Homemade pay day candy bars

Okay, imagine this: you’re eight years old again, standing in front of the candy aisle with wide eyes and sticky fingers. Pay Day bars were that golden ticket—caramel and crunchy peanuts wrapped up in pure snack joy. Making them at home? Total game changer. I love recreating that slightly nutty, chewy goodness in my own kitchen, and trust me, it’s easier (and way more fun) than you think. Plus, you get to control exactly how nutty and sweet they are. Ready to make your own little slice of childhood happiness?

Quick Facts

Yield: About 8 bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes (+ chilling)

Ingredients

For the Main Dish:

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup honey or light corn syrup
2 cups roasted salted peanuts, roughly chopped
2 cups rolled oats
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tbsp coconut oil or vegetable oil (for chocolate)

How I Make It

Step 1:

Start by warming up the peanut butter and honey together in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir gently until it becomes a smooth, glossy caramel-like mixture—about 3 to 4 minutes. This step is key to getting that gooey stickiness.

Step 2:

Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a good pinch of salt to enhance the flavors. Then, fold in the chopped peanuts and rolled oats, mixing until everything is well combined and evenly coated.

Step 3:

Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper and press the mixture firmly into the pan, flattening it out with a spatula or your fingers. Don’t be shy about packing it tight so the bars hold together well.

Step 4:

Pop the pan in the fridge for at least 20 minutes to chill and firm up the bars. This step helps lock everything in place so they don’t crumble.

Step 5:

While the bars chill, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring until smooth and shiny.

Step 6:

Once the bars are firm, lift them out using the parchment, cut into 8 bars, and dip or drizzle the top with the melted chocolate. Return to the fridge for another 10 minutes to set the chocolate layer. And voila—your homemade Pay Day candy bars are ready to devour!

Variations & Tips

Swap out roasted salted peanuts for a mix of almonds and cashews for a different crunch.
If you want a little extra saltiness, sprinkle flaky sea salt on the chocolate before it sets.
Use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet for a richer finish.
Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of cayenne to the peanut mixture for a flavor twist.
For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey and dairy-free chocolate chips.

How I Like to Serve It

These bars are perfect for an afternoon snack with a glass of cold milk or a steaming cup of coffee. They make awesome grab-and-go treats for hiking or road trips, and honestly, they’re great sprinkled on top of vanilla ice cream when you want something a little special. Perfect for sharing… or not.

Notes

Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
If the chocolate gets too hard after refrigeration, let bars sit at room temp for 10 minutes before eating.

Closing: These homemade Pay Day bars always hit that perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy—and they’re guaranteed to bring back all the good childhood vibes.