Best Recipe for Peanut Butter Balls

5 from 6 votes

This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Peanut Butter Balls have a creamy peanut butter filling, chocolate outside and a surprise crunch that make them practically irresistible. Every time I post this recipe video on my Facebook page, it goes viral (5.2 million views and counting!). I just know you’ll love my version of these tasty little treats.

close up peanut butter ball cut in half

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

What could be better than peanut butter cups and chocolate truffles? A mix between the two, of course! With Peanut Butter Balls you get the best of both! Need a peanut buttery boost of energy? Give these Peanut Butter Energy Balls a try…these totally satisfy that sweet tooth craving.

Peanut Butter Ball Recipe ingredients

  • butter – I use salted, but feel free to substitute unsalted and add a pinch of salt
  • peanut butter – can’t have peanut butter balls without peanut butter. Creamy is best for this recipe
  • powdered sugar – to sweeten the peanut butter
  • Rice Krispies cereal – this adds that surprise crunch that takes it to the next level
  • melting chocolate or chocolate chips – for dipping
  • vegetable oil – or coconut oil to help chocolate melt

How to Make Peanut Butter Balls

This is a pretty easy recipe to make. Simply prepare the filling, scoop into balls then freeze. Melt the chocolate then dip the frozen peanut butter balls into the chocolate. Then once they are all finished they chill until the chocolate hardens! For full details check out the helpful video and recipe card down below.

Make Peanut Butter Mixture

  1. In a large bowl, measure out the butter and peanut butter. Microwave in intervals until completely melted and smooth.
  2. Stir in powdered sugar and Rice Krispies and gently incorporate until fully mixed together.
  3. Scoop mixture into balls. Roll in between palms to smooth completely. Place onto a parchment (or wax) paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze.

Make Dipping Chocolate

4. While peanut butter balls are freezing, melt chocolate and vegetable oil together in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in intervals until completely melted and smooth.

Coat Peanut Butter Balls in Chocolate

5. Drop the frozen balls one at a time into the melted chocolate. Use a fork or fondue tool to roll ball evenly in chocolate. Lift ball out of the chocolate and tap gently to remove any excess chocolate. Place back on parchment paper.

6. Continue coating balls in chocolate until they are all coated.

Chill + Serve

7. Chill until chocolate hardens. Serve.

chocolate covered peanut butter balls on parchment paper

What chocolate is best for this Peanut Butter Balls Recipe?

Use a good quality melting chocolate or feel free to use any kind of chocolate chips you have on hand (dark, semi-sweet, milk or even peanut butter chips will do).

Tips and tricks for dipping Peanut Butter Balls

  • Dipping utensil: you could use a specialty dipping tool for these peanut butter balls but you could also use a fork just as easily! Using a fork can be a little messier but it gets the job done. If you want to be fancy, I highly recommend these fondue utensils or this dipping tool.
  • To thin out chocolate: if your chocolate is still too thick for dipping, add in another teaspoon of vegetable oil and mix away. Be careful though, if you add too much oil, the chocolate won’t stick to the peanut butter ball.
  • For smooth chocolate: you either need more vegetable oil -OR- the chocolate mixture still needs some microwaving to melt all the way.
  • Chocolate is hardening too fast: first things first, work quickly. Secondly, there is no shame in popping that chocolate back in the microwave for 10 seconds to get it loose again. You can do it!
  • The filling is sticking to my dipping utensil: either the filling is too cold or the chocolate is too hot! Adjust accordingly and try again 🙂

Peanut Butter Ball storage

Once chocolate has set, store in an airtight container or bag. The real beauty of this Peanut Butter Balls recipe is that it can be frozen for up to 3 months! This also means you could have these bad boys ready for whenever the craving strikes.

To Freeze. Once the balls are coated, chilled and the chocolate has set toss them into a freezer-safe bag and freeze! Easy, right?

To Thaw. Simply thaw in the fridge overnight (or for at least 8 hours) then enjoy!

Recipe for Peanut Butter Balls FAQ:

Why are my peanut butter balls soft?

Your peanut butter balls may be too soft because your butter was too warm. Place them in the freezer and they should harden back up.

How do you make peanut butter balls less sticky?

Make sure you are using regular peanut butter instead of natural. If your peanut butter balls are too sticky, try adding more powdered sugar to the mix.

Why are my peanut butter balls grainy?

It may be the type of peanut butter you are using. Try adding in a tiny bit of vegetable oil to make your peanut butter balls smoother.

peanut butter ball with a piece cut off

More Chocolate Peanut Butter Treats to Try!

The printable recipe card is below. Be sure to save/print/bookmark or share this recipe. Have a great weekend, friends! 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

close up peanut butter ball cut in half
PrintPrint Pin ItPin It
5 from 6 votes

How to make Peanut Butter Balls

What could be better than peanut butter cups and chocolate truffles? A mix between the two. With Peanut Butter Balls you get the best of both!
servings 24 balls
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, measure out the butter and peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals until completely melted and smooth; should take about 1 1/2 minutes.
  • Stir in powdered sugar and rice Krispies and gently incorporate until fully mixed together.
  • Using a 2 teaspoon cookie scoop, scoop mixture into 24 even balls. Roll in between palms to smooth completely. Place onto a parchment (or wax) paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze 10 minutes.
  • While peanut butter balls are freezing, melt chocolate and vegetable oil together in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals until completely melted and smooth.
  • Drop the frozen balls one at a time into the melted chocolate. Use a fork to roll ball evenly in chocolate. Lift ball out of the chocolate with the prongs of the fork and tap gently to remove any excess chocolate. Place back on parchment paper.
  • Continue coating balls in chocolate until they are all coated. Chill until chocolate hardens. Serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 93mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 176IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: peanut butter balls, peanut butter balls recipe

Share a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

Recipe Rating




26 Responses
  1. Marilyne tessier

    Bonjour j’aimerais savoir comment s’appelle la cuillère a cerceaux que vous utilisez pour sortir les boules du chocolat svp et où je peux l’acheter 🙏 merciiiii joyeux noël 🎄

  2. Teri Smith

    I love a good choc. covered PB ball! And I love that cool dipping utensil – I am going to get one of those! TIP: I like to use my double boiler to melt 3 squares of the regular chocolate almond bark for my coating of PB balls, pretzels, ritz crackers & PB, chocolate covered strawberries… I don’t have to rush and it sets up quickly without having to chill. I can’t wait to try this one, the Rice Krispies will be a nice crunchy touch in these treats.

      1. Marion Mitchell

        I love your peanut butter balls and usually make them every Xmas. I have been searching for your dipping tool with no success. I live in eastern Canada. Any idea who sells them?

  3. Lee

    5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe!
    These were so easy to make, and I made them gluten free with almond butter. I also can’t a lot of regular chocolate at one time, but I can have a little. So I coated them with melted white chocolate, and used Gluten free Cocoa Pebbles instead of Rice Krispies. My family said, this was so good. One son said it reminded him of my white chocolate muddy buddies just inside out! lol

  4. Maggie A Herron

    5 stars
    Okay these are the best ever. And I have no problem converting your recipes to gluten free. For this one I used rice chex in place of the rice crispies. Surprisingly rice crispies are not gluten free. I also made your Tuna Noodle Casserole today with gluten free pasta. Amazing. Your sauce is easy and very, very delicious. You make a lot of the things we like. Don’t stop!

  5. Marissa Rizzo

    Peanut butter balls are my weakness 😍 We make them at Christmas time every year. Instead of Rice Krispie cereal, I usually use graham cracker crumbs. I’ll have to try the cereal!

“logos”