When it's hot out and the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven, no-bake desserts are a life saver! And what's even better than a no-bake dessert on a hot day? A frozen dessert! And I've got a great one for you. If you love ice cream, chocolate, and peanuts, you will LOVE this Peanut Buster Parfait ice cream pie!
This ice cream pie is an homage to the famous Dairy Queen desserts, Peanut Buster Parfait and Buster Bars. They're simple treats, but so good: vanilla soft serve, whole Spanish peanuts, and hot fudge (or in the case of the Buster Bar, a chocolate shell). I wanted to recreate those flavors, but in an ice cream pie that you can feel great about serving to company, for a birthday celebration, or for any special occasion! Best of all, it takes just ten minutes to put together and you won't have to turn on your oven!
What is in a Peanut Buster Parfait?
If you've ever had a Peanut Buster Parfait at Dairy Queen, then you already know why this pie is so good! The simple goodness of vanilla soft serve sprinkled with roasted salted peanuts and draped in hot fudge is irresistible! It's a classic combination that's just begging to be turned into a pie!
And the best part? The pie crust. It's not a flaky butter pastry, not a graham cracker crust, and not even an Oreo cookie crust. This crust is made out of crushed Nutter Butter Cookies. You read that right! This crust is full of even more peanut butter goodness and it's perfect for this pie!
Plus, it couldn't be easier to make. I'll share a video below that shows how easy it is to make this Peanut Buster Parfait pie in just a few minutes! All you'll need to do is gather a handful of ingredients and a pie pan!
Ingredients
This is a 6-ingredient dessert! Here's what you'll need to make this delicious Peanut Buster Parfait ice cream pie:
- vanilla ice cream - you can use regular dairy ice cream, or non-dairy ice cream, whatever you prefer! You can even bump up the peanut butter flavor by using the peanut butter-flavored ice cream of your choice! It should be soft, so let it sit out for 15 minutes or so before assembling your pie.
- crushed Nutter Butter cookies - you can crush them in your food processor, or just toss them into a freezer bag and crush them with your rolling pan. Perfect for getting out any aggression! And if you love crumb pie crusts, check out my Pumpkin Pie in Graham Cracker Crust!
- melted butter - I use unsalted butter for this recipe, because there's a good amount of salt in the peanuts, and the chocolate ganache isn't too sweet!
- semi-sweet chocolate chips - semi-sweet is my preference because it keeps the pie from being overly sweet but still gives it that deep chocolate flavor.
- heavy cream - this, along with the chocolate chips, creates the ganache that we'll be adding throughout our pie and as a topping!
- Spanish peanuts - the original Peanut Buster Parfait recipe uses Spanish peanuts, the ones that have the red skin still on them. But if you can't find those, any roasted, salted whole peanuts will be great!
Equipment
I like to use my quiche pan for this Peanut Buster Parfait pie recipe, because its removable bottom makes it so easy to slice and serve! But you can definitely use any pie pan that you have. You'll also need an ice cream scoop and some wooden spoons or rubber spatulas to spread out the layers.
Step by Step
This recipe is incredibly easy! In the video above, I go through each of the steps to assemble this Peanut Buster Parfait ice cream pie:
- Make your chocolate ganache. Just add equal parts chocolate chips and heavy cream into a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in the microwave, in 15 second intervals, until chocolate chips are starting to melt, and then whisk the mixture together until it's smooth. Let it cool to room temperature, and it should still be pourable.
- Make your crust. Combine your crushed peanut butter cookies and melted butter in a bowl and toss to get the butter all over those cookies!
- Press the cookie crust into your pie pan so that it's even against the sides and bottom of the pan. Spread a little of your chocolate ganache onto the crust.
- Spread about half of your softened ice cream into the crust and even it out. Top with a handful of peanuts and some more chocolate ganache.
- Spread the rest of your ice cream on top, and top with more peanuts and chocolate.
- Pop it back into the freezer for another 3-5 hours so that it can solidify.
- Let it sit at room temperature a few minutes before slicing, and enjoy your Peanut Buster Parfait pie!
Tips and F.A.Q.
The peanut buster parfait uses Spanish peanuts, which are whole, roasted and salted peanuts with the red skins still on. These particular peanuts add so much great salty flavor and texture to the Peanut Buster Parfait, and also to this pie!
The Peanut Buster Parfait debuted at Dairy Queen way back in 1971! And it's been a favorite ever since!
Absolutely! If you want to switch up this recipe, it's so easy! Swap the vanilla ice cream for chocolate, peanut butter cup, butter pecan, or whatever your favorite flavor is! You can also swap the peanut butter cookies in the crust for Oreo cookies, vanilla wafers, or graham crackers!
This pie will stay fresh up to two weeks, well wrapped, in the freezer! But there's no way it'll last that long!
Related Recipes
This Peanut Buster Parfait Ice Cream Pie isn't the only summertime treat I have for you! If you enjoy this pie recipe, you'll really love my no-churn key lime pie ice cream and my no-churn blackberry cheesecake ice cream with a Biscoff cookie swirl! You'll love these ice cream recipes because they're packed with flavor and texture, just like this ice cream pie!
If you want a summery treat that's a little lighter, you will LOVE my yummy 3-ingredient strawberry banana sorbet! It's also a no-churn recipe, so no ice cream maker needed! And it's got no added sugars, and it's paleo-friendly!
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
Ingredients
- 14 oz Nutter Butter cookies - crushed (27 cookies)
- 6 tablespoon salted butter - melted
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - (6 oz)
- 1 cup heavy cream - (8.5 oz)
- 1½ quarts vanilla ice cream - slightly softened at room temperature (one carton)
- 1 cup roasted and salted peanuts - Spanish-style, if possible
Instructions
- Combine chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 15-second intervals until chocolate chips begin to melt. Stir until ganache is fully mixed and smooth.
- Combine cookie crumbs and melted butter in a medium bowl and stir to saturate cookies with butter. Press into sides and bottom of pie pan.
- Coat bottom of crust with a thin layer of chocolate ganache.
- Spread one-half of ice cream over chocolate in pie pan and top with ½ cup of peanuts, followed by one-half of remaining chocolate ganache. Repeat with second half of ice cream, remaining peanuts, and another drizzle of ganache on top.
- Cover loosely with plastic wrap and place in freezer to solidify for 4-6 hours, or until firm. To serve, allow to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PIN this Peanut Buster Parfait ice cream pie recipe for later!
Last Updated on August 16, 2024 by Chenée Lewis
Caroline says
I agree, no bake desserts are perfect fr summer and even better involving ice cream - this looks delicious!
Chenée Lewis says
Thank you! It's a great summer dessert!
Danielle Wolter says
I am drooling over this - it looks just incredible. My boyfriend would love this - can't wait to try it!
Chenée Lewis says
Hope you both enjoy! 🙂
Allyssa says
Thank you for sharing this peanut buster parfait ice cream pie! So amazing and perfect for parties! Will make it again, it taste really good! Highly Recommended
Chenée Lewis says
Thank you -- so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Kate says
Oh MY! Peanut Buster Pie - this is the best day ever! Seriously good, everything about this dessert is incredible - including that crust. YUM!
Chenée Lewis says
So glad you enjoy! Thanks!
Shanelle says
This looks yummy and so pretty! Perfect for entertaining!
Chenée Lewis says
Thanks! Definitely great for summertime entertaining!
Robin says
Not only is your recipe based on a Dairy Queen classic but the crust is made with a childhood favorite Nutter Butters too? You have clearly created a winner here.
Chenée Lewis says
Thank you!! It's hitting all those nostalgic notes!
Renia Butler says
The true gem in this recipe was that crust. My family would have eaten just that if i'd let them. I switched some chocolate for carob put this recipe was simply delicious.
Chenée Lewis says
I'm so glad you all liked it!! 🙂