No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

No-bake desserts are my love language and these No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are proof. We are talking a thick, creamy peanut butter base made with graham crackers and powdered sugar, topped with a glossy chocolate peanut butter layer, finished with flaky sea salt if you are a fancy person (you are). No oven, no mixer, no fuss. Just 20 minutes of work and then the fridge does the rest.

I first made these for a summer playdate situation when I did not want to turn on the oven and they were GONE in about 10 minutes. Kids loved them, adults loved them, I had to make another batch. These are the kind of recipe you keep in your back pocket for every occasion that needs a crowd-pleasing dessert without any stress. You are welcome.

What Makes These So Good

It is the ratio of things. The peanut butter layer is thick and fudgy from the graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar. The chocolate layer uses a little extra peanut butter melted in so it stays soft and creamy rather than snapping hard when you bite into it. And that pinch of flaky sea salt on top pulls the whole thing together in the best way. Every element is doing its job.

You will need a good 8×8 baking pan and some parchment paper for easy removal. Both are pantry staples if you bake at all, but linked if you need to stock up!

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Tips for Perfect Bars

Press the peanut butter layer in really firmly and evenly. I use the flat bottom of a measuring cup to pack it down. This ensures you get clean layers when you cut. For the chocolate layer, let it set in the fridge until it is almost but not fully solid, then score it with a knife before it hardens completely. This gives you crack-free cuts every time.

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Creamy peanut butter layered under a silky chocolate topping, no oven required. These easy no-bake bars are ready in 20 minutes plus chill time.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 16 bars

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1.5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1.5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3 tbsp peanut butter for chocolate layer
• 0.5 tsp flaky sea salt for topping, optional

Method

 

1. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper leaving overhang on sides.
2. Mix graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, peanut butter, and melted butter until fully combined. Press firmly and evenly into prepared pan.
3. Melt chocolate chips and 3 tbsp peanut butter together in microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
4. Pour chocolate mixture over peanut butter layer and spread evenly. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if using.
5. Refrigerate at least 2 hours until completely set. Lift out using parchment, slice into bars.

Notes

Score the chocolate layer before it fully sets for cleaner cuts. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Storing These Bars

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. They are best eaten cold or at room temperature for about 5 minutes after pulling from the fridge. They also freeze great, just layer between parchment in an airtight container and freeze up to 2 months.

If you are a peanut butter chocolate person (and honestly who isn’t), these need to be in your regular rotation immediately. They are that good. Go make them right now!

XO, Pam