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This no-bake peanut butter pie is the perfect dessert for anyone who can’t get enough of peanut butter. With its silky smooth filling and a simple, no-bake process, this pie comes together effortlessly and delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight treat or a show-stopping dessert for a special occasion, this recipe is sure to please!
I don’t know about you, but I think peanut butter straight out of the jar tastes pretty incredible. I know I certainly take a few spoonfuls here and there a couple of times a week to satisfy the craving. And when it comes to peanut butter desserts, it’s a whole different story. When you take an ingredient that’s already so delicious and intensify its flavor and smooth out its texture, it’s bound to be something extraordinary. And that’s exactly what this pie is.
Creamy, packed with peanut butter flavor, and of course topped with whatever your heart desires. I went with chopped mini peanut butter cups and a drizzle of chocolate ganache (if you love that combo, my Crumbl peanut butter Reese’s cookies are basically this pie in cookie form).
Quick Look: No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
- 🥜 What it is: A creamy no-bake peanut butter pie in a buttery graham cracker crust.
- ⭐ Why it works: Whipped cream folded into peanut butter and cream cheese keeps the filling light and fluffy.
- 💛 Why you’ll love it: No oven, simple grocery store ingredients, and endless topping options.
- ⚠️ What to watch for: Chill it at least 4 to 6 hours so it slices cleanly.
- 🍳 Pan notes: Made in a 9-inch pie dish with a pressed graham cracker crust.
- ❄️ Make ahead: Make it the day before; an overnight chill gives the best texture.
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this delicious dessert. Scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements.
Homemade Graham Cracker Crust
- Graham Crackers: form the crust.
- Granulated sugar: adds a touch of sweetness to the crust.
- Unsalted Butter: holds the crust together and adds richness to complement the creamy peanut butter filling.
Filling
- Cream Cheese: provides a smooth base that balances the sweetness and enhances the texture.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: is of course the star ingredient. It is the same jar I grab for my small batch peanut butter cookies.
- Salt: enhances the peanut butter flavor and balances the sweetness of the pie.
- Powdered Sugar: sweetens the filling without making it grainy.
- Vanilla Extract: adds depth to the flavor.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: lightens the peanut butter pie filling. You can substitute with a container of Cool Whip to make it easier for you.
How to Make No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
- Make the crust, then start the filling. Mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter, press it firmly into a 9-inch pie dish, and chill it while you make the filling. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and peanut butter with an electric mixer on medium-high until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar. Mix in the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Whip the cream. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. (Short on time? A tub of whipped topping works too.)
- Add the whipped cream. Add the whipped cream to the peanut butter mixture.
- Fold gently. Gently fold it in with a spatula until the filling is light, fluffy, and evenly colored. Go slow here so you keep all that air in.
- Fill and chill. Spread the peanut butter filling evenly over the chilled crust and smooth out the top. Chill the pie in the refrigerator for at least 4 to 6 hours, or overnight for the best consistency.
- Top and slice. Top the pie with melted chocolate drizzles, chopped peanuts, whipped cream, mini peanut butter cups, or whatever your heart desires. Slice and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Use room temperature cream cheese. Cold cream cheese leaves little lumps in the filling.
- Skip all-natural peanut butter. The oil separation makes the filling greasy and harder to set. Regular creamy peanut butter works best.
- Whip the cream to stiff peaks. Soft peaks won’t hold, and the filling ends up runny.
- Fold gently. Use a spatula and go slow so you keep all that air in the whipped cream.
- Want a crispy crust? Bake the graham cracker crust at 350°F for 10 minutes and cool it before filling.
- Be patient with the chill. Give it at least 4 to 6 hours in the fridge, or overnight, before slicing.
Why This Recipe Works
- This easy recipe uses only simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store.
- This creamy dessert is excellent for a special occasion like Thanksgiving dinner or something more simple like a summer BBQ. Set it out next to my peanut butter and jelly cookie sandwiches for the ultimate peanut butter dessert table.
- No-bake pies are especially easy to make which is great for getting kids and the whole family involved. Once you have this one down, my no-bake key lime pie is next.
- The hardest part about this simple recipe is trying to stop yourself from eating the whole thing.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie FAQs
Add a garnish of mini chocolate chips or a drizzle of chocolate sauce on top to turn it into a no-bake chocolate peanut butter pie (you could also use a chocolate crust!). Chopped peanuts bring a crunchy contrast to the creamy filling. For an extra special treat, add chopped mini Reese’s peanut butter cups or Reese’s Pieces for chocolate-peanut butter goodness in every bite. Leftover cups? Chop them into my peanut butter Oreo bars.
Absolutely! The graham cracker crust in this no-bake peanut butter pie is just a default, and a store-bought crust works just fine if you don’t feel like making one. I personally love a salted pretzel crust, but you can also try my Oreo pie crust or a shortbread crust.
Sure! Crunchy peanut butter gives this no-bake peanut butter pie a fun contrast to the creamy texture. For other crunchy mix-ins, fold pieces of Nutter Butter cookies (the same ones I use in my Nutter Butter bars), Oreo cookies, or chocolate chips into the filling before spreading it into the crust.
If you’re keeping your no-bake peanut butter pie in the pie plate, wrap the top with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. Otherwise, put individual slices in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer, without stacking them. If you freeze it, let it thaw and soften at room temperature before serving.
Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor, or place them in a ziplock bag and tap with a rolling pin until fine, then use them for the no-bake peanut butter pie crust.
More No-Bake Desserts to Try
If you made this no-bake peanut butter pie, I want to see that slice! Leave a ⭐ star rating and a comment below, and tell me which toppings you went with. Peanut butter lovers unite!!
No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
Ingredients
Make this crust or use your favorite base recipe
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
Filling:
- 8 oz package cream cheese softened
- 1 cup peanut butter creamy
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 & 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream or 1 tub of whipped topping
Topping (optional):
- Melted chocolate or chocolate shavings
- Chopped peanuts
- Chopped up mini peanut butter cups
Instructions
Make the crust:
- In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- Press into a 9-inch pie pan and chill in the fridge while making the filling.
Make the filling:
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth.8 oz package cream cheese, 1 cup peanut butter
- Add powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the peanut butter mixture (or fold in whipped topping if using).1 & 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- Spread the filling into the chilled crust and smooth the top.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for the best texture.
- Garnish with melted chocolate driles, chopped peanuts, and whipped cream if desired. Slice and enjoy!Melted chocolate or chocolate shavings, Chopped peanuts, Chopped up mini peanut butter cups
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yes yes yes!! Saw you post this recipe on Instagram and knew I had to try it. I used a store bought crust and whipped topping instead of homemade and it was still amazing!
I’m so glad you liked it! 🙂