No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars Recipe — Quick No-Bake Treat

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars feature a crunchy peanut butter base topped with smooth chocolate. These no-bake bars are an easy, kid-friendly dessert or after-school treat.

These easy chocolate peanut butter bars are reminiscent of homemade Reese’s cups but in bar form. They’re perfect when you need a simple dessert and can be decorated with seasonal candies for holidays.

I’ve made the classic peanut butter bar for years, but I increased the chocolate to please picky kids who suddenly didn’t want an intense peanut butter flavor. The result still has peanut butter presence but with a milder finish and extra chocolate goodness. Best of all, there’s no baking required—so you can enjoy this treat year-round.

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars Ingredients

These pantry-friendly ingredients are easy to find at most grocery stores.

• Creamy peanut butter — Use regular creamy peanut butter rather than oil-separated natural peanut butter to keep texture consistent.
• Butter — softened to room temperature.
• Powdered sugar — confectioners’ sugar adds sweetness and helps the bars hold together.
• Graham crackers — crushed into crumbs to give the peanut butter layer structure. You can buy graham cracker crumbs ready-made.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips — for the frosting; some can also be stirred into the base.
• Cocoa powder — optional, for extra chocolate flavor.

How to Make No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Start by making the base: combine softened butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar until creamy. An electric mixer speeds this step.

Crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or a sealed plastic bag and rolling pin. Add the crumbs, chocolate chips, and cocoa powder (if using) to the peanut butter mixture and mix until well combined, scraping the bowl sides as needed.

Press the peanut butter mixture evenly into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan using a spatula.

For the frosting, gently melt the chocolate chips and butter together—either in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each, or using a double boiler. Stir in the cocoa powder, if desired.

Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and smooth with a spatula. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes, then cut into squares.

How to Store Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

Keep bars in an airtight container or cover the pan with plastic wrap. If your home is warm, refrigerate so the chocolate stays solid. The bars stay fresh for up to one week in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to three months; thaw completely before serving.

Recipe Variations

Customize the bars to suit the season or your taste:

• Top with seasonal M&M’s, sprinkles, or Reese’s Pieces for holidays.
• Omit the chocolate chips and cocoa in the base for a less chocolate-forward version, or swap semi-sweet for milk chocolate for a sweeter finish.
• Use vanilla wafers or other cookies in place of graham crackers, or substitute almond or another nut butter for peanut butter (note: flavors and texture will change).
• Melt chocolate in a double boiler instead of the microwave if you prefer.

Recipe Tips

• Line the pan with parchment paper or foil to lift the whole slab out before slicing.
• For neat slices, wipe a sharp knife with a warm, damp paper towel between cuts.
• Chill the bars at least 30–60 minutes before slicing so they firm up.
• The bars are rich; cut into smaller pieces if you prefer modest portions.

I hope you enjoy these homemade peanut butter bars—they’re a favorite for peanut butter fans.

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Recipe first published in 2014 and updated in 2023.