These irresistibly chewy peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars combine two beloved flavors in one easy-to-make treat. With a perfect balance of sweet and salty, these bars feature a soft, buttery texture studded with peanut butter chips and chocolate chips for an indulgent dessert that’s simpler than making individual cookies.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No scooping or rolling individual cookies – just press the dough into a pan and bake
Perfect balance of peanut butter and chocolate in every bite
Chewy centers with slightly crisp edges for the ideal texture
Quick to prepare with just 10 minutes of prep time
Great for potlucks, bake sales, or an everyday family treat
Easily customizable with different mix-ins
Makes convenient, portable bars that are less messy than traditional cookies

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Creamy peanut butter forms the foundation of these bars, providing that distinctive nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with chocolate. Use conventional creamy peanut butter rather than natural varieties that can separate.

Unsalted butter adds richness and helps create that perfect chewy texture. Make sure it’s properly softened to cream smoothly with the peanut butter.

White sugar provides sweetness and helps create those slightly crisp edges everyone loves.

Light brown sugar brings moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that deepens the overall taste profile and contributes to the bars’ chewiness.

Eggs bind everything together while providing structure. Room temperature eggs incorporate more easily into the batter.

Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors with its warm, aromatic notes.

All-purpose flour gives the bars their structure without making them too dense or cake-like.

Baking powder provides just the right amount of lift without making these bars too cakey.

Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the peanut butter flavor. Don’t skip this ingredient, even with the already salty peanut butter.

Peanut butter chips intensify the peanut flavor throughout the bars with pockets of concentrated nuttiness.

Semi-sweet chocolate chips create the perfect counterpoint to the peanut butter. You can adjust the amount based on how chocolate-forward you want these bars to be.

Directions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
Prepare the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and peanut butter until smooth and creamy.
Add in the white sugar and brown sugar, stirring until just combined.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt).
Add Chips:
Gently fold in the peanut butter chips and chocolate chips.
Bake:
Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden brown. You can also use a toothpick to check the center for doneness.
Serve:
Remove from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool before slicing and serving.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 12 generously sized bars at 290 calories each. You can cut them smaller to yield 16-20 bars if preferred.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes
Total Time: 35-40 minutes

Variations

Triple Chocolate: Replace the peanut butter chips with white chocolate chips for a triple chocolate experience.

Nutty Explosion: Add 1/2 cup of chopped peanuts or other nuts for added crunch and texture.

Candy Bar Inspired: Mix in 1/2 cup of chopped peanut butter cups instead of peanut butter chips.

Salted Top: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking for a sophisticated sweet-savory contrast.

Swirled Topping: After pressing the dough into the pan, warm 1/4 cup of additional peanut butter until pourable and swirl it into the top for a decorative effect.

Oatmeal Addition: Replace 1/2 cup of flour with quick oats for added texture and nutrition.

Spiced Version: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced flavor.

Storage/Reheating

Counter Storage: Store the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Refrigerator Storage: For longer freshness, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week. The chilled bars will be firmer but equally delicious.

Freezer Storage: These bars freeze exceptionally well. Wrap individual bars or the entire batch tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Place in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating: To enjoy warm, microwave an individual bar for 10-15 seconds. For a freshly baked taste, warm in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

You can definitely use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer more texture in your bars. This will add small peanut pieces throughout the bars for extra crunch, while still maintaining the same great flavor.

Why did my cookie bars turn out dry?

Dry cookie bars usually result from overbaking or measuring the flour incorrectly. Make sure to spoon flour into your measuring cup rather than scooping directly from the bag, which can pack too much flour. Also, check your bars a few minutes before the recommended baking time as all ovens vary.

Can I make these bars ahead of time for an event?

Absolutely! These bars actually develop even better flavor after a day. You can make them 1-2 days ahead, store in an airtight container, and they’ll be perfect for your event. They also freeze well if you need to prepare further in advance.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The edges should be slightly golden brown, and the center should look set but still soft. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter. Remember that the bars will continue to firm up as they cool.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can double the recipe and bake in two 9×13-inch pans. If you want to use a larger pan, like a half-sheet (18×13-inch) pan, adjust the baking time down slightly and watch carefully for doneness.

Are these bars gluten-free?

The standard recipe is not gluten-free due to the all-purpose flour. However, you can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking to make them gluten-free. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.

How can I make these bars less sweet?

To reduce sweetness, decrease the amount of sugar by up to 1/4 cup total and use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet. You could also reduce the amount of chocolate chips and peanut butter chips by 1/4 to 1/2 cup.

Can I use natural peanut butter in this recipe?

While natural peanut butter can work, it may alter the texture of the bars since it has different oil content. If using natural peanut butter, make sure it’s well-stirred to incorporate any separated oils, and be prepared for a slightly different texture in the final product.

Why did my chocolate chips sink to the bottom?

Tossing the chocolate chips in a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter can help prevent sinking. Also, ensure your batter isn’t too warm from the creaming process before adding the chips.

Can I add marshmallows to this recipe?

You can add mini marshmallows to the batter, but be aware they’ll likely melt during baking. For a more distinct marshmallow presence, try pressing some into the top of the dough during the last 5-7 minutes of baking for a rocky road variation.

Conclusion

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars represent the perfect balance of convenience and indulgence. With their irresistible combination of peanut butter and chocolate in every bite, they deliver the flavors you love in a format that’s easier than making individual cookies. Whether you’re baking for a crowd, preparing a treat for the family, or simply satisfying your own sweet tooth, these versatile bars are sure to become a regular in your baking rotation. The chewy texture, balanced sweetness, and nostalgic flavor combination make them a timeless treat that appeals to bakers and eaters of all ages.