Home > Desserts > Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars (No-Bake!) Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars (No-Bake!) September 2, 2023 | 2 Comments SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. These Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars are the ultimate salty-sweet treat, packing a punch with creamy peanut butter, crunchy pretzels, and velvety smooth chocolate. Add a sprinkle of coarsely chopped peanut butter cups and miniature chocolate chips on top, and you have a dessert that’s not only bursting with flavor, but also an exciting variety of textures. Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars Prepare to be wowed by these incredibly rich and delicious Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars! They strike a perfect balance of sweet and salty, combining the classic duo of peanut butter and chocolate in an irresistible way. And the best part? They’re super easy to whip up with no baking required! These bars are guaranteed crowd-pleasers! Thanks to their richness (enhanced even more if you opt for milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate), we recommend slicing them into small squares, similar to fudge, for bite-sized enjoyment. QUICK TIP Our preference is for thicker bars, so we suggest using a 9×9-inch pan. However, if you’re a fan of thinner bars, simply whip up this recipe in a 9×13-inch pan for a slimmer yet equally tasty treat. Pretzel Peanut Butter Bar Ingredients Crushed pretzels: These give the bars a salty crunch that contrasts nicely with the sweet elements. Use any type of pretzels you prefer – sticks, twists, or traditional knots. Just ensure you’ve crushed them pretty finely before measuring. Unsalted butter: Butter helps to bind the pretzel crust and adds a rich flavor. Use unsalted butter to control the salt content in your bars (especially since pretzels are pretty salty). Powdered sugar: This type of sugar is best for creating a smooth texture in the peanut butter layer. It dissolves easily and adds sweetness without the grittiness of granulated sugar. Creamy peanut butter: I recommend using a brand of peanut butter that you love — if you like a spoonful of the peanut butter plain, you’ll love it in these bars. We love and highly recommend Skippy® Creamy Peanut Butter (not sponsored). We don’t recommend natural peanut butter that needs stirring, since they tend to be oilier and may result in a less firm set. Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips: Your choice depends on how sweet you want your bars. Semi-sweet chips will offer a balanced sweetness that won’t overpower the peanut butter, while milk chocolate chips will make the bars sweeter and almost fudge-like. Optional Toppings Mini peanut butter cups and mini chocolate chips: These bring an added layer of flavor and texture to the Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars. Helpful Tips: Be sure to coarsely chop the mini peanut butter cups so they’re evenly distributed across the bars. Reese’s® Minis are a great choice–they don’t come individually wrapped, which saves you some prep time. Don’t hesitate to get creative with your toppings. Try crushed peanuts or additional pretzels for an extra crunch, or a dash of sea salt for a slight twist. How To Make Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars (Tips) Crush pretzels: To achieve a consistent texture in the pretzel crust, ensure your pretzels are evenly crushed. Using a food processor can make this step easier and quicker. Otherwise, a bag and meat mallet or rolling pin will do the trick! Mix the base layer: When combining the crushed pretzels, melted butter, powdered sugar, and peanut butter, make sure to mix these ingredients thoroughly. This will help the base layer to hold together better when cut. Melt the chocolate: Be careful not to overheat the chocolate when melting it with the peanut butter. Overheating can cause the chocolate to seize and become grainy. Use short intervals in the microwave, stirring thoroughly in between each burst. Chill: Don’t skip or rush the chilling step! It is essential to allow the bars to set properly, so they hold their shape when cut. Serve: These Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars can be quite rich, so consider cutting them into smaller squares for serving. Recipe Tools For this no-bake Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars recipe, you’ll need a few basic kitchen tools: 9×9-inch baking pan (or a 9×13-inch pan for thinner bars): Here is our absolute favorite 9×9-inch pan. Parchment paper: This is used to line the baking pan and makes removing the bars and cleaning up afterward easier. We love using these sheets of parchment paper and these binder clips to hold the parchment in place. Spatula or wooden spoon: These will be useful for both mixing ingredients and spreading the mixtures into the baking pan. Rolling pin or meat mallet: These can be used to crush the pretzels to the desired consistency. Sharp chef’s knife: You’ll need this for cutting the bars once they’ve set. For cleaner cuts, heat the knife by dipping it in hot water and drying it off before each cut. A chef’s knife is larger than a paring knife, and will give you better leverage when cutting. (The above links are affiliate links) STORAGE Storing Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars If not serving immediately, keep the Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll last for about a week but are best enjoyed within the first few days for optimal flavor and texture. More Chocolate and Peanut Butter Treats: Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie with an Oreo cookie crust Peanut Butter Puppy Chow with chocolate-peanut butter cups Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins made without flour Soft and chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars with a chocolate frosting Recipe adapted from Taste of Home. FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars 5 from 2 votes - Review this recipe These Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars are the ultimate salty-sweet treat, packing a punch with creamy peanut butter, crunchy pretzels, and velvety smooth chocolate. Add a sprinkle of coarsely chopped peanut butter cups and miniature chocolate chips on top, and you have a dessert that's not only bursting with flavor, but also an exciting variety of textures. SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars 5 from 2 votes - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe These Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars are the ultimate salty-sweet treat, packing a punch with creamy peanut butter, crunchy pretzels, and velvety smooth chocolate. Add a sprinkle of coarsely chopped peanut butter cups and miniature chocolate chips on top, and you have a dessert that's not only bursting with flavor, but also an exciting variety of textures. Course Dessert, treat Cuisine American, Vegetarian Keyword Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars Prep Time 25 minutes minutes Chilling Time 1 hour hour Total Time 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes Servings 16 bars Chelsea Lords Calories 375kcal Author Chelsea Lords Cost $8.94 Equipment9x9-inch or 9x13-inch pan (Note 1) Ingredients▢ 2 cups crushed pretzels (measured after crushing)▢ 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, (1 ½ sticks) melted, but not hot▢ 1½ cups powdered sugar▢ 1¼ cups creamy peanut butter, separated (Note 2)▢ 1½ cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (Note 3)▢ Optional toppings: Reese's minis, coarsely chopped, 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips InstructionsPREP: Prepare a 9x9-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper and leaving an overhang for easy removal.CRUSH PRETZELS: Crush the pretzels by placing them in a large plastic bag and using a rolling pin or meat mallet until they're mostly crumbs, with some small pretzel pieces remaining. PREPARE BASE: In a large bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, powdered sugar, and 1 cup of the peanut butter. Stir until well combined. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan and press it into an even layer. CHOCOLATE TOPPING: Add the chocolate chips and the remaining ¼ cup of peanut butter into a microwave-safe medium-sized bowl. Melt in the microwave, using 30-second bursts until mostly melted. Stir the mixture until it's fully melted and smooth. TOP BARS: Pour the chocolate and peanut butter topping over the pretzel layer, spreading it into an even layer.OPTIONAL TOPPING: If desired, coarsely chop some mini peanut butter cups and gently press them into the chocolate layer. You can also sprinkle some mini chocolate chips on top for additional texture and flavor. Refrigerate the dessert for at least 1 hour to allow the bars to set. SERVE: Use the overhang to pull the bars from the pan and place on a cutting board. Before cutting, run a very sharp knife under hot water, dry it off, then make decisive cuts to form the bars. Enjoy! Recipe NotesNote 1: Pan size: Our preference is for thicker bars, so we suggest using a 9x9-inch pan. However, if you're a fan of thinner bars, simply whip up this recipe in a 9x13-inch pan. We love using these sheets of parchment paper and these binder clips to hold the parchment in place. Note 2: Creamy peanut butter: We love and highly recommend Skippy® Creamy Peanut Butter (not sponsored). We don’t recommend natural peanut butter that needs stirring since it tends to be oilier and may result in a less firm set. Note 3: Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips: Your choice depends on how sweet you want your bars. Semi-sweet chips will offer a balanced sweetness that won't overpower the peanut butter, while milk chocolate chips will make the bars sweeter and almost fudge-like. Nutrition FactsServing: 1serving | Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 234mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 271IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below.
Regarding the peanut butter Pretzel bars i cannot have Choc have u ever use other such as white choc or another suggestion would be great thank you..I want to make this ..looks so good I will make choc version for my family but need non choc alternative Reply
