had to make a lot of changes to adapt to my lack of graham wafers. I assumed I could skimp out on those, haha. like some people said, the consistency of the peanut butter probably affects it.