Creamy, nutty peanut butter squares are also called peanut butter bars, Buckeye bars, and lunch lady peanut butter bars. Whatever you call this easy recipe, that thick rich layer of peanut butter mixed with crunchy graham cracker crumbs then topped with gooey chocolate will be a hit with your family and friends.

Three peanut butter squares topped with a layer of chocolate stacked with more stacked on a plate int he background on a counter.

Table of Contents

Why We Love Peanut Butter Squares

Peanut Butter Lovers Go Nuts – Creamy, sweet and topped with just enough chocolate, if you have a peanut butter fan they will love these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars.
No Bake Recipe With Limited Ingredients – Only a few simple ingredients, and most of the time is spent waiting for these bars to finish chilling! Perfect treat to make ahead fast.
Great For Parties And Cookie Trays – While this easy peanut butter square recipe is perfect for summertime, it’s also always gobbled up off the Christmas cookie trays. Add a few holiday sprinkles to make them even more fun.
Swap The Chocolate Chips – Milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips can also be in this recipe.

Ingredients For Peanut Butter Squares

1/2 cup butter melted
2 ⅓ cups graham cracker crumbs about 18 long rectangular crackers equals 2 1/3 cup crumbs
1 3/4 cups peanut butter divided
2 cups powdered sugar – also known as confectioners’ sugar
1/1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

If you love peanut butter flavor in desserts, try the peanut butter balls with rice krispes, peanut butter buckeyes or peanut butter rice krispie treats! Or make a pie version with this easy no bake buckeye pie.

How To Make Peanut Butter Squares

Line a square 8×8 pan or baking dish with parchment paper. Place the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Melt the butter in the microwave, about 1 minute. Set the butter to the side.
Place the graham crackers into a large ziptop bag. Crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs with a rolling pin. Set the crumbs to the side.

Graham crackers in a large ziplock bag from above with peanut butter and melted butter in bowls nearby on the counter from overhead.

In a large bowl add 1 ½ cups of peanut butter and the melted butter. With a silicone spatula stir until fully mixed.
Add one cup of the powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture and mix with the silicone spatula until combined. Mix in the second cup of powdered sugar and mix until fully combined.

Powdered sugar being mixed into the peanut butter mixture in a large bowl from above.

Fold the graham cracker crumbs into the peanut butter mixture with a silicone spatula. The dough will be thick and moldable.

Graham crackers being mixed into the peanut butter mixture in a large bowl from above.

Push the peanut butter dough into the bottom of the parchment paper lined pan evenly to form the bottom layer. Set a second piece of parchment paper over the dough. With the bottom of a small flat measuring cup, press into the parchment paper to smooth the peanut butter dough.

Peanut butter graham cracker mixture in a square pan from above with a measuring cup and parchment paper on the counter nearby.

Place the chocolate chips and ¼ cup of peanut butter in a third bowl. Microwave the chocolate and peanut butter at half power. Stir the mixture every 30 seconds until a smooth sauce forms, about three minutes total.

Chocolate melted in a bowl with the peanut butter graham cracker mixture in a pan nearby from overhead on a counter.

Pour the chocolate over the top of the peanut butter layer and smooth it over the top evenly. Put the pan of peanut butter bars in the refrigerator for an hour and a half to chill.

Peanut butter bars topped with chocolate in a square pan from above on a counter.

With the parchment paper, lift the peanut butter chocolate bars out of the pan onto a large cutting board. Score the tops of the bars into small squares with a large knife by gently pressing the knife into the chocolate to form lines. Then slice the bars along the lines so they cut smoothly and evenly.

Peanut butter bars topped with chocolate sliced into pieces from above on parchment paper.

Serve cold and enjoy!

Peanut butter squares topped in chocolate stacked high on a plate.

I made these peanut butter squares and left a few for our pet sitter when we went out of town. She left me a note saying it was the best dessert she had ever eaten, and asking for the recipe. Definitely means this recipe is a winner! I will also give her my easy three ingredient peanut butter dog cookies recipe for her clients.

Variation Ideas

Add Sprinkles, Peanut Butter Cups Or Mini M&M Candies– Right after adding the chocolate layer, add sprinkles, chopped peanut butter cups or mini M&Ms on top of the bars to customize your treats.

Drizzle With Colorful Chocolates– Use colorful chocolates, also known as candy melts, to create fun colorful decorations. Just melt and drizzle the chocolate!

Use Crunchy or Smooth Peanut Butter- Either crunchy or creamy peanut butter works in this recipe. I don’t recommend a natural peanut butter with the oil on top of the nut butter as it can separate in the dessert.

How Long Will Peanut Butter Squares Last?

Expect these peanut butter squares will last for about 5-7 days. Store leftover peanut butter squares in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator.

These peanut butter bars will freeze well. I like to freeze them after cutting them into slices on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Then once frozen, place them in a freezer zip-top bag for storage. Expect frozen chocolate peanut butter bars will taste their best if eaten within 2-3 months.

A peanut butter square missing a bite on the counter with more in the background on a plate.

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Close up square view of a peanut butter square topped with chocolate missing a bite on a counter.

Peanut Butter Squares

Author Kristy Richardson

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 17

Cook Time 3

Chill Time 1 30

Total Time 1 50

Creamy and full of peanut butter flavor, these chocolate peanut butter squares are the perfect no-bake dessert. Peanut butter fans go crazy for these gooey bars!

Ingredients

▢ 1/2 cup butter melted
▢ 2 ⅓ cups graham cracker crumbs about 18 long rectangular crackers equals 2 1/3 cup crumbs
▢ 1 3/4 cups peanut butter divided
▢ 2 cups powdered sugar also known as confectioners' sugar
▢ 1/1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Line a square 8×8 pan with parchment paper. Place the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Melt the butter in the microwave, about 1 minutes. Set the butter to the side.
Place the graham crackers into a large ziptop bag. Crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs with a rolling pin. Set the crumbs to the side.
In a large mixing bowl add 1 ½ cups of peanut butter and the melted butter. With a silicone spatula stir until fully mixed.
Add one cup of the powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture and mix with the silicone spatula until combined. Mix in the second cup of powdered sugar and mix until fully combined.
Fold the graham cracker crumbs into the peanut butter mixture with a silicone spatula. The dough will be thick and moldable.
Push the peanut butter dough into the bottom of the parchment paper lined pan evenly. Set a second piece of parchment paper over the dough. With the bottom of a small flat measuring cup, press into the parchment paper to smooth the peanut butter dough.
Place the chocolate chips and ¼ cup of peanut butter in a third bowl. Microwave the chocolate and peanut butter at half power. Stir the mixture every 30 seconds until a smooth sauce forms, about three minutes total.
Pour the chocolate over the peanut butter dough and smooth it over the top evenly. Put the pan of peanut butter bars in the refrigerator for an hour and a half to chill.
With the parchment paper, lift the peanut butter chocolate bars out of the pan onto a large cutting board. Score the tops of the bars into small squares with a large knife by gently pressing the knife into the chocolate to form lines. Then slice the bars along the lines so they cut smoothly and evenly. Serve cold and enjoy!