Chocolate Fudge Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

Chocolate Fudge Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars have layers of a no bake peanut butter pretzel bar, topped with easy chocolate fudge made with sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips, and then finished off with a pretzel on top. These bars are the perfect sweet & salty combo that is irresistible!

Pretzel Bars with Layers of Chocolate Fudge & Peanut Butter

These pretzel bars are no bake with layers of peanut butter pretzel, easy chocolate fudge on top, and then finished off with a whole pretzel for the perfect sweet & salty treat. They remind me of these Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Bars with that layer of no bake cookie dough type texture. 

If chocolate & peanut butter is your thing (me!) then be sure and also try my Muddy Buddy Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cheeseball that’s a dessert cheeseball and just perfect, or my No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Pie with two creamy layers of peanut butter and chocolate inside an Oreo cookie crust. 

Ingredients Needed

• Crushed Pretzels – The key is to make sure that the pretzels are crushed into really fine/small pieces. I use a food processor or a food chopper (both of which are linked down below in the recipe card). If you don’t have either of those, then try using a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and a heavy meat pounder, to crush the pretzels up. 
• Powdered Sugar
• Graham Cracker Crumbs – This gives the peanut butter pretzel bar base so much texture and makes it taste similar to a Reese’s.
• Creamy Peanut Butter – Use regular creamy peanut butter like Jif, Skippy, Peter Pan and not the all-natural peanut butter with the thick layer of oil at the top. 
• Butter – I use salted butter but if you prefer less salt then use unsalted butter. 
• Milk Chocolate Chips
• Sweetened Condensed Milk
• Whole Mini Pretzels – Save some from the bag to top off the bars with. 

How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

Learn how to make these chocolate peanut butter pretzel bars with two layers of no bake goodness inside! 

• Preparation : You need a 9×13 baking pan that is lined with parchment paper, foil (spray it lightly), or spread with softened butter. Set aside. 
• Pretzel Bar Layer : Stir the crushed pretzels, graham cracker crumbs, and powdered sugar. Add in 8 tablespoons of melted butter and 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, stir it well until it’s combined thoroughly. Press it into the prepared pan. 
• Chocolate Fudge : Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and the sweetened condensed milk in the microwave until it is melted, smooth, and really hot. 45 seconds to 1 minute. Immediatly pour the chocolate chips and the remaining peanut butter into it, stir quickly and thoroughly to combine. Pour this over the pretzel bar layer inside the pan. 
• Pretzels : Gently press whole pretzels into the top of the fudge layer. Pattern them as the way you will cut the bars for serving. 
• Fridge : Let the bars refrigerate for 1 hour before slicing and serving. 

Pretzel Bars FAQ’s

• How To Store Leftover Pretzel Bars

  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container, with a lid or wrapped in plastic wrap, inside the fridge for up to 7 days. 
  • The bars will soften if they are left out at room temperature so be sure and store them in the fridge. They can be eaten straight from the fridge or let them sit at room temperature for just a few minutes if you prefer them softer. 

• Can I Freeze These Bars?

  • Yes you can freeze them. I would recommend freezing them individually wrapped in foil, or put a few of them inside a freezer-safe Ziploc bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. 
  • Let them thaw in the fridge or you can place them out at room temperature and they’ll soften up pretty easily. 

• Variation Ideas

  • Chocolate : I highly recommend using milk chocolate chips in this recipe but if you really want to, you can use semi-sweet chocolate chips if you prefer. 
  • Pretzels : Use a bag of mini pretzels because you need whole pretzels to top the bars off with. That being said, you can also use whatever pretzels you have like sticks or snaps. Instead of whole pretzels on top, chop some pretzels and sprinkle them over the fudge layer. 
  • Topping : Instead of whole pretzels, or in addition to the pretzels, try melting some peanut butter and drizzle it over the top of the bars. You could also melt peanut butter chips and drizzle that. 
  • Fudge Layer : If you want more peanut butter flavor try using half milk chocolate chips + half peanut butter chips for the fudge layer. 

• Serving Suggestions

  • These are best served straight from the fridge. 
  • If you are taking these to a party or gathering, you may want to store them over a plate of ice or keep the in the fridge, if they’ll be out for too long. The bars will soften as they sit out at room temperature. I prefer the bars straight from the fridge or after they have been at room temperature for just a few minutes. 

Recipe Tips

Here are a few of my helpful tips so that you can easily recreate this recipe in your own kitchen ♥

• Measure out Ingredients Beforehand : Because the fudge later sets up pretty quickly it’s best to have the peanut butter and chocolate chips measured and ready to go. 
• Read Recipe : When a recipe says ‘divided’ next to the ingredient it means that you will use some of the measurement listed in one step and the rest of it in another step of the recipe. Make sure you read over the recipe because you need to use the peanut butter + butter during two different steps. 
• Don’t Use All-Natural Peanut Butter : Don’t use the peanut butter that you need to stir, the one with the layer of oil on top, use a creamy peanut butter that is ready to use right out of the jar. 

More Bar Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

• Sheet Pan Sugar Cookie Bars – Family favorite! We make these for all the Holidays by switching out the frosting color and the sprinkles on top. So soft-baked, thick, and just crazy delicious.
• White Chocolate Macadamia Cookie Bars – Another sweet & salty fave. Salty and crunchy macadamia nuts make the perfect contrast to these sweet and soft white chocolate chip bars. 
• Sweet n’ Salty Rocky Road Bars – Kind of like magic bars but with a rocky road twist with marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate chunks. 
• Monster Cookie Bars – Made in a cookie sheet and they have no flour in them. Loaded with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and mini m&m’s candies.