Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bars Recipe

Tasty twist on a classic Canadian dessert

If you love the classic Nanaimo bar, get ready for a delicious twist! These Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bars take the beloved Canadian treat to the next level with a smooth, nutty layer that pairs perfectly with chocolate and coconut. They’re sweet, creamy, and just the right amount of indulgent, no baking required.

Whether you’re making them for a potluck, holiday dessert table, or a cozy weekend treat, these bars are sure to impress. Plus, they store beautifully in the fridge or freezer, so you can enjoy a little bite of peanut buttery bliss anytime you crave it.

Makes 20 bars

What You Need

Base:

½ cup (125 mL) butter, melted

⅓ cup (75 mL) unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ cup (60 mL) granulated sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

1⅔ cup (400 mL) graham cracker crumbs

½ cup (125 mL) peanuts, finely chopped

¼ cup (60 mL) each shredded sweetened coconut and mini chocolate chips

Filling:

½ cup (125 mL) smooth peanut butter

2 tbsp (30 mL) butter

1⅓ cup (325 mL) icing sugar

3 tbsp (45 mL) milk

2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla

Topping:

4 oz (115 g) milk or bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1 tbsp (15 mL) butter

2 tbsp (30 mL) peanuts, chopped

How To Prepare Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bars

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). To help parchment stick, lightly grease an 8×8-inch (2-L) baking pan, then line with parchment paper so the edges overhang pan. In a large bowl, combine melted butter, cocoa powder and sugar, stirring until smooth. Add egg, graham crumbs, peanuts and coconut, and stir to combine. Stir in chocolate chips until mixture is well blended. Pat mixture into the base of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until set and no longer shiny. Refrigerate until room temperature.

2. Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, beat peanut butter with butter, icing sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth. The filling will be quite thick. Once the base has cooled, spread peanut butter mixture evenly over top. Refrigerate until firm.

3. In a microwave or in top of a double boiler, melt chocolate with butter. Drizzle over the firm filling layer, spreading to cover. Sprinkle with peanuts. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes. Using parchment paper, lift the Nanaimo bars out of the pan. Slice into bars or squares.

Looking for more practical meal planning tips and simple, dietitian-approved recipes?

Sign up for our FREE weekly e-newsletter: Sound Bites. Get practical nutrition tips, articles, videos, and simple recipes written by our team of Registered Dietitians so you can be sure to get the credible sound bites you need for everyday healthy living.

Find out why thousands of people subscribe to one of our richest resources! Subscribe below today and also receive a free copy of our 51 Healthy Snack Attacks.

If you liked the Nanaimo Bar recipe, check out these recipes on the blog here: