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These no bake peanut butter bars are the perfect treat for any occasion. Think lunch lady bars but with pretzels instead of crackers – the salty sweet combination is out of this world.
Peanut Butter Bars with Pretzels
You know when you make something and then the next day you realize you ate the entire pan? (Or is that just me?) Yeah, that was what happened when I made these peanut butter squares. But what can you expect? It’s chocolate and peanut butter… How could you resist THAT?
I’m all about these no bake peanut butter bars since they only take 10 minutes to put together and the refrigerator does the rest of the work. How easy is that?
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Only 5 simple ingredients you may already have
- Quickly assemble these peanut butter squares in no time at all
- It’s a crowd-pleaser! Perfect to make for large parties because everyone loves them!
Ingredients Needed
- Butter: I’m using unsalted butter at room temperature to easily mix ingredients together
- Pretzels: use any shape pretzel you like since we will finely crush them
- Peanut butter: I recommend no-stir, creamy peanut butter to avoid the mess of natural peanut butter
- Chocolate chips: any kind of chocolate chips you like work for this. Like milk or sweet chocolate chips.
How to make no-bake peanut butter bars
- Line a pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- Mix melted unsalted butter, pretzels, powdered sugar, and 1 cup of peanut butter in a large bowl until combined.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan.
- Heat the chocolate chips and the remaining peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
- Pour the chocolate peanut butter over the bars and spread to evenly coat.
- Chill for at least 1 hour to set, and slice into bars.
Expert Tips
- Be sure to measure the pretzels THEN finely crush them in a food processor or in a large bag with a rolling pin. If you measure the crushed pretzels the mixture will end up being too dry.
- For a thicker bar, make these in a 9×9-inch pan.
- Top with candy or chopped pretzels if you want!
FAQs
You may have added too much pretzels to your
These no-bake peanut butter bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator, depending on how warm your house is.
Yes. To freeze this no-bake peanut butter recipe, be sure to place your bars in a sealed bag or airtight container. Peanut butter bars stay fresh for up to 1 month if frozen.
No Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars
Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons (170g) unsalted butter melted
- 2 cups (70g) pretzels rods or twists , finely crushed
- 1½ cups (170g) powdered sugar
- 1¼ cups (300g) creamy peanut butter , divided
- 1 ½ cups (255g) milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a 9×13” pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
- Place melted butter, pretzels, powdered sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter in a large bowl. Mix by hand until combined. Press firmly into prepared pan.
- Place chocolate chips and remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on HIGH power in 30 second increments, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Pour over bars and spread with a spatula to evenly coat. Chill for at least 1 hour to set, slice into bars.
- These can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator, depending on how warm your house is. The chocolate will get melty if it’s too hot, so use your judgement on where you should store them.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- Be sure to measure the pretzels THEN finely crush them in a food processor or in a large bag with a rolling pin. If you measure the crushed pretzels the mixture will end up being too dry.
- For a thicker bar, make these in a 9×9-inch pan.
Recipe Nutrition
Other No Bake Bars
Last Updated on July 1, 2023
So Yummy!😋
The perfect no bake dessert for today’s 98°summer day.🥨
So delicious and simple to make!
Love these! They really do taste just like a peanut butter cup and are super easy to make. I have a stash in the fridge for when I need a little something sweet. Yum!
Good–the only thing is that I found they tasted better at room temperature but were a little soft. If making again, I would probably 1. Increase the pretzels a little to give it more structure, and 2. Skip the peanut butter in the topping and use 3/4 c heavy whipping cream instead to reduce the sweetness just a little. But they were a hit with everyone nonetheless!
It’s been very hot and these were the perfect treat. We love the sweet and salty combination, and bonus didn’t have to turn on the oven. We used crunchy peanut butter and topped with extra pretzels.
How long do these keep in the refrigerator? Can they be frozen?
In an airtight container for about a week. Yes to freezing!
These were awesome. Warning! There are three of us and they only made it about 24 hours in our home. I’m going to make them for a Super Bowl party for the dessert I’m taking.
Hello! I made these today! They came out largely spectacular, just like you said. Lol!
I halved the recepie because i’m a singleton and so a 13×9 pan all to myself would be…. Well, you know. Awkward.
Thanks a real lot!
Have you ever tried adding Bits of Brickle to this recipe?
I mean….how could it hurt, right?
One little suggestion – rather than listing 12 T. Peanut butter, why not 3/4 c. ?
Making these later and might try adding some Brickle….maybe 1/2c.?
Love your blog!
I have been making these wonderful bars since I saw Trisha Yearwood making them. They really are truly amazing!
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