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Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars, the bars that everyone LOVES! Think crisp, chewy, sweet, peanut krispie treat base, layered with creamy peanut butter, and topped with sweet salted chocolate. All made with simple, wholesome ingredients: brown rice krispies, honey, pure maple syrup, natural peanut butter, and dark chocolate. These bars are heavy on the peanut butter and chocolate, sweet, salty, gluten-free, vegan, and, geez…they’re even no-bake! Every last bite is truly delicious. 

overhead photo of peanut bars with spoon of peanut butter

Happy darn Friday everyone! I felt as though this week especially needed a sweet and easy chocolate peanut butter recipe. I don’t know why exactly, but it just seemed like we could all use these delicious bars this weekend.

So here we are. Yet another chocolate peanut butter treat that I’m way too excited to share. This one was certainly a hit over here.

brown rice krispies and peanut butter in mixing bowl

Inspiration

Honestly, how these came to be I couldn’t tell you. It all started with a scotcheroo recipe. Then turned into a combination of homemade scotcheroos and homemade peanut butter Twix bars.

To put it simply, I wanted to make scotcheroos but I didn’t want to use butterscotch chips. I wanted to avoid overly processed sweets. Because of that, I kept thinking about what else I could do. What flavor could replicate the butterscotch? 

And then, it hit me. What if I did a combination of scotcheroos and peanutty Twix. I tested a few things and at first, I struggled. But then I got it right. And well, now my dad’s declaring these his new favorite. And I guess everyone else up at my parent’s house is too.

More than anything they love the way these taste. The textures, the chewiness, the generous amount of peanut butter, and, of course, the thick layer of chocolate on top. But they also love knowing there are no processed sugars, funny ingredients, or artificial anything involved. 

brown rice krispies mixed with peanut butter in bowl

Details – chewy peanut krispies 

I love to use brown rice krispies for a better-for-you option. You don’t even taste the difference! The “stickiness” that holds the krispie layer together is a basic mix of honey, maple syrup, and then a little bit of peanut butter and coconut oil.

The key is to use a mix of honey and maple syrup. The honey is thicker and stickier than the maple. And when boiled down it really is the glue that holds these treats together. 

If you are strictly vegan, you can definitely use all maple syrup. The bars will still be sticky and great. Just slightly less chewy than if you were to use a mix of honey and maple. 

bars after being cut

The peanutty/carmel like filling 

Essentially, this is the same gooey mix as above, just different ratios and no honey. 

Peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil boiled together to thicken the mix. The secret to making this layer really delicious is to use a natural peanut butter with just peanuts and salt. Don’t use a no-stir peanut butter that contains oils and/or sugar. This will give you the best flavor and texture.

Pour the peanut butter layer over the chewy krispie treats, then freeze the bars. You only need them to freeze them for 30 minutes to an hour or so. This helps the peanut butter set up quickly so you can continue on with the chocolate. 

close up photo of peanut butter bars

When the peanut butter is chilled and stiff, pour some melted chocolate over top to finish the layers up. I like to slice the bars before the chocolatey top becomes too hard. This will make the bars much easier to cut and prevents the peanutty filling from getting squished out.

And then you’re done. And trust me, you might want to double the batch because these disappear fast. Everyone from my dad to Asher, to random friends who stopped in have devoured these. They really are a favorite. 

It’s the chewy, salty, sweet, chocolate, peanut butter combination – it’s magic! 

close up photo of peanut bars with spoon of peanut butter

Looking for easy party desserts? Here are a few ideas: 

Crinkle Top Brownies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Blondies

Homemade Vegan Peanut Butter Twix Bars

Caramel Butter Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting

Retro-Style Chocolate Sheet Cake

Lastly, if you make these Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

@halfbakedharvest

🍫 peanut butter bars #lunchroom #chocolate #peanutbutter #bars #Baking #snacks #backtoschool #peanut #treat #quickrecipe

♬ Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) [2018 Remaster] – Kate Bush

Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 24 bars
Calories Per Serving: 259 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients

Chewy Peanut Krispies

Creamy Peanutty/Caramel Goodness

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • 1. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper. 
    2. To make the chewy layer. Add the brown rice krispies to a large bowl.
    3. In a medium pot, combine the honey, maple syrup, peanut butter, and coconut oil. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and pour the mix over the brown rice krispies. Stir well to combine. Spread the mix out onto the prepared pan, packing it in tightly. Place in the freezer.
    4. To make the peanut layer. In a medium pot, mix the peanut butter, maple syrup, and 1/4 cup coconut oil. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 2 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla and salt. Pour over the krispies layer. Freeze 30 minutes, until firm.
    5. Melt together the chocolate and 1 tablespoon coconut oil in the microwave. Let cool 5 minutes and then spread the chocolate over the peanut butter mix layer. Return to the fridge to set, about 10 minutes, then slice. The chocolate will not be totally set, but slicing is easier this way. Keep in the fridge.

Notes

If Strictly Vegan: use additional maple syrup in place of the honey.
Tip: Try to use a natural peanut butter with just peanuts and salt. Don’t use a no-stir peanut butter that contains oils and/or sugar. 
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horizontal photo of peanut bars on tray
4.94 from 105 votes (56 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. I would like to make these ahead of time for an event next week. Do you think they will freeze well?

    Reply

    1. Hi Terri,
      Yes, that should work well for you! I hope you love this recipe, let me know if you give it a try! xT

      Reply

  2. Can standard creamy peanut butter (e.g. Jif) be used and if so would that mean omitting or reducing the coconut oil? It’s hard to find “just peanuts and salt”.

    Reply

    1. Hi Jim,
      Any peanut butter you enjoy will work here, no need to adjust anything else in the recipe:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT

      Reply

  3. 5 stars
    I absolutely LOVE these peanut butter bars. When I make them I use less than 12 oz. of the chocolate chips for the top….maybe 10 oz. I also use semi-sweet chocolate chips on top. I have made these several times already in the past few months. These will be a regular in my home.

    Reply

  4. These are terrific. Thanks for the recipe. I don’t mean to harp on this peanut butter swirl issue, but after leaving the peanut butter layer in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, taking it out and pouring the chocolate over it, then immediately trying to swirl the swirls don’t come up from the peanut butter level. The peanut butter is too stiff. And I tried digging, I tried digging down deep couldn’t get anything to work. So we might need a step by step! My only thought is that perhaps you reserve some peanut butter, melt it and put that on top?

    Reply

  5. Made these tonight and the recipe was so easy to follow! Cannot wait to try them. 😋 the end of the recipe says to leave them in the fridge. After the chocolate has set, should they continue to stay in the fridge?

    Reply

  6. 2 stars
    I made these with all honey for my niece, but it didn’t hold the brown Rice Krispies together at all. Wonder if molasses would be a better substitute. I’m a chocolate lover, but found the chocolate layer too thick and the PB too thin. Wound up throwing half of them away. They sure looked pretty, but was told they weren’t my best. Sadly disappointed 😔

    Reply

  7. Can you explain how you get the pretty swirls on top of your bars? Nearly all of them are shown with that beautiful design but I can’t find any explanation on how it’s done in any of the recipes. Please tell! It really elevates the bar and is the thing that makes them “special”

    Reply

    1. Hi Caitlin,
      I just take a knife or toothpick and swirl the chocolate:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx

      Reply

    1. Thanks Kelly! I always recommend that if the metric information is important to you, to use your own personal calculator. Ours is automatic and controlled by google. It’s not something we’d prefer to be using. We are required to. I’m sorry for the trouble, we do our best! Hope you enjoy the recipe! xT

      Reply

      1. There was no trouble, I realised that 1.14kg of Rice Krispies would be far too much and used about 180g instead as that seemed more like 6 cups worth.
        I live in Scotland and US measurements aren’t the norm for me here. I must try and get used to them as I love your recipes.
        Thank you

        Reply

  9. Hi! I followed the breadcrumb trail from a tiktok video from Feb 9 for your Chocolate peanut butter bars , since I’d love to try making them – but those have an oatmeal base, while these have Rice Crispies! Is that the only difference – and can they be switched out without changing anything else? Or is there a different recipe for that?
    Thanks!

    Reply

  10. 5 stars
    I have made these twice and I am about to make another batch tonight!!
    These are pure heaven!! Thank you Tieghan!!

    Reply

    1. Hey Angela,
      Happy Sunday!! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for making it and your review! xT

      Reply

  11. 5 stars
    So. Very. Good.
    Made half a batch the first time, just to try them out. Realized pretty quickly this was a whole batch recipe. We ate them very quickly!

    Reply

    2. Hey Sara,
      Happy Friday!!🥑🍑 I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it and sharing your review! xT

      Reply

    1. Thanks so much Krista!! I just used a toothpick to swirl the peanut butter:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT

      Reply

  13. 5 stars
    Made these tonight and they remind me of two other similar recipes on your site, one had an oat bottom and another was more a soft/cookie bottom. These, though, are my absolute favorite now. Can you really go wrong with krispie, AND CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER? Ah! Thank you for this fabulous recipe!

    Reply

    1. Hey Haley,
      Happy Sunday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! xT

      Reply

      1. Hi Krista,
        Yes, that would work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT

        Reply