No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars (Just 5 Ingredients!)

If you're a fan of peanut butter and chocolate (and honestly, who isn't?), you're going to love these No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars. They taste just like a homemade version of Reese's but require only five simple ingredients and zero oven time! This is the kind of dessert that gets rave reviews at potlucks, disappears from holiday dessert tables, and becomes a go-to recipe in your back pocket for whenever you need something sweet fast.

What Are No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars?

No-bake peanut butter bars are an easy, fuss-free dessert made from pantry staples like graham crackers, powdered sugar, peanut butter, butter, and chocolate. Think of them as a simplified, homemade take on a peanut butter cup, but layered in a pan and chilled instead of baked.

The base is rich and slightly crumbly from the graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar, while the top is a smooth layer of melted chocolate that firms up beautifully in the fridge. They're quick to make and don't require any oven time, which makes them especially ideal for summer or when you just don't feel like baking.

Ingredients You'll Need

You only need five simple ingredients to make these no-bake peanut butter bars, and there's a good chance you already have them in your pantry:

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: These give a slightly crunchy texture to the peanut butter base. You can crush full graham crackers in a food processor or buy pre-crushed crumbs (here's an example of this product).
• Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the peanut butter and helps hold everything together.
• Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter works best for smooth bars, but you can use crunchy if you want extra texture.
• Butter: Melted butter binds everything together. And it's butter, so you know it's gonna be good!
• Chocolate Chips: Melted and spread over the top to create a smooth, candy-like topping. Use milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or whatever you prefer.
• Optional: A pinch of salt or splash of vanilla extract can be added to the base for extra flavor, but the recipe is delicious just as it is.

Step-by-Step Instructions

These bars come together in just a few easy steps and require no baking-just a little chill time in the fridge!

1. Make the peanut butter base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar. Stir in the peanut butter until the mixture is thick and uniform. Pour in the melted butter and mix thoroughly until it's fully incorporated.
2. Press it into the pan: Grease a baking dish (anything from 8x8 to 13x9 inches works - smaller pans will yield thicker bars). Press the peanut butter mixture evenly into the bottom, smoothing out the surface with a spatula.
3. Add the chocolate topping: Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-30 second bursts, stirring in between until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and spread it to the edges with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
4. Chill and slice: Refrigerate the bars for about an hour, or until the chocolate topping is just set. Don't let them over-chill or the chocolate can become difficult to slice. When ready, cut into squares or bars and serve!

You can also watch the video below that shows exactly how to make them!

Flavor Variations & Topping Ideas

These bars are endlessly customizable! Here are my favorite ways to give them a twist:

Flavor Variations

• Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars: Swap milk chocolate chips for dark chocolate for a richer, less sweet bite.
• Nutella Swirl: Swirl in a few tablespoons of Nutella on top of the melted chocolate before chilling.
• Salted Caramel: Add a thin layer of store-bought or homemade salted caramel between the peanut butter and chocolate layers.
• Almond Butter Bars: Substitute almond butter or cashew butter for the peanut butter.
• Oreo Cookie: Replace the graham crackers with crushed Oreos!

Topping Ideas

• Flaky sea salt: I do this every time now! Sprinkle a few pinches of sea salt evenly over the melted chocolate just before chilling.
• Mini chocolate chips: Press mini chips into the chocolate layer before it sets.
• Crushed pretzels: Another of my favorites. Add a salty crunch by pressing crushed pretzels into the top just before chilling. So good!
• Toffee bits: Scatter toffee pieces over the chocolate just before chilling..
• Rainbow sprinkles: Make them fun and kid-friendly with a sprinkle of color. Perfect for birthday parties!
• Chopped peanuts: Double down on the peanut flavor with a handful of chopped roasted peanuts. Do this before the chocolate sets so they stick well.
• Shredded coconut: Lightly toast and sprinkle on top just before chilling.

If you love desserts like these no-bake peanut butter bars, you'll definitely want to check out a few of my other favorites! Try my chocolate pudding in the microwave - it's rich, creamy, and ready in minutes with pantry staples! For something fun and festive, decorated chocolate pretzels, dipped marshmallow treats, and chocolate pretzel hugs are always a hit with kids and grown-ups alike. And if you're after a classic sweet with minimal effort, my simple homemade fudge recipe is a must-make. No oven, no stress!

Ingredient Substitutions

Whether you have dietary restrictions, allergies, or just want to try something new, these easy swaps will keep your no-bake peanut butter bars just how you want them.

Peanut Butter Substitutes

• Almond Butter: A mild, slightly sweet option that works well.
• Cashew Butter: Super creamy and less nutty, which is great for a more neutral flavor.
• Sunflower Seed Butter: This is a good choice for nut-free households.
• Tahini: Tahini is naturally nut-free. The flavor will be very different so keep that in mind.
• Cookie Butter (like Biscoff): Such a delicious (and very sweet) twist!

Graham Cracker Substitutes

• Crushed Pretzels: These add a fantastic salty crunch that balances the sweetness of the bars.
• Oreo or Chocolate Wafer Crumbs: More chocolate is always a good thing.
• Vanilla Wafers: They'll work in a pinch!
• Digestive Biscuits: Great for a more British-inspired dessert.
• Crushed Cereal (like Rice Krispies or Cornflakes): These give the bars a fantastic texture.

Storage & Freezing Tips

These no-bake peanut butter bars are a dream to make ahead and store. I like to wrap them individually and store them in the freezer so I have them whenever I get a craving.

How to Store

In the fridge: Store the bars in an airtight container, separating the layers with parchment or wax paper to prevent them from sticking. They'll stay fresh for up to a week.
At room temperature: You can keep them at room temperature for 1-2 days, especially in cooler months. Just be aware they'll soften significantly and might lose their clean edges.

How to Freeze

Cut the bars into individual servings, then wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap or parchment. Place the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe bag or container (don't forget to label them). They'll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, let them sit in the fridge for a few hours or on the counter for 15-20 minutes until softened but still firm.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long do no-bake peanut butter bars last?
  Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these bars will stay fresh for up to a week. If frozen, they'll keep for 2-3 months.
• Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
  Crunchy peanut butter adds texture and works really well. Just be sure it's not too dry or stiff; you want it to blend smoothly with the other ingredients.
• Can I make these dairy-free or vegan?
  Yep, just swap the butter with a plant-based butter and use vegan chocolate chips. Also check that your graham crackers are dairy-free.
• Can I use natural peanut butter?
  You can, but it's best if the natural peanut butter is well-stirred and not too runny. Otherwise, the bars may not hold together as well. If it's too loose, try adding more crushed graham crackers.
• Can I use a different type of chocolate?
  Milk, dark, semi-sweet, and white all work. Use what you love!

Continue to Content

No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Yield: 16 bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

These peanut butter bars are very sweet, so cut back on the powdered sugar if you prefer. I know you'll love them any way you make them!

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Ingredients

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs, don't worry if there are a few larger "chunks"
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 ½ cups peanut butter
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 1 12 ounce bag milk chocolate chips (or semi-sweet; use your favorite)

Instructions

1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar. Stir in peanut butter. Add melted butter and mix well.
2. Pour mixture into a greased baking dish and spread evenly to edges. (Anything from 8x8 to 13x9 will work, just keep in mind that the smaller the pan, the thicker the bars. I typically use a 13x9 size.)
3. In a microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup, melt chocolate chips in microwave until just melted, stirring well until smooth.
4. Pour chocolate over peanut butter mixture in pan, spreading evenly out to the edges. Refrigerate for about an hour or until chocolate is just firming up and slice into bars (if you wait too long it will be tough to slice).

Notes

I listed 16 bars as the yield for this recipe, but this greatly depends on the size of the pan you use and how large or small you cut the bars.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 483Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 272mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 2gSugar: 35gProtein: 8g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.

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Kristy Bernardo

Kristy Bernardo is a five-time cookbook author, travel writer, and culinary instructor who has been developing recipes for national brands since 2009. A former personal chef, she learned to cook from her mother and grandmother before refining her skills at the Culinary Institute of America’s Boot Camp.

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