Desserts

No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers – Easy Dessert Recipes You’ll Crave

If you’ve got a sweet tooth but not a ton of time (or patience) for baking, this one’s for you. These No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers are exactly what they sound like—rich, peanut buttery, chocolatey bites of heaven layered onto graham crackers. And they come together without heating the oven. You know what that means: less time baking, more time snacking. I remember making these with my mom during summer breaks. She hated turning on the oven in July (who doesn’t?), so this was her go-to. One bite in and you’re basically getting a peanut butter cup crash-landed on a crunchy graham base. And don’t worry if you’re not a kitchen pro—if you can stir and spread, you’ve got this. They’re perfect for holiday trays, potlucks, or those “just one more episode” nights when you need a treat nearby. If your pantry has peanut butter, chocolate chips, and graham crackers—you’re halfway there. Let’s get to it.

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Table of Contents

  • 1) Key Takeaways
  • 2) Easy No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers Recipe
  • 3) Ingredients for No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers
  • 4) How to Make No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers
  • 5) Tips for Making No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers
  • 6) Making No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers Ahead of Time
  • 7) Storing Leftover No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers
  • 8) Try these Desserts next!
  • 9) No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers
  • 10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

  • No oven needed – it’s a true no-bake dessert recipe.
  • Uses simple ingredients: peanut butter, chocolate, and graham crackers.
  • Great for busy days, holiday trays, or late-night cravings.
  • Perfect beginner recipe – no special skills required.

2) Easy No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers Recipe

Let’s keep it real—this is one of those easy dessert recipes that somehow hits every nostalgic nerve. Chocolate? Check. Peanut butter? Of course. A no-bake setup that keeps the kitchen from becoming a sauna? That’s the dream. This recipe is as close to a guaranteed crowd-pleaser as it gets. I remember whipping these up during a heatwave last July. The oven was off-limits, but our sweet tooth was very much active. And let me tell you—these were gone before the pan cooled.

What I love about this dessert is how easy it is to make. It’s basically your childhood peanut butter cup but layered with a crunchy twist and a little extra attitude. And you only need a handful of pantry staples. If you can stir and spread, you can totally make this.

Whether it’s for a bake sale, a family treat, or just to feed your chocolate cravings in peace—these no-bake buckeye bars deserve a spot in your recipe stash.

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3) Ingredients for No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers

Graham Crackers: You’ll want about 12 full sheets, broken in half. These form the crunchy base and give that classic s’mores campfire vibe, minus the flames.

Creamy Peanut Butter: The smooth kind works best here. It creates that rich, familiar buckeye filling we all love. I like to go a little heavy-handed on this—because why not?

Unsalted Butter: Melted butter adds richness and helps bind the peanut butter layer. Don’t skip it, unless you like sadness in your dessert.

Powdered Sugar: This sweetens and thickens the peanut butter layer, making it easy to spread without sliding everywhere.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: They melt like a dream and give the perfect contrast to the sweet peanut butter. You can go dark chocolate too, if you’re in a grown-up kind of mood.

Vegetable Oil: Just a little helps the chocolate melt smoother and spread like a pro. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.

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4) How to Make No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers

Step 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay out the graham crackers in a single layer—like edible tiles just waiting to be beautified.

Step 2: Mix the peanut butter, melted butter, and powdered sugar until you get a thick, smooth mixture. It should feel like soft playdough and smell like happiness.

Step 3: Spread that mixture over the graham cracker halves with the back of a spoon or an offset spatula. No need for perfection—just good coverage.

Step 4: Melt the chocolate chips and oil together in a microwave-safe bowl, zapping it in 30-second bursts and stirring each time until silky smooth.

Step 5: Spoon and spread the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer. You can swirl it or smooth it—whatever makes you happy.

Step 6: Pop the tray in the fridge and let it chill for at least an hour, or until the chocolate sets firm enough to slice cleanly.

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5) Tips for Making No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers

If your peanut butter layer feels too soft, just add a bit more powdered sugar until it firms up. No one has ever complained about too much sweet in a dessert recipe, right?

Use a hot knife to cut the bars once the chocolate sets. Just run your knife under hot water, dry it off, and glide through. Makes you feel a little like a kitchen ninja.

Don’t overheat the chocolate. If you nuke it too long, it’ll seize up and get grainy. Stir between bursts, and it’ll stay silky and smooth every time.

6) Making No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers Ahead of Time

This recipe is actually better after some chill time—literally. If you’re making these for a party or lunchbox stash, do it the night before and let the fridge work its magic.

The layers set firmer and hold together better after a rest. I even think the flavor deepens a bit. Just make sure they’re sealed up tight in the fridge so they don’t absorb any weird fridge smells (I’m looking at you, leftover onions).

They travel well too. Just stack them between sheets of parchment paper and slide into a container with a lid. Bonus: no crumbs in your bag.

7) Storing Leftover No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers

Pop the extras in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They’ll keep for about a week, but let’s be honest—no way they’re lasting that long.

Don’t stack them too tightly or you’ll smush the chocolate topping. A little parchment paper between layers helps keep them looking sharp.

You can freeze them too, if you somehow have leftovers you want to hoard for later. Just thaw in the fridge before eating so they don’t go soggy.

8) Try these Desserts next!

9) No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers

No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers – Easy Dessert Recipes You’ll Crave

If you’ve got a sweet tooth but not a ton of time (or patience) for baking, this one’s for you. These No-Bake Buckeye Graham Crackers are exactly what they sound like—rich, peanut buttery, chocolatey bites of heaven layered onto graham crackers. And they come together without heating the oven. You know what that means: less time baking, more time snacking. I remember making these with my mom during summer breaks. She hated turning on the oven in July (who doesn’t?), so this was her go-to. One bite in and you’re basically getting a peanut butter cup crash-landed on a crunchy graham base. And don’t worry if you’re not a kitchen pro—if you can stir and spread, you’ve got this. They’re perfect for holiday trays, potlucks, or those “just one more episode” nights when you need a treat nearby. If your pantry has peanut butter, chocolate chips, and graham crackers—you’re halfway there. Let’s get to it.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Keywords: easy dessert recipes, easy sweet recipes, graham cracker desserts, no bake treats, no-bake recipes, peanut butter chocolate bars, quick dessert bars
Servings: 12 bars
Author: Lila

Ingredients

  • 12 graham cracker sheets, halved
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the halved graham crackers in a single layer.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter, melted butter, and powdered sugar until smooth and thick.
  3. Spread the peanut butter mixture evenly over the graham cracker halves.
  4. Melt the chocolate chips with the oil in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time until smooth.
  5. Spoon and spread the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer.
  6. Refrigerate the tray for at least 1 hour or until the chocolate sets.
  7. Cut into squares along the graham cracker lines and enjoy!

10) Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar | Calories: 215 | Sugar: 17g | Sodium: 85mg | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Carbohydrates: 22g | Fiber: 1g | Protein: 3g | Cholesterol: 10mg

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