BEST Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

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5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Bars: These are the BEST! I love a no-bake treat for the summer, especially these delicious peanut butter chocolate bars. They taste like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups except in bar form.

stacked peanut butter bars next to a spoonful of peanut butter.

BEST Peanut Butter Bars EVER

Who remembers the old-school lunch lady bars we all used to love as kids? This chocolate peanut butter no-bake recipe is basically that but made easy with just 5 ingredients.

I’m no stranger to making peanut butter bars. I have some made with pretzels, some with extra peanut butter, some with marshmallows, and even some made with Oreos. You can’t ever have too many peanut butter desserts, am I right?

The top is a mixture of chocolate chips and peanut butter, which helps melt the chocolate as well as temper it enough that it won’t crack when you cut the bars. The peanut butter is sweetened with powdered sugar and the crushed Ritz crackers give them a little crunch.

Ingredients Needed

Butter: I’m using room-temperature unsalted butter to melt
Peanut Butter: creamy or crunchy peanut butter will work but make sure to use regular peanut butter spread (not one you need to stir).
Ritz Crackers: you can use any cracker for this recipe (Ritz, Keebler, graham crackers, etc) as long as it’s a buttery cracker that crushes easily. Even digestive biscuits would work (hiiii England and Australia!)
Powdered Sugar: this helps to bind the whole thing and adds a delicious sweetness
Chocolate Chips: we will melt them with some peanut butter for the coating. I’m using sweet chocolate chips for this recipe.

How to make peanut butter bars

Mix the melted butter, peanut butter, cracker crumbs, and powdered sugar together. It should be a thick consistency.
Press the thick mixture into a foil-lined 9×13-inch pan.
Melt the chocolate chips with the remaining peanut butter together. You can either microwave it for a few seconds, stirring between sessions or melt it on the stovetop. Doing this helps the chocolate slice without splintering once it’s hardened on the bars. Spread it over the bars.
Chill the already assembled piece to set. For at least one hour.
Slice into bars once fully chilled.

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Expert Tips

Use a 9×9-inch pan to make thick peanut butter chocolate bars!
I have not tried this with natural peanut butter, so I suggest using a traditional kind.
It’s best to slice these peanut butter squares at room temperature so your chocolate doesn’t shatter.

FAQs

How long do peanut butter bars last?

These peanut butter squares will last for up to one week if left at room temperature or one month in the freezer.

How to store peanut butter bars?

Peanut butter bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator, depending on how warm your house is. The chocolate coating will get melty if it’s too hot, so use your judgment on where you should store them.

Can you freeze peanut butter bars?

Store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them to enjoy for a later time.

Can I make these without peanut butter?

You absolutely can! Swap out the peanut butter, with Nutella for an extra chocolatey treat.

The BEST No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

3.86 from 54 votes

This is the BEST No Bake Peanut Butter Bar Recipe. It tastes like a peanut butter cup!

Prep Time 20

Chill Time 1

Total Time 1 20

Yield 24 bars

Serving Size 1 /16th recipe

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Ingredients

▢ 8 tablespoons 113g unsalted butter, melted
▢ 2 cups Ritz cracker crumbs about 60 crackers or about 194g
▢ 1 1/4 cups 142g powdered sugar
▢ 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter divided
▢ 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

Line a 9×9-inch or 9×13-inch pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. (Or you can use any size pan in between; the bigger the pan the thinner the bars.)
Place melted butter, Ritz cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and 3/4 cup peanut butter in a large bowl. Mix by hand until combined. Press firmly into prepared pan.
Place chocolate chips and remaining 2 tablespoons peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on 50% 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. **It’s best to slice them at room temperature so your chocolate doesn’t shatter.**
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.