Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Irresistible No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Recipe for Sweet Snackers

Chocolate-drizzled no-bake peanut butter balls dance between sweet indulgence and simple snacking.

These delightful treats combine creamy peanut butter with rich chocolate for an irresistible bite.

Minimal ingredients and zero oven time make this recipe a favorite for busy home cooks.

Crispy rice cereal adds a satisfying crunch that complements the smooth peanut butter mixture.

Rolling these delectable morsels is a fun activity you can enjoy with kids or friends.

The recipe comes together quickly, requiring just a few pantry staples and minimal effort.

Prepare to be amazed by how such a simple recipe can deliver such incredible flavor and texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 11

Everything In No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

For Filling Base:
  • Peanut Butter: Provides creamy, rich foundation with nutty depth and smooth texture.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps bind ingredients together with soft, silky consistency.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes mixture while creating smooth, rollable texture.
  • Graham Crackers or Pretzels: Introduces delightful crunch and helps firm up filling.
For Chocolate Coating:
  • Chocolate Chips: Creates luxurious outer shell with rich, sweet flavor.
  • Coconut Oil: Helps chocolate melt smoothly and provides glossy, professional finish.
For Optional Garnish:
  • Sprinkles: Adds playful visual appeal and extra festive touch to finished treats.

Items You’ll Need For No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining peanut butter, butter, and sugar smoothly.
  • Electric mixer or whisk: Helps blend ingredients until creamy and well-mixed.
  • Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface for rolling and chilling peanut butter balls.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
  • Microwave-safe bowl: Ideal for melting chocolate chips and coconut oil evenly.
  • Fork or toothpick: Helps dip peanut butter balls into melted chocolate with ease.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

How To Roll No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Neatly

How To Roll No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Neatly
  • Peanut Butter Base

Create a rich, creamy mixture by blending smooth peanut butter with softened butter and powdered sugar. Mix in crushed graham crackers until the texture becomes perfectly moldable. The consistency should allow easy ball formation without crumbling.

  • Ball Formation

Gently shape the mixture into compact, bite-sized spheres using your palms. Arrange these delightful orbs on a parchment-lined tray. Chill in the refrigerator to help them firm up and maintain their shape.

  • Chocolate Coating

Melt chocolate chips with a touch of coconut oil, creating a silky, glossy dipping liquid. Carefully submerge each peanut butter sphere, allowing excess chocolate to gracefully drip away. Place the chocolate-covered treats back on the parchment paper.

  • Cooling and Setting

Return the chocolate-drenched balls to the refrigerator. Let them rest and solidify, allowing the chocolate to create a perfect, crisp shell around the creamy interior. Once set, transfer to an airtight container for storage and enjoy whenever a sweet craving strikes.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Upgrades You Can Try

  • Chilling Mastery: Refrigerate the mixture for 15-20 minutes before rolling to make shaping easier and prevent sticky hands during ball formation.
  • Texture Tweak: Swap graham crackers with crushed pretzels or rice cereal for different crunch levels and unique flavor profiles that add exciting texture variations.
  • Dietary Friendly: Create gluten-free versions by using gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour. For vegan options, replace butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
  • Flavor Explosion: Experiment with mix-ins like mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a dash of sea salt to elevate the classic peanut butter ball recipe and introduce surprising taste dimensions.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: These treats can be prepared up to one week in advance and stored in the refrigerator, making them perfect for meal prep or unexpected guest surprises.

Serving No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls At Parties

  • Dessert Party Platter: Arrange the peanut butter balls on a decorative serving tray with fresh strawberries, chocolate shavings, and mint leaves for an elegant presentation.
  • Gifting Delight: Package these treats in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons, perfect for homemade holiday gifts or special occasion treats for friends and family.
  • Decadent Dessert Pairing: Serve alongside cold milk, coffee, or hot chocolate to complement the rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter flavors, creating a delightful sweet experience.
  • Garnish Galore: Sprinkle crushed nuts, colorful sprinkles, or drizzle white chocolate over the balls for an extra touch of visual appeal and added texture.

How To Store No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Easily

  • Quick Chill Method: Place peanut butter balls in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to speed up firming process, perfect for impatient snack lovers who want immediate treats.
  • Smart Storage Strategy: Keep these delightful bites in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 7 days, maintaining their creamy texture and preventing flavor loss.
  • Temperature Tip: Allow chilled peanut butter balls to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving to enhance their smooth, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire batch up to 2 weeks in advance, individually wrap in plastic wrap, and store in a sealed container to have ready-to-enjoy treats anytime a sweet craving hits.
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Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe


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4.6 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Irresistible no-bake peanut butter balls combine creamy peanut butter with chocolate for a quick sweet treat. Chocolate-drizzled morsels deliver rich flavor and delightful texture that satisfies chocolate and peanut butter cravings in one perfect bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (180 grams / 6.3 oz) crushed graham crackers or crushed pretzels
  • 1 cup (240 grams / 8.5 oz) creamy peanut butter
  • 1 ½ cups (270 grams / 9.5 oz) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (120 grams / 4.2 oz) powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup (60 grams / 2.1 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil or shortening (for smoother coating)

Instructions

  1. Mixture Preparation: Whisk peanut butter, softened butter, and powdered sugar in a large bowl until achieving a smooth, homogeneous blend.
  2. Structural Enhancement: Fold crushed graham crackers or pretzels into the peanut butter mixture, ensuring complete integration and creating a compact, moldable consistency.
  3. Form and Chill: Craft uniform spheres approximately one inch in diameter, placing them on a parchment-lined tray. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to solidify the texture and improve handling.
  4. Chocolate Coating: Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, using short intervals and stirring to prevent burning. Gently dip each peanut butter ball using a fork, allowing excess chocolate to drip off for an elegant finish.
  5. Final Setting: Place chocolate-coated spheres back on the parchment sheet and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate shell hardens completely. Store in an airtight container within the refrigerator to maintain optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Control Mixture Consistency: Adjust powdered sugar or graham cracker crumbs gradually to achieve perfect moldable texture without becoming too dry or sticky.
  • Prevent Chocolate Seizing: Melt chocolate slowly and carefully, using short microwave intervals and stirring consistently to maintain smooth coating without burning.
  • Uniform Ball Formation: Use a small cookie scoop or consistently sized spoon to create equally sized peanut butter balls, ensuring even chilling and coating.
  • Temperature Management: Keep ingredients slightly cool but not cold to help balls hold shape during rolling and prevent crumbling or excessive softness.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 60 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 5 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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