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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Looking for easy party desserts? Here are a few ideas:
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!
Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
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.
Ingredients
Chewy Peanut Krispies
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter (just peanuts and salt)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 6 cups brown rice krispies
Creamy Peanutty/Caramel Goodness
- 1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter (just peanuts and salt)
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup, plus 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- sea salt
- 12 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
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.
Can I use regular rice krispies? I can’t find brown ones.
Hi Sarah,
Sure, that will work for you! Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Am I able to use liquid coconut oil as opposed to solid?
Hi Mary,
Yes, that will be fine to use. Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Delicious…..but VERY sweet!
Hi Pamela,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback, I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed! xx
Great flavor, but 6 cups of brown Rice Krispies made the base layer too thick. Next time I will use 4 cups to make the layers more proportional.
Hi Sharon,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try and sharing your feedback! The base layer is meant to be thicker than the chocolate and peanut butter:) xx
Amazing!! I even picked fresh pear tree blossoms to decorate mine! All my friends said, “These bars are out of this world!!” I made them the vegan style. No honey. Thank you so much!
Hey Peg,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend!☀️ xx
I’m eating one right now and I can’t get enough. My entire family loved them. They’re so good. One of my new favorites! If you love peanut butter, make these!!
Hi Jennifer,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! xxT
Very yummy! I loved them. However, my husband is not a big fan of coconut. Can I substitute butter or would another oil work best? Thanks for all your great recipe! I make them several times per week. You’re a saviour
Hey Sully,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! Yes, butter will work for you! xxT
Made these today & are delicious but a little heavy on the coconut. What could I use to lessen that taste?
Hi Lynn,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try. You can use butter or another neutral oil in place of the coconut oil next time. xTieghan
If you’re not a huge fan of coconut flavor make sure you use refined coconut oil. Unrefined tastes like coconut. ??
Can’t stop making these. They are amazing!
Hi Tami,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
How did you do the beautiful design on top?
Hi Kitty,
I just used a toothpick to swirl in some peanut butter. Let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Amazing !!!!
Hi Lisa,
Happy Sunday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
Any other substitute for the honey? Not sure I have that much in my pantry (and more maple sugar seems too maple-y). Brown sugar and cream maybe?
Hi Kim,
So sorry, I am not sure how the brown sugar and cream will work for you since I haven’t tested it, I would stick with the honey:) xTieghan
These are amazingly delicious!!
Hi Danielle,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! xx
So my husband ate some of the brown rice crispy cereal so I was only able to use 5 cups instead of 6. Still doable if you’re a cup short. lol. Try for 6 cups though because my cereal mix wasn’t always together.
This recipe is so easy and so good. Thanks for another great one, Tieghan!
Hey Kristie,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Hands down the best dessert I’ve ever made. Can’t wait to make this again and again!!
Hey Katie,
Happy Sunday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it!! ? xx