This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
If you love the classic combination ofย chocolate and peanut butter, then youโre going to go crazy for these no-bakeย Peanut Butter Buckeye Bars!ย Inspired by the belovedย Buckeye candy, these bars have all the same delicious flavorsโwithout the hassle of rolling individual balls or dipping them in chocolate. Theyโreย rich, creamy, and incredibly easy to make, making them the perfect no-bake treat for any occasion.
Growing up, Buckeyes were a staple around the holidaysโthere was something so satisfying about biting into that creamy peanut butter center covered in smooth chocolate. But letโs be honest: dipping each one individually can be a lotof work. Thatโs where these Buckeye Bars come in! You get all the same amazing flavors but in an easy-to-make, slice-and-serve bar form.
This recipe goes way back (in fact, I originally published it here in 2013) and was inspired by my late husband, who had a deep love for peanut butter desserts. (He even convinced the lunch ladies in high school to give him extra peanut butter squaresโbut thatโs a story for another day!) These bars are now a go-to treat in our house, and Iโm excited to share them with you.
Why you’ll love these no-bake Peanut Butter Buckeye Bars:
- No-bake and easy to make: any time I hear about a recipe that’s no-bake, it’s music to my ears.
- Only 6 ingredients: pantry staple ingredients are all you need to make this no-bake recipe!
- Perfect Texture: a creamy, rich peanut butter layer topped with smooth chocolate.
- Crowd Pleaser: Great for potlucks, holidays, and anytime peanut butter cravings hit.
Ingredients you’ll need:
Only a few pantry staples are needed to make this recipe:
- Peanut butter โ Use creamy peanut butter for the best texture. (Natural peanut butter isnโt recommended, as it can make the bars too soft.)
- Butter โ Helps create that smooth, melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter base.
- Powdered sugar โ Adds sweetness and structure.
- Graham cracker crumbs โ Gives the peanut butter layer a little texture and stability.
- Chocolate chips โ A mix of semisweet or dark chocolate works perfectly.
- Coconut oil or shortening โ Helps the chocolate layer set up with a smooth, glossy finish.
How to make Peanut Butter Buckeye Bars:
Here’s a brief overview of how to make this simple, easy, no-bake dessert. Full details are below in the recipe card:
- Prepare the crust.
- Make the peanut butter layer.
- Add pretzels and chocolate
- Set and serve
Tips for the best buckeye bars!
- Use a food processor to get extra-fine graham cracker crumbs for a smoother peanut butter layer.
- Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Chill completely before slicing to get clean edges.
- Run your knife under hot water before slicing to prevent cracking in the chocolate.
If you try these Peanut Butter Buckeye Bars, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment or tag me on social media! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. Enjoy!
Peanut Butter Buckeye Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups creamy Peanut Butter
- ยฝ cup butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups sifted confectionersโ sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 2-3 cups pretzels mini pretzel twists are recommended
- 10 ounces milk chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons shortening
GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST INGREDIENTS
- 1 ยฝ cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs
- โ cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust:ย In a large bowl, mixย 1ยฝ cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup sugar,ย andย 6 tbsp melted butter.Line anย 8×8 panย with parchment or foil, leaving overhang for easy removal. Spray with non-stick spray. Press the crust firmly into the pan and refrigerate forย 1 hour.
- Make the Peanut Butter Layer:ย In a bowl, combineย 2 cups peanut butter, ยฝ cup softened butter, a pinch of salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract,ย andย 3 cups confectioner's sugarย using clean hands or a spoon. Press evenly over the chilled crust.
- Add Pretzels & Chocolate:ย Arrange aย single layer of pretzelsย over the peanut butter. Crush the remaining pretzels and set aside. Meltย milk chocolate chipsย withย 2 tbsp shorteningย according to package directions. Pour over the bars and sprinkle with crushed pretzels.
- Set & Serve:ย Refrigerate forย 30 minutes,ย then cut into squares and enjoy!