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    Home » Recipes » Gluten Free Dairy Free Desserts

    Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars

    Modified: Jun 3, 2025 · Published: Sep 9, 2017 by Shelby Stover · This post may contain affiliate links · 32 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Pinterest image with text: two images of peanut crunch bars the top image a close up of it being held and the bottom of three of them stacked in parchment paper
    Pinterest image with text: three chocolate crunch bars stacked on parchment paper with more bars, a glass of milk and a ramekin of chocolate chips behind it
    Pinterest image with text: three chocolate crunch bars stacked on parchment paper with more bars, a glass of milk and a ramekin of chocolate chips behind it

    Sink your teeth into these crunchy, chewy, peanut butter crunch bars! An easy, no-bake combination of crispy rice, peanut butter, and maple syrup swirled in with melted chocolate these crunch bars whip up in just a few minutes ad make the perfect dessert!

    three chocolate crunch bars stacked on parchment paper with more bars, a glass of milk and a ramekin of chocolate chips behind it

    As a busy mom, I am all about desserts in a pinch!

    But as a Certified Nutrition Coach, I also want something somewhat healthy. Thus, recipes like peanut butter crunch bars (or my healthy rice krispie squares) become staples pretty fast for any kind of gathering.

    These dark chocolate, peanut butter crunch bars come together in just five minutes and need only thirty more minutes to set. They're a great snack to bust a craving (just like this roundup of healthy snacks for when you're craving chocolate).

    Thus making them a great recipe for impromptu parties.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • 5 ingredients make them easy to make
    • A healthier twist on a classic recipe
    • Peanut butter and dark chocolate is the best flavor combo
    • A hit with kids and adults alike
    • Dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan
    • Perfect for Halloween, chocolate cravings, and family get-togethers

    Ingredients You Need

    Coconut oil: make sure not to use another oil as coconut oil changes texture once chilled which is what helps hold these peanut butter crunch bars together.

    Opt for real Canadian maple syrup for the best flavor. Honey will work as well but as written this recipe is vegan.

    Peanut butter: opt for natural peanut butter so that the oil in it is mixed in with the puffed rice.

    Crunchy peanut butter works as well for a funky flavor switch up.

    Cacao powder: chocolate in its purest form and what gives these crunch bars their dark chocolate flavor. Learn more about cacao powder (not cocoa powder) and how chocolate can improve your health!

    Crispy rice: a gluten-free cereal that replaces regular rice krispies in traditional recipes. Also called crispy rice cereal, they're not as crispy but have a wicked crunchy, chewy texture.

    Coconut oil and maple syrup being melted in a small pot.
    Cacao powder being mixed into a small pot with a whisk.
    Peanut butter dark chocolate crunch bar mixture in a pot on the stove.
    Dark chocolate crunch bars in a baking loaf.

    How To Make Them

    1. Melt: Over low heat, melt the coconut oil, maple syrup, and peanut butter until just melted.
    2. Mix until smooth.
    3. Stir in the cacao powder and mix until no clumps remain.
    4. Add in the rice cereal and stir until coated.
    5. Pour the mixture into an 8x4, parchment paper-lined loaf pan (or a silicone mold). Smooth it down until it's even and sprinkle the sea salt on top.
    6. Freeze for 30 minutes and let sit for three minutes before serving. Enjoy slightly chilled.
    Two fingers holding up a square of a dark chocolate and peanut butter crunch bar.

    Expert Tips To Make Them

    Sprinkle sea salt on top of the bars before freezing for the BEST flavor.

    Make sure to use crispy rice and not puffed rice or you'll have a chewy texture.

    The bars taste best chilled but at room temperature, they won't hold together perfectly for long. So, enjoy them chilled from the fridge.

    The bars have a very dark chocolate flavor, if you prefer a sweeter chocolate flavor, use cocoa powder in place of cacao. It's a bit more processed and thus naturally sweeter.

    You could also mix a few dairy-free chocolate chips into the crispy rice mixture for added sweetness.

    Store the bars in the fridge for 7-10 days or the freezer for up to three months.

    However, the texture alters a bit when stored in the freezer.

    Kitchen Tools You May Find Useful

    • Whisk
    • Silicone spatula
    • Measuring spoons
    three chocolate crunch bars stacked on parchment paper with more bars, a glass of milk and a ramekin of chocolate chips behind it

    Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).

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    Frequently Asked Questions About Peanut Butter Crunch Bars

    What makes crunch bars crunchy?

    For homemade crunch bars most people use a base of rice krispies. However, for a gluten-free version, puffed rice cereal or "crispy rice cereal is what's used.

    Can I make peanut butter crunch bars nut free?

    If you need to make chocolate peanut butter crunch bars nut-free, replace the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.

    Other Super Easy Dessert Recipes For Moms

    • Gluten-free rice krispies
    • Peanut butter fudge
    • Homemade chocolate bars
    • Cookie dough protein balls
    • Salted chocolate mug cake

    Two fingers holding up a square of a dark chocolate and peanut butter crunch bar.

    Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars (dairy-free)

    Shelby Stover
    A 5-ingredient, peanut butter crunch bars recipe you'll love sinking your teeth into! A blend of maple syrup and cacao powder red over crispy rice cereal to create a chewy, crunchy texture.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    30 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 squares
    Calories 206 kcal

    Video

    Ingredients
      

    • ⅓ cup coconut oil measured solid
    • ½ cup cacao powder
    • ⅓ cup natural peanut butter
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • 1 tbs maple syrup
    • 2 cup crispy rice cereal
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt optional

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium pot combine the coconut oil, syrup, and peanut butter. Heat over extremely low heat until coconut oil is melted. Whiskhisk until everything is combined.
    • Stir in the cacao powder and mix until no clumps remain and chocolate is smooth.
    • Pour the rice puffs into the pot and mix until they're all coated.
    • Line an 8x4 pan with parchment paper and pour the mixture into the pan. Use a silicone spatula to smooth the mixture until even. Sprinkle the sea salt over top if using.
    • Freeze for thirty minutes. Remove from the freezer and let sit for three minutes before cutting.
    • Enjoy slightly chilled!

    Notes

    Grab all the ingredients you need from my pantry staples.
    Make sure to use crispy rice and not puffed rice or you'll have a chewy texture.
    Do not over heat the coconut oil mixture or the peanut butter will burn.
    You do need both maple syrup amounts listed.
    Sprinkle sea salt on top of the bars before freezing for the BEST flavor.
    The bars taste best chilled but at room temperature, they won't hold together perfectly for long. So, enjoy them chilled from the fridge.
    The bars have a very dark chocolate flavor, if you prefer a sweeter chocolate flavor, use cocoa powder in place of cacao. It's a bit more processed and thus naturally sweeter.
    You could also mix a few dairy-free chocolate chips into the puffed rice mixture or 1tbs of them into the melted mixture for added sweetness.
    Disclaimer:

    Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"

    Nutrition

    Calories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 197mgPotassium: 185mgFiber: 2gSugar: 9gCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword dairy free crunch bar, healthy crunch bar, no bake, no bake chocolate bar
    Have You Tried This Recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment below. Mention @fitasamamabear or tag #fitasamamabear!

    These chocolate, peanut butter crunch bars make the perfect dessert or chocolate-curbing snack.

    Likewise, they’re easy to make, keep in the freezer well and you can’t eat too many of them.

    They combine the classic flavors of peanut butter and chocolate while adding a little bit of crunch! Plus, you can adjust the sweetness to your preference, so really, they rock!

    More Gluten Free Dairy Free Desserts

    • Black berry popsicle sticks with black berries spread around them.
      Dairy-Free Blackberry Popsicles
    • A bowl of cherry crisp with a scoop of ice cream.
      Gluten-Free Cherry Crisp
    • Peanut butter chocolate date bark on top of a wooden board.
      Date Bark Recipe [Dairy-Free]
    • Chocolate cookie being dipped into a bowl of homemade protein cookie butter.
      Homemade Protein Cookie Butter

    Comments

    1. Samantha says

      September 10, 2017 at 2:24 am

      Love easy recipes that can easily be made to fit my lifestyle! Thanks for sharing! Saving this for later.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        September 11, 2017 at 12:39 am

        No problem Samantha- hope you enjoy them!

        Reply
    2. Esse D says

      September 10, 2017 at 2:41 am

      These look absolutely amazing! I'm typically not a fiend for chocolate, but when I get in the mood, it's hard too dial it back. I think the texture would also be a nice additive with the chocolate.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        September 11, 2017 at 12:40 am

        Not a chocolate fiend... people like that exist?! Jk 😀 I think anything crunch is addictive so I'm a bit biased on that one too 😉

        Reply
    3. Cori @ Sweet Coralice says

      September 10, 2017 at 3:29 pm

      Mmm, I love dark chocolate! I actually prefer it to milk or white chocolate most of the time and this sounds like a really good snack with a good crunch! Plus, the fact that they have peanut butter makes them even more desirable! 😉

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        September 11, 2017 at 12:41 am

        I'm a dark chocolate person too- it's funny how my taste buds have changed! I love this recipe because you can adjust the sweetness based on your preference, so it's win win

        Reply
    4. Jody says

      September 11, 2017 at 1:00 pm

      Those bars look Yummy! I will have to make it as a treat for my dark chocolate loving friends.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        September 12, 2017 at 12:32 am

        Yes! I love dark chocolate- the darker the better! By the way... you're an awesome friend! lol

        Reply
    5. Ellen says

      September 11, 2017 at 4:54 pm

      These would make a delicious after school snack.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        September 12, 2017 at 12:31 am

        Oh that's awesome thinking!

        Reply
    6. Heather @ The Spicy Apron says

      September 11, 2017 at 4:57 pm

      Dark chocolate is the only chocolate for me! I'll definitely be giving these a try. They look great!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        September 12, 2017 at 12:31 am

        I'm a dark chocolate fiend!! Most people like theirs a bit lighter though so this recipe is awesome because you can sweeten it to your liking 🙂

        Reply
    7. Courtney says

      September 11, 2017 at 6:19 pm

      Chocolate is my favorite!! I can't wait to try these. They'll make a perfect snack for me in between my nursing sessions.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        September 12, 2017 at 12:30 am

        You can't go wrong with chocolate... literally! 😀

        Reply
    8. Christine says

      September 11, 2017 at 7:04 pm

      This looks delicious! I have some peanut butter chocolate lovers in this house that would just die for these. LOL! I'll give it a try. Thanks!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        September 12, 2017 at 12:30 am

        Ohh let me know how everyone likes it! I like this recipe because you can add more "sweetness" depending on preference!

        Reply
    9. amanda says

      September 12, 2017 at 4:52 pm

      You had me at peanut butter and chocolate. My favorite combo

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        September 12, 2017 at 6:52 pm

        Haha I know right?!

        Reply
    10. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      September 13, 2017 at 7:50 pm

      A chocolate PB treat will NEVER disappoint!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        September 14, 2017 at 1:50 am

        Haha yes!! Best combo ever

        Reply
    11. Annmarie says

      March 16, 2018 at 10:43 am

      Oooh these do look yummy! And easy to make 😛

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        March 16, 2018 at 8:07 pm

        Haha I'm all about easy!

        Reply
    12. Liz says

      August 16, 2023 at 12:02 pm

      5 stars
      I love the chocolate and PB combo! These were so good- such a perfect snack!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        August 17, 2023 at 1:53 pm

        It's the best flavor combo!

        Reply
    13. wendie says

      August 16, 2023 at 1:07 pm

      5 stars
      These bars were a hit! My youngest has a dairy allergy and these were perfect he loved them, he is already asking for another batch!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        August 17, 2023 at 1:53 pm

        Ah happy to hear it!

        Reply
    14. claudia says

      August 16, 2023 at 1:59 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my these were a delight to have after my workout yesterday, I'm not sure they are going to last by the weekend...my family is going nuts for them! I loved how the sea salt added another delicious flavour to the crunch bar, thanks for the tip!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        August 17, 2023 at 1:53 pm

        They will definitely not last over the weekend haha

        Reply
    15. Jessica says

      August 16, 2023 at 2:57 pm

      5 stars
      The fact that my kids love these is the perfect excuse to make them regularly. I love how easy they are to make and that I don't have to turn on the oven because it's about a million degrees outside right now. I especially love the sweet/salty combo with salt sprinkled on top.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        August 17, 2023 at 1:54 pm

        Honestly no bake snacks save my sanity most weeks!

        Reply
    16. Sarah says

      August 16, 2023 at 9:38 pm

      5 stars
      We are a dairy-free, gluten-free household due to my kiddo's sensitivities, and I feel like it is so hard to find desserts that actually taste good. These were amazing and going in lunches every day this week! 😀

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        August 17, 2023 at 1:54 pm

        Yay! Happy to help, I'm also Df/Gf so I know that struggle lol

        Reply
    5 from 5 votes

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    I'm Shelby, a Certified Strength & Nutrition Coach who has spent the last 10 years helping women feel more comfortable in their skin though home strength training and healthy food- no diets, no shortcuts

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