Irresistible M&M Peanut Butter Bars: 5 Simple Ingredients

These M&M Peanut Butter Bars are the ultimate quick treat, perfect for any gathering! With just 5 ingredients, you can whip up these deliciously chewy bars in no time. They’re easy to make, packed with peanut butter flavor, and topped with colorful M&Ms for a fun twist. Whether you’re sharing with friends or indulging at home, these bars are sure to be a hit for all ages!

Large Stack of Irresistable M&M Peanut Butter Bars

M&M Peanut Butter Bars are the perfect way to show your love this Valentine’s Day! The way to my husband’s heart has almost always been food (although unwrinkled clean laundry is a close second), and now that my littles are getting older, I am learning that their little love tanks thrive on special treats as well. I don’t have time to make extravagant desserts, so this 5-ingredient recipe from Rachel Cooks is just my style. The ingredients are simple, the prep is quick, and the joy on my family’s faces is priceless. Here’s how to make them:

How to Make the Perfect M&M Peanut Butter Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Oven

Start by spraying an 8×8 glass pan with cooking spray and heating your oven to 325 degrees.

Helpful Cleanup Tip: Line the baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. This prevents sticking and allows you to easily lift the bars out of the pan for slicing.

Glass Dish Coated with Non Stick Cooking Spray

Step 2: Mix the Peanut Butter and Eggs

In a small bowl, mix together 2 eggs and 3/4 cup of peanut butter. Chunky or creamy peanut butter doesn’t matter, but I went with creamy.

Eggs and Peanut Butter in Clear Glass Bowl

Step 3: Add the Brown Sugar

Now, add 1 cup of packed brown sugar.

Eggs, Peanut Butter, and Brown Sugar Mixed Together in a Clear Glass Bowl

Step 4: Add the Baking Mix

Grab 2 cups of baking mix and add it to the bowl. You can also use Bisquick.

Box of Baking Mix for M&M Peanut Butter Bars

Step 5: Mix the Dough

Mix the batter for the M&M Peanut Butter Bars. You will probably have to use your hands because the dough will be thick.

M&M Peanut Butter Bar Batter Mixed Together in a Glass Bowl with a Rubber Spatula

Make sure all the baking mix combines and form the dough into a nice ball.

M&M Peanut Butter Bar Dough Rolled into a Large Ball

Step 6: Add the M&Ms

Roll out the dough and grab the M&Ms.

Pour the M&Ms onto the dough and press them in. Being Valentine’s Day, it might be fun to use the pink and red M&Ms. I think peanut M&Ms would be sensational too!

M&Ms Pressed into the Peanut Butter Bar Batter

Helpful Flavor Tips:

Add chocolate chips along with the M&Ms for extra bursts of chocolate in each bite.
Save a handful of M&Ms to sprinkle on top before baking for an extra colorful, festive touch.

Step 7: Fold the Dough for the M&M Peanut Butter Bars

Fold the dough up and knead it together so that all the M&Ms are spread throughout the dough. Then press the dough into the greased pan.

M&M Peanut Butter Bar Dough Spread out in a Clear Glass Dish

Step 8: Bake the Bars

Bake the dough for 35-40 minutes or until it is golden brown.

Helpful Baking Tip: Slightly underbake the bars so they’re just set and remain soft and chewy as they cool.

Baked M&M Peanut Butter Bars in a Glass Dish in the Oven

Helpful Tips for Serving and Storage

Store the M&M Peanut Butter Bars bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also keep them in the fridge to extend their shelf life.
These bars freeze beautifully! Place them in an airtight container or wrap them in plastic wrap before freezing. Let them thaw in the fridge, or enjoy them cold for a firmer bite.
For a serving twist, try warming a bar and topping it with vanilla ice cream. You can even drizzle with chocolate sauce for a little extra indulgence!

Customization Ideas

These bars are incredibly versatile and perfect for any occasion! Try these customizations:

Change up the colors of the M&Ms to fit different holidays or swap them out for Reese’s Pieces for even more peanut butter flavor.
Trade chocolate chips for peanut butter chips, or sprinkle in some festive sprinkles for a colorful touch.

Taste Test Time!

When the timer went off, the kids knew it was time for their special snack. I told them they could only have a taste if they rated the M&M Peanut Butter Bars on a scale from 1-5, 5 being the best. As you can see, Joshua’s love tank and belly were full. He gave the bars a 5!

Joshuas Score of the M&M Peanut Butter Bars

My sweetie-pie Nevaeh gave the bars a 4 (we’re still working on getting her numbers to go in the right direction!). She said there needed to be more M&Ms inside.

Nevaehs Score of the M&M Peanut Butter Bars

Then there was Caleb. His mouth was too full to give a rating, but judging by his empty napkin and crumbly smile, I’d say they were a hit!

Calebs Score of the M&M Peanut Butter Bars

And this is the plate I left out for Dan. I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of him eating one of the M&M Peanut Butter Bars because he gobbled it down before I knew he was home! He took some leftovers to his coworkers, and they were gone within 30 minutes.

In other words, these M&M peanut butter bars are a keeper! If you would love to make any other delicious desserts check out my other dessert recipes. If you have any other helpful tips drop me a line and have a Happy Valentine’s Day!