You only need FIVE ingredients to make these quick and easy salted nut squares!
Salted nut squares are a delightful treat that features that winning combination of simple and delicious. These bars combine the rich, creamy flavor of peanut butter with the crunch of salted peanuts, creating a perfect balance of sweet and salty. With only five ingredients and no baking required, they’re a fantastic option for quick and easy homemade treats!
Why You’ll Love This Salted Nut Squares Recipe
- Quick and easy. With just five ingredients and no oven time, these bars come together in no time.
- Fantastic flavor. The combination of peanut butter, peanuts, and a hint of salt creates an irresistible sweet and salty flavor. If you love Payday candy bars, you’ll adore these bars!
- Versatile serving options. Enjoy them chilled for a firmer texture or at room temperature for a softer bite.
- Great for gifting. These bars are perfect for holiday parties and homemade gifts, adding a personal touch without much effort.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Salted peanuts – Make sure the skins are removed as much as possible.
- Unsalted butter
- Peanut butter chips – Use good quality ones for the best flavor and smoothest melting.
- Sweetened condensed milk – Don’t confuse this with evaporated milk, which is unsweetened.
- Mini marshmallows – The small size melts more easily than larger marshmallows.
- Coarse salt – This is optional but bumps up the salty flavor if you like.
How to Make Salted Nut Squares
- Place peanuts in the pan. Spread half of the peanuts evenly in the bottom of the pan.
- Make the filling. Melt the butter and peanut butter chips over low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the condensed milk and marshmallows until the mixture is smooth.
- Assemble. Pour the filling over the peanuts in the pan, taking care to distribute it evenly. Top with the remaining peanuts and sprinkle with coarse salt (if using).
- Chill. Refrigerate before cutting into bars.
Tips for Success
- Low heat is key. Melt the butter and peanut butter chips over low heat to prevent burning and ensure a smooth, creamy mixture.
- Work quickly. Be ready to add the condensed milk and marshmallows as soon as you remove the peanut butter mixture from the heat. Also, top with the remaining peanuts quickly as well so that they’ll stick to the filling.
- Marshmallows not melting? It’s likely the peanut butter mixture isn’t warm enough. Try returning it to low heat for a few minutes, stirring constantly.
- Chill the bars. Let the bars chill thoroughly in the refrigerator to set properly. Count on needing at least 4 hours, but I often let them chill overnight. This will make cutting them into neat squares much easier.
- Get clean slices. Use a sharp knife to cut the bars, and for cleaner cuts, you can dip the knife in hot water and wipe it dry before slicing.
Variations and Serving Suggestions
- Mixed nuts. Instead of just salted peanuts, try using a mix of your favorite nuts like almonds, cashews, and pecans for a different flavor and texture.
- Butterscotch. Swap out some or all of the peanut butter chips for butterscotch chips for a rich, caramel-like twist.
- Crunchy add-ins. Add a handful of crispy rice cereal, crushed pretzels, or toffee bits to the peanut butter mixture for extra crunch.
- Chocolate drizzle. After the bars have chilled, drizzle melted chocolate over the top for an extra layer of flavor. You can use milk, dark, or white chocolate.
How to Store
These salted nut squares should keep well in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Make sure to store them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and prevent them from absorbing any odors from other foods in the fridge.
Can These Bars Be Frozen?
Sure! If you want to extend their shelf life, you can also freeze them for up to 2 months. Just be sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw the bars in the refrigerator before serving.
More Sweet and Salty Bar Recipes
Video Tutorial: Salted Nut Squares
Salted Nut Squares
Five ingredients are all you need to make Salted Nut Squares. These peanut butter bars are a great no-bake, sweet and salty treat!
Ingredients
- 3 cups (339g) salted peanuts (no skins), divided
- 2 & 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups (334g) peanut butter chips
- 14 ounces (396g) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups (86g) miniature marshmallows
- coarse salt, optional
Instructions
- Place 1 & 1/2 cups peanuts in the bottom of an ungreased 11″x 7″ pan (2-quart capacity).
- Melt the butter and peanut butter chips in a large saucepan over low heat. Stir until thoroughly heated and smooth.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Immediately stir in the condensed milk and marshmallows. Continue stirring until smooth and well-blended.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the peanuts in the pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1 & 1/2 cups peanuts over the top of peanut butter mixture. Sprinkle lightly with coarse salt if you want the bars to be saltier.
- Cover and refrigerate until chilled. (I recommend at least 4 hours.) Then cut into bars. Bars can be served chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to a week.
These bars can be made in a 9″x 13″x 2" pan. Use another cup of peanuts, divided between the bottom of the pan and the top of the bars. The same amount of filling will work and give you slightly thinner bars.
Recipe slightly adapted from Taste of Home.
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92 Comments on “Salted Nut Squares”
These look so smooth and peanut butter-y. I love peanut butter desserts because they aren’t too sweet- they have that nice saltiness too!
I made these the other day. I thought they’d be pretty good, and I’m not a huge peanut fa, but family are. Omg..these are so outrageously good, I couldn’t stay out of them, no one else could either- gone in two days. I think we could have eaten them all that night, but no one wanted to look like a pig, I guess? Gone by the next day! Easy to make, too easy, dangerous!! Lol. Try these, I used the best ingredients, Reese’s peanut butter chips, Eagle brand sweet condensed milk, Planters salted peanuts, and good sea salt. The salt in this recipe might seem like a lot, it isn’t. It’s perfect. At first I backed off sprinkling the recipe amount, but they tasted, mehh.. I added the rest of the salt plus a pinch, and it literally was thee game changer!! Make these, you won’t be sorry! You will need self control though 😉 Let them cool for a bit in the fridge bc the flavor and texture gets better. Thank you so much for the recipe!!
I’m so glad you liked them, Laurie!
Are the marshamallows supposed to melt? I removed chips and butter from stove once melted but apparently it needed to be hotter for marshamallows to melt. Mine did not melt and do not look like yours.
Also, someone mentioned putting the entire amount of salt in recipe. My recipe says a light sprinkle of salt, optional. How much salt are we to use.
Hi, Marcia. Yes, the marshmallows should melt so the mixture is smooth. Try returning the mixture to low heat to help. The salt listed in the recipe is how I make them.
I think these would ship well. Hint, hint.
Will definitely try these! They sound good…and easy!
I love to combine sweet and salty things, the best is that they only need 5 ingredients, I want to make them!
This looks both easy and super delicious with no effort – cant wait to try it and add it to my baking blog!!!
Yum — those look so easy…I think I might complicate them a little and add a layer of melted chocolate. Can’t wait to try them!
Lucy, it is only due to a huge amount of restraint on my behalf that I didn’t do exactly that. I have some leftovers, so it may happen yet!
Wow, these look amazing! I am pretty sure I would eat the whole pan by myself. Unless my husband beat me to it!
Hey Jen try adding some carmel to the center of it like a payday candy bar..http://recipes.calputer.com/hershey-payday-candy-bar-recipe.html
Tom, I’m not sure I could take all of that at the same time! Those could be dangerous.
Jennifer it was so nice to meet you at the cookie swap! Your blog is beautiful. I love the photos, and your story. Let’s stay in touch and be baking buddies!
Have a great holiday season!
Lynda, it was great to meet you, too! Happy holidays!
These make me think of Payday bars.
Making these asap. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I love how simple these are.
I make these for Christmas every year! They are my top requested sweet but they are so so easy to make. And yes, taste like a Payday!
So… I cannot read today. I saw these and immediately knew I’d fall in love. I got into car. Went to store for ingredients. Came home with peanut butter NOT peanut butter chips. Decided not to go back to store. Made with 1 cup peanut butter instead of chips. Used smaller pan. Fell in love. Delicious!
Incredible! Was devastated because I’ve never heard of peanut butter chips (Australia) so gad to know I can use peanut butter! Trying these!
Do you think these can be shipped? My son is in the army and I’m always looking for treats that can be mailed.
Lori, I think they’d ship well enough.
I bet these could be dropped on wax paper for individual pieces – like you do no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies/candy. Can’t wait to try these.
Thanks Elyse for mentioning using 1 cup peanut butter instead of the chips. I have peanut butter in the pantry – not the chips.
Help! I tried these and they taste WONDERFUL, but they are sooooo gooey and sticky I could hardly get them out of the pan. I couldn’t possibly get them to look as neat as in the picture. What did I do wrong?????
Deb, did you do anything differently at all from the recipe?
I made these and they are so easy and SO DELISH. Can I freeze these for a week or two?
Linda, I think they would freeze well.
I can’t pull up the ingredients?! What’s the recipe?
Made these today, but I am a little confused. I followed the recipe but had to add in some peanut butter as I didn’t get the right amount of chips. Are the marshmallows supposes to melt? Because mine didn’t. The mixture was getting too tough to stir. I’m not a baker, but I decided to make these and save some money instead of buying real candy bars. Also, since I am a fan of Baby Ruth’s I put a drizzle of chocolate on half of the bars. Yummy!!
Britton, the marshmallows should melt when you add them to the hot butter/peanut butter mixture. The mixture should be smooth after it’s all mixed together.
The recipe indicates an 11×7 pan… I’m assuming this is supposed to be 11×17? Hosting a baby shower soon and I think we’ll have these!
Tina, it’s 11″ x 7″. There’s a note at the bottom of the recipe for using 9″ x 13″ if you need to make more.
I made these today after salivating over the recipe for a couple of days now. I found this recipe on Pinterest. Mine are not currently fully chilled, but I am skeptical if they will chill fully and set due to the near 100% humidity. Also, I found that with my improvised double boiler my mixture was not hot enough to melt my marshmallows and had to put it back on the heat for it bit more to stir it in. All did melt with persistance and the sample I tried a bit ago was wonderful! I can’t wait to have more tomorrow! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Oh no. You can’t get Paydays in England, so I always bring some home or request them from the states. The only reason they don’t have to cut me out of the house and carry me away on a tractor is I can’t eat Paydays all the time. Now I can, I’m about to triple in size.
I was so excited to make these, but mine didn’t turn out either :(. The marshmallows would not melt at all! After I added the condensed milk, the mixture was way too cool to melt the marshmallows. Perhaps if I had added the marshmallows first? I tried putting it back on the stove to melt the marshmallows, which only made the mixture super thick and impossible to spread. Maybe next time I’ll add the marshmallows when the peanut butter chips and butter are halfway melted, or try marshmallow fluff instead. Hopefully they still taste ok!
Laura, did you use miniature marshmallows? They’ll melt faster than regular-sized marshmallows.
Also had trouble getting the marshmallows to melt. Added a bit more butter to thin it out and put back on the stove for a bit. It was very thick but I managed to spread it with a little work. Thinking about using marshmallow fluff next time. Delicious so far!
are these like payday candy bar?
Terry, the flavor is similar.
I made these today I used marshmallow cream because I had no marshmallows they are cooling now! From what i already tasted these are gonna be great! Thanks for the recipe!
These totally rock, made them for family reunion and everyone wanted the recipe….thanks!
I made these with halal marshmallows (woohoo, perks of living in Toronto) but mine didn’t work either. Tastes great but it’s just a gooey mess, not bar like at all. My marshmallows didn’t fully melt. Trying to figure out how I can SAVE these goodies. Help!!! Should I pop it into the microwave? Double boiler the mixture and repress into tray with parchment paper lining? Ideas, anyone?
Hi, Nazerah. I’ve never used halal marshmallows, so I don’t know how/if they differ. It’s important for the marshmallows to be the mini size, and you must work quickly when stirring them so that they’ll melt well. You could try reheating over very low heat.
made them and had to keep cooking over low heat to get the marshmallows to melt. they seem really soft and Im afraid they will not set up. how long should you let them chill?
Michelle, they’ll likely need to chill for a few hours. You can even leave them overnight.
I’m wondering, since everyone seems to be having trouble with their marshmallows melting, could you add the butter and condensed milk first in the pan, then add the marshmallows until they begin to melt, then add the peanut butter chips as other ingredients?Â
Hi, Trudy. I’ve only ever made them as written, and I’ve not had trouble getting the marshmallows to melt. I think the peanut butter chips need to get melted first, as they would be tougher to melt than the marshmallows. If the marshmallows aren’t melting, you can always put the pan back on low heat for a brief time to get things melting.
Wow, this looks really nice, very creamy but also really sinfull! 😉
Hi,
I am excited about trying these out. Do you have a subistitue for the peanut butter chips? Like how much peanut butter instead? Also how do I follow your great blog?
Kayla
I couldn’t wait to make these! After reading all the posts, I modified it and melted the butter and marshmallows first on very low heat (like you do for rice krispy treats). While stirring, I added 1 cup of peanut butter and stirred until all was melted (I usually add 1/4 cup peanut butter anyway to my rice krispy treats). Then I removed from the heat to add the condensed milk and mixed well – it was VERY smooth and YUMMY. It’s now setting in the fridge – CANNOT wait to eat them! Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful recipe! I’m thinking of drizzling some chocolate over the top for my hubby who doesn’t think anythings tastes good unless there’s chocolate. 🙂
Mine didn’t set up either. Tasty but too gooey to cut. Popped them in the freezer to see if I can cut them.
I made these last week and they didn’t harden enough either – turned out a gooey sticky mess – even after freezing. Tasted great but had to throw them out without eating all of them…maybe too much condensed milk, not enough marshmallow?? They would have been great otherwise. Followed the recipe.
I Love Payday candybars and when I seen this receipe I had to try it. I decieded to adjust the receipe by adding 1/2c.Jiff pnut butter and only using 10 oz bag of reese pnut butter chips. I melted all ingredients together over the heat except the condensed milk I added last . I also added some marshmallows to the top. Texture seemed really smooth and not gooey…hopefully they set ……………..
Just made these and put in the fridge to chill. My marshmallows (yes they were miniature) would not melt either. I put the pan back on low heat and kept adding butter until they finally melted and the mixture became smooth. I ending up adding almost an additional 2 tbsp butter. Fingers are crossed that they cool and setup because they sure do look yummy!
Just made these! Ahhhhh-mazing!
Just put mine in the fridge to chill and hopefully set! I did get the marshmallows to melt, and I evn used the reg ones because thye dont have the minis in Germany, and used peanut butter instead if chips, same reason! Hope these turn out!
I believe I have a genetic predisposition to love peanut butter. Bringing home a jar of stuff, means I have lunch and dinner for the week. Not a good thing, but of course that won’t stop me from trying this recipe. Perhaps I will be able to show some restraint. Ummmm, I doubt it. 😉
Recipe did NOT set up. Too gooey. Just a tasty mess.
These didnt set up enuf to cut even after refridgerating. The next day they were just firm enuf to cut. But were really good!
Just made these, and they were perfect!!! After reading the reviews, about the marshmallows not melting. I discovered while melting the butter and peanut butter chips, that it doesnt really get hot enough, so after they are melted turn the heat up just a little more, make sure you keep stirring, just till it feels hot to the touch. Along with that, I put the sweetened condensed milk in a small saucepan, and let it set on low heat just till its warm/hot, then add all ingredients to the peanut mixture. Just keep stirring with a spoon, kind of squishing the marshmallows, and they will melt in. I am a payday’s biggest fan, and these are absolutely yummy!!! Thank you Jennifer for this delectable recipe!
Are the marshmellows supposed to melt?
Yes, Christy. It’s a lot like melting marshmallows for making Rice Krispies treats. Make sure the mixture is hot enough to melt the marshmallows. If not, then return it to the heat for a few minutes.
Another easy no bake peanut butter goodie – take equal amounts – like a l/2 cup of: peanut butter, honey, dry powdered milk (or we’re experimenting successfully with protein powder), and oatmeal. Then add mini choc chips as you like.. Mix and have kids make into small balls; refrig and viola! They are GOOD!
mine did not set up either…but think I will scoop it out into little muffin tins and serve that way.
I made this recipe strictly as written yesterday and they were delicious! I cut them into fairly small rectangles and wrapped them in waxed paper to make them feel more like candy. Then I made some more today, but didn’t have the right volume of peanut butter chips, so used 1 cup peanut butter chips and 1 cup chocolate chips. Yum! I hope to have some left to wrap up….
I couldn’t get the marshmallows melt, either. I just transferred everything to a glass pan and put it in the microwave for a few minutes, stopping to stir after each minute until the marshmallows incorporated into the mixture. When hot, it spreads easily over the nuts. Before I did that, it was sooo hard to stir and was setting up in the pan.
Just made these and they turned out great! I did turn up the heat when I added the mini marshmallows so they would melt, but other than that, I followed everything. Thanks! These are great! =D
I had to put it back on the burner to get the marshmallows to melt. I used the larger pan method with the extra peanuts and was able to pour the mixture over the peanuts with no problem. After I cut them and take them out of the pan the peanuts fall off. Will try dry roasted next time, maybe they will stick better. Everyone thought it was great candy.
I just tried to make these and they are really sticky or soft. Did I do something g wrong? Or maybe not let them set long enough? I put in the refrigerator for 3 hours.
syntitha, maybe they need to refrigerate longer, although they should be somewhat soft. Did you make any changes to the recipe?
I made these today.. super yummy… i also had the marshmallow melting problem but i was able to salvage it really quick by whipping out my hand mixer and giving it a whirl.. melted and mixed it up really nicely though i did make a mess lol.. this is a delicious recipe and im definitely going to make them again..
They are in the fridge, can’t wait to taste them.
Can’t wait to try! I love simple no fuss recipes like this, means I will probably make once a week 🙂 Are the marshmellows optional?
Amy, you’ll need the marshmallows.
What a disappointment. Made a double batch, one for family and one for a gathering. They won’t set and are just a gooey mess. And yes, I followed directions.
I have made 5 batches of these. I really love the flavor but I have trouble as well getting the marshmallows to melt. Also after several hours in the refrigerator they do harden to where they can be cut into bars but they don’t stay that way for long. They start to get sticky fast. Have followed the recipe completely. What am I doing wrong or what can I do to correct this?
I’m getting ready to make these, but just realized I bought roasted peanuts, instead of plain ones. Will they work, you think? 😮
Since so many had trouble with their marshmallows melting, I shall heat my milk before adding to the mixture.
Thanks for sharing the recipe! Paydays were my favorite candy bar as a child. I no longer indulge in candy bars, but I do plan on indulging in this! 🙂
Hi, Renna! Roasted peanuts should work just fine. They’ll just taste a bit different.
Thank you, Jennifer, for your response! 🙂
My melted butter/chip mixture also wasn’t conducive to mixing in or melting the marshmellows easily, so I just put the whole thing back on the stove top on low and stirred until everything was blended. I poured into my pan of peanuts, but worked as fast as I could because the mixture hardened quickly and I wanted to even out and get nuts to stick on the top. Final result is VERY sweet but tasty. Not super easy to cut cleanly and the nuts fall off. I was planning to add to cookie trays for gifts, but realize now this isn’t the best recipe for that since they are supposed to store chilled. Oh well. I’ll try something else!
My husband and I just finished this delightful recipe… This was fun to make and easy, make sure you have some muscle power!!!! tasting the mixture was yummmmmolicious too!!!!!
Hey My mellows melted perfectly, doesnt the recipe say to melt the butter and chips, then add the sweet cond milk, with hot sweet cond milk how could mellows NOT melt.. ANYWAY mine set up great and all was good cept the peanuts WONT STAY ON! The all fall off as soon as I cut them or touch them? Did I heat the mixture too much you think?
nykee, you could try gently (and carefully) pressing the peanuts into the bars while they’re still warm.
I made these bars twice, the first time I followed the recipe exactly and they were too soft. Â The second time I used half the amount of condensed milk and they were perfect, the can was 14 ounces, so maybe some stores carry a smaller size, the recipe was very vague. Â Hope this helps!
I’ll be making these for a wedding reception. Â Can these be made 3 or 4 days in advance and if so how would I store them. Â Thanks
Hi, Peggy. They should keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 or 4 days.
Really professional looking photography, makes me sooo hungry!
I love these!!! would you mind creating a recipe with almonds and no peanut butter flavor? Would butterscotch chips work the same way? Thanks!!!
Thanks, Marion. I think butterscotch chips are worth a shot! Good quality ones should melt well.
I made these and they are a gooey mess. Should I cook them again in the microwave, oven, dig them up and put them in a pan to cook more or WHAT?? Very disappointed…
Hi, Chris. These generally come together quite easily, so perhaps something went awry in the melting process. If you didn’t change anything at all about the recipe, then that would be my best guess.