This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure form more information.

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars have a crunchy peanut butter base with smooth chocolate topping. These no-bake peanut butter bars are an easy dessert or after school treat!

no bake chocolate peanut butter bars with chocolate chips on plate.

Easy chocolate peanut butter bars are like homemade Reese’s peanut butter cups, only better! These no bake bar cookies are perfect when you need an easy dessert, and you can add seasonal candies to the top to dress up this easy recipe for holidays.

There are a lot of classic peanut butter bars recipes out there, and I’ve been making the basic version for a long time. However, when the pickiest child started hating peanut butter, I tweaked the basic recipe and amped up the chocolate.

You can still taste the peanut butter flavor, but it isn’t as strong as the original version. The best part about these chocolaty peanut butter treats is that no baking is involved, so you can enjoy these no bake desserts all year long!

Chocolate peanut butter lovers may also love my no bake chocolate peanut butter ritz cookies, peanut butter cheesecake dip, no bake chocolate peanut butter pie and more easy desserts!

peanut butter, graham crackers, butter, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, powdered sugar.

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars Ingredients

You can find these simple ingredients in your local grocery store if you don’t already have these pantry staples at home.

  • Creamy peanut butter — Make sure it isn’t the all natural peanut butter with a lot of oil as this may change the texture of the bars.
  • Butter — softened room temperature butter
  • Powdered sugar — Confectioners’ sugar adds sweetness and helps hold the bars together
  • Graham crackers — to hold the peanut butter layer together. You can buy crushed graham cracker crumbs to save a step!
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips — for the creamy chocolate frosting. I also like to add some to the peanut butter layer.
  • Cocoa powder — Adds a hint of chocolate flavor. You can omit this if you prefer the classic peanut butter flavor.

How to Make No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

First, you make the base, which starts out as a mix of softened butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar.

Add the ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to make mixing easier.

Then, crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs in a food processor or a large ziploc freezer bag. You can use a rolling pin or meat mallet to crush them.

mix peanut butter, butter and powdered sugar in bowl

When the mixture is nice and creamy, add your crushed graham crackers, chocolate chips and a little bit of cocoa powder.

The cocoa powder is optional, but it add a little extra chocolate flavor.

Mix the peanut butter filling until well combined. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl.

mix graham crackers into peanut butter

Next, press the peanut butter mixture into a greased 9 X 13 pan in an even layer using a rubber spatula.

To make the chocolate frosting, melt the chocolate chips and butter in a medium bowl in the microwave. Melt chocolate in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval.

Pour melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter layer. Use a spatula to smooth the chocolate evenly over the bottom layer. Then, pop the pan into the fridge for about 30 minutes or until it’s firm enough to cut.

pour melted chocolate over peanut butter bars

How to Store Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

Store the bars in an airtight container or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap. If your house is warm like mine, you may need to refrigerate this delicious treat so the chocolate doesn’t melt.

This sweet treat keeps fresh for up to 1 week. You can freeze these no bake bars in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Just be sure to thaw completely before eating!

no bake chocolate peanut butter bars stacked on a white plate

Recipe Variations

Dress up these delicious treats for different holidays with seasonal m&m candies or sprinkles on top of the bars. Reese’s pieces would be a great addition, as well.

Leave the chocolate chips out of the bottom layer and omit cocoa powder for less chocolate. You can sub milk chocolate chips for a sweeter flavor.

Use a double boiler to melt the chocolate if you don’t want to use the microwave.

Sub plain vanilla wafers or similar cookies for the graham crackers. You can also use almond butter or a different nut butter in place of peanut butter.

stack of no bake peanut butter chocolate chip bars on plate

Recipe Tips

You can line the baking pan with parchment paper or foil if you want to remove the dessert before slicing.

For clean slices, use a warm wet paper towel to wipe the knife after each slice.

Refrigerate the bars for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before slicing. Otherwise, they may be too soft.

These bars are very rich. If you don’t want large squares, slice them into smaller pieces.

5 from 5 votes

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

By: Dee
Classic No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars have a crunchy peanut butter chip base with a smooth chocolate topping. This recipe makes an easy dessert or after school treat!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Refrigeration Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 20

Ingredients  

For the Base

  • 1 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 1 cup softened butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 cups crushed graham crackers
  • 1 tablespoon dark cocoa powder
  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips I use Ghirardelli

Ingredients for the Frosting:

  • 1 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon dark cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Save this recipe!
Enter your email and get this recipe sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Instructions 

For the Base

  • Grease a 13 X 9-inch glass baking dish.
  • Combine 1 cup of peanut butter with the butter, and beat on medium until the mixture is creamy
  • Add 1 cup of the powdered sugar, and stir gently until mixed. Then, beat until smooth.
  • Add the remaining cup of powdered sugar, cocoa powder, the crushed graham crackers and the chips, and mix well.
  • Take the mixture, and press it into the pan. Just make sure that it’s even.

For the Frosting

  • Melt 1 cup of peanut butter and the rest of the chocolate chips. I do this in the microwave, very gradually, but you can also melt the mixture in a pan over low heat. firm.
  • Stir in the cocoa powder, and mix well,
  • Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the bottom peanut butter layer, and spread with spatula until it's nice and smooth
  • Refrigerate until the chocolate is set and bars are firm — about 30 minutes. Cut into squares, and enjoy!

Notes

Store bars in refrigerator until serving

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 424kcal, Carbohydrates: 41g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 25mg, Sodium: 311mg, Potassium: 301mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 24g, Vitamin A: 290IU, Calcium: 34mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Like this? Leave a comment below!

I hope you enjoy these homemade peanut butter bars as much as we do. It’s the perfect dessert for peanut butter fans!

For more easy recipes your family will love, sign up for the weekly newsletter and follow me on social media.

Recipe was first published in 2014 and updated in 2023

ebook cover.
Download my free eBook!
Fill out the download form to get this collection of easy dessert dips. You'll also receive free recipes each week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

You May Also Like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. Kendall says:

    I saw these on your instagram and they looked so yummy!!! Also 9g protein is not bad for dessert!5 stars

  2. Kelli says:

    Wow these were easy! Kids helped to make them! Not many leftovers! Will be making these again and again!5 stars

  3. Laura says:

    Made these for dessert last night, and my family and I just finished them tonight! Safe to say this recipe is awesome and a new family favorite!!5 stars

  4. James says:

    My daughter made these over the weekend, none left! she is making another batch for after school.5 stars

    1. Dee says:

      That’s wonderful! So glad you all liked them!