If you love a marriage of creamy peanut butter and fudgy brownies, Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies are about to become your new obsession. These rich, golden bars are everything you ever wanted in a brownie: deeply peanut buttery, melt-in-your-mouth moist, and super satisfying without being overly sweet or complicated to make. Whether you’re sharing them after a family dinner or just treating yourself on a cozy night in, this recipe is the happy medium between cookie and brownie that peanut butter lovers dream about.

Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies is how they pull big flavor from everyday pantry ingredients. Each one adds something special to the final texture, color, or flavor — don’t skip any if you want that perfect chewy bite and just-right sweetness.

Peanut Butter (1/2 cup): This is obviously the star – choose crunchy for extra texture, or smooth for classic brownies.
All Purpose Flour (1 cup): Offers structure, making each brownie perfectly chewy rather than cakey.
Large Eggs (2): Bind everything together for a tender crumb and rich bite.
Butter, Melted (1/3 cup): Adds flavor, moisture, and that irresistible richness.
White Sugar (2/3 cup): Sweetens and helps keep the brownies soft around the edges.
Brown Sugar (1/2 cup): Brings a bit of caramelized flavor and keeps the brownies moist.
Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Elevates the sweetness and highlights the nutty notes.
Baking Powder (1 tsp): Provides a bit of lift for that perfect chew, rather than a dense bite.
Salt (Pinch): Brings out the chocolate and peanut butter flavors, balancing the sweetness.

How to Make Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

Begin by setting your oven to 350°F. While the oven warms up, line a 9″x9″ metal or glass baking pan with parchment paper. This simple trick will let you lift the brownies out in one perfect slab — which makes slicing (and cleanup) a breeze. Trust me, it’s worth the tiny bit of extra effort!

Step 2: Mix the Peanut Butter Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and blend together the peanut butter, melted butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Stir until the mix looks creamy, glossy, and totally irresistible. Starting with this mixture ensures the sugars and fats are evenly distributed, giving every bite a lush, chewy mouthfeel.

Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Salt

Crack in the eggs, pour in the vanilla extract, and add a little pinch of salt. Beat until smooth and fully integrated. The eggs will emulsify the mixture, while the vanilla and salt bring out the depth of the peanut butter flavor.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

In a second bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Mixing them apart from the wet ingredients makes sure the baking powder is evenly dispersed, giving you a uniform rise and texture in every brownie.

Step 5: Bring It All Together (Gently!)

Now, gradually fold the flour mixture into your peanut butter batter. Use a gentle hand and stop as soon as you no longer see dry flour. Overmixing at this stage leads to cakey brownies, which we definitely don’t want. Less stirring equals more chew!

Step 6: Fill the Pan and Bake

Scoop and smooth the thick, peanut butter-scented batter into your prepared pan, encouraging it into every corner. Pop it in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The center should look slightly moist and just a tiny bit underdone — they’ll firm up as they cool!

Step 7: Cool for Maximum Chewiness

Patience pays off here. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before lifting them out. If they seem soft or almost too gooey at first, don’t worry — this is exactly what gives Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies their signature texture. The center sets up beautifully as they rest, staying moist and tender without getting dry or crumbly.

How to Serve Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies

Garnishes

To dress up your Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies, sprinkle on a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate. A few chopped roasted peanuts on top add crunch and a finished, bakery-style look. Some even go bold with a touch of flaky sea salt for a sweet-salty bite.

Side Dishes

These brownies are brilliant alongside a cold glass of milk, but they also pair beautifully with freshly brewed coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. For peanut butter lovers, a dollop of whipped cream swirled with a little extra PB is absolute heaven.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re entertaining, cut Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies into bite-sized squares for a finger food dessert platter or layer them into parfaits with whipped cream and berries for a stunning trifle. They also make the cutest homemade gifts: just wrap individually in parchment and tie with a ribbon!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After your brownies have cooled, they’ll stay moist and soft for up to four days at room temperature. Place them in an airtight container with a sheet of parchment between layers to prevent sticking and preserve their chewy texture.

Freezing

Want to enjoy Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies beyond this week? Freeze them! Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them in a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to two months — just take out a piece (or two) whenever you have a craving.

Reheating

When you’re ready to enjoy leftover or frozen brownies, a quick 10-15 seconds in the microwave revives their fresh-from-the-oven softness. For an extra-indulgent treat, warm and top with ice cream or warm chocolate sauce.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter instead of regular?

You can, but natural peanut butter’s oiliness and more liquid texture may make the brownies denser or a bit greasy. If using natural, stir it very well and expect slightly different, but still delicious, results.

What if I only have salted butter?

No worries! Simply omit the pinch of salt from the ingredients, and your Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies will turn out perfectly balanced and flavorful.

How do I know when the brownies are done baking?

Look for edges that are golden and set, with a center that looks just slightly underdone. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it — that’s the secret to chewy brownies!

Can I add chocolate chips or other mix-ins?

Absolutely! Fold in half a cup of chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even swirls of jam for a fun twist on classic Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies.

Is it okay to double the recipe?

Yes — just use a 9″x13″ baking pan and keep an eye on the baking time, adding a few minutes as needed. The chewy texture you love will scale up beautifully for a crowd.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something irresistibly comforting about homemade Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies, especially when you know they’re easy to bake and even easier to love. Whether you keep them all for yourself or share them with friends, give this recipe a try — I promise, one bite and you’ll be hooked!

Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 17 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 45-50 minutes
Yield: 9 brownies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the irresistible combination of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter with these chewy peanut butter brownies. Perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Brownies:

1/2 cup peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1/3 cup butter (melted)
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
1 pinch salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Prepare the pan: Line a 9″x9″ metal or glass baking pan with parchment paper.
Mix peanut butter and sugars: In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, melted butter, white sugar, and brown sugar.
Add eggs and flavorings: Slowly add eggs, vanilla extract, and salt to the peanut butter mixture.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking powder.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Slowly add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture, gently folding to combine.
Bake: Smooth the batter into the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.
Cool and enjoy: Allow the brownies to cool; they will set and become chewy.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American