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    Home » Recipes » Kids

    Lightened up Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (Like a Reese's) {No Bake, Healthier}

    Published: Apr 18, 2012 · Modified: Oct 31, 2021 by Lauren Kelly · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Lightened up Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (Like a Reese's) {No Bake, Healthier}

    These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are so simple to make and are lightened up from the original. These chocolate peanut butter bars are no bake and insanely delicious!

    Picture of lined up chocolate peanut butter bars in the background and two chocolate peanut butter bars in the front on a white plate.

    Do you have that one go-to recipe that you make to bring to parties and gatherings? This chocolate peanut butter bar recipe is my favorite to bring just about everywhere I go.

    Everyone always asks for the recipe and it's typically the first dessert to go. If you are nervous about nut allergies you can easily substitute Sunflower Seed Butter for the peanut butter.

    I promise, whatever nut or seed butter you use, these are guaranteed to be a hit.

    And if you love chocolate and peanut butter together just as much as I do, you will love my Low Carb Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Crunchy No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars or Dark Chocolate Donuts with Peanut Butter Glaze.

    These bars would be extra delicious with Apple Chai Latte or Low Carb Bulletproof Hot Chocolate!

    Why You Should Make These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

    The best part of making these bars is how easy they are. No bake treats are great in the summer when it's too hot to turn the oven on and around the holidays when you are so busy and need space in you oven for everything else.

    Basically, no bake treats are perfect all year long.

    These bars are definitely lightened up from the recipe I used to make when I was a kid, but they still couldn't be made even healthier. I am working on that, I promise.

    Now remember, these are NOT calorie free by any means.  But they do have less calories and fat than the original recipe and the ingredients are all clean (except the graham cracker crumbs).  Go ahead, have one and ENJOY IT!

    Recipe FAQ's and Expert Tips

    Can I make these chocolate peanut butter bars vegan?

    Yes! You can easily use vegan chocolate chips and substitute coconut oil for the butter. Let me know how they come out!

    I know you mentioned lightening these up even more, can we substitute something else for the graham crackers?

    That is exactly what I have been working on. As of now I just try to make them with 1 cup of super fine almond flour instead of the graham cracker crumbs and they were delicious. I just need to update my pictures!

    The bottom of these bars stuck to my pan, what can I do to prevent that next time?

    You really need to line the pan with parchment paper or even grease with butter or coconut oil to prevent them from sticking. Please don't forget this important step.

    Related Recipes

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    Please feel free to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram! Thanks for stopping by!

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    No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

    These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are so simple to make and are lightened up from the original. These chocolate peanut butter bars are no bake and insanely delicious!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: brunch, Dessert, meatless, vegetarian
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Low Fat
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 24 bars
    Calories: 149kcal
    Author: Lauren Kelly

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
    • 1 cup natural peanut butter
    • ¼ cup melted butter
    • 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
    • 1 ½ cups unrefined powdered sugar

    Instructions

    • To make your own powdered sugar: Pour unrefined sugar into blender (I used my Vitamix) and place on high speed for 10-15 seconds to create a "powdered" sugar.  (Yes, it really is THAT easy!)
    • Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan with coconut oil or butter. You can also line with parchment paper. Either way this will prevent the bottom from sticking to the pan.
    • In a medium bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, peanut butter and melted butter. Press firmly into the bottom of a greased (or parchment lined) 9x13 inch pan.
    • Melt chocolate chips over a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. Spread melted chocolate over the crumb crust.
    • Place the pan in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, then cut into bars before the chocolate is completely set. Chill until ready to serve.

    Notes

    To store in the refrigerator: Place in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
    To store in the freezer: Place in a n airtight container for up to 3 months. You can also store in plastic bag for the same amount of time.
    Feel free to make these with sunflower seed butter, coconut almond butter, dark chocolate, white chocolate.. there are so many ways to make this recipe! Get creative and enjoy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 149kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lkellynutrition or tag #lkellynutrition!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kara

      November 01, 2021 at 12:47 pm

      5 stars
      My kids could not tell that these were healthier than other pb bars I've made. I made half the pan with milk chocolate and half with semi sweet chocolate. I like the ones with semi sweet the best!

      Reply
    2. Natalie

      November 01, 2021 at 12:34 pm

      5 stars
      A healthier reeses?! I'll take the pan, please!! Super creamy & delicious!!

      Reply
    3. Matt

      November 01, 2021 at 11:19 am

      5 stars
      I love peanut butter and chocolate, one of my favorite combinations. These no-bake peanut butter bars are awesome and super easy to make!

      Reply
      • Lauren Kelly

        November 01, 2021 at 11:23 am

        I am so happy you liked them, Matt! Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    4. Donna

      October 23, 2014 at 2:37 pm

      Could you use the more unhealthy regular powdered sugar and still get the same good results?

      Reply
    5. Mama J

      March 04, 2013 at 11:50 pm

      I grew up on these and LOVE them. I never thought to make powdered sucanat for them. Great idea!

      Reply
    6. Amee Beck Livingston

      April 25, 2012 at 2:56 am

      Oh my....the kiddos are going to LOVE you for this one!! Great recipe Lauren! Thank you for sharing it on Fit and Fabulous Fridays! 🙂

      Reply
    7. acupofteafortigerandme

      April 25, 2012 at 2:54 am

      Oh my...my kiddos are going to LOVE you for this one!! Thank you for sharing it on Fit and Fabulous Fridays Lauren! 😉

      Reply
    8. angie

      April 23, 2012 at 10:49 am

      dangerous but amazing! 🙂
      Thank you for linking up on Successful Saturdays!

      Reply
    9. Sarah

      April 23, 2012 at 3:16 am

      these sound amazing! coming over from successful saturdays. 🙂

      Reply
    10. nutrisavvysblog

      April 22, 2012 at 11:08 pm

      Oh, I really can't wait to try this one. Every now and then I'll just gotta have a good chocolate-covered treat. PB and chocolate is such a delightful combo! : )

      Reply
    11. Lesley

      April 19, 2012 at 10:08 am

      Looks amazing. I have never used Sucanat, but I need to look into it because I have seen it mentioned a lot over the blog world. Any info on it you want to share??

      Reply
      • LaurenKellyNutrition

        April 19, 2012 at 11:15 am

        Hi Lesley! Basically we use sucanat because it is the least processed from of can sugar. Try it!! 🙂

        Reply
        • Lesley

          April 20, 2012 at 9:50 am

          Great! Thanks, I will 🙂

    12. angie

      April 18, 2012 at 11:11 am

      Oh yummy 🙂 these look great!

      Reply

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