This delicious Peanut Butter Bars recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and is no-bak, perfect for a quick and easy treat that your family will love! You can switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a way to ‘clean out the fridge’ and get rid of some odds and ends. Trust me, these bars are a total crowd-pleaser!

Ingredient Breakdown

Let’s dive into what you need for these peanut butter bars, it’s so simple! Here’s the breakdown of the ingredients:

Graham Cracker Crumbs

Quantity: 2 cups
Why Use Them: They create a sweet, crunchy base that perfectly complements the creamy peanut butter filling. If you don’t have graham crackers on hand, no worries! You can also use crushed vanilla wafers or even digestive biscuits. If you’re feeling adventurous, try using chocolate graham crackers for an extra chocolaty twist!

Confectioners’ Sugar

Quantity: 2 cups
Role: This sweet ingredient helps to bind everything together while adding that sugary sweetness that perfectly balances the nutty flavor of the peanut butter. An alternative? You can use brown sugar for a deeper flavor!

Butter or Margarine

Quantity: 1 cup, melted
Purpose: Melted butter adds richness and helps bind the crumbs and sugar together. If you need a dairy-free option, coconut oil works beautifully!

Peanut Butter

Quantity: 1 cup
Essential: Of course, peanut butter is the star of the show. Whether you go for creamy or crunchy, both options are delicious! Looking for a nut-free version? Sunflower seed butter is an excellent substitute!

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Quantity: 1.5 cups
Topping: These luscious chocolate chips melt down to create a decadent topping. If you want to get a bit fancy, feel free to mix in some milk or dark chocolate chips!

Extra Peanut Butter for Topping

Quantity: 4 tablespoons
You Can’t Have Too Much!: Swirled on top, this peanut butter adds an extra layer of flavor. You can easily skip this step if you’re not a fan, but let’s be real, it’s hard to go wrong with more peanut butter!

Instructions for Peanut Butter Bars

In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, melted butter, and 1 cup peanut butter.
Mix everything together until it’s well-blended and forms a crumbly mixture. You’ll want it to be a bit sticky! (This part is super fun to do with your kids, just saying!)
Grab a 9×13-inch pan (no greasing needed!) and press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom. You want it to be firmly packed, so don’t be afraid to use your hands to press it in. It’s gonna be so pretty!
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and 4 tablespoons peanut butter. Microwave on high for about 30 seconds, then stir. Keep microwaving in 15-second increments, stirring in between, until smooth and creamy. The smell of melting chocolate? Absolutely divine!
Carefully pour the melted chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the graham cracker base and spread it evenly with a spatula. You might want to snack on some chocolate chips at this point. I mean, can you blame yourself?
Pop your pan in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 1 hour. This will help everything set up nicely, plus, it gives you time to clean up (or eat another cookie…).

If you loved this peanut butter bars recipe, be sure to check out my Cookie Cake, or my White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies! Trust me, you won’t want to miss these delicious treats.

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

These peanut butter bars come together in under 30 minutes, making them the perfect solution for last-minute dessert cravings or spontaneous get-togethers!

No-Bake

No oven required! This is a major win for hot summer days or busy weeknights. Just mix, chill, and enjoy, minimal cleanup required, too!

Budget-Friendly

This recipe uses affordable, everyday ingredients. You probably have most of the things in your pantry right now! Say goodbye to unnecessary grocery store trips.

Crowd-Pleaser

These bars are sweet, creamy, and indulgent, exactly what everyone loves! Kids and adults alike will be reaching back for seconds (or thirds)!

Customizable

Use whatever ingredients you have on hand! Trade the semi-sweet chocolate for white chocolate, mix in some nuts, or experiment with different nut butters. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure book, but for snacks!

Serving and Storage Tips

How to Serve These Peanut Butter Bars

These bars are delicious on their own, but you could also serve them with fresh fruit, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, or even a dollop of whipped cream if you’re feeling fancy!

Storage

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. That’s if there are any leftovers, of course!

Reheating Instructions

While these bars are best enjoyed cold, if you’re craving a warm treat, you can pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to soften the chocolate a bit.

Freezer Friendly

Yes, these bars are freezer-friendly! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and they’ll keep for up to three months. Simply thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to enjoy!

And there you have it, your go-to recipe for the easiest Peanut Butter Bars that your family will absolutely love! Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a weekend treat, these bars hit all the right notes, and I can’t wait for you to try them. Happy cooking, friends! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.

Quick and Easy Peanut Butter Bars

Author: amelia
Total Time: 75 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These no-bake Peanut Butter Bars are a quick and easy treat that the whole family will love!

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup peanut butter
1.5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 tablespoons extra peanut butter for topping

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Gather all ingredients and have them ready to go.
In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, melted butter, and 1 cup of peanut butter until well-blended.
Press the crumb mixture into a 9×13-inch pan.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and 4 tablespoons of peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second increments until smooth.
Spread the melted chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the graham cracker base.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let it set.
Once set, cut into 12 squares and serve cold.

Notes

These bars are customizable; feel free to mix in different types of chocolate or add nuts!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 250
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 200mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 30mg