Buckeye Bars is a simple no-bake peanut butter and chocolate dessert recipe based on the classic Ohio state candy ball but made easier in bar form. This naturally gluten-free sweet treat can be prepared in 15 minutes using only 6 ingredients.

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Best No-Bake Buckeye Bars

This easy Buckeye Bars recipe is a tasty twist on the traditional Buckeye balls, but can be made in less time and without the work because there’s no rolling required!

With the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate layered into a sweet and salty treat, you get the same delicious flavor of the candy, served as a slice that you can share.

Each decadent bite of these dessert bars contains a sweet and chewy peanut butter base that’s covered with a smooth chocolate ganache topping. It’s like preparing a crustless pan of my Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Pie, cut into squares instead of a circle.

Why We Love This Buckeye Bars Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare in 15 minutes.
  • Only uses 6 simple ingredients to create a delicious 2-layered dessert.
  • Naturally gluten-free, no-bake melt-in-your mouth recipe.
  • No need to heat up the kitchen with a hot oven.
  • Taste like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups but in bar form.
  • Double the recipe to feed a crowd or freeze for later.
  • Perfectly portable for potlucks, picnics, parties, or game day gatherings.

Other Dessert Bar Recipes

bitten Buckeye Bars

Ingredients

  • Salted sweet cream butter
  • Creamy peanut butter: Feel free to use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer more texture.
  • Powdered sugar
  • Pure vanilla extract
  • Semi sweet chocolate chips 
  • Vegetable oil

Substitutions and Additions

  • Choose Your Chocolate: You can use dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate for the chocolate ganache topping. If you prefer a sweet and creamy chocolate topping, try the milk chocolate chips. If you want something a bit more bitter and rich, then use semi-sweet or dark chocolate.
  • Tasty Toppings: Although it would be straying from the “traditional” buckeye candies, feel free to add some extra texture to your treats. Top your bars with crushed nuts, chocolate sprinkles, chopped candy, Reese’s Pieces, pretzel pieces, or flakey sea salt for a subtle saltiness. 
  • 9×13 baking dish
  • Parchment paper
  • Stand mixer or handheld mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring tools
  • Spatula
  • Sharp knife
Buckeye Bars squares

How to Make Buckeye Bars

Buckeye Bars are an easy, 2-layered treat that tastes like Buckeye balls, but made without the work. A thick peanut butter bottom is covered in a simple chocolate topping, chilled, and then sliced and meant to be shared!

  1. Prepare The Peanut Butter Layer: Mix the butter, peanut butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar until completely incorporated. Spread the peanut butter mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. 
  2. Make The Chocolate Ganache Layer: Heat the chocolate chips and oil in the microwave until the mixture is completely smooth. Spread the chocolate over the peanut butter layer.
  3. Chill: Cover and chill the bars in the refrigerator for 15 – 20 minutes, and then cut them into 15 (2 ½” x 3″) slices. Cover and return the bars to the refrigerator to chill for an additional 1 hour 45 minutes. 
  4. Serve: Remove the bars from the baking dish with the parchment paper. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
    Pro Tip: You may need to carefully re-slice the bars.
collage buckeye bars

Tips from Our Recipe Developer

  • For easier clean-up line your baking dish with parchment paper before baking. This will allow you to easily lift them out of the pan and slice for serving.
  • Use processed peanut butter in this recipe, not natural peanut butter. The oils separate in natural peanut butter and it doesn’t hold as nicely together as the processed version does.

Storage Tips

  • To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
  • To Freeze: You can freeze the bars for up to 3 months. Allow the bars to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
buckeye bars

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Buckeye Balls?

Buckeye candy is made from peanut butter and covered (though not completely) in chocolate to look like a buckeye nut. While similar to peanut butter balls, these candies are only partially coated in chocolate to resemble the tree nut. This small, shiny, dark brown nut with a light tan patch comes from the official state tree of Ohio, the buckeye tree.

Can I freeze my Buckeye Bars?

Yes, Buckeye Bars freeze well! Place the cut bars in a single layer on parchment paper and freeze them for one hour. Remove from the parchment and transfer to an airtight storage container or freezer bag. They will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Are these bars gluten-free?

Yes, most Buckeye Bars are naturally gluten-free. However, some powdered sugar brands include a starch ingredient that contains gluten. If you are sensitive to gluten, then it is important to always check your labels.

Why did my chocolate layer crack?

If you try to cut the bars after the chocolate has fully set then, it will crack instead of giving you straight lines. For best results, refrigerate your bars for 15-20 minutes, then cut them into squares. Return the cut bars to the refrigerator for an additional hour and 45 minutes, or until ready to serve.

a slice of buckeye bars

Other Easy Peanut Butter and Chocolate Recipes

4.55 from 42 votes
Buckeye Bars featured image

Buckeye Bars

Serves — 15
No bake Buckeye Bars turn the traditional Ohio candy balls into a square slice for sharing. All the delicious peanut butter and chocolate flavor you love served as a layered dessert.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes

Video

Ingredients
  

Peanut Butter Bar

  • 8 tbsp salted sweet cream butter softened
  • 3 cups creamy peanut butter
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Chocolate Ganache

  • 12 ounce package semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions
 

Peanut Butter Layer

  • Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper. Set it aside.
  • Using either a stand mixer, or a medium size mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter for 1 minute, until smooth.
  • Add the peanut butter and vanilla. Continue mixing for 1 minute, until smooth.
  • Lower the mixer speed to medium-low and add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each cup. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and continue mixing until completely incorporated.
  • Using either a silicone spatula, or an offset spatula, evenly spread the peanut butter mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Chocolate Ganache

  • Add the chocolate chips and oil to a small microwave safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute, stir, and continue to mix in 15 second intervals until the mixture is completely smooth.
  • Using a silicone spatula, or an offset spatula, evenly spread the chocolate over the peanut butter layer. Cover and chill the refrigerator for 15 – 20 minutes.
  • Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator. Carefully slice the buckeye bars into 15 – 2 ½ in x 3 in slices. Cover the baking dish and return the bars to the refrigerator to continue chilling for an additional 1 hour 45 minutes.
  • Remove the bars from the dish by the parchment paper. You may need to carefully re-slice the bars. Serve immediately.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:
  • To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
  • To Freeze: You can freeze the bars for up to 3 months. Allow the bars to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Tips:
  • For easier clean-up line your baking dish with parchment paper before baking. This will allow you to easily lift them out of the pan and slice for serving.
  • Use processed peanut butter in this recipe, not natural peanut butter. The oils separate in natural peanut butter and it doesn’t hold as nicely together as the processed version does.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 544kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 294mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 187IU | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

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4.55 from 42 votes (28 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Iโ€™ve made this recipe twice now. The first time, did half because we have a family member who doesnโ€™t eat desserts. I should have made the whole recipe. Even she ate these bars. Today, I made the full recipe for my step daughter and her children. I probably need more. So delicious!

  2. 2 stars
    peanut butter never set.. was still soft also ganache is made with heavy whipping cream but I thought I would try it..