These peanut butter bars are so easy to make and are ready to eat in 30 minutes or less! Chances are you have most of these ingredients in your pantry, if not all of them. They remind me of Buckeye Brownie Cookies, but without baking!

Why this recipe works

Recipes that don’t require baking are easy and great any time of year. While they are a year-round treat, these peanut butter bars are especially wonderful in the summer, when you don’t want to crank up your oven. And with them being so quick to make, they’re perfect for unexpected company or that last-minute teen request.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

ingredients for no bake peanut butter bars

Ingredient Info and Substitute Suggestions

CHOCOLATE – I prefer to use baking chocolate for these bars as it’s easier to melt in my opinion, however, you can also use chocolate chips. Semi-sweet, dark chocolate, or milk chocolate are all great options.

PEANUT BUTTER – I used regular creamy peanut butter for this recipe. I have not tested this recipe with natural peanut butter. With natural peanut butter, the oil separates from the butter itself, therefore, I am uncertain if the bars will harden completely. Some of my readers have suggested adding extra animal cracker/graham cracker crumbs to help it solidify better if you do take this route.

How to Make Peanut Butter Bars

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

In a mixer or a food processor, combine the first four ingredients until smooth.
Spread into a 13×9 baking pan.
For the topping, melt the chocolate and peanut butter together in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir. If not completely melted you can heat in 10-second intervals until smooth.
Spread over the top of the peanut butter layer.
Chill dessert in the refrigerator for about an hour, or in the freezer for 15 minutes. Cut into bars and serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t have a food processor?

You can use a hand mixer or even a blender if you don’t have a food processor. We like the food processor because it creates the smoothest mixture.

Do these taste like Reese’s peanut butter cups?

This recipe uses semi-sweet chocolate for the topping. If you want it a bit sweeter and closer to the flavor of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, simply substitute milk chocolate for the semi-sweet. I prefer to use baking chocolate, but you can certainly use chocolate chips instead.

Can I freeze them?

Yes, absolutely. I would suggest flash freezing the bars first, removing them from the freezer once they are mostly frozen, then transferring them to a large ziptop bag or air-tight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.

chocolate frosted peanut butter bars on a plate

Serving Suggestions

If you love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, these no-bake chocolate topped peanut butter bars are for you. Easy to make and ready to eat in less than 30 minutes!

Serve your peanut butter bars chilled or just above room temperature for a softer texture. The chocolate will get melty as it warms up at room temp, but it tastes great!

More Peanut Butter Recipes

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This recipe was originally published on April 15, 2013 but has since been updated with expert tips and new photos.