2-Layer No-Bake Peanut Butter Brownie Bars

GFVGVDF
Jump to Recipe
Stack of homemade No Bake Peanut Butter Brownie Bars

Oh, hey there. Today I have one of my very favorite addictions for you – chocolate & peanut butter. Is there anything better?

Ingredients for No-Bake Peanut Butter Brownie Bars in a food processor
Food processor of peanut butter batter and stack of Peanut Butter Brownie Bars

Ever since making my “raw” brownies + peanut butter pattie dough, I couldn’t help but wonder how the two would pair together. Just as I suspected, they make one seriously sweet couple. I mean look at ’em. Look at ’em, would ya?!

How could you go wrong when you start with a base that looks like this?!

Raw Brownie Crumbles for making our No-Bake Peanut Butter Brownie Bars recipe
Dough for the peanut butter layer of our Brownie Bars recipe

This recipe, so simple. And so quick!

First make your brownie layer with 5 ingredients, then your PB layer with 4 ingredients. Smash one on top of the other, just like when you were a kid making mud pies in your backyard (am I the only one?) Next thing you know, bam! You have a 2-layer no-bake PB-chocolate dream on your hands.

I could cozy up next to these bars alllll night. Don’t even get me started on if they were crumbled over ice cream. Whoa mama.

Sliced batch of our Peanut Butter No-Bake Brownies

The chocolate layer complements the peanut butter layer perfectly and they remain tender, soft and not too sweet. These make a lovely dessert, mid-afternoon snack or post-workout bite. I kept mine in the freezer by preference and nibbled on corners throughout the day. They go perfect alongside ice cold almond milk. Good thing we had new friends move into the neighborhood to share with or I’d have eaten these all by myself!

Serious yum.

Showing the distinct peanut butter and brownie layers of our PB Brownie Bars
Stack of delicious vegan No-Bake Peanut Butter Brownie Bars

2-Layer No-Bake Peanut Butter Brownie Bars

2-layer no-bake dessert bars with a brownie “crust” and a peanut butter top!
Author Minimalist Baker
Print
Stack of 2-Layer No-Bake Peanut Butter Brownie Bars
4.91 from 20 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 20 (bars)
Course Dessert
Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan
Freezer Friendly 2-3 Weeks
Does it keep? Store in freezer.

Ingredients

BROWNIE LAYER

  • 1 cup raw walnuts
  • 1/2 cup raw almonds
  • ~1 cup dates (medjool or deglet noor // pitted)
  • 1/4 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips (non-dairy for vegan)
  • 1/2 heaping cup unsweetened cocoa or raw cacao powder
  • 1 pinch sea salt

PEANUT BUTTER LAYER

  • 1/2 cup pitted dates
  • 1/2 cup raw almonds
  • 1 cup roasted salted peanuts (if unsalted, add salt to taste)
  • 1/2 cup natural salted peanut butter (if unsalted, add salt to taste)

Instructions

  • To make the brownie layer, pulse dates in the food processor until small bits remain. Remove from processor and set aside in a small bowl. Add walnuts, almonds, chocolate chips and cocoa powder in the processor and pulse until well combined. Then, while the processor is running, drop small bits of the dates in until a dough is formed. It should begin to ball up at some point. If it remains too dry, add a couple more whole (pitted) dates until a dough is achieved.
  • Press into an 8×8 pan (or one of similar size // adjust if altering batch size) lined with parchment or plastic wrap. This makes it easier to lift out and cut.
  • Press until flat using your hands or a spatula. Pop in the freezer.
  • To make peanut butter layer, process dates until small bits remain. Remove and set aside in a bowl. Then add raw almonds and peanuts and pulse until small bits remain. Add back in peanut butter and the dates and process until well combined. Press on top of brownie layer until smooth. Using plastic wrap or parchment can help get it completely flat.
  • Freeze for at least 15 minutes before removing from pan and cutting. Cut into about 20 squares (I cut mine too big and would prefer smaller bites // adjust if altering batch size). Store in an airtight container to keep fresh. I keep mine in the freezer so they stay fresh for weeks.

Notes

*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.

Nutrition (1 of 20 servings)

Serving: 1 bars Calories: 204 Carbohydrates: 17 g Protein: 6.8 g Fat: 13 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 80 mg Fiber: 3.5 g Sugar: 10 g

Did You Make This Recipe?

Tag @minimalistbaker on Instagram and hashtag it #minimalistbaker so we can see all the deliciousness!

If you love this recipe...

Get Our Fan Favorites eBook Here!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rating!

Have a question? Use ctrl+f or ⌘+f on your computer or the "find on page" function on your phone browser to search existing comments! Need help? Check out this tutorial!

My Rating:




  1. Emily says

    These are so yummy! My family loved them. I’m looking to double the recipe next time and make in a 9 x 13. Any idea how long I should bake for? Thank you!

  2. Holly says

    Incredible as is, but we also love substituting almond butter for the peanut butter, and raw hazelnuts for the roasted peanuts – A-mazing 😁 Best treats ever, as voted by my family. So thankful for your recipes!!!

  3. Lilly says

    oh my goodness me…. I have been eyeing up this recipe for weeks and purposely putting off making it as I know i would eat it all.

    it is PERFECT, thank you such much Dana you are so talented.

    I subbed roasted peanuts for extra PB ( Manilife creamy which is the best) and the whole tray has gone, as expected.

    THANK YOU DANA! xx

  4. Emily says

    WOW! The chocolate-peanut butter combo blows me away every time. I just made these and have them chilling in the freezer, but I tried a bit (okay, more than a bit) already and they’re soo rich and satisfying. Can’t wait to share these!

  5. Christine says

    Just made these last night (and am currently eating one for breakfast) and they are AMAZING. They taste just like a reeses cup! I love the crumbly-ish texture of the peanutbutter layer.

    I think my favorite part is that when you keep them in the freezer after you’ve cut them into little squares, they just pop out so easily and are still soft enough to eat! Makes for a great little snack or dessert at the last minute. I cut mine into 20 squares and agree that because of how rich they are, the smaller bites are ideal.

    Will be making these again!

  6. Karen says

    These were incredible! I really packed the layers tight. My husband is hard to please and he LOVES these. Thank you.

  7. Sam says

    Hi Dana! I am so excited to make these! Is there anything I could sub for the walnuts in case of allergy?

    Thank you!! :)

  8. Kelli H (Made in Sonoma says

    David and I made these for Valentines Day as our dessert. OMG, they were so good! We’re huge fans of them and will be making them again.

  9. Sierra says

    I made these today and they turned out wonderfully! Peanut butter and chocolate is my absolute favourite flavour combination. Thank you once again Dana. Perfect for when you have a little sweet craving – so much better than reaching for a chocolate bar or other processed treat.

  10. Reece says

    Very very yummy, but need a good processor to make fine date paste. My date paste had a little pieces still left in it, but still the dessert tasted great! Add some maple syrup to the peanut layer for an extra punch of flavor!

  11. Diane says

    I just made these with a small processor and it took me a lot longer than twenty minutes. Looking forward to tasting them! For the girl without a processor, I can’t imagine making these with only a knife. Myself I eschew expensive kitchen tools, preferring to spend my dough on hundred- year old bowls or other nonsense. But a small ten dollar processor can be found at just about any kitchen department store and I highly recommend it.

  12. Robin says

    I made these for my family- they were A-MAZING!!!! So Amazing, that my husband asked me to make 3 batches to take to his work party! Yay!!!

  13. Kate says

    What if I said I NEED A SUPPORT GROUP to stop me from eating these? O.M.G., I’m not joking. I’m speechless. 3 batches later!! I bring them wherever I go, because, what if I get stuck without one when I want one? Truth be told, don’t eat so many, you’ll get a belly ache, I only know from experience!! These are truly, in my opinion, the best no sugar chocolate peanut butter marriage made in heaven I’ve found yet. If you grew up on Reeses, as I did, and got your wits about you to stop eating the crap food, as I did, you will be in love, and grateful as to how easy these are to make. UNREAL. You guys get the prize!! Well done. I need to go, I see another bar staring at me………… HELP!!!

    As a note, I made three different kinds of no sugar bars for over the holidays, and these were not the others’ favorites, they said this one was a tad dry. I double batched, and so I think the peanut butter layer wasn’t as mixed and mushy as it could have been. Let the food processor go a bit, my double batch prevented me from finishing in the processor, had to continue in the KitchenAid, so I don’t think it got as ‘buttery’ as my first batch, it was a bit more crumbly.

  14. Gloria says

    I made them last night, I had no salted peanuts, but I added a little more peanut butter. They’re just what I savor in my mind. I had three pieces this morning. I can’t wait to share them with family and friends, I am sure they will love them too. Simply Delish!!!!

  15. Jana says

    Absolutely amazingly good stuff….. even my boyfriend really likes them. super easy and fast and SUPER delicious…. Gave them to try everyone I know and only amazing comments… definitely will make them again :)))

    Jana

  16. Swang says

    I Love this!! Brownie- I love it!! Peanut Butter- I Love it! Both together? Totally love it! Great recipe, will definitely try and comment again. :)

  17. Claire says

    I just made these brownies yesterday, and they turned out great! They are delicious, hold together well, and literally look exactly like the picture. How often does that happen?? My dates were a tad dry, so I added a couple teaspoons of water to the batter while I was blending it together. Wonderful vegan recipe! I will certainly make it again.

  18. Diane says

    Made these last night after finding a few weeks ago. First, dough was too much to fit in 8×8 and needed 9 in. round, no problem. Finished slivers were then wedge-shaped and very pretty. But: I wanted to love these but they didn’t mix as evenly as I would have liked, making the “brownie” layer a little lopsided with too much raw cocoa flavor in some bites. That might have been me, but it made these more healthy-rich and less brownie-rich tasting. Still, a nice treat with milk or coffee.

  19. Mycale E says

    Oh sweet lawd! I’ve been stalking this recipe for a while and finally made them tonight. These are worthy of a haiku:

    Lärabars these top
    Yummy nutty choco love
    Bliss in Oregon

  20. Kendra says

    Do you think it would work to cook the dates to mash them? My blender isn’t quite up to blending whole dates..:) These look good!

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      Kendra, cooking the dates would probably not be good, but simply soaking them in a bit of hot water and then finely chopping and scraping them with a knife to get them sticky would probably work better. Hope that helps!

  21. Marilyn says

    These are awesome. I could not wait for the dates (I used maple syrup and a bit of coconut oil), plus I had pecans so I used some pecans, almonds and walnuts for the base. I used peanut/hazelnut butter almonds, and a teeny bit of maple syrup for the top. I will try these with dates when I get some. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!

  22. Rebecca B says

    I just made these for a friends birthday and let me tell you these are OUT OF THIS WORLD GOOD! They taste exactly like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups without all of the artificial aftertaste. The crunch of all of the nuts and creaminess of the peanut butter make for an absolutely indulgent dessert. The best part is they are so rich you all need a little bit to satisfy. Dates are amazing. No one can believe that there is no sugar. Thank you so so much for this recipe. I will be making it all the time!

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      Rebecca, yay! I know I love dates, too! They make sugar-free desserts a total possibility. Plus, they’re better than traditional desserts most the time!

  23. Lyis says

    I made these for a picnic with friends and everybody LOVED them. Brought the rest to share on our cycling club’s hill-training ride this morning, and now they’re GONE!! Nobody could believe how healthful the ingredients are. Gonna make more tomorrow — they’re really wonderful, and will become a staple in our house. Thank you SOOOOO much for posting this fantastic recipe!! :-)

  24. Alicia @Bakeaholic says

    Omg! These look amazing – I’ve been trying tons of raw, vegan healthy dessert/treat recipes lately and these look so good. I will definitely have to make them!! Thanks for sharing! and of course, the best combination ever is pb & chocolate

  25. Turtle says

    Just made these, subbing a little extra pb for the peanuts, as I had none. Look wonderful, taste delicious. Used a 9×12 pan, cut into 32 bars, worked out to 126 calories each. Perfect size, very satisfying, lovely with a nice cuppa. Thanks for the recipe!

  26. Siew Hwee says

    These bars look great and I’m drooling…. I better go and make them before I faint! Thanks for sharing this great recipe with us!

  27. Mariam says

    YUM! Well it’s a good thing my dad just came home with a giant box of medjool dates cos I am so making these!

  28. Abby says

    Made these today! I swapped out the chocolate chips for a T. of coconut oil and extra 2 T. of cocoa powder. (Used a few T. of almond milk to bring both of the “doughs” together.)

    So. Excited.

  29. melissa says

    yum! that is next on my to-do list. quick question: does the almonds have to be raw? I have a whole bunch of roasted almonds and would love to use that rather than going out to buy raw ones.

    thx,
    melis

  30. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says

    oh lord i want this in my mouth now – i am going to the grocery store just to buy ingredients for this one today!

  31. pen&pudding says

    there are no words for my reaction to these bars, just an open mouthed expression of “where have you been all my life???”

  32. Jenny @ BAKE says

    these look incredible! I can’t believe you didn’t have to bake them you would never guess!

  33. Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog says

    Yum! These look so delicious – better than a peanut butter cup because there is never enough pb. The chocolate/pb ratio is way off!

  34. Sarah | The Sugar Hit says

    Your photography? I can’t even handle it. And your bars? Those I can handle. Handle in my belly.

  35. Alexandra @ Lean Green Healthy Machine says

    Peanut butter and chocolate can never go wrong! Thanks for sharing a quick and easy no-bake recipe…with this heat, delicious dessert recipes like these are essential!!

  36. Jamieanne says

    Oh my, these look incredible! Too bad I only have 3 dates or I’d be making this right now! I’m definitely getting more dates next time I’m at the store and making these straight away! YUM!!!

  37. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says

    Oh my gosh!! this totally made my day!!! i love brownies and pb, and this combo is just the perfect dessert for me :D

  38. alexandra @ sweet betweens blog says

    oh. my. word. just when I think your latest recipe can’t be topped, you go and do something ridiculous like this. cannot WAIT to recreate this in my kitchen! thanks for sharing!

  39. Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen says

    Yes! I just made a similar brownie bite and the peanut butter portion looks like the perfect compliment!

  40. Tieghan says

    Yes, yes, yes!! I love these bars. Peanut butter and brownies and no bake! Making these as soon as possible!