No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bars with Three Delicious Layers

These no-bake chocolate peanut butter fudge bars are the ultimate dessert bar for anyone who loves the combination of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy. With three distinct layers—each with its own texture and flavor—they taste like a gourmet version of a peanut butter cup, but they’re incredibly easy to make. No oven, no special tools, no hassle. Just simple pantry staples transformed into something utterly crave-worthy.

They may look fancy with those clean layers and glossy chocolate top, but they’re deceptively simple. You’ll start with a buttery graham cracker peanut butter crust, add a thick, creamy peanut butter fudge center, and finish it off with a smooth chocolate ganache topping. Chill, slice, and serve!

Perfect for holidays, potlucks, bake sales, or just your freezer stash of “treats for emergencies,” these bars never fail to satisfy.

Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bars

• Three Layers of Flavor and Texture: Buttery base, creamy middle, and glossy chocolate topping—it’s everything you want in a bar.
• No-Bake and Foolproof: If you can melt and stir, you can make these. No oven needed!
• Better Than a Peanut Butter Cup: Richer, creamier, and with more contrast in texture.
• Great for Make-Ahead: Keep them chilled or frozen and they’re always ready when you need them.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Who doesn’t love chocolate and peanut butter together?

Ingredients You’ll Need (and Why)

For the Peanut Butter Crust:

• Graham cracker crumbs – These give the base its crunch and nutty, toasty flavor. They also help hold everything together without baking.
• Powdered sugar – Sweetens the base and helps bind the crumbs.
• Peanut butter – Acts as a binder and adds rich, salty-sweet nutty flavor. Use creamy for the smoothest texture.
• Melted butter – Moistens the crust and helps it set firm once chilled.

For the Peanut Butter Fudge Layer:

• Peanut butter – The star of the show. Creates the creamy fudge-like middle layer that melts in your mouth.
• Powdered sugar – Thickens and sweetens the filling to a candy-like consistency.
• Vanilla extract – Adds depth of flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Salt – Enhances the peanut flavor and keeps the sweetness from becoming overwhelming.

For the Chocolate Ganache Topping:

• Chocolate chips or chopped chocolate – The top layer should be rich, glossy, and indulgent. Use semi-sweet or dark chocolate for balance.
• Peanut butter or heavy cream – Helps smooth out the chocolate and makes it spreadable while adding extra flavor.

How to Make No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bars

Step 1: Make the Base
In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, peanut butter, and melted butter. Stir until evenly mixed and press firmly into the bottom of a parchment-lined baking pan. Chill briefly to set while preparing the next layer.

Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Fudge Layer
In another bowl, mix together peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth and thick. Spread over the chilled crust and smooth the top. Chill again to help firm it up.

Step 3: Make the Chocolate Topping
Melt chocolate and peanut butter or cream together until smooth and glossy. Pour over the peanut butter layer and spread evenly. Tap the pan gently to level the top.

Step 4: Chill and Slice
Refrigerate until fully set—about 2–3 hours or overnight. Once firm, lift the bars out using the parchment, slice into clean squares or rectangles, and enjoy.

Tips for Success

• Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean slicing.
• Use creamy peanut butter (not natural) for best texture and stability.
• Chill well before slicing to get perfect layers and clean edges.
• Warm your knife under hot water and wipe it between slices for neat, bakery-style bars.
• Sprinkle with flaky salt before the chocolate sets for a sweet-salty finish.

Storage Instructions

Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze the bars for up to 2 months—just layer parchment between pieces so they don’t stick.

Let frozen bars thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.

Enjoy!

These no-bake chocolate peanut butter fudge bars are rich, sweet, salty, and absolutely irresistible. They come together in minutes and disappear even faster. Whether you’re bringing them to a gathering or hoarding them in the back of your fridge (we won’t judge), they’re sure to become a new favorite.