Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

Easy no bake peanut butter pretzel bars are the perfect summer dessert! A sweet and salty chocolate peanut butter bar packed with crunchy pretzels. Made with just 7 ingredients and mixes up in 10 minutes!

 

Every summer I make these Reese’s peanut butter bars for any potluck or backyard BBQ I go to and they always get gobbled up. But then I thought what if I swapped out the graham crackers for a bit of a salty crunch and use pretzels instead?

Let’s just say it was a genius move. These bars are the perfect combination of salty peanut butter and pretzels, sweet chocolate, and they have a delightful crunchy texture. We couldn’t stop eating them! 

These no bake peanut butter bars made with pretzels are the best yummy summer treat that I know everyone is going to love. 

Why This Recipe Works

• Easy no bake treat for summertime
• Sweet and salty flavor combination that everyone will love
• The bars can be made in under 30 minutes

Ingredients Needed

Note: The entire recipe, with ingredient quantities and recipe directions can be found at the bottom of the page. Scroll to the bottom or click “Jump To Recipe” button at the top of the post.

• Unsalted butter – Salted butter can also be used.
• Salt
• Pretzels – I used mini pretzels but any pretzel can be used. You can also use gluten free pretzels.
• Powdered sugar – If you don’t have any you can make your own homemade powdered sugar.
• Vanilla extract
• Peanut butter – I used creamy peanut butter (not natural style). But crunchy peanut butter could also work.
• Chocolate chips – Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips can be used. Or use baking chocolate bar chopped up.
  

How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

Line a 8×8 or 9-inch pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, salt, crushed pretzels, vanilla and powdered sugar together until combined.

Stir in 1 cup of peanut butter.

Spread into prepared pan.

In a small bowl, melt together the peanut butter and chocolate chips. Stir until smooth. You can do this in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, or in a double boiler with a small saucepan on the stovetop over low heat.

Spread the melted chocolate over the peanut butter pretzel layer. Top with more mini pretzels.

Chill in the refrigerator until completely firm, at least 2 hours. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting with a sharp knife.

Recipe Variations

• Make gluten free – To make this a gluten free treat just simply swap and use gluten-free pretzels.
• Add peanut butter chips – Stir in some peanut butter chips to the bars, or to the chocolate topping for more peanut butter flavor. Or simply sprinkle on top with the pretzels for a pretty garnish.
• Sprinkle on sea salt- Once the chocolate topping is spread on, top with a sprinkle of sea salt for an extra kick of saltiness.

Recipe FAQs

More Recipes To Try

If you’re looking for more delicious peanut butter desserts, try my peanut butter rice krispie treats! It’s like a fluffernutter in a rice krispie treat form. Or these easy peanut butter and jelly bars! It’s your favorite sandwich in a cookie bar and they are out of this world.

Or try my no bake peanut butter cheesecake for another easy no bake dessert.

Or try my peanut butter oatmeal cookies made with creamy peanut butter and peanut butter chips!