No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
If you love peanut butter and chocolate together, these no bake peanut butter bars are about to become your new favorite treat. They are rich, creamy, and loaded with crushed pretzels for a little crunch in every bite. And the best part? You never have to turn on the oven. Not even for a minute.
The base comes together with smooth peanut butter, confectioners sugar, melted butter, and fine pretzel crumbs. Then a smooth chocolate layer goes right on top. That is it. Two simple layers, one pan, and a dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
I make these on busy weeknights when I want something sweet without a lot of fuss. They also travel beautifully to potlucks, bake sales, and family gatherings.
The first time I brought them to a potluck, they disappeared before the main course even hit the table. People kept asking who made them and whether I would share the recipe. I did share it, but I will admit I hesitated for a second.
Because there is no cooking involved, these bars work well for anyone with a packed schedule. You mix, press, chill, and cut. They are cut into small squares, and small is exactly right here. Each piece packs a punch of peanut butter and chocolate flavor, so a little goes a long way.
Jump to:
- No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- Peanut Butter Bars with Pretzels
- Peanut Butter Bar Ingredients
- How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- FAQs
- What is the secret ingredient in no bake peanut butter bars?
- Why does the chocolate layer include peanut butter?
- What kind of peanut butter works best for no bake peanut butter bars?
- How should no bake peanut butter bars be stored?
- No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Last Step:
- Nutrition
- Did you make this recipe?
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Peanut butter and chocolate is a combination that never gets old, and these bars bring the two together in the easiest way possible. The no bake method means you skip the oven completely, which is a real gift on hot days or during the busy holiday season when every oven rack is already full.
One batch makes plenty of small squares. I planned to bring a tray of them to a friend’s house as an after dinner treat one Friday. Then I tasted one while they were still cold from the fridge, and somehow the whole pan stayed home.
My family did not complain. They finished them in two days and asked when I was making more.
I will say it plainly. I think these taste better than a Reese’s peanut butter cup. The peanut butter filling is creamier, the chocolate top is smoother, and the pretzel crumbs add a salty little snap that a candy cup just does not have. That is a bold claim, I know. Make a batch and decide for yourself.
They are also a huge family favorite around here. My kids ask for them in their school lunches, and I am happy to pack a small square or two because they hold up well in a lunchbox. Wrap them tightly and they stay neat until lunchtime.
If you are new to no bake desserts, this is a great place to start. There is no batter to worry about, no baking time to watch, and no risk of a dry, overbaked pan of bars. You just need a food processor or a sturdy bag, a bowl, a square pan, and a microwave for the topping.
Peanut Butter Bars with Pretzels
Pretzels are the secret ingredient that makes these bars stand out. They add a slight crunch and a lightly salty flavor that balances all that sweetness. Without them, you would have a soft peanut butter bar. With them, you get texture in every single bite.
The inside of the bar tastes a lot like the filling of a peanut butter cup. Creamy, sweet, and rich. Then a single layer of chocolate sits on top and finishes the whole thing off. The chocolate layer is not thick and heavy. It is just enough to complement the creamy peanut butter mixture underneath.
Here is why the salty and sweet pairing works so well. Peanut butter already has a natural savory edge, and chocolate brings sweetness. Pretzels bring salt and crunch. When all three come together, your taste buds get a little of everything, and that is what makes these bars so hard to stop eating.
I also love that the pretzels do double duty. They add flavor, and they help thicken the base so the bars slice cleanly. That means neat squares instead of a crumbly mess when you cut them.
This recipe comes from Trisha Yearwood’s cookbook, Trisha’s Table, where it appears on page 211. It has been a reader favorite for years, and once you try it, you will understand why. It is the kind of recipe that gets written on an index card and passed around at family reunions.
Peanut Butter Bar Ingredients
You only need five ingredients for this recipe, and most of them are probably in your pantry right now. I try to keep all of them on hand so I can make a batch any day of the week without a trip to the store.
- 2 cups thin pretzel sticks, the small ones
- 1 1/2 sticks butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
- 1 1/4 cups smooth peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
A quick note on the peanut butter. Use a smooth variety for the creamiest filling. Chunky peanut butter will still work, but the texture of the base will change and the bars may be a little harder to press flat.
The pretzels should be thin sticks, and the small ones work best because they crush down into fine crumbs quickly. If you only have thicker pretzels, you can still use them, but you may need a few extra pulses in the food processor to get the texture right.
Milk chocolate chips give the topping that classic candy bar flavor. If your family prefers a darker chocolate, you can swap in semisweet chips, though the final taste will be less sweet and a bit more intense. That is a personal choice, not a rule.
You will notice there are no eggs and no flour in this list. That is why the recipe is so simple and why it comes together in about 15 minutes of hands on prep. The recipe card lists 4 servings, and since these bars are rich, you can slice them smaller if you are feeding a crowd.
How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
This is a no cook recipe from start to finish. The only appliance you really need is a microwave for the topping, and the rest is mixing and pressing. Here is the full method, step by step.
- Crush the pretzels. Pulse the pretzel sticks in a food processor until they become fine crumbs. If you do not have a food processor, place them in a zip top bag and smash them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy glass until they are broken down into small pieces.
- Mix the base. In a medium bowl, stir together the pretzel crumbs, the melted butter, the confectioners sugar, and 1 cup of the peanut butter. Keep stirring until everything is combined and the mixture has a consistent color. It should look like a thick, sandy dough.
- Press it into the pan. Spoon the peanut butter mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9×9 pan. Press it evenly across the bottom using your hands or the back of a large spoon. Take a minute here and get it level, because an even layer slices into even bars.
- Make the topping. Put the remaining peanut butter and the chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl. Melt them together in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval. Keep going until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Pour it over. When the chocolate mixture is smooth, pour it over the top of the peanut butter layer and spread it evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
- Chill and cut. Refrigerate the pan for 30 minutes so the bars set, then cut them into squares and serve.
That is the whole process. No oven, no thermometer, no guesswork. If you can stir and press, you can make these bars.
A few tips from my own kitchen. First, melt the butter and let it cool for a minute before you pour it over the pretzel crumbs. Hot butter straight from the pan can make the mixture greasy.
Second, when you press the base into the pan, use a light hand. Pressing too hard can make the bars dense and compact instead of tender.
For the chocolate topping, the 30 second intervals matter. Chocolate can scorch quickly in a microwave, and stirring between intervals helps it melt evenly without burning. If your microwave runs hot, drop to 20 second intervals and stir a little longer.
If you want the cleanest cuts, chill the bars a bit longer before slicing. The method sets them in 30 minutes, and a longer chill makes the chocolate firm and the squares neat. Wipe your knife between cuts for bakery style edges.
Now, about the size of the squares. The temptation is to cut big, thick pieces. I get it. But these bars are rich in peanut butter and chocolate flavor, and a small piece really does go a long way. I usually cut them into small squares and let people come back for a second one.
Serve them with a glass of cold milk. That is the classic pairing, and honestly it is the best one. The cold milk cuts through the richness and makes the whole thing taste even better. They are also wonderful with a cup of coffee or hot tea in the afternoon.
These bars are a family favorite that disappears fast in my house. I like to pack a small square in school lunches as a special treat, wrapped in parchment or a small container. They also work as a quick dessert for a weeknight dinner, a potluck contribution, or a homemade gift on a cookie tray.
For storage, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay firm and fresh for several days. You can also freeze them. Cut the bars, place them in a single layer in a freezer safe container with parchment between the layers, and thaw them in the refrigerator when you are ready to serve.
| Nutrient | Per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 473 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 55 g |
| Protein | 8 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Saturated fat | 12 g |
| Cholesterol | 33 mg |
| Sodium | 544 mg |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 31 g |
These values come from the source recipe and are listed per serving.
Cut small squares and keep the pan in the refrigerator. A cold bar slices cleanly and tastes even better the next day.
FAQs
What is the secret ingredient in no bake peanut butter bars?
Why does the chocolate layer include peanut butter?
What kind of peanut butter works best for no bake peanut butter bars?
How should no bake peanut butter bars be stored?
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars If you love peanut butter and chocolate together, these no bake peanut butter bars are about to become your new favorite treat. They are rich, creamy, and loaded with crushed pretzels for a little crunch in every bite.
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
2 cups thin pretzel sticks, the small ones
1–1/2 sticks butter, melted
1–1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1–1/4 cups peanut butter, smooth
1–1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
Instructions
1-In food processor pulse pretzel sticks until: In food processor pulse pretzel sticks until they are fine crumbs (or place in bag and smash them with a utensil)
2-In medium bowl, mix together the pretzel: In medium bowl, mix together the pretzel crumbs, melted butter, confectioners’ sugar, and 1 cups of the peanut butter
3-Press peanut butter mixture into bottom of: Press peanut butter mixture into bottom of an ungreased 9×9 pan
4-Melt remaining peanut butter and chocolate chips: Melt remaining peanut butter and chocolate chips together in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between
5-When the chocolate mixture is smooth, pour: When the chocolate mixture is smooth, pour over top of the peanut mixture in the pan
6-Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then cut into: Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then cut into squares and devour!
Last Step:
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- Cook Time: 0 min
- Method: no_cook
Nutrition
- Calories: 473
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 544mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 33mg
