Oh, you guys, you HAVE to try these no bake peanut butter bars! Seriously, if you’re like me and sometimes just need a serious chocolate and peanut butter fix, but don’t want to heat up the oven, these are your absolute go-to. They come together SO fast, and the combination of that creamy peanut butter base and the smooth chocolate topping? Pure magic. I remember making these for the first time when I was a kid, and they were an instant hit. They’re just so ridiculously easy and always disappear in a flash!

Why You'll Love These No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Honestly, these no bake peanut butter bars are a lifesaver! They tick all the boxes for a perfect treat. First off, the cleanup is a breeze because you don’t even turn on the oven – seriously, zero baking means less fuss. You get that super satisfying, rich peanut butter flavor that just melts in your mouth, perfectly balanced with a hint of salt. It’s that classic combo we all adore!

Plus, they’re ridiculously easy to whip up, making them ideal for last-minute get-togethers, holidays, or just when you need a little something sweet. They’re always a huge hit with everyone, from kids to adults. If you’re craving something delicious in a hurry, these bars are your answer. They’re just pure, simple, delightful goodness!

Gathering Your Ingredients for No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Alright, let’s get down to business! Making these amazing no bake peanut butter bars is super simple, and it all starts with having the right ingredients ready to go. Trust me, having everything measured out makes the process smooth as, well, melted butter! You’ll want to grab these few things. For the crust, we need a good base, so make sure you have one cup of butter that’s been melted – don’t worry if it’s still a little warm, that’s perfect. Then, you’ll need about two cups of graham cracker crumbs. You can buy them already crushed, or just crush up a whole sleeve of graham crackers yourself, it’s pretty easy! We also need two cups of powdered sugar, which gives it that sweet, almost fudgy texture. And of course, the star of the show: one cup of creamy peanut butter. Make sure it’s the good stuff that’s soft and spreadable!

Essential Ingredients for the Crust

1 cup butter, melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter

Now, for that dreamy chocolate topping that makes these bars totally irresistible. You’ll need one cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. I find semi-sweet gives the best balance, not too dark, not too sweet. And just a little bit more peanut butter – two tablespoons – to mix in with the chocolate. This makes it extra smooth and gives it that double peanut butter punch we all love!

Topping Ingredients for Perfect No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons peanut butter

How to Prepare Your No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Alright, let’s get these no bake peanut butter bars made! It’s seriously so simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them a million times already. First things first, grab an 8×8 inch baking pan. I always line mine with parchment paper, letting some hang over the sides – it makes lifting the whole thing out so much easier later on. Trust me on this!

Creating the Peanut Butter Base

Now, for that glorious peanut butter base. In a good-sized bowl, just dump in that melted butter, your graham cracker crumbs, the powdered sugar, and that whole cup of creamy peanut butter. Give it a really good stir until everything is super well combined. It’ll look a bit like wet sand, but it should all stick together when you squeeze it. Then, press this mixture down into your prepared pan. I like to use the bottom of a measuring cup or just my hands (wash them first, obviously!) to get it nice and even. You want a good, solid layer for the chocolate to sit on.

Crafting the Chocolate Topping

Next up: that irresistible chocolate topping! Grab a microwave-safe bowl and toss in your semi-sweet chocolate chips and those extra two tablespoons of peanut butter. Now, here’s the trick: microwave it in short bursts, like 30 seconds at a time. Give it a good stir after each interval. This stops the chocolate from burning and getting all weird. Keep going until it’s smooth and luscious. If you want it *extra* smooth, like silky smooth, stir in a tiny bit of vegetable oil – just about a tablespoon works wonders!

Assembling and Chilling Your No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Carefully pour that lovely, smooth chocolate mixture all over the peanut butter base in your pan. Spread it out evenly so you have a nice, consistent layer of chocolate. Then, pop the whole pan into the refrigerator. You need to let these no bake peanut butter bars chill for at least an hour. This is super important so they can set up properly and get firm. If you can wait longer, even better, but an hour is the minimum to get them sliceable!

Tips for Perfect No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Okay, so you’ve got your ingredients, you’re ready to go, and you want these no bake peanut butter bars to be absolutely perfect, right? Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up. First, make sure your peanut butter isn’t straight from a super cold fridge; a little bit softer makes it SO much easier to mix into that crust. Also, for the smoothest base, give those graham cracker crumbs a good blitz in the food processor until they’re really fine – it makes a difference! When you’re melting that chocolate and peanut butter for the topping, be patient! Gentle heat is key, so those short microwave bursts are your friend. And seriously, don’t skimp on the chilling time; letting them firm up properly is crucial for that perfect bar texture.

Storing Your Delicious No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Once your amazing no bake peanut butter bars are all chilled and firm, you’ll want to store them properly so they stay perfectly delicious. Just pop them into an airtight container. I usually put a piece of parchment paper between layers if I’m stacking them, just to be safe. Keep the container in the refrigerator, and they’ll be fantastic for up to a week. They’re so good, though, I doubt they’ll last that long!

Frequently Asked Questions About No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Got questions about these incredible no bake peanut butter bars? I’ve got answers! Lots of people ask if they can swap out the peanut butter. You absolutely can use crunchy peanut butter if you like a little extra texture in your bars, it’s totally up to you! For the best results, an 8×8 inch baking pan is really the way to go; it gives you that perfect thickness for slicing and eating. And about chilling – yes, you *really* need to let them set for at least an hour, but if you can wait a bit longer, they’ll be even firmer and easier to cut. Oh, and freezing? Totally! You can totally freeze these no bake peanut butter bars if you want to make a big batch and save some for later. They’re still delicious straight from the freezer!

Enjoy Your Homemade No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

There you have it! Your delicious no bake peanut butter bars are ready to be enjoyed. Carefully cut them into squares and just savor that amazing combination of peanut butter and chocolate. I’d absolutely love to hear how yours turned out, so if you have a moment, drop a comment below and share your experience!

Amazing No Bake Peanut Butter Bars in 1 Hour

Author: ferecipe.com
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Easy no-bake peanut butter bars with a simple crust and a rich peanut butter filling.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup butter, melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons peanut butter

Instructions

Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a bowl, combine melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and 1 cup of peanut butter. Mix until well combined.
Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
Pour the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter layer and spread evenly.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
Cut into bars and serve.

Notes

For a smoother chocolate topping, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the chocolate and peanut butter mixture.
Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 250
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: no bake, peanut butter, bars, dessert, sweet, easy, quick