Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

These addictive no-bake peanut butter pretzel bars are the perfect sweet and salty treat everyone will love!

Peanut butter pretzel bars on a dark wooden board.

Why You’ll Love These

They are perfect any time of the year! An easy no-bake recipe for warmer weather or a tasty dessert for the holidays.

These are a homemade version of peanut butter cups that are sure to please with the addition of salty crushed pretzels! I’ve always preferred the Reese’s Easter Egg version over the regular-size peanut butter cup. It’s the ratio of more peanut butter than chocolate coating for me!

Peanut butter pretzel bars on a wooden cutting board.

Ingredients Needed

  • Peanut butter – We use creamy peanut butter but if you like even more crunch, use crunchy peanut butter.
  • Unsalted butter – There is plenty of salt with the addition of pretzels.
  • Powdered sugar – Confectioners sugar adds extra sweetness to the peanut butter and acts as a binder.
  • Pretzels – Crushed and broken into small pieces.
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips – You can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate too! Your choice.
  • Kosher salt – This is optional but highly recommended. For sprinkling over the chocolate.

The original version of the chocolate peanut butter bars recipe uses a 9×13 baking dish. It will work for that size pan if you like a thinner bar. I wanted it thicker so we use a 9-inch baking pan.

How to Make Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

Line a 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Or you can line the pan with foil.

Pretzels crushed in a food processor bowl.

Crush the pretzels to almost completely fine, leaving a few larger pieces for crunch. We do this in a food processor, but you can also place the pretzels in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin.

In a large bowl (microwave safe), melt the butter. Stir in 1 cup peanut butter, powdered sugar, and crushed pretzels.

Peanut butter mixture in a 9x9 baking pan.

Spoon the peanut butter mixture into the prepared pan and press it out into an even layer. Place in the freezer while you melt the chocolate chips.

Placing it in the freezer just helps the peanut butter mixture set up a little and makes spreading the melted chocolate easier.

Place the chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl or large measuring cup. Microwave in 20-30 second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until melted and smooth.

Peanut butter pretzel bars in a lined baking pan.

Pour the melted chocolate over the top of the bars and spread it out into an even layer. Sprinkle the broken pretzel pieces over the top and lightly press them into the chocolate layer. Sprinkle the kosher salt over the top.

Peanut butter pretzel bars on a wooden cutting board.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Remove from the pan using the overhang handles and slice into bars.

Are you on Pinterest? Click the button below to add this recipe to one of your boards!
How to Store Peanut Butter Bars

Store the chocolate pretzel bars in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

More Dessert Recipes

Peanut butter pretzel bars on a dark wooden board.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars Recipe

These addictive no-bake peanut butter pretzel bars are the perfect sweet and salty treat everyone will love!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bars, peanut butter, pretzel
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Servings: 24
Calories: 248kcal
Author: Leigh Harris

Ingredients
 

Peanut Butter Layer

  • 1 cup Peanut butter creamy
  • 3/4 cup Unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups Powdered sugar
  • 2 cups Pretzels crushed

Chocolate Topping

  • 1 1/2 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp Peanut butter creamy
  • 1/2 cup Pretzels broken into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt coarse

Instructions

Peanut butter layer

  • Line a 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  • Crush the pretzels to almost completely fine, leaving a few larger pieces for crunch. We do this in a food processor but you can also place the pretzels in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
  • In a large mixing bowl (microwave safe) melt the butter. Stir in the 1 cup peanut butter, powdered sugar, and crushed pretzels.
  • Spoon the peanut butter mixture into the prepared baking dish and press it out into an even layer. Place in the freezer while you melt the chocolate chips.
  • Place the chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl or large measuring cup. Microwave in 20-30 second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until melted and smooth.
  • Pour the melted chocolate over the top of the bars and spread it out into an even layer. Sprinkle the broken pretzel pieces over the top and lightly press them into the chocolate layer. Sprinkle the kosher salt over the top.
  • Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Remove from the pan using the overhang handles and slice into bars.

Nutrition

Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 211mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 183IU | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Share With Your Friends And Family!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *