These no-bake chocolate peanut butter Ritz cracker treats are so amazing! They have the perfect combination of sweet chocolate flavor and salty crunch from the crackers and of course the peanut butter. Love peanut butter!
They kind of remind me of homemade Twix and millionaire shortbread but with peanut butter instead of caramel. So if you love those and you love peanut butter you will definitely love these. And these are so incredibly easy to make!
There are so many different flavor combinations you can try as well. You can use different kinds of chocolate, different kinds of filling, peanut butter, jam/jelly, caramel, etc. If I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!
The Ingredients
In order to make these chocolate peanut butter Ritz cracker treats you will need just three ingredients and then any additional ingredients you want to use for decorating them.
- Chocolate – You can use whatever kind of chocolate that you want or a combination of different kinds. I like to use chocolate chips and candy melts or almond bark mixed together. It gives it a nice flavor and you don’t need to temper it, so it sits out really well at parties.
- Ritz Crackers – The Ritz crackers are definitely the star of this dessert. The buttery, salty, crunchy crackers are so amazing in these. If you can’t find Ritz where you live, just use something similar, any round cracker should do the trick.
- Peanut butter – I love to use creamy smooth peanut butter for this. This homemade peanut butter recipe works great if you want to make the peanut butter from scratch instead of buying it.
- Vegetable shortening – This is optional, but I usually add it to the chocolate while melting it, it makes the melted chocolate thinner and the cracker “sandwiches” dip easier.
- Optional toppings – These include, nuts, coconut flakes, sprinkles, drizzled chocolate, etc.
- Optional filling – Instead of peanut butter you can try Nutella, jam/jelly, caramel, etc.
Tools/Equipment
- Pot of water (if doing double boiler method)
- Bowl (pyrex or metal for double boiler or microwave safe for the microwave)
- Spoon
- Cake spatula or butter knife
- Parchment paper or wax paper
- Sheet pan or cookie sheet
- Optional – Piping bag to make the drizzled design of chocolate on top
How to make chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz crackers treats
Line a sheet pan or cookie sheet with parchment paper, wax paper, or a silicone baking mat.
Then set out the several Ritz crackers. Use a small cake spatula or butter knife to add a dollop of peanut butter in the center or whatever filling you decide to use.
Next place another Ritz cracker on the peanut butter and gently press it down creating little “sandwiches.” Don’t press it too hard or the top cracker may cracker. It isn’t the end of the world though if it does crack. It will still dip fine.
Melt the chocolate for the peanut butter Ritz crackers “sandwiches”
Time to melt the chocolate. Use your favorite chocolate or a combination of chocolate. I like to combine classic candy melts or almond bark with real chocolate. You get a nice flavor and you don’t need to temper the chocolate, so perfect for dessert tables or Christmas and Holiday boxes.
You can melt the chocolate in a few ways:
Method 1: Melting chocolate in the Microwave
Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 25 to 30 seconds. Then give it a stir with a spoon. Put it back in the microwave and heat it again for 25 to 30 seconds. Then give it a stir. Repeat until the chocolate is completely melted.
Method 2: Melting chocolate with the Double-Boiler
Put about 1 inch of water in the pot and set the pot on the burner with the heat set to medium. Place the chocolate in a pyrex or metal bowl that is larger than a small sauce pot.
Then set it on top of the pot. As the water heats the steam will hit the bottom of the bowl gently heating the bowl up and also gently melting the chocolate. Make sure to stir during this process Less chance of scorching the chocolate this way.
TIP: Add a teaspoon or two of vegetable shortening as the chocolate melts. This will make it thinner and easier for dipping.
NOTE: I don’t recommend just melting the chocolate in the sauce pot as is, it is way too easy to scorch it. Which will ruin it.
Finish the chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz crackers
Now take the little peanut butter Ritz “sandwiches” and place them in the chocolate. Use a spoon or fork to cover them completely then raise them up out of the chocolate. Tap the fork a few times to allow excess chocolate to fall off.
Then place them on the sheet pan or cookie sheet.
At this time before the chocolate sets, you can add crushed nuts, sprinkles, coconut flakes, etc.
Place the chocolate dipped peanut butter Ritz crackers in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes. Then you can drizzle on melted chocolate using a piping bag or sandwich bag with the corner snipper. This gives it a classy elegant look.
After drizzling on the chocolate place them back in the fridge and let set for another 5 to 10 minutes. You only need to do this if you added the drizzles of chocolate otherwise you can just eat them after you chill them the first time.
Serve them up! They make a great gift for the holidays, like in/on a Christmas goodie box or plate, for a dessert table, or just for you and your family.
Enjoy!
How long does chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz crackers last?
These yummy treats will last 1 to 2 weeks. I like to store them in the fridge, they are so good cold. But they can also be stored at room temperature. If it is really hot and humid where you live, you may elect to store them in the fridge. Either way, keep them in an airtight container or something like a plastic ziplock bag.
Here are other recipes you may like:
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers
Equipment
- Pot of water (if doing double boiler method)
- Bowl (pyrex or metal for double boiler or microwave safe for the microwave)
- spoon
- Cake spatula or butter knife
- Parchment paper or wax paper
- Sheet pan or cookie sheet
- Optional – Piping bag to make the drizzled design of chocolate on top
Ingredients
- 2 cups of chocolate chocolate chips, chocolate bars, candy melts, almond bark, etc. 340g.
- 40 Ritz crackers you need two crackers per treat
- 2/3 cup of creamy peanut butter you use about 1 tsp per treat (165g)
- Optional – 1 to 2 tsp of vegetable shortening makes the chocolate thinner 5 to 10g
- Optional Toppings – nuts sprinkles, etc.
Instructions
- Line a sheet pan or cookie sheet with parchment paper, wax paper, or a silicone baking mat.
- Lay out about 20 Ritz crackers on the pan. These will be the bottom.
- Add about a tsp of peanut butter or another filling in the middle of each cracker.
- Place another cracker on top and gently press it down. Do not press hard or the cracker will break. But that is okay if that happens.
- Melt the chocolate with either the microwave or the double-boiler method, both of which are found in the article above.
- Dip the peanut butter Ritz sandwich cookies in the chocolate and cover them completely with a fork or spoon. Raise it up and allow the excess to drizzle off.
- Place dipped treats on the sheet pan or cookie sheet. Add toppings like nuts, sprinkles, coconut flakes, etc., if desired, or leave plain.
- Chill in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes until set. If you are in a hurry, 10 minutes in the freezer works too.
- Optional Design – Drizzle on some chocolate with a piping bag for an elegant look. Then chill for 5 to 10 minutes for the drizzle to set. Or skip this step and just serve them plain or with those other toppings.
- Serve them up! Enjoy! They work great for Christmas or holiday goodie plates/boxes or definitely can be eaten year-round.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Made these today for the kiddos and they could not get enough of them. Thanks for the great recipe and will definitely be making them again.
That is awesome, Ryan! So glad you gave these a try and liked them. You are welcome!
These are the best sweet and salty treats! My kids loved them!
So happy to hear that!
It’s crazy how something so simple could be so tasty! I topped mine with chopped roasted peanuts. Seriously addicting!
I know right? So super easy to make and tastes amazing! Glad you like these chocolate peanut butter Ritz crackers.
Who knew a ritz cracker could be so good?! We love these!! The toppings are endless with these! The drizzle makes them so pretty!
I know right? Anything is better with chocolate haha. So glad you like them!!