I’ve made this Easy Peanut Butter Pie dozens of times, and it’s always a huge hit. Around the holidays I’m always looking for shortcuts that give me more time with my family, and this no-bake pie is one of my favorites.

Slice of easy peanut butter pie with whipped topping and graham cracker crumbs

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You beat cream cheese, creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth, fold in some Cool Whip and spread it into a graham cracker crust. The rest of the Cool Whip goes on top with a sprinkle of peanut butter crumbs, then it chills until set.

Why You’ll Love Easy Peanut Butter Pie

No-Bake Simplicity: No need to turn on the oven for this recipe, making it perfect for warm days or busy schedules. Who doesn’t love a recipe that includes an easy store-bought pie crust?
Rich and Creamy Texture: The creamy peanut butter filling, made with cream cheese and whipped topping, makes a rich, creamy dessert.
Customizable Options: With so many variations and substitutions possible, you can make this pie your own.
Kid-Friendly: A fun recipe to make with kids since it’s simple and doesn’t involve baking.
Perfect for Peanut Butter Lovers: If you love peanut butter desserts, this recipe is sure to be a personal favorite.

How to Make My Easy Peanut Butter Pie

When I say a recipe is easy, I mean it is truly easy. When it comes to the holidays, I’m always looking for shortcuts that will help me spend more time with my family and less time in the kitchen. I’ve made this particular pie dozens of times, and it’s always a huge hit!

With a few simple steps and basic ingredients, you’ll have a creamy dessert ready in no time. Let’s break it down.

Fork in a slice of no-bake cream pie on a blue plate

Ingredients

Cream Cheese: The base of the filling, providing a rich and creamy texture. Be sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.

Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds the signature peanut butter flavor.

Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the peanut butter mixture and helps create a smooth filling.

Whipped Topping: This creates the light and airy texture. Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream both work well.

Graham Cracker Crust: A classic option for a sturdy and flavorful base. Pre-made crusts save time, but homemade crusts can add a personal touch.

Peanut Butter Crumbs (Optional): A mixture of powdered sugar and peanut butter to sprinkle on top for added flavor and texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and a cup of peanut butter using a hand mixer or electric mixer on low speed. Mix until smooth and creamy, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step Two: Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until fully combined. The mixture should have a creamy texture without any lumps.

Step Three: Fold in 1 ½ cups of whipped topping gently to maintain an airy texture. Mix just until combined to avoid deflating the mixture.

Step Four: Pour the creamy filling into the pre-made graham cracker crust or a homemade crust. Spread it evenly using a spatula.

Step Five: Spread the remaining whipped topping over the peanut butter layer, ensuring it covers the whole thing evenly.

Step Six: For the optional peanut butter crumbs, mix powdered sugar and peanut butter in a separate bowl using a fork until small crumbs form. Sprinkle these over the finished pie.

Step Seven: Chill the pie in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight so the filling can set.

Easy Ingredient Swaps

Crust Options: Swap the graham cracker crust for a chocolate cookie crust or an Oreo cookie crust for a richer flavor.
Natural Peanut Butter: For a more old-fashioned peanut butter pie, use natural peanut butter. Stir well to ensure it’s smooth.
Whipped Topping Alternatives: If you are not a fan of Cool Whip, you can replace with homemade whipped cream made from heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar. However, I find that the Cool Whip yields the correct texture and flavor for this pie, so I recommend sticking with this ingredient.
Toppings: Add mini chocolate chips, Reese’s Pieces, chocolate curls, or a drizzle of melted chocolate for extra flavor.
Peanut Butter Cups: Chop up some peanut butter cups and sprinkle them over the top for a decadent touch.

Best Tips & Tricks

Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth peanut butter mixture without lumps.
Homemade Crust: If making your own crust, combine crushed graham crackers or chocolate cookies with melted butter and press firmly into the pie pan.
Clean Slices: Use a sharp knife dipped in warm water to cut clean slices, wiping the blade between each cut.
Chill Time: Don’t rush the chilling step. Refrigerating for at least 2 hours helps the filling set properly.
Whipped Topping Handling: When folding in whipped topping, use a spatula and a gentle motion to maintain its airy texture.

Creamy pie slice with a graham cracker crust on a white plate

Storage Tips

Refrigerator: Store the pie in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Freezer: For longer storage, wrap the pie in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use natural peanut butter for this pie?

Yes, natural peanut butter works well in this recipe. Be sure to stir it thoroughly to ensure it’s smooth and well-incorporated.

How do I make homemade whipped cream?

To make homemade whipped cream, use heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar. Beat with an electric mixer and whisk attachment until stiff peaks form.

Can I use a springform pan instead of a pie pan?

Yes, a springform pan works great for this pie, if you’re planning to make your own crust. It makes it easier to remove clean slices while keeping the sides of the pie intact.

What’s the best way to garnish this pie?

Garnish with mini chocolate chips, Reese’s Pieces, or a drizzle of melted chocolate. You can also use chopped peanut butter cups for added flavor and texture.

This easy peanut butter pie recipe is a simple dessert that’s packed with creamy flavor and crunchy texture. If you need a peanut butter dessert for a sweet craving or a gathering, this pie is the one for you. Setting out a holiday dessert table? My Buckeye Candy is another no-bake peanut butter treat that sits nicely next to it.

You can also watch our tutorial video below to learn how to make this easy peanut butter pie. Enjoy!

More Peanut Butter Treats

Easy Peanut Butter Pie Recipe

By Crissy Page

Serves

Easy Peanut Butter Pie is creamy, fluffy and rich with cream cheese, peanut butter and whipped topping in a graham cracker crust. No baking needed!

Prep 20

Chill 2

Total 2 20

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Video

Ingredients

For the pie

▢ 1 pre-made graham cracker pie crust
▢ 1 package cream cheese 8 ounces, softened
▢ 1 cup creamy peanut butter
▢ 1 cup powdered sugar
▢ 1 container whipped topping 8 ounces, thawed

For the peanut butter crumbs on top (optional)

▢ 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
▢ 1 tablespoon peanut butter

Instructions

In a medium bowl beat the cream cheese and the peanut butter until well blended and smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat until well blended. Gently fold in 1 ½ cups of the whipped topping just until combined.
Pour into the prepared crust and spread evenly. Spread the remaining whipped topping over the top. Sprinkle with the peanut butter crumbs.
Chill for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight.
For the crumb topping, In a small bowl, using a fork, cut the peanut butter into the powdered sugar until crumbs are formed.

Notes

Soft cream cheese: Let the cream cheese soften so the filling beats up smooth with no lumps.

Fold gently: Fold in the whipped topping just until combined so the filling stays light and fluffy.

Chill it: Chill for at least 2 hours, or overnight, so it slices neatly.

Storage: Keep the pie covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Nutrition is an estimate from an online calculator, not medical advice, and depends on your portion size.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keywords: easy peanut butter pie, no bake peanut butter pie

Made it?

70 Comments

Lana says:

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If you love peanut butter, you’ll love this easy-to-make pie. What could be better than a no-bake dessert with common ingredients

sue wetherell says:

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We loved this pie, put Cool whip on top and garnished with peanut butter/powered sugar and shaved peanut butter chips on top. Yummy!!

Jackie Mellinger-Bradley says:

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We prefer a vanilla pudding/cream filling. It provides more taste differentiation between topping & filling. Also, we make the peanut butter crumbles to put on top of crust, pour filling, spread creamy whipped topping, then top with more crumbles(as garnish).

Kristina bonasera says:

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Love them

Terri says:

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I love this…do it alot for my mom n friends… So creamy n delicious

Terri M says:

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I did this recipe,but added a lil vanilla to it… It was creamy n everyone loved it …