Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter (The Best 4-Ingredient Spread)

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Chocolate and peanut butter are already a perfect match, so why not turn them into the best homemade spread? This 4-ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter is creamy, chocolatey, not too sweet (unless you want to make it sweeter!), and so good you’ll find yourself grabbing a spoon before it even makes it into the jar!

Jar filled with chocolate peanut butter on a white background with sea salt, chocolate chips, and peanuts scattered around.

Why I love it (and you will too!)

I’ve always loved making things from scratch at home, and homemade peanut butter is one of those recipes that makes me appreciate it even more! There’s something really special to me about starting with a handful of peanuts and watching them turn into a creamy spread that I’ve loved since I was little. Plus, I love knowing exactly what’s going into it (no junk!).

If you’ve always been a peanut butter cup fan like me, the chocolate and peanut combo is nothing new. It’s a classic for a reason. But turning it into a homemade spread? That’s the part that makes it fun again!

Before you think this is going to be too sweet, hear me out! I love using semi-sweet chocolate chips because they give you that chocolatey flavor without taking away from the nuttiness. The peanut butter is still the star, which makes it a delicious breakfast spread instead of something that’s just a dessert. Put it on warm toast or a bagel with some fruit, and it might just become your new favorite way to eat peanut butter.

Now that I’ve convinced you that homemade chocolate peanut butter definitely belongs in your kitchen, let’s make it! This recipe is so simple, and watching the peanuts transform is honestly the best part.

A butter knife dipping into a jar filled with chocolate peanut butter

Ingredients you will need

You only need four simple ingredients to make this delicious, chocolatey peanut butter! You’ll find the full ingredient list and exact amounts in the recipe card below.

Ingredients in individual bowls on white background.

Roasted unsalted peanuts – The star of the recipe! As they blend, they’ll release their natural oils and turn into smooth, creamy peanut butter.
Light brown sugar– Adds just the right amount of sweetness.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips – Semi-sweet chocolate chips keep it from being overly sweet and gives you the PERFECT flavor!
Sea salt – Just a pinch helps balance the sweetness and brings out the chocolate and peanut flavors even more.

Tools You Will Need

If there’s ever a recipe that makes having a food processor worth it, this is definitely one of them!

Food processor – This is what turns the regular peanuts into smooth, creamy peanut butter. Be patient, it can take a few minutes, but this Stack & Snap Food Processor does all the hard work for you.
Microwave-safe bowl – You’ll need this to melt the chocolate chips before mixing them into the peanut butter.
8 oz jar – This recipe fits perfectly in an 8 oz jar with a lid, making it easy to store or gift to another peanut butter lover!

A bite is taken out of toast with chocolate peanut butter toast.

Easy Ways to Use this recipe

One of my favorite things about this homemade chocolate peanut butter is that there are so many ways to use it! Whether you’re making breakfast, a snack, or dessert, you’ll have no problem finding ways to use it up.

Breakfast ideas

Spread it on toast or a warm bagel for an easy breakfast! I love serving it with sliced bananas, strawberries, or raspberries on the side. It’s also so good swirled into yogurt with fruit and granola.

Dessert Ideas

This chocolate peanut butter is perfect for recipes like my Banana Snickers Bites. It also makes a delicious topping for ice cream, brownies, or sliced apples when you’re craving something nutty.

Blend It Into Drinks

Stir a spoonful into creamy milkshakes, or blend it into my 4-Ingredient PB&J Smoothie for a fruity, chocolatey twist.

Or Just Grab a Spoon

Let’s be honest… sometimes the best way to enjoy it is straight from the jar. I won’t judge!

How to make the best Homemade Spread

Ready to make your new favorite spread? Let me show you how:

Blend the peanuts
Add the roasted peanuts to your food processor and let it do its thing. At first they’ll look crumbly, then they’ll start clumping together, and before you know it they’ll turn into smooth, creamy peanut butter. Be patient, it can take a few minutes to get your perfect consistency!
Sweeten it up
Once the peanut butter is smooth, add the brown sugar and sea salt. Blend again until everything is mixed together.
Add the chocolate
Melt the chocolate chips, then pour them right into the food processor. Blend one more time until everything is creamy and perfectly chocolatey.
Give it a taste
Now’s the fun part! Give it a taste and see if you’d like a little more chocolate or another pinch of sea salt. Once it’s just how you like it, spoon it into a jar and enjoy!

FAQs and Tips

Can I use salted peanuts instead of unsalted?

You can, but I recommend using roasted unsalted peanuts so you can control the salt yourself. If you do use salted peanuts, I’d skip the added sea salt at first, then taste and add more only if you think it needs it.

Can I use milk chocolate or dark chocolate instead?

Absolutely! I like semi-sweet chocolate chips because they give the best balance of chocolate and peanut butter, but milk chocolate will make it sweeter and dark chocolate will make it a little richer.

Why isn’t my peanut butter smooth yet?

Don’t give up! The peanuts will go through a few stages before they turn creamy. First they’ll look crumbly, then they’ll clump together, and finally they’ll become smooth peanut butter. Just keep blending until you get your perfect consistency.

Should I let the chocolate cool first?

A little bit. Let the melted chocolate cool for a minute or two before adding it to the food processor, but not much more than that. It blends in much more easily that way.

Do I need to scrape down the sides?

Yes! Stopping to scrape down the sides every so often helps everything blend evenly and gives you the smoothest chocolate peanut butter.

variations And Substitutions

Use a different nut

Peanuts give this recipe that classic chocolate peanut butter flavor, but you can easily swap them for roasted almonds, cashews, or walnuts if that’s what you have on hand. Just keep in mind the flavor will be a little different.

Try a different chocolate

I love using semi-sweet chocolate chips because they give this peanut butter the perfect balance of chocolate flavor without making it overly sweet. But if you’re looking to try a different flavor, here are a few options to try:

Milk chocolate

Milk chocolate will make the spread sweeter and creamier, giving it more of that classic peanut butter cup flavor. This is a great option if you have more of a sweet tooth!

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is perfect if you like a richer chocolate flavor that’s a little less sweet. It pairs really well with the roasted peanuts and gives the spread a deeper chocolate taste.

WHITE CHOCOLATE

If you want to try something different, white chocolate will make this spread sweeter and extra creamy. It won’t have that traditional chocolate peanut butter flavor, but it’s a fun way to change things up.

Swap the sweetener

I use brown sugar because it gives the chocolate peanut butter a classic flavor, but you can easily switch it up if you’d like. Try swapping it for:

Honey – This adds a little extra sweetness with a subtle honey flavor. Since honey is a liquid, the texture may be slightly softer.
Maple syrup – A great option if you like a more natural sweetness. It will give the peanut butter a slightly different flavor while still keeping it creamy and delicious!

Chocolate peanut butter on toast with a jar and butter knife in the background

How to Store It

Store your homemade chocolate peanut butter in an airtight jar. It will keep at room temperature for up to 3–5 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks if you’d like it to last longer.

If you store it in the fridge, it will firm up a bit. Just let it sit on the counter for 10–15 minutes before using, or give it a quick stir, and it’ll be nice and creamy again.

I have to admit, mine usually disappears long before I have to worry about how long it lasts!

related Recipes

If you’re loving this recipe, I’ve got a few more I think you’ll love too! Whether you’re in the mood for another spread or a sweet treat, here are some of my favorites to make next:

Try my Salted Date Caramel for a naturally sweet, creamy caramel made with no refined sugar. It’s perfect for fruit, oatmeal, or just eating straight from the spoon.
If you can’t get enough chocolate, you’ll love this Chocolate Almond Butter. It’s another creamy, homemade spread that’s so hard to stop eating.
And if you’re craving dessert, you have to try my Dairy-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream. It’s the perfect treat for peanut butter lovers!
Looking for something a little more classic? This Homemade Almond Butter is smooth and made with just a few simple ingredients.