Oreo Peanut Butter Bars Recipe — No-Bake Dessert Squares

These Oreo peanut butter bars are a sweet, decadent no-bake treat for anyone who loves peanut butter cups and Oreo cookies. They have a firm Oreo crust, a thick creamy peanut butter filling, and a chocolate topping.

If you want an easy, salty-sweet dessert that’s indulgent and simple to make, these Oreo peanut butter bars fit the bill. Think of them as a homemade peanut butter cup layered over an Oreo crust. They’re rich and sweet, so skip this recipe if you prefer lighter desserts. But if you enjoy bold, nostalgic flavors—cookies and candy combined—this will make your mouth water.

The recipe has three components:

1. An Oreo crust, similar to what you’d use for an Oreo pie or cheesecake
2. A thick, creamy peanut butter filling, like the center of a peanut butter cup
3. A chocolate topping — use milk, dark, semi-sweet, or even white chocolate if you prefer

Making Oreo Peanut Butter Bars

Start with the Oreo crust. Crush whole Oreo cookies, including the filling, to fine crumbs. You can do this in a food processor or place cookies in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Combine the crumbs with melted butter; if you used a food processor, add the butter and pulse a few times to distribute it evenly.

Press the mixture into the bottom of a prepared pan to form a compact crust.

For the peanut butter layer, beat softened butter, smooth peanut butter, brown sugar and vanilla together until smooth. Gradually beat in sifted powdered sugar about 1/2 cup at a time. The mixture should feel fairly dry and should be difficult to fully incorporate; this helps the bars hold their shape.

Spread or spoon the peanut butter mixture over the Oreo crust and press it into an even layer. As you press, the filling will firm up and become compact.

Next, melt the chocolate slowly. Chop chocolate into small pieces and melt gently: microwave at medium power in 45-second intervals, stirring between each, or use a double boiler over simmering water. Avoid high heat or the chocolate can seize and become grainy. Stir in a small amount of shortening or a little vegetable oil — this helps the chocolate set smoother and makes slicing easier.

Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer, smooth the surface, and allow it to harden. You can let it set at room temperature or place it in the refrigerator; note that chilling can sometimes cause a slight discoloration of the chocolate.

Pro tip: When the chocolate is about 80–90% set, score the top where you plan to cut. Making shallow cuts while the chocolate is still slightly soft helps prevent cracking and gives clean slices once fully hardened.

Slice the pan into 12 or 16 bars for generous portions, or cut into 24 small squares for a dessert tray. These bars are rich, so smaller pieces work well when serving with other sweets.

These peanut butter Oreo bars are an easy win if you love peanut butter cups or spreading peanut butter on an Oreo (highly recommended). They’re a satisfying, no-bake treat that’s great for gatherings, potlucks, or holiday dessert trays.