Peanut Butter Bars – An Easy, No-Bake Treat!

No-bake peanut butter bars are as easy as they are yummy!

A quick peanut butter mixture is combined with crisp cereals, pressed into a pan, and cooled. Top it with chocolate for the perfect easy treat!

close up of a pile of No Bake Peanut Butter Squares with a bite taken from the top one

Why We Love Peanut Butter Bars

  • Loaded with peanut butter, they’re perfect for snacking or as a treat!
  • They’re quick and easy to make and no oven is required.
  • Peanut butter bars are rich in flavor and both light and crisp in texture.
  • They keep well making them perfect for lunchboxes and outings.

Ingredients for No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients for No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients and Variations

CEREAL Corn flakes and crispy rice cereal make up the bulk of this crunchy recipe, but other cereals will work!

PEANUT BUTTER I use smooth peanut butter as it is what we keep on hand but crunchy will work too. This recipe has not been tested with other butters or natural peanut butter which may affect the consistency.

SWEETENERS Corn syrup helps hold these together while the brown sugar adds a bit of sweetness and flavor.

CHOCOLATE Chocolate chips are the perfect topping for all things peanut butter! Adding a touch of vegetable oil (or even butter or coconut oil) helps keep the chocolate layer from cracking as the bars are cut.

Variations

  • Feel free to add cinnamon, apple pie spice, even pumpkin pie spice.
  • We also like sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, or even pecans added to the mix.
  • For extra healthy peanut butter bars, add a tablespoon or so of flax meal for extra omega 3 benefits!
  • Switch out the chocolate chips for white chocolate and sprinkle red and green sugar crystals for a festive dessert bar without the baking!

How to Make No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

  1. Boil brown sugar, butter, & corn syrup in a saucepan (per the recipe below).
  2. Remove from heat & whisk in peanut butter & vanilla.

process of adding ingredients to pan to make No Bake Peanut Butter Squares

process of adding ingredients to pan to make No Bake Peanut Butter Squares

  1. Stir in cereal, coating them completely. Press mixture into a prepared pan & cool.

No Bake Peanut Butter Squares in the pan

No Bake Peanut Butter Squares in the pan

  1. Melt chocolate chips and spread over the bars. Cool completely.

Storage

  • No-bake bars will last up to 2 weeks if kept in an airtight container with a piece of bread added to absorb moisture.
  • Freeze cookie squares up to 6 weeks between pieces of parchment paper. Place them in a zippered bag with the date written on the outside.

Peanut Butter Perfection

Did you love these No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! 

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Crunchy, sweet, and topped with chocolate, these No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars are loved by all!

Follow Spend with Pennies on Pinterest

Follow Spend with Pennies on Pinterest

  • Grease an 8×8 pan or line with parchment paper.

  • Combine brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil and let boil 1 minute.

  • Remove from heat and whisk in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth.

  • Stir in cornflakes and rice krispies. Press into prepared pan and cool (be careful, the mixture will be very HOT). Let cool.

  • Once cool, melt chocolate chips and vegetable oil until smooth. Spread over squares and cool completely.

Calories: 260, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 17mg, Sodium: 180mg, Potassium: 126mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 492IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 3mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword how to make Peanut Butter Bars, No Bake Peanut Butter Bars, No Bake Peanut Butter Bars recipe, peanut butter bars

Course Cookies, Dessert, Party Food, Snack

Cuisine American

stack of No Bake Peanut Butter Squares with a title
close up of No Bake Peanut Butter Squares with a bite taken out of one with writing
pile of No Bake Peanut Butter Squares with writing
pot full of ingredients to make No Bake Peanut Butter Squares and finished squares in a pile

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