Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars — These peanut butter chocolate bars are loaded with chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter. This is a one-bowl dessert you’re bound to love!
Addicting Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
I have so many peanut butter dessert recipes on my blog, but you can never have too many. That’s what I tell myself anyway.
Check out the Related Recipes below for a small sampling of all the peanut butter bars I’ve made on my blog. And there’s at least a dozen more in my cookbook, Peanut Butter Comfort.
When I want an easy, fuss-free recipe that I know everyone will love, I call upon my trusty blondie base. With 35+ versions and counting, it never lets me down.
It’s an easy recipe to memorize because everything is ‘one’. In the 1 bowl used, melt 1 stick of butter, stir in 1 egg, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla, and 1 cup flour.
For these peanut butter chocolate chip bars, I added 1 cup chocolate chips and peanut butter. The only thing that’s not ‘one’ is the amount peanut butter (1/3 cup).
I made these peanut butter chocolate bars in a hot, un-airconditioned kitchen which contributed to the melty look!
These peanut butter chocolate chip bars are super soft, slightly chewy, buttery, and peanut buttery. Between the butter and the peanut butter, they’re super moist and just melt in your mouth.
There’s an abundance of chocolate in every bite. There’s no other way to do chocolate other than in abundance. These peanut butter bars were definitely worth heating my house up for.
What’s in Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars?
For this chocolate peanut butter dessert recipe, you’ll need:
- Unsalted butter
- Peanut butter
- Egg
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Chocolate chips
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
I love how quick and easy these chocolate chip peanut butter bars are to whip up! Here’s an overview of how the bars come together:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, vanilla, brown sugar, and peanut butter.
- Stir in the flour and chocolate chips and mix until just combined.
- Turn the batter into a greased 8×8-inch pan and sprinkle a few more chocolate chips on top for good measure.
- Bake the peanut butter chocolate chip bars until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- You’ll need to let them cool in the pan for 30 minutes before slicing and serving (I took these photos in Aruba on a very hot day, so my bars were pretty melty).
Can I Double This Recipe?
Yes, you can easily double the ingredients in this recipe and bake these peanut butter chocolate bars in a 9×13-inch pan. Just note that the bake time will differ, so keep an eye on your bars near the end of their bake time.
Can I Bake the Bars in a 9×9-Inch Pan?
This recipe calls for an 8×8-inch metal baking dish. If you only have a 9×9-inch pan on hand, that’s fine. Just note that the bars will be thinner and that you’ll need to reduce the bake time.
Can I Use Oil Instead of Melted Butter?
No, oil can’t be substituted for the melted butter in this recipe. Your bars won’t have the correct texture if you use oil!
Can I Use Another Kind of Chocolate Chips?
Of course! You can use peanut butter chips as well in these peanut butter bars, or you can chop up a chocolate bar if you don’t have chips on hand.
White chocolate chips are also tasty with peanut butter.
Can I Use a Natural Peanut Butter?
No, you don’t want to use natural peanut butter for these peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars as it has a tendency to be too oily or to separate.
You want to use a peanut butter brand like Jif, Skippy, or Peter Pan.
Can I Use Another Nut Butter?
I’ve only made the peanut butter bars recipe as written. You might be able to use another nut butter if it’s a no-stir variety, but I can’t say for sure.
Cookie butter and almond butter would by my two suggestions.
Leave me a comment below if you try it out and the recipe works for you!
Tips for Making Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
Glass vs. metal pans: For this recipe, I used a metal 8×8-inch pan. If you bake with a glass pan, it may alter your bake time since metal conducts heat better than glass.
Flour: I’ve never made these peanut butter chocolate chip bars with anything other than all-purpose flour, so I can’t speak to whether gluten-free flour or whole wheat flour would work for this recipe. Same thing goes for egg replacers.
Vanilla: If desired, you can scale back on the amount of vanilla you add to these bars. I always add at least 2 teaspoons of vanilla to my baked goods because I love the flavor it lends to any bar or brownie I make, but feel free to adjust the amount to suit your personal tastes.
What Readers Are Saying
This recipe was originally published in August of 2014 and I am sharing it again in June 2022 for newer readers. At that time I had a small child and now I have a high schooler. Time truly does fly!
Readers love these peanut butter chocolate chip bars! Here are just a few of the 5-star reviews that have been left on this recipe.
“I’ve made these twice in the last 2 weeks and they are easy, absolute yumminess! I used 2 tsp. vanilla extract, and definitely be sure to cool (though it was hard for my sweetie to resis!) at least 30 minutes before serving to give the bottoms time to cool and set up a bit. Great recipe I will make and share again and again!” — Amy Miller
“10/10 recommend!!! Came together super fast and was delicious! Thank you!” — Jerica Debruzzi
“These are amazing! Rich and delicious. I doubled the recipe for a 9×13 pan. Based on a previous suggestion in the comments, I used a full cup of Jif vs 2/3 cup (for the doubled recipe). The edges baked up perfectly crispy and the middle was rich and kind of fudgy. Make it and enjoy!” — Jen
“Amazing!!! I’ve already made this 3 times and they are just so delicious. Thank you for the recipe.” — Eva
“I made this recipe for the first time today. I love it! I did use natural PB but it was a no stir version. I had to bake them for closer to 30 mins where I live. Definitely going to use this one again! Thanks for the recipe.” — Alicia
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars
These peanut butter chocolate bars are loaded with chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter. This is a one-bowl dessert you're bound to love! Made with just 7 ingredients and no mixer, even better!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
- 1/3 heaping cup peanut butter*
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips + 2 tablespoons, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
- Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don’t scramble it. Add the peanut butter, egg, brown sugar, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
- Add the flour, salt, and stir until just combined, don’t overmix.
- Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips.
- Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle evenly with 2 tablespoons chocolate chips, smoothly the top lightly with a spatula.
- Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until done. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Allow bars to cool in pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Bars will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Notes
*I use Jif, Skippy or similar; natural PB can separate and/or be too oily.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
9Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 379Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 180mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 2gSugar: 31gProtein: 5g
More Peanut Butter Desserts:
ALL OF MY PEANUT BUTTER RECIPES!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bars — Can’t decide if you want PB or chocolate? Make these easy no-bake fudge bars! Chocolate + PB is sooo irresistible!!
Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake — Peanut butter is used 3 WAYS: In the dough, with peanut butter cups, and Reese’s Pieces!! EASY, no mixer, super soft center with chewy edges, and tastes AMAZING!!
Easy 4-Ingredient Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies — The cookies are impossibly easy and can be made in advance with ingredients you likely already have on hand!
Peanut Butter Cup Peanut Butter Bars — The bars are super soft, slightly chewy, buttery, and have plenty of peanut butter flavor with enough chocolate to balance it.
Better Than Anything Peanut Butter Cake — This Peanut Butter Cake is a super easy poke cake recipe. It’s packed with peanut butter flavor and topped with a mix of peanut butter chips and peanut butter cups.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars — he bars are soft, chewy, and filling. They’re definitely on the denser side and if you’re looking for a hearty, comfort food breakfast, you’ve found it.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bars — You don’t have to pick between a peanut butter or a chocolate dessert in these no-bake, one-bowl, gluten-free, fast, and easy bars.
Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Cup Swirl Cake — Yellow cake is spiked with peanut butter, hot fudge, topped with a peanut butter glaze, more hot fudge, and sprinkled with peanut butter cups!
Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Pie — The cookie pie is slightly crisp around the edges and buttery soft and chewy in the center. There’s lots of texture from the sprinkles, the crunchy Reese’s Pieces shells, and it’s exploding with bigtime peanut butter flavor.
Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies – These chocolate-dipped peanut butter pudding cookies are SOFT AND CHEWY on the inside thanks to the addition of pudding mix in the cookie dough!
Originally posted August 29, 2014 and reposted June 17, 2022 with updated text.
i cant wait to try it
Do you have to alter anything if you use a glass dish?
Not sure since I’ve only baked it in metal.
I cooked it in glass and it turned out great. No adjustments.
Great to hear that!
I cooked it in glass too
Yum yum! I followed the recipe and these turned out fantastic! Of course my family loves them too!
I am glad they turned out great and were a hit with your family!
Oh my yum! Made this last night and my family LOVED it. Followed recipe except forgot to mix choc chips in I sprinkled on top and didn’t have a 9×9 pan clean. Already had batter made before I realized so I used my 6 1/2 × 6 1/2 porcelain pan. I had to cook extra 10 mins but it made thick, soft gooey bars that were PERFECT. This recipe is now filed away in my special recipe box that I use for my family’s favorite foods. Thank you so much for this recipe. Now I’m off to check out some more of your recipes. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad that your smaller pan still worked great and the bars with thick, soft, gooey, and perfect! Wonderful that this is now filed in your special recipe box :)
Could you double this for a 9 x 13 pan?
yes
I tried this recipe and it was so yummy! There was just one problem..I placed the bars inside a box since I’m giving it away to some friends and the bottom of box was soaked in oil the next day. I used Skippy’s Creamy peanut butter. Any thoughts on why it was this oily? or how to prevent it from making the box oily? I already placed the bars in brownie cups/ wax paper before putting it inside the box. Would appreciate your thoughts! Thanks
Peanut butter is inherently very oily and I would say wrap in Clingwrap first and then put in the box or just accept that no matter what you do there will be oil since that’s the nature of PB.
Can I substitute brown sugar with granulated sugar?
If you’re doing it because that’s all you have on hand and there’s no brown sugar in your stores right now, I would say you can try it and hope for the best. Not exactly sure how the results will be but I would say ‘decent’ but just guessing, haven’t tried personally.
OMG! I’m so happy I came upon this recipe! It’s so easy, but yields great results. I just made them, and they are AMAZING!! Thank you so much! I look forward to trying more recipes from you. :)
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad you loved this and will try other recipes of mine!
Absolutely delicious! Just put my second batch in the oven. Super easy and rave reviews! Thanks so much!
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad you loved the recipe!
If I am using a ceramic baking dish (I don’t have metal) do I need to adjust the temperature or can I just cooking it for longer?
I would not change the temp but yes you may have to bake longer.
These bars are delicious!! Great recipe, thank you. (I threw in some pecan pieces for a little crunch.)
Glad you enjoyed these bars!
How many calories are in this?
There is a nutrition info button underneath the recipe.
If I double the recipe and bake these in a 9×13 how long would you recommend baking them for?
I would say likely to bake the same amt of time but you’ll have to watch it and play it by ear.
I can’t have nuts/peanuts due to an allergy, but these turned out amazing with Soy Nut Butter! I did a direct substitution and they are delicious. Thanks for the recipe and I’m excited I found a good peanut butter substitute and will be trying it with more of your peanut butter recipes.
Thanks for trying the recipe and letting me know it works with soy nut butter! I have a feeling many of my PB recipes then will translate just fine. Enjoy!
What if I wanted to do a bigger pan, like a 9×13, do I just double everything? Thnx alot for an easy recipe!!
Yes, enjoy!
Hey do you have to use tinfoil or can I just grease my 8×8 in ? Thanks
You can just grease your pan but for easier cleanup I prefer foil.
This recipe was fantastic! I separated the dough into two- put half in the tray, smoothed it so it was even and spread some strawberry jam across it , then layered the rest of the dough on. It’s not a distinct line but it’s a nice subtle flavour that kinda pops around the crust of the brownie where it’s more defined. 10/10 will make again
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you! Fun idea too!
I made these according to recipe except I had no chocolate chips. I had a nice dark chocolate bar that I broke up into little pieces,and it turned out perfect. This is a really delicious, and easy to make recipe.
Way to be resourceful and use the chocolate bar!
Can I make these is a 9×13 pan? Double the recipe?
Haven’t personally tried but sounds like a safe bet to me to double and make in 9×13.
This is a great recipe my whole family loves it and it filled 22 brother and sisters t
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you!
Oh yummy. These are just delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Simon
These are great!!! Made them today! Taste great!
I used a glass pan because that’s all I had, and cooked them for 35min and they can out great.
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you!
Hi Averie! I’ve been making these bars for months (only change I make is adding salt, which I do for all baked goods) and thought I would just say thanks for a simple, delicious recipe that hits the spot for something sweet!
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it’s a favorite for you!
how much salt do u add?
I didn’t use salt in this recipe because the peanut butter is salty enough for me but add to taste if you prefer.
Made these with gluten free flour and natural peanut butter (that is all I had) and they turned out great! For chocolate peanut butter flavor, like the peanut butter cheesecake stuffed brownies better but these were also good. So glad I found your site!
Yes the PB Cup Cheesecake Brownies are pretty decadent and hard to argue with all those chopped peanut butter cups! But for something a little less decadent, glad you loved these!
Can we substitute egg in this recipie. If yes , then with what
I haven’t tried the recipe without egg so can’t make any recommendations.
One of my favorite recipes! Often requested by friends and family. I converted this to be gluten free and substituted applesauce for the egg…. Divine!! Thanks for an easy recipe!
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it’s a keeper and that applesauce and GF works!
I just made these and had to add 15 min to the cooking time.. I’m still not sure if they cooked through. The top certainly doesn’t look like it. Could it be due to using a glass 8×8 pan?
Yes definitely due to baking in a glass pan! Things in glass cook slower than in metal pans. Next time use a metal pan for this recipe. I’m sure they’ll still taste fine in glass, provided they’re cooked through but with metal you won’t have the guesswork.
Can I make this with brown butter?
Yes I’m sure you could although I haven’t tried it that way.
Is the one tablespoon of vanilla really correct? I have never used that much in a recipe and wanted to be sure that it isn’t a typo. Can’t wait to try these!
1 tbsp = 3 tsp
I always use AT LEAST 2 tsp, and generally more, because I love vanilla, but if you don’t, feel free to scale back to what you’re comfortable with.
Just made these today and they are AMAZING!! Just like the pictures and I live in brrr cold Canada! Thanks for a great recipe. :)
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you!
I made these today. They were delicious. So very moist. I used crunchy peanut butter and Halloween (orange and chocolate) chocolate chips. Will make again as this was a very easy recipe using readily available ingredients. Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you! I’m glad that you’re a fan of easy recipes with readily available ingredients…me too :)
Can I substitute oil for the butter? If so, how much oil?
No you can’t in this recipe.
My gosh, the batter alone was amazing, but the final product is perfect!!! Thank you, thank you for this Saturday afternoon treat!! ?
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you!
These are FANTASTIC! Wouldn’t change a thing! I’m bringing them to a friend’s house for dinner and luckily made a double batch in a 9×13 so we can keep some here, too.
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you!
These are absolutely incredibly delicious! And so easy! Basic ingredients that I always have on hand. This is now my go to dessert! Thank you!
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you and it’s your new go-to dessert!
Just finished making this recipe not quite what I expected. If I were to make the recipe again I would add something (not sure what). It turned out slightly dry and not quite as peanut buttery as I had expected. I followed the recipe exactly, not sure what I did wrong.
turned out slightly dry and not quite as peanut buttery = use another 1/4 cup of peanut butter or so next time AND bake for a few less minutes!
I just made these bars today but used 1/2 cup of mini semi sweet chips instead. I had to cook them about ten minutes longer than the original recipe, as they were gooey inside after cooking and sitting for 30 minutes. I still love the bar and will be making it again!
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you and that you adjusted the baking time as necessary for your oven. There can be so much variance in ovens and climates I’ve found that can cause baking times to range quite a bit. Glad you’ll make them again!
Was delicious! I tweaked the recipe a little. Added 1/4 cup of flour and pressed it in a 10×8 sheet pan.
Sounds like it came out great for you with your little tweaks! Thanks for trying the recipe!
Hi Averie! I was looking for a super simple dessert recipe that my husband would enjoy eating, and my 18-month old would be able to help me make (she’s big on wanting to help in the kitchen these days). =) I stumbled across these + they turned out fab – thank you! Here the little one is in action, helping me prep ’em. =) http://instagram.com/p/ykETklw9pn/?modal=true
ADORABLE PICTURE!!! Omg too cute :)
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you and that you were able to make your hubs and your lil one happy in the process!
I actually have a food blog! It’s http://www.sweetprecipes.blogspot.com. It’s mostly just a fun way for me to keep track of my own favorite recipes. (read: I haven’t figured out how to make any money with it yet!) Have you figured out that secret recipe? ; )
I made this recipe for my Superbowl party and it was a big hit. I added a chocolate topping (1/2 cup chocolate chips melted with 1 Tbs of peanut butter then poured on top) because I wanted them to be dark brown on top. I cut the bars into football shapes and piped on some white frosting laces. Super cute and SOOO yummy!
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you and the idea of the PB/choc for a brown topping AND cutting them into football shapes, wow! You need to start a food blog! You are so creative – thanks for sharing that fun idea!
I know I want to make a chocolate peanut butter bar to take to a Super Bowl party tomorrow, but I can’t decide between this one and your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Bars https://www.averiecooks.com/2013/03/peanut-butter-chocolate-chunk-cookie-bars.html)
Can you explain the taste/texture differences between the two? Thanks!
Probably you’ve already decided but this one is more of a blondie with peanut butter and a bit more soft-and-squishy, whereas the other one is like a soft and chewy peanut butter cookie with chocolate that’s baked in bar form. They are VERY similar and only someone like myself who’s written an entire cookbook devoted to PB recipes would probably notice these more subtle nuances :) LMK what you made!
They doubled beautifully! 40 minute bake time.
AWESOME to hear! Thanks for reporting back!