Best Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars: Soft, Chewy & Irresistible

There’s a reason why the combination of peanut butter and chocolate is a universally adored classic. It’s a match made in dessert heaven! And when you combine these two beloved flavors into a convenient, easy-to-make bar form, you’ve got a recipe for pure joy. Our Best Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars are wonderfully soft, incredibly chewy, and absolutely loaded with pockets of gooey chocolate chips, making them an irresistible treat that’s perfect for any occasion – from lunchboxes to bake sales, or simply a cozy night in.

Why I Love This Recipe

What truly makes these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars a standout is their fantastic texture and the perfect balance of flavors. They’re thicker and chewier than a typical cookie, with a dense, moist crumb that melts in your mouth. The rich, nutty flavor of the peanut butter is perfectly complemented by the sweet, melty bursts of chocolate chips, creating a harmonious symphony of indulgence in every bite. This recipe is also incredibly straightforward, requiring just one pan and minimal fuss, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your delicious creation. It’s a go-to for satisfying a sweet craving quickly and efficiently, and they always disappear fast!

List of Ingredients

To make these delightful Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars, gather the following simple ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (do not use natural, runny peanut butter)
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (plus extra for sprinkling on top, if desired)

Swaps and Notes

  • Peanut Butter: For the best texture and consistency, use a “no-stir” creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy). Natural peanut butter that separates oil will make the bars greasy and can affect the texture.
  • Butter: Melting the butter contributes to the chewy texture. Ensure it’s slightly cooled before mixing with other ingredients to avoid scrambling the eggs.
  • Sugars: The combination of brown and granulated sugar provides both chewiness (brown sugar) and a nice crisp edge (granulated sugar). You can use all brown sugar for a fudgier bar.
  • Eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate more smoothly into the batter.
  • Vanilla Extract: Essential for enhancing the overall flavor profile.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour is standard. For best results, measure by spooning flour into the measuring cup and leveling off, rather than scooping directly, which can compact it.
  • Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a classic pairing. Feel free to use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, peanut butter chips, or even a mix!
  • Mix-ins: For extra texture and flavor, consider adding 1/2 cup of chopped roasted peanuts or Reese’s Pieces.

List of Steps for the Recipe

Making these bars is incredibly simple and comes together in just a few steps:

  1. Preheat Oven & Prep Pan: Preheat your oven to 350∘F (175∘C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting later.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted and slightly cooled butter and the creamy peanut butter until smooth.
  3. Add Sugars, Eggs & Vanilla: Add the packed light brown sugar and granulated sugar to the peanut butter mixture. Whisk until well combined and smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed (or by hand with a spatula) until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; stop once no dry streaks of flour remain.
  5. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  6. Press into Pan & Bake: Transfer the thick dough to your prepared 9×13-inch baking pan. Use a spatula or your hands (lightly floured if sticky) to evenly press the dough into the bottom of the pan, making sure it’s smooth and reaches all corners. If desired, sprinkle the extra chocolate chips over the top.
  7. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center appears set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, but no wet batter. Do NOT overbake, as this will lead to dry bars.
  8. Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. This is crucial for the bars to set properly and be easy to cut. Cooling completely can take 1-2 hours.
  9. Slice and Serve: Once completely cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab of bars from the pan. Place on a cutting board and slice into squares.

Tips for Success

  • Proper Peanut Butter: Use creamy, “no-stir” peanut butter. Natural peanut butter, which separates oil, will result in a greasier and potentially crumbly bar.
  • Don’t Overbake: This is the most important tip for soft and chewy bars! The center might look slightly underdone when you pull them out, but they will continue to set as they cool. Overbaking leads to dry, hard bars.
  • Cool Completely: Patience is a virtue here! Letting the bars cool fully in the pan allows them to set up, making them much easier to slice into clean squares.
  • Measure Flour Correctly: Use the “spoon and level” method for flour to avoid adding too much, which can make the bars dry.
  • Room Temperature Eggs: While not strictly essential with melted butter, using room temperature eggs helps them blend more seamlessly into the batter.
  • Line the Pan: Using parchment paper not only makes cleanup a breeze but also allows you to easily lift the entire batch of bars out of the pan for neat slicing.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars are incredibly versatile and always a hit!

  • Simple & Classic: Serve as-is with a cold glass of milk.
  • Warm Treat: Slightly warm a bar in the microwave for a few seconds for gooey chocolate chips.
  • Dessert with Ice Cream: Serve a warm bar with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
  • Coffee Break: A perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
  • Party Pleaser: Cut into smaller squares for a dessert platter at gatherings, potlucks, or bake sales.
  • Add Flaky Sea Salt: A tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking or after cooling enhances the chocolate and peanut butter flavors beautifully.

Nutritional Information

A single serving of Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars (approximately 1/24th of the recipe for a 9×13-inch pan) contains:

  • Calories: Approximately 200−250 calories
  • Fat: Approximately 12−15g
  • Carbohydrates: Approximately 25−30g
  • Protein: Approximately 4−6g
  • Fiber: Approximately 1−2g
  • Sodium: Approximately 100−150mg

Please note that these are approximate values and can vary based on specific brands of ingredients (especially peanut butter and chocolate chips), precise measurements, and the exact size you cut the bars.

Storage and Leftover Tips

These bars store beautifully, remaining soft and delicious for several days.

  • Room Temperature: Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper if stacking to prevent sticking.
  • Freezing: These bars freeze exceptionally well. Once completely cooled, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for an hour or two before serving.
  • Dough Freezing: You can also press the unbaked dough into the prepared pan, wrap it well, and freeze it. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as directed, potentially adding a few minutes to the baking time.

Final Thoughts

These Best Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars are a true testament to the power of a classic flavor combination. Their soft, chewy texture and rich, comforting taste make them an instant favorite for anyone who tries them. They’re quick to prepare, yield a generous batch, and are always a crowd-pleaser, proving that sometimes the simplest desserts are the most satisfying.

We’d love to hear how these delicious bars turn out for you! Share your thoughts, photos, and any creative twists you add in the comments section below. And be sure to follow Chefmaniac.com for more easy and irresistible baking recipes!