No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we’ll receive a commission if you purchase through our link, at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure here.

The next time you’re craving something chocolatey and unapologetically peanut buttery, these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars are the answer. They are basically a peanut butter cup that decided it needed more peanut butter, a little more salt, and some crunch. 

The base is a thick, sweet, and slightly salty mixture of graham cracker crumbs, pretzel pieces, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and butter. When they blend together, the graham cracker absorbs the moisture from the butter and peanut butter and will thicken and hold the peanut butter mixture together as it sets. The end result is a texture that is addicting – it’s soft, slightly grainy, with a bit of crunch from the chopped pretzels. 

The bars really come together when they are topped with a silky layer of melted peanut butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips and finished with a sprinkle of chopped peanut butter cups. Let them set before slicing into squares and enjoying.

Anytime these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars hit the table, they are wiped out. There’s something about this specific peanut butter and chocolate situation that has everyone coming back for seconds and thirds, until there are only crumbs left. They always seem to disappear the quickest. They’re perfect for fall parties, holiday dessert tables, movie nights or anytime a peanut butter chocolate craving hits!

Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

• Ideal ratio of peanut butter to chocolate! In our opinion, you can never have too much peanut butter, and we wanted that to be present in these bars. So they start with a thick, soft peanut butter base and are topped with a thick layer of melted chocolate and peanut butter on top.
• No baking required! We love a good no-bake dessert that doesn’t require the oven. You just have to allow time for them to set before slicing and enjoying!
• Easy to make for parties and gatherings. These bars take almost no time to make and use just a handful of simple ingredients. They’re great if you’re looking for a super easy treat to serve a group!

How to Make These No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Step 1. Prep your dish and crush graham crackers and pretzels.

First, start by lining a 9 x 9-inch square pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of the pan with butter so that the parchment paper sticks to the surface and won’t slide around while you’re assembling the bars. 

Cut two strips long enough to hang over the edges an inch or two. Place them in the pan perpendicular to each other so that all sides are covered. Set the pan to the side while you make the layers.

Start by pulsing graham crackers in a food processor until they form a fine dust. Next, place pretzel twists in a bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into small bits. You don’t want them to be super fine like the graham crackers because you want to have a bit of crunch in each bite.

Tip: If you don’t have a food processor, put the graham crackers in a gallon-size plastic bag, seal the bag, and use a rolling pin to crush the crackers into an even, sand-like texture.

Step 2. Make a peanut butter base layer and press it into the dish.

Once your pan and mix-ins are prepped, start making the peanut butter base. 

You can use a stand mixer or a handheld mixer to blend the peanut butter layer together. In the bowl of a stand mixer or a medium mixing bowl, add peanut butter, powdered sugar, graham cracker dust, and melted butter. Mix the mixture on medium-low speed until it has formed an even, smooth texture. Stir in the crushed pretzels to the peanut butter mixture until evenly incorporated.

Pour the peanut butter mixture into your prepped baking sheet and press it into an even layer in the bottom of the pan. Set this to the side while you melt the chocolate topping.

Step 3. Melt peanut butter and chocolate topping and spread over the peanut butter layer.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt peanut butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Stir the mixture continuously as it melts so that you get the most even, smooth texture. You also don’t want any burned bits on the bottom of the pan.

Just as soon as the chocolate has melted, remove it from the heat. Pour it over the top of the peanut butter layer and spread to cover the entire surface. 

Step 4. Sprinkle the chocolate top with chopped peanut butter cups before chilling for a couple of hours in the fridge. Slice into squares and serve.

While the chocolate is still melty and soft, chop mini peanut butter cups into small chunks and sprinkle them on top. Place the bars in the refrigerator to chill for 1-2 hours. Once the chocolate on top is completely set and firm and the bars don’t feel warm to the touch, they should be ready to slice.

Use a sharp knife to slice the bars into 16-24 squares, depending on how large you want to make them, and serve.  Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Tips for Making No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

• Crush the graham crackers into a fine dust. It’s important that they are crushed into a sand-like texture to ensure an even texture. The graham crackers will give the peanut butter mixture some structure. 
• Keep the pretzels a little chunky. The pretzels add a little salty crunch to the peanut butter layer and help to balance the sweetness in the bars. Make sure you don’t crush them into a fine powder like the graham crackers.
• Press the peanut butter layer firmly into the pan. Use your hands or a spatula to firmly press the peanut butter layer into the pan. This will create a firm base that holds together when sliced.
• Refrigerate before slicing. These bars need about 1-2 hours to set in the fridge before they are ready to be sliced. Keep them covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to slice them.

Storing No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

If you have leftovers or are slicing to store before you serve, make sure to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will be good for 4-6 days in the fridge. 

You can also wrap and freeze the bars for up to 2 months for longer storage. When you’re ready to serve, thaw them 30 minutes ahead of time.

More yummy dessert bars to try:

Print