Crunchy No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

These no-bake Peanut Butter Bars with a chocolate ganache and peanut butter swirl are irresistible treats. Easy to prepare and flourless, they require no eggs, no oven and just five simple ingredients.

Why we love this recipe

I love any good no-bake peanut butter dessert—whether energy balls, cookies or bars. Peanut butter is a fantastic base for no-bake sweets, and when paired with chocolate it becomes a clear winner. Adding crunchy cornflakes gives these bars a wonderful contrast of textures: crunchy, chewy and chocolatey all at once. They make a perfect morning or afternoon snack and are well-loved by both kids and adults.

Ingredients

This recipe only needs five ingredients and contains no flour or eggs. Most items are pantry staples, so the bars are quick and straightforward to make.

For the peanut butter layer

The base is a crunchy peanut butter layer made with cornflakes instead of graham crackers for extra crispness.

• Cornflakes — use gluten-free if needed
• Unsalted butter — or salted if you prefer a sweet-and-salty balance
• Peanut butter — smooth works well; crunchy peanut butter adds more texture
• Icing sugar — powdered sugar

For the chocolate layer

The chocolate topping uses just two ingredients.

• Dark cooking chocolate — around 70% or your preferred cooking chocolate
• Smooth peanut butter — for a clean swirl

Ingredient substitutions

This recipe is forgiving and easy to adapt for dietary needs.

• Cornflakes: Any crushed breakfast flakes will work, though texture may vary. Crushed biscuits or crackers are alternatives.
• Butter: Swap for a plant-based spread or coconut oil to make the bars dairy-free or vegan.
• Peanut butter: Try almond butter, cashew butter or tahini for different flavors.
• Icing sugar: Some recipes use liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, but this version is tested with icing sugar and substitutions may change texture.
• Dark chocolate: Use a milder cooking chocolate or milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter finish.

How to make peanut butter bars without graham crackers

Although this recipe doesn’t use graham crackers, it follows the same simple method as many peanut butter no-bake bars. The process has three main steps:

1. Crush the cornflakes, combine them with the peanut butter mixture and chill until set.
2. Pour a melted chocolate layer over the set base.
3. Add dollops of peanut butter and swirl for a pretty finish, then chill until firm.

Cornflakes peanut butter layer

• Crush the cornflakes until you have small crumbs. You can do this in a sealed bag with a rolling pin, but a food processor is fastest. Blend for 1–2 minutes—stop before they become powdery, you want small crumbs for crunch.
• Melt the butter and peanut butter together, then whisk in the icing sugar until smooth.
• Fold the crushed cornflakes into the peanut butter mixture, pour into a lined baking tray and spread evenly. Tap the tray to remove air bubbles and chill for 1–1.5 hours, or until firm.

Dark chocolate layer

• Melt the chocolate using a double boiler (bain-marie) or carefully in short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
• Pour the melted chocolate over the chilled peanut butter base and smooth with an offset spatula.

Peanut butter swirl

The swirl is optional but attractive. Drop small dollops of peanut butter onto the warm chocolate and use a skewer or small knife to create a marbled pattern. Return the tray to the fridge and chill for another 1–1.5 hours, until the chocolate is fully set.

Recipe FAQ

More no-bake peanut butter desserts

• Salted caramel oat squares
• Cranberry oat no-bake bars
• Vegan no-bake mango cheesecake
• Raw crispy chocolate cups
• No-bake blueberry tartlets
• Raw raspberry cheesecake cups

Made this recipe?
Leave a comment below and tag us on Instagram @a.baking.journey with a photo of your creation!

Recipe