These peanut butter pretzel bars are the perfect combination of salty and sweet and are super easy to make. You’ll love that this no bake dessert only requires 5 ingredients to make including pretzels, peanut butter and chocolate. Plus they are ready in just 30 minutes!
Why you will love this recipe:
- The taste! These bars are the perfect combination of salty and sweet and the flavours of salty pretzels, peanut butter and sweet chocolate blend together perfectly.Â
- These bars are so quick and easy to make - they are ready in just 30 minutes!
- These homemade dessert bars are made with 5 simple ingredients - pretzels, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract and chocolate.
- This is a no bake dessert recipe.
- Kids love them!
- They store really well so are great for meal prep and also freeze really well.
- Not only are these bars healthy and delicious but they can also be made vegan, dairy free, paleo and gluten free!
Taste and texture:
These bars are thick, chewy and chunky with a melt in your mouth texture. The flavour combination of salty pretzels, creamy peanut butter and sweet dark chocolate blend perfectly to give these bars the best taste.
Key ingredients and substitutions:
For the full ingredient list please see the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Pretzels - I went with gluten free pretzels but you can use any type of pretzels that you like for making these peanut butter bars.
- Natural, smooth peanut butter - The smooth peanut butter helps bind the pretzels together and give these bars the best flavour. Be sure to use unsweetened, smooth peanut butter.
- Maple syrup - I love using maple syrup as a sweetener in desserts. It adds a rich layer of flavour and keeps these desserts bars refined sugar free.
- Chocolate bars - We all know chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in heaven. These pretzel bars wouldn't be complete without a layer of luscious chocolate on top! I use dark, dairy free chocolate but you can use any type of chocolate that you like.
How to make this recipe:
Step one:
First, add the pretzels to the food processor and process until the pretzels reach the consistency you like.
Step two:
Next put a small pot on the stove top and add the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Heat for a moment or two, stirring constantly until the ingredients are well combined and reach a smooth texture.
Step three:
Turn the heat off and stir in the processed pretzels.
Step four:
Now line an 8" x 8" pan with parchment paper and pour the peanut butter mixture into the pan. Spread the mixture around in an even layer.
Step five:
Next melt the chocolate in the microwave, then pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter mixture and spread around evenly.
Step six:
Lastly, put the dessert in the freezer for 30 minutes, then remove and cut into bars.
Chef's tips:
- Be sure to use unsweetened or natural peanut butter (they would be way to sweet if you used sweetened peanut butter).
- Use a hot knife to cut these bars into pieces more easily (I simply run the blade under hot water).
Variations and add ins:
- To make these bars paleo swap the peanut butter for another nut butter such as cashew butter or sunflower seed butter, use grain free pretzels (I used these Quinn grain free pretzels) and use dairy free, soy free chocolate bars such as these Zazubean ones or these Hu Kitchen ones.
- To make these bars gluten free use gluten free pretzels.
- Make these pretzel bars vegan be sure to use dairy free chocolate.
- To keep these bars refined sugar free use chocolate bars sweetened with coconut sugar - my favourite brands are Hu Kitchen and Zazubean.
- Instead of chocolate bars you could use chocolate chips to make the chocolate layer instead.
- If you can't have peanut butter use another nut or seed butter such as cashew butter, almond butter or sunflower seed butter.
- If you want a thicker chocolate layer use three chocolate bars instead of two.
- To add an extra crunch sprinkle some crushed peanuts on top of the chocolate layer while it is still warm.
How to serve:
You can serve these bars cold or at room temperature. They are delicious served on their own but also pair nicely with a glass of milk, a bowl of ice cream, a mug of coffee or hot chocolate or a bowl of yogurt.
How to store:
Store these bars in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
Frequently asked questions:
If you can't have peanut butter I would make these bars with cashew butter or sunflower seed butter instead.
You could use a blender or break up the pretzels by hand. If I were to break the pretzels up by hand I would put them in a bag and use a rolling pin to break them up.Â
Although I recommend using maple syrup, you could use a variety of other sweeteners. You could try using honey, brown sugar syrup or agave nectar.Â
Yes! As long as you use vegan chocolate this is a vegan dessert recipe.
Other desserts you will love:
- Peanut butter fudge
- Lemon Bars with Cranberry
- Apple Pie Bars
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
- Nut Butter and Chocolate Crunch Bars
- Turtle Cookies Bars
- Berry Ice Cream Bars
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Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- 156 grams pretzels (or 5.5 ounces)
- 1 jar natural smooth peanut butter (500 grams)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 chocolate bars (6 ounces)
Instructions
- Place the pretzels in your food processor and process until you have pretzel pieces the size that you like.
- Place a pot on the stove on low heat. Add the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently until the ingredients are combined and smooth.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the pretzel pieces.
- Line an 8" x 8" pan with parchment paper and transfer the peanut butter pretzel mixture to the pan. Spread it out evenly with a spoon or knife.
- Melt the chocolate bars in a microwave safe dish by heating them on high in 30 second intervals, until melted.
- Pour the melted chocolate onto the peanut butter pretzel layer and spread it evenly until smooth. Place the pan in the freezer for 20-30 minutes until the chocolate is set. Remove the pan from the freezer and cut the bars into pieces.
Notes
- Use a hot knife to cut the bars into pieces more easily.Â
- Store these bars in the fridge.
- Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients you use.Â
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