Easy Peanut Butter No-Bake S’mores Bars

Why You’ll Adore These No-Bake Golden Graham S’mores Bars

If you’re in need of a quick, show-stopping no-bake cookie or dessert that everyone will rave about, this recipe is absolutely for you! These bars offer a delightful twist on traditional s’mores by incorporating the rich, savory goodness of peanut butter. It’s an instant hit, especially for celebrations like the 4th of July, where you want something festive but fuss-free. They capture all the irresistible flavors you love in a classic s’more, elevated by the satisfying texture of cereal and the creamy depth of peanut butter.

The beauty of Golden Graham S’mores Bars lies in their simplicity and speed. In just about 15 minutes of active preparation, you can whip up a batch of these chewy, crunchy, sweet, and salty treats. They are perfect for those moments when a sweet craving strikes but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Plus, the convenience of a no-bake recipe means you keep your kitchen cool, making them an ideal choice for warm weather entertaining. Consider them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

The Ultimate No-Bake S’mores Experience

This no-bake s’mores bar recipe brilliantly combines some of the planet’s most beloved flavors into one perfectly delicious summer treat. The Golden Grahams cereal serves as a fantastic stand-in for traditional graham crackers, providing a unique crunch and a slightly honeyed flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully. These bars are a symphony of textures and tastes: chewy from the melted marshmallows, crunchy from the cereal, sweet from the sugar and chocolate, and perfectly balanced with a touch of saltiness.

Beyond the classic s’mores elements of gooey marshmallows, rich melted chocolate, and crispy Golden Grahams cereal, this recipe features a generous dose of creamy peanut butter. This addition elevates the flavor profile, creating a delightful mashup reminiscent of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and a s’mores candy bar. It’s a combination that truly tastes “just right,” and one that few people could ever complain about!

Feel free to unleash your inner pastry chef and make your own adjustments to this versatile recipe. Consider tossing in a few colorful M&Ms for extra crunch and chocolatey goodness, white chocolate chips for a different flavor dimension, or even a sprinkle of toasted coconut for a tropical twist. If you’re looking for other no-bake cereal bar inspiration, be sure to check out these delicious options: Salted Caramel Rice Krispies, Reese’s No Bake Bars, or our whimsical Lucky Charms Cereal Bars. For those who prefer a baked s’mores treat, our S’mores Cookie Bars, made with traditional graham cracker crumbs, are truly what dreams are made of!

Essential Ingredients for Your Golden Graham S’mores Bars

Creating these delightful peanut butter s’mores bars requires just a handful of common pantry staples. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture:

• Butter: You’ll need ½ cup of butter. While unsalted butter works perfectly, using salted butter can add a wonderful extra salty-sweet dimension that enhances the overall flavor of these bars. Feel free to choose based on your preference.
• Granulated Sugar: ½ cup of granulated sugar provides the foundational sweetness. For a slightly richer, deeper flavor profile, you could experiment with substituting a small portion of it with brown sugar, which also adds a hint of molasses.
• Karo Syrup (or Corn Syrup): Essential for the texture, ½ cup of Karo syrup (or any light corn syrup) is included. This ingredient is key to preventing the sugar mixture from crystallizing as it cooks, ensuring your bars remain wonderfully chewy and smooth, not grainy.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: A ½ cup of creamy peanut butter is where the magic happens! We highly recommend using a smooth, creamy variety like Jif, Skippy, or a similar store brand. Natural peanut butter, which tends to separate, is not recommended for this recipe as it can significantly affect the final texture and consistency of the bars. Save that for your sandwiches!
• Mini Marshmallows: You’ll need 6 ounces of mini marshmallows, divided for mixing and topping. Mini marshmallows are ideal because they melt quickly and evenly, creating that signature gooey s’mores texture. If you only have regular-sized marshmallows on hand, simply chop them into smaller pieces before adding them to the mixture to ensure they melt properly.
• Golden Grahams Cereal: The star of the show for its crunchy, graham cracker-like texture! 6 cups of Golden Grahams cereal form the base of these bars, providing the perfect crispiness and a nostalgic flavor that makes them truly unique s’mores bars.
• Chocolate Chips: 1 cup of chocolate chips, divided, for both melting into the mixture and sprinkling on top. Milk chocolate chips will give you the most authentic taste of a classic Hershey’s bar, which is often used in traditional s’mores. However, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips also work wonderfully, allowing you to customize the sweetness and intensity of your Golden Graham S’mores Bars.

How to Make S’mores Golden Graham Bars: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting these irresistible no-bake Golden Graham S’mores Bars is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time:

1. Prepare Your Dish: Begin by lightly spraying a 9″x13″ baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step ensures your bars won’t stick and will be easy to remove and cut once cooled. Set the prepared dish aside.
2. Boil the Butter and Sugar Mixture: In a large, nonstick saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the granulated sugar and Karo syrup. Stir continuously as you bring the mixture to a rapid, rolling boil. Allow it to boil for exactly 1 minute to ensure the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly.
3. Combine Peanut Butter, Chocolate, and Marshmallows: Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the creamy peanut butter until it is completely melted and smoothly incorporated into the sugar mixture. Next, add 1 ½ cups of the mini marshmallows. Continue stirring until the marshmallows are almost entirely melted and gooey. At this point, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat to prevent overcooking the marshmallows.
4. Add Cereal and Chocolate Chips: Quickly add the 6 cups of Golden Grahams cereal to the warm mixture in the saucepan. Stir gently but thoroughly until the cereal is well-combined and evenly coated with the marshmallow-peanut butter mixture. Then, fold in about ¾ cup of the chocolate chips, allowing some to melt slightly into the warm mixture while others remain intact.
5. Press into Baking Dish: Pour the entire cereal mixture into your prepared 9″x13″ baking dish. Using a spoon or spatula, spread the mixture evenly into the dish, pressing down gently to form a compact layer.
6. Add Toppings and Cool: Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips and mini marshmallows over the top of the bars, gently pressing them into the warm mixture so they adhere. This not only adds extra flavor and texture but also makes them look incredibly appealing.
7. Cool Before Cutting: Allow the s’mores bars to cool completely at room temperature for at least 15-30 minutes. Resist the urge to cut them too soon, as they need time to set properly. Once cooled, cut them into squares or bars of your desired size. Enjoy your homemade, irresistible no-bake treat!

You certainly could, but we highly recommend mini marshmallows for this recipe. The primary reason is that mini marshmallows melt much more quickly and evenly, leading to a smoother, gooier consistency throughout your bars. If you opt for regular-sized marshmallows, you might find it difficult to get them to melt uniformly, which could result in pockets of unmelted marshmallow or an inconsistent texture. To ensure the best results, it’s always best to chop regular marshmallows into smaller pieces before adding them to the hot mixture.

For no-bake cereal bars, including these Golden Grahams s’mores, we consistently recommend sticking with a creamy, emulsified variety of peanut butter such as Jif, Skippy, or a comparable store brand. These types of peanut butter have a stable consistency that integrates beautifully into the mixture, ensuring a smooth and consistent bar. Anything labeled “natural” or “old-fashioned” peanut butter tends to separate oils, which can significantly affect the overall texture and binding properties of the bars, making them greasy or crumbly. Save the gourmet, natural peanut butter for your morning toast!

When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these delicious Golden Graham S’mores Bars should stay fresh and enjoyable for up to 4-5 days. Beyond that, while still safe to eat, their texture might begin to change slightly, becoming a bit firmer or less fresh-tasting.

We generally do not recommend freezing these particular s’mores bars. The reason is that once they thaw, the moisture from the freezing process can cause them to become a little soggy, compromising their delightful chewy and crunchy texture. Since these bars are so incredibly quick and easy to make from scratch, our preference is to prepare only as many as you anticipate eating within a few days to ensure the best possible freshness and enjoyment.

Storing Instructions for Optimal Freshness

• Room Temperature: For the best quality and texture, store your Golden Graham S’mores Bars in a single layer within an airtight container. If you need to stack them, separate layers with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking. They will remain fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. Note: It’s best not to store these bars in the refrigerator or freezer, as exposure to moisture in these environments can cause them to become soggy and lose their appealing texture.

More No-Bake Cookies You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of the ease and deliciousness of no-bake treats, you’re in luck! Here are some other fantastic recipes to try:

• Lucky Charms No Bake Cookie Bars
• 21 Best No-Bake Cookies and Cookie Bars
• No Bake Reese’s Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies