These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (No-Bake) are one of my favorite no-bake desserts when I want something rich, creamy, and incredibly easy to prepare. I make them with a sweet peanut butter and graham cracker base, then cover the whole thing with a smooth layer of melted chocolate and peanut butter.
I especially like that I don't need to turn on the oven. After a few minutes of mixing and assembling, I simply refrigerate the bars until firm. The combination of salty peanut butter, buttery graham crackers, powdered sugar, and semi-sweet chocolate gives me a dessert that tastes indulgent and works beautifully for parties, holidays, or an easy homemade treat.
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
¾ cup butter, melted
2 cups graham crackers, crushed
2 cups powdered sugar
1 ¼ cups creamy peanut butter
2 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
Directions
I line a 9x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving enough parchment around the edges to make the finished bars easier to lift out.
In a large mixing bowl, I combine the melted butter, powdered sugar, and crushed graham crackers using a stand mixer or hand mixer. I mix until everything is evenly blended.
I add 1 ¼ cups of creamy peanut butter and continue mixing until the peanut butter mixture is smooth and well combined.
I transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and press it firmly into an even layer. I pay extra attention to the corners so the finished bars have an even thickness.
For the topping, I place the semi-sweet chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
I microwave the mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after every interval. I stop heating as soon as the chocolate is melted and smooth.
I pour the melted chocolate mixture over the peanut butter base and spread it into an even layer.
I refrigerate the bars for about 1 hour, or until the layers are completely set.
Before slicing, I let the bars sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. This makes the chocolate topping easier for me to cut without cracking.
I lift the bars from the baking dish using the parchment paper, slice them into 16 portions, and serve.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes approximately 16 servings.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 0 minutes
Chilling time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: approximately 420 kcal per serving
Variations
For extra crunch, I sometimes use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter in the base. I can also sprinkle chopped peanuts over the chocolate layer before refrigerating it.
When I want a sweeter chocolate topping, I replace some or all of the semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk chocolate chips. For a deeper chocolate flavor, I prefer dark chocolate chips.
I can also change the base slightly by using finely crushed digestive biscuits instead of graham crackers. The flavor changes a little, but I still get the dense, cookie-like texture that works so well with peanut butter.
For a sweet-and-salty finish, I like sprinkling a small amount of flaky sea salt over the melted chocolate before chilling the bars.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftover Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I separate layers with parchment or wax paper when stacking them so the chocolate surfaces stay neat. They keep well refrigerated for about 5–7 days.
For longer storage, I freeze the bars in a freezer-safe airtight container. I like to freeze individual portions so I can remove only as many as I need. For the best texture, I let frozen bars thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Since these are no-bake bars, I don't reheat them. If they're very cold and firm, I simply leave them at room temperature for about 10–15 minutes before eating.
FAQs
Can I make Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars ahead of time?
Yes. I actually prefer making these bars ahead because they need time to chill and become firm. I can prepare them the day before serving and keep them covered in the refrigerator until I'm ready to slice them.
Why is my chocolate topping cracking when I cut the bars?
I find that the chocolate is more likely to crack when I cut the bars immediately after removing them from the refrigerator. I let them rest at room temperature for 10–15 minutes first, then use a sharp knife to make clean slices.
Can I use natural peanut butter?
I prefer conventional creamy peanut butter for this recipe because its consistency helps the base stay firm and cohesive. Natural peanut butter can separate and may make the mixture softer or oilier, especially if it hasn't been thoroughly stirred.
Can I freeze no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars?
Yes. I freeze the sliced bars in an airtight freezer-safe container, placing parchment paper between layers. When I want to serve them, I transfer the bars to the refrigerator and let them thaw before bringing them briefly to room temperature.
Do I need to keep these peanut butter bars refrigerated?
I recommend storing them in the refrigerator because the chilled temperature keeps both the peanut butter base and chocolate topping firm. When I'm ready to serve them, I leave them out briefly so they soften slightly and are easier to eat.
Conclusion
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (No-Bake) are an easy dessert I can put together without turning on the oven. The buttery graham cracker and peanut butter base pairs perfectly with the smooth chocolate topping, giving me a rich dessert with plenty of chocolate-peanut butter flavor in every bite.
I love making these bars when I need a simple make-ahead dessert for a party, family gathering, holiday, or everyday treat. With just a short preparation time and an hour in the refrigerator, I get decadent homemade dessert bars with very little effort.
📖 Recipe:
Print
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (No-Bake)
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Rich and creamy no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars with a buttery graham cracker base and smooth chocolate topping. An easy make-ahead dessert perfect for parties, holidays, or everyday treats.
Ingredients
¾ cup butter, melted
2 cups graham crackers, crushed
2 cups powdered sugar
1 ¼ cups creamy peanut butter
2 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Line a 9x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang around the edges to lift out the finished bars.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, powdered sugar, and crushed graham crackers using a stand mixer or hand mixer until evenly blended.
- Add 1 ¼ cups creamy peanut butter and continue mixing until smooth and well combined.
- Transfer the peanut butter mixture to the prepared baking dish and press firmly into an even layer, making sure to fill the corners evenly.
- Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until the chocolate is just melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the peanut butter base and spread into an even layer.
- Refrigerate for about 1 hour, or until the bars are completely set.
- Let the bars sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before slicing to help prevent the chocolate topping from cracking.
- Lift the bars from the baking dish using the parchment paper, cut into 16 portions, and serve.
Notes
For extra crunch, substitute crunchy peanut butter for creamy peanut butter in the base or sprinkle chopped peanuts over the chocolate before chilling.
Milk chocolate chips can be used for a sweeter topping, while dark chocolate chips provide a deeper chocolate flavor.
Finely crushed digestive biscuits can be substituted for the graham crackers.
For a sweet-and-salty finish, sprinkle a small amount of flaky sea salt over the chocolate before chilling.
Conventional creamy peanut butter works best because natural peanut butter may make the base softer or oilier.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5–7 days, separating stacked layers with parchment or wax paper.
For longer storage, freeze individual bars in an airtight freezer-safe container with parchment between layers and thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
