No Bake M&M Peanut Butter Bars are the perfect no-bake dessert to make this summer! Graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter and both chocolate chips and M&M’s combine in this sweet and salty treat.
Unlike edible cookie dough recipes where there’s raw flour in the mix, this one is a bit different. No flour! With graham cracker crumbs in the peanut butter mixture you have a great binder to the ingredients that adds flavor, texture, and means there are no extra steps for cooking flour to make it safe to consume. See the appeal? I thought so.
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Making this bar treat is very simple and easy. My teenage daughter made them! I bet you can have your kids help with a few of the steps. Pressing the batter to the bottom of the pan and sprinkling M&M’s on top would be a perfect job for those little hands to get messy (and keep yours clean).
Do I need to use a microwave?
Do I need to use a microwave?This recipe does request that you use a microwave to melt the chocolate for the top of the bar dessert, but you can melt your chocolate in a double broiler on the stovetop if you don’t have a microwave. I personally like the microwave method because it’s faster and a little easier, but both methods work fine.
Can I use creamy peanut butter?
Chunky peanut butter adds extra texture and crunch to these bars. But you can use creamy peanut butter if you’d like! I’m a fan of using what you have on hand or what you enjoy.
Peanut Butter Bar Ingredients
Peanut Butter Bar IngredientsHere’s what you’ll need:
-graham cracker crumbs (you can also blend your own in a food processor!)
-1 cube of butter
-powdered sugar
-chunky peanut butter (use what you like, but I LOVE chunky peanut butter!)
-semisweet chocolate chips
-vanilla extract
-mini M&Ms
Making Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Making Chocolate Peanut Butter BarsIn a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.
Stir in the powdered sugar and peanut butter and then press into the bottom of a greased 8-in. square pan.
In the microwave or in a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips and then stir until smooth. Spread the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer.
Sprinkle the M&Ms on top. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes longer. Slice and serve!
Bars will be soft if not stored in the refrigerator. I like to take them out about 10 minutes before serving.
No Bake M&M Peanut Butter Bars
No Bake M&M Peanut Butter Bars are the perfect no-bake dessert to make this summer! Graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter and both chocolate chips and M&M’s combine in this sweet and salty treat.
Print Pin Rate
Servings: 12
Calories: 372kcal
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Graham Cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup Butter, melted
- 1 cup Powdered sugar
- 1 cup Chunky peanut butter
- 1 cup Semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup Mini M&Ms
Instructions
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In a bowl, combine cracker crumbs and butter.
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Stir in sugar and peanut butter.
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Press into a greased 8-in. square pan.
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In a microwave or double boiler, melt the chocolate chips for about 45 seconds- 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Spread over peanut butter layer. Sprinkle M&Ms on top.
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Chill until firm, about 30 minutes longer. Store bars in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 212mg | Potassium: 255mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 257IU | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 2mg
What are some fun candies to add to these peanut butter bars?
Adding chopped Reese’s pieces, peanut butter filled M&M’s or even chopped peanuts to the top of these bars would be a fun variation of the topping idea if you don’t have any mini M&M’s available. You could even eat it without the additional toppings if preferred.
Can I freeze no bake peanut butter bars?
If you choose to freeze these bars, you may want to cut them into individual sized portions and wrap in plastic wrap first. Then you can store them in a larger Ziploc bag or airtight container to keep them lasting longer. Now when you want a piece you can just grab one and go. Just note that the chocolate may separate and develop a white chalky texture or appearance the longer it’s frozen. This is a normal thing for chocolate and still perfectly safe to eat.
With an easy to make sweet recipe like this on hand you are going to love all of the chocolate and peanut buttery goodness often. You can never have too much of these yummy no bake M&M peanut butter bars!
No Bake M&M Peanut Butter Bars are the perfect no-bake dessert to make this summer! Graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter and both chocolate chips and M&M’s combine in this sweet and salty treat.
