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    Home » Dessert » No Bake Peanut Butter Fudge (Easy and 4-Ingredient)

    No Bake Peanut Butter Fudge (Easy and 4-Ingredient)

    Published: Jan 30, 2023 by Jessica

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN SHARE

    This super easy 4-ingredient no bake peanut butter fudge is completely vegan, high-in-protein and wonderfully melts in your mouth! Makes for an amazing dessert recipe or sweet snack you can make ahead that your whole family will enjoy.

    View on many squares of no bake peanut butter fudge garnished with vegan white chocolate chips and peanuts.

    I bet this no bake peanut butter fudge is going to be a new favorite vegan dessert to all peanut butter lovers! This is a fuss-free and no cooking recipe that feels like a REAL treat, but also is super simple to make. We absolutely love it!

    It is SO creamy and smooth, just perfectly sweetened, done using only 4 simple ingredients and completely vegan and dairy-free. The flavor from the peanut butter is what really stands out, but the addition of vanilla and maple flavors makes for an absolutely amazing result. This is a must-try recipe!

    All you need to do is combine peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract, then pour in a dish and let it set for about one hour. This recipe is ridiculously easy and other than the resting time, it comes together very quickly.

    On top of being so delicious and easy to make, this no cook peanut butter fudge also is high in plant-based protein and made without dairy, butter or confectioner's sugar. There is some coconut oil, but this recipe overall is a little healthier than many PB fudge recipes I have seen.

    You can have fun and garnish the fudge with all your favorite topping ingredients, such as dark chocolate, shredded coconut, peanuts, white chocolate or simply add some coarse salt to balance out the sweetness. You can include your kids and turn this recipe into a fun project!

    I hope you give it a try! ❤️

    Overhead on pieces of no bake peanut butter fudge.

    What's to love about this recipe

    • Easy, no cooking and no stove required
    • Done using 4 simple pantry ingredients
    • Sweet treat that's a little healthier (no refined white sugar) and high-in-protein
    • Great make-ahead dessert or to give as a gift
    • Made without condensed milk
    • Perfect to serve during any gatherings or holidays
    • Customizable and fun to garnish!
    • Vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free

    Ingredients you'll need

    The 4 simple ingredients needed to make the basic fudge recipe are explained below. Then, feel-free to garnish the fudge with your favorite ingredients for a personalized finish (see below for ideas!).

    • Peanut Butter: you will need the natural kind made only with peanuts (and a little salt) that's pourable. Do not use the kind of peanut butter that's solid and made with sugar.
    • Maple syrup: I think agave nectar should work too. Maple syrup is amazing in flavor in this recipe, but also makes the fudge SO smooth and prevent it from being gritty. Do not swap for regular sugar!
    • Coconut oil: regular oil won't work, so make sure to use coconut oil and no other kinds. When coconut oil chills, it become creamy and firm, which will be responsible for the texture of the fudge. Use refined coconut oil if looking for a fudge without any coconut flavor.
    • Vanilla extract: you can omit it if you don't have any, but it adds such a great flavor and boosts the sweetness of this treat.
    Showing are the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

    How to make it

    So easy and quick to come together, the hardest part is to wait for it to set in the freezer! Definitely a great recipe to make ahead and meal-prep on the weekend.

    Combine

    In a medium bowl, melt the coconut oil (I like to use the microwave, 30-60 seconds) and then, add the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract.

    Whisk well to create a super smooth and completely uniform mixture, which can take 30-60 minutes.

    Pour + Garnish

    Cover a loaf pan with some parchment paper and leave some extra length hanging on the sides to be able to grab and pull on it all at once whenever it is set.

    Then, pour the peanut butter fudge mixture over. Tilt the pan slightly a few times to even out the surface of the fudge and then, garnish with your favorite ingredients. You can gently press on them so they stick to the fudge nicely.

    Chill

    Transfer the pan into your freezer and freeze for at least an hour to allow the fudge to harden and set.

    Once done, pull on the parchment paper to get the whole fudge out of the pan and slice in squares or bars. Enjoy!

    • In process picture: showing the ingredients needed to make this recipe in a bowl.
    • In process picture: there is a whisk stirring a sauce in a bowl.
    • In process picture: there is a peanut butter mixture pouring in a loaf pan.
    • In process picture: there is a hand garnishing a peanut butter mixture that's in a loaf pan.

    Watch how to make it

    Helpful tips

    • Feel free to use crunchy peanut butter if you would like a crunchier texture with pieces of peanuts within the fudge. In any case, be sure to use a natural peanut butter that's pourable for best results!
    • If your fudge feels a little too soft after being in the freezer for 1 hour, then simply let it chill a little longer, it should do the trick!
    • This recipe is rich in flavor, so I recommend to slice it in smaller serving squares. You won't need a lot to satisfy your sweet craving.
    • Covering your loaf pan with parchment paper is essential for easy unmolding. If you don't use it, the fudge might stick the the pan and you won't be able to slice in squares.
    Front angle view on pieces of no bake peanut butter fudge garnished with vegan white chocolate chips and peanuts.

    Favorite topping ideas

    Once you pour the fudge mixture into the dish, then you can garnish it with your favorite ingredients to customize it. Here are a few ideas you can press into the fudge:

    • Crushed/chopped nuts to add a nice crunch to the fudge
    • Roasted and salted peanuts for a sweet and salty dessert
    • Dark chocolate: sprinkle some vegan chocolate chips over the fudge or simply roughly crush a bar of dark chocolate. You can also drizzle melted chocolate over the fudge and swirl it within mixture before freezing.
    • Shredded coconut or coconut flakes
    • Salty pretzels
    • Coarse sea salt: simple, but will balance out the flavor of the sweet fudge
    • Chopped or diced vegan chocolate chip cookies
    • Vegan white chocolate chips: the brand Enjoy Life now has an allergen-free vegan white chocolate chips. This is what I used to garnish my fudge (alongside some peanuts).

    Storage tips

    These peanut butter fudge bites store very well, which makes it a great sweet treat to make ahead.

    Once all done, then I like to keep mine in the fridge. The fudge still holds well, but becomes a little softer and melts in your mouth once you take a bite. The fudge can be kept in the fridge for a week.

    For a firmer fudge, then keep it in the freezer. You may want to slice it ahead for easy grab and go individual pieces and let it slightly soften at room temperature just for a few minutes before enjoying. The fudge can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Close up on squares of vegan no bake peanut butter fudge on parchment paper.

    FAQ's

    Can I make it nut-free?

    I haven't tried using sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter yet to make this recipe nut-free. Although the flavor will be different and the texture maybe not as smooth, I think it might work!

    I don't have a loaf pan, can I use a different dish t set the fudge?

    Yes! This is a no cook recipe, so you can easily swap the dish used to set the fudge. If the dish is narrower, then the fudge might end up thicker, which means that you will need to allow more time for the fudge to set. Another good idea would be to mold the fudge in a few paper muffin tins.

    Close up on a pile of vegan no bake peanut butter fudge with the top one having a bite taken off.

    More peanut butter recipes you might like

    • Peanut butter avocado green smoothie
    • 3-Ingredient peanut butter cookies
    • Peanut butter rice krispie treats
    • Easy peanut butter frosting
    • Thai peanut butter sauce
    • Vegan peanut noodles

    I hope you like this vegan peanut butter fudge recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!

    Let's stay in touch with Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Also, don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to be sure not to miss anything.

    View on many squares of no bake peanut butter fudge garnished with vegan white chocolate chips and peanuts.

    No Bake Peanut Butter Fudge

    This super easy 4-ingredient no bake peanut butter fudge is completely vegan, high-in-protein and wonderfully melts in your mouth! Makes for an amazing dessert recipe or sweet snack you can make ahead that your whole family will enjoy.
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Prep Time10 mins
    Chilling time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 10 mins
    Servings 15 servings
    Author Jessica Laroche

    Ingredients
      

    • ¾ cup natural peanut butter - unsweetened
    • ⅓ cup coconut oil - melted
    • 3 tbsp maple syrup
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

    Choose 1-2 toppings of your choice (optional)

    • coarse sea salt
    • peanuts - chopped
    • vegan chocolate chips
    • vegan white chocolate chips
    • shredded coconut
    • diced chocolate chip cookies

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, melted coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Stir well until smooth and uniform.
    • Line a loaf pan with some parchment paper and pour the peanut butter mixture over. Tilt the pan slightly a few times to even out the surface of the fudge. Garnish with desired topping ingredients and place in the freezer for at least an hour to set.
    • Then, take the fudge out and let it sit on the counter for about 10-15 minutes before unmolding and slicing un squares or bars.

    Video

    Notes

    • Use a natural peanut butter that's pourable (stir well in the jar first) to make this recipe. 
    • A refined coconut oil will give you a fudge that's free of coconut flavor.
    • Store the sliced fudge in the fridge for a week or in the freezer for 3 month.
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    Close up on a vegan no bake peanut butter fudge topped with vegan white chocolate chips and peanuts.
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    Hi there! I’m Jessica, a pasta obsessed French Canadian now living in beautiful Maine. I’m a mom of two, experienced foodie and ninja meal planner. I believe everyone can make stress-free plant-based meals with wholesome ingredients that your family and friends will love. 

    Join me in my kitchen to discover fun and creative recipes or click to find out more. Welcome!

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