This Peanut Butter Bars Recipe makes easy no-bake bars with a creamy peanut butter and graham cracker base topped with smooth melted chocolate. They’re quick to prepare, totally portable, and perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth.
Make a sweets tray and serve these alongside my butterscotch bars, easy lemon bars, and S’mores cookie bars.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
- Flavor: Rich, creamy, and perfectly sweet, with a nutty peanut butter base and a smooth, chocolatey topping.
- Why Make It: No baking required, and you only need a handful of pantry staple ingredients. Plus, they are designed to be made ahead and freeze great!
- Prep Note: Save yourself time, and line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal. Just lift, slice, and enjoy!
Total Time: 1 Hr 15 Mins (15 Min Prep!) Yield: 16 Bars Cooking Method: Microwave & Refrigerate
Ingredient Notes
- Butter: Both salted and unsalted butter work well.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: Use finely crushed crumbs for the smoothest bars. Store-bought or homemade crumbs both work well.
- Peanut Butter: Use traditional chunky or smooth peanut butter for the best consistency. Natural peanut butters can separate, resulting in softer bars that aren’t as easy to slice.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Semisweet chocolate balances the sweetness perfectly. Milk chocolate makes the bars sweeter, while dark chocolate adds a richer, more intense flavor.
How to Make Peanut Butter Bars
- Mix the peanut butter bar ingredients and press into a parchment-lined pan (full recipe below).
- Melt and spread the chocolate over top. Chill until firm, then slice and serve.
Keep the Bars Fresh
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or let stand at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.
Peanut Butter Lovers
Did you enjoy this Peanut Butter Bars Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Bars:
- ½ cup Butter melted
- 1 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- ½ cup Creamy Peanut Butter
Topping:
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons Semisweet Chocolate Chips
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
Instructions
Bars:
- Combine all bar ingredients in a medium bowl and mix until evenly incorporated.
- Press the mixture into a parchment lined 8×8 inch baking dish.
Topping:
- Melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter in the microwave.
- Stir until smooth and spread over the bars.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
- Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
- Line baking pan with parchment paper for easy clean up and easy removal.
- Slice bars once they are cooled completely.
- Refrigerate peanut butter bars between layers of parchment paper, or wrap individually in plastic wrap. They will keep for up to 4 days. Bars can be frozen in the same way then stored in a zippered bag for up to 1 month.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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REPIN this Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
So yummy! I could eat the whole pan myself.
Carrie, I am happy to hear that you enjoyed the peanut butter bars.
Has anyone made these with Oreos in place of graham cracker crumbs?
Theresa, I have not made these with Oreos. If you do, let me know how they turn out!
Made these bars they are delicious and so easy to make
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Karla!
My mom made these all the time w 6 kids! She called them Choc peanut butter bars! You could smell them cooking outside!
Don’t they smell so delicious Shelley?! Definitely would have me running inside!
The school district I attended and then worked for made these for years. Until nutritional requirements changed and they had to go. Gold Bars is what we call them.
They are good as GOLD! Yummy!