This no-bake Peanut Butter Bars recipe uses pretzels to give them the perfect salty crunch! It is made of a rich and moist peanut butter pretzel base layered with smooth chocolate and crunchy crushed pretzel bits on top.
These dessert bars are the perfect mix of sweet, buttery, and salty- I couldn’t get enough of them!
If you have tried my peanut butter blondies or peanut butter cookies, then you'll love these pretzel-packed peanut butter bars too!
🛒Ingredients For No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- Miniature pretzels- the pops of saltiness and crunch these bring to the bars are what makes them so irresistible! You will use this both for making the base and as a topping. You can also use graham cracker crumbs as an alternative.
- Butter- use unsalted butter to ensure the perfect balance of flavors. Adding melted butter to the pretzel base will help bind the ingredients together and make it super moist. You will also need it when melting the chocolate chips to make it richer and smoother.
- Peanut butter- aside from the rich and nutty flavor it provides, creamy peanut butter is also needed to hold the base in shape, ensuring that it will not crumble or fall apart. You can also use sunflower butter as a nut-free option.
- Powdered sugar- I prefer using this rather than granulated sugar because it easily dissolves which makes the bars a velvety texture.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips- melted and poured on top of the base to create a decadent layer of dreamy sweetness! You can also use dark chocolate if you prefer to give them an interesting hint of bitterness.
For the full list of ingredients, please scroll down to where you'll find the recipe card.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy? Sure! This is a matter of personal preference. If you want the base to have some texture, you can use chunky peanut butter instead.
🥣How To Make Peanut Butter Bars
Preparation. Line a 9x13 baking dish with aluminum foil, and have the ends stick out so you can lift the bars out.
Ground the pretzel finely. Set aside 2 cups of pretzels for the topping.
Using a food processor add the remaining pretzels and pulse until you get fine crumbs.
Make the base. In a large bowl add the pretzel crumbs, melted butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar and mix until everything is combined.
Press the mixture into the dish and flatten it using your hand or a spoon.
Melt the chocolate. In a microwave-safe bowl add the semisweet chocolate chips and the tablespoon of butter, melt in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth.
Assemble the layers. Spread over the pretzel crust layer, making sure to spread it out with a spoon.
Break up the pretzels you set aside sprinkle them all over top of the chocolate and lightly press down so they stick better to the chocolate.
Chill. Cover and refrigerate for around 1 hour or until the chocolate has set. Remove the foil and cut it into bars and enjoy!
📋Tips
- Pulse the pretzels finely. Make sure to pulse the pretzels into fine even crumbs. The finer the crumbs are, the easier it will be to mix the ingredients together resulting in a better texture.
- Press the base firmly into the prepared baking dish using the back of a spoon or your palm. A well-pressed base helps the bars hold together better.
- Do not overheat the chocolate. When melting the chocolate in the microwave, do it in short intervals to prevent overheating. You can also place the chocolate chips and butter in a small bowl and place them in a larger bowl filled with hot water instead.
- Use different-sized pans. You can also use a smaller baking dish to make thicker bars.
- Let it set fully. Ensure the bars are completely chilled and set before cutting.
- Use a hot knife. Use a knife dipped in hot water for clean and even slices.
Can I make them gluten-free? All the ingredients used are naturally gluten-free except for the pretzels. If you want to make a gluten-free version, use a certified GF pretzel brand like Glutino or Snyder's.
Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. You can store the bars in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days on the counter or in the fridge for up to a week.
- 🥶Freezing. Wrap the bars individually in foil or plastic and place them in a freezer-safe container to keep the moisture in. They can stay for up to three months. If frozen, allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
👪How To Serve Peanut Butter Bars
You can serve these no-bake bars chilled or at room temperature. Serve them as they are or top them with whipped cream or ice cream for a fancier presentation.
More Desserts
For all tasty treats, scroll through our Desserts archives.
📖Recipe
Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
- 1 16 ounce bag of miniature pretzels
- 1 ½ cups of butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups of peanut butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Preparation. Line a 9x13 baking dish with aluminum foil, and have the ends stick out so you can lift the bars out.
- Ground the pretzel finely. Set aside 2 cups of pretzels for the topping. Using a food processor add the remaining pretzels and pulse until you get fine crumbs.
- Make the base. In a large bowl add the pretzel crumbs, melted butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar and mix until everything is combined. Press the mixture into the dish and flatten it using your hand or a spoon.
- Melt the chocolate. In a microwave-safe bowl add the semisweet chocolate chips and the tablespoon of butter, melt in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth.
- Assemble the layers. Spread over the pretzel crust layer, making sure to spread it out with a spoon. Break up the pretzels you set aside sprinkle them all over top of the chocolate and lightly press down so they stick better to the chocolate.
- Chill. Cover and refrigerate for around 1 hour or until the chocolate has set. Remove the foil and cut it into bars and enjoy!
Notes
- Can I make them gluten-free? All the ingredients used are naturally gluten-free except for the pretzels. If you want to make a gluten-free version, use a certified GF pretzel brand like Glutino or Snyder's.
- Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy? Sure! This is a matter of personal preference. If you want the base to have some texture, you can use chunky peanut butter instead.
- To Store. You can store the bars in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days on the counter or in the fridge for up to a week.
- Freezing. Wrap the bars individually in foil or plastic and place them in a freezer-safe container to keep the moisture in. They can stay for up to three months.
Rita
enjoy these easy and quick to make no bake peanut butter bars! Freezer friendly!