No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Sea Salt
Rich no-bake bars combining smooth peanut butter and chocolate, topped with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a perfect balance of sweet and salty. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 15 minutes layers creamy peanut butter, (1 stick) unsalted butter, graham cracker crumbs into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter and 1 cup creamy peanut butter together, stirring until smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs and 1 cup powdered sugar until fully combined and thick.
- Step 4: Press the peanut butter mixture evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Step 5: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.
- Step 6: Pour melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and spread evenly.
- Step 7: Immediately sprinkle 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt over the chocolate layer.
- Step 8: Refrigerate bars for at least 2 hours until firm before cutting into squares.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Sea Salt take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Sea Salt?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Sea Salt?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Sea Salt for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Sea Salt?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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