Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Quick & Dreamy No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Crafting delectable peanut butter balls that dance with rich, creamy sweetness right in your kitchen.

These irresistible spheres of delight promise pure indulgence without complicated techniques.

Chocolate and peanut butter blend into a magical combination that sparks childhood memories.

Small yet powerful, each bite delivers a perfect balance of smooth texture and intense flavor.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary, beckoning you toward culinary creativity.

Kids and adults alike will fall in love with these no-bake treats that require minimal effort.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s create something deliciously unforgettable.

Why Everyone Loves Peanut Butter Balls

  • Savor Effortless Delights: These peanut butter balls require minimal cooking skills, making them perfect for beginners or busy home bakers who want a quick sweet treat.
  • Enjoy Textural Bliss: Each bite delivers a satisfying combination of creamy peanut butter center and smooth chocolate coating, creating an irresistible contrast between soft filling and crisp chocolate shell.
  • Customize with Ease: This versatile recipe allows endless variations like adding crushed nuts, drizzling different chocolate types, or sprinkling sea salt, making it adaptable to personal taste preferences and creative kitchen experiments.
  • Convenient Make-Ahead Treat: These no-bake delights can be prepared in advance, stored easily in the refrigerator or freezer, and quickly served for unexpected guests or sudden dessert cravings.

Peanut Butter Balls Ingredient Checklist

Peanut Butter Filling Ingredients:
  • Peanut Butter, Butter: Creamy base that provides rich, nutty flavor and smooth texture. Natural or processed peanut butter works well.
  • Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps bind the filling. Sifted sugar prevents lumps.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes. Pure vanilla gives best results.
Chocolate Coating Ingredients:
  • Chocolate Chips, Coconut Oil: Smooth coating that creates glossy shell. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate recommended for depth of flavor.
Preparation Surface:
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and helps easy removal of peanut butter balls. Silicone mat can be alternative.

Steps To Make Peanut Butter Balls

Step 1: Create Creamy Peanut Butter Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend together:
  • Smooth peanut butter
  • Softened butter
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract

Stir everything until the mixture transforms into a consistent, malleable texture that holds together perfectly.

Step 2: Shape Delightful Spheres

Roll the mixture into small round balls, each about the size of a golf ball. Gently place these spheres onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop the tray into the refrigerator for a cool-down session, allowing them to firm up for about 45 minutes.

Step 3: Craft Silky Chocolate Coating

Grab a microwave-safe bowl and combine:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Coconut oil

Melt the ingredients using short microwave bursts, stirring between each interval. Continue until the chocolate transforms into a smooth, glossy liquid.

Step 4: Dunk and Coat

Using a fork or dipping tool, carefully submerge each peanut butter sphere into the molten chocolate. Ensure complete coverage, letting excess chocolate drip off gently. Return the chocolate-covered treats to the parchment-lined tray.

Step 5: Chill and Solidify

Transfer the chocolate-dressed balls back to the refrigerator. Allow them to rest and set for approximately 30 minutes, or until the chocolate becomes completely firm and crisp.

Step 6: Store and Savor

Move the finished peanut butter balls into an airtight container. These delectable treats can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or preserved in the freezer for three months.

Simple Tips For Peanut Butter Balls

  • Chill Before Rolling: Refrigerate the peanut butter mixture for 15-20 minutes to make rolling easier and prevent sticking to your hands.
  • Perfect Chocolate Coating: Add a tablespoon of coconut oil to melted chocolate to create a smoother, shinier chocolate shell that hardens quickly.
  • Customize Coatings: Sprinkle crushed nuts, sea salt, or colored sprinkles on the wet chocolate for extra texture and visual appeal.
  • Make Ahead Friendly: Prepare these balls in advance and store in the freezer for a quick, make-ahead dessert that's perfect for unexpected guests.
  • Dietary Swap: Use gluten-free powdered sugar and dairy-free chocolate for a delicious allergy-friendly version of this classic treat.

How To Keep And Warm Peanut Butter Balls

  • Refrigerator Storage: Seal peanut butter balls in an airtight container, placing wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep chilled for maximum freshness up to 2 weeks.
  • Freezer Storage: Carefully transfer balls to a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze confidently for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
  • Thawing Tip: Remove desired amount from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before enjoying. This gentle approach helps maintain their delightful creamy consistency.
  • Handling Recommendation: Always use clean, dry utensils when retrieving balls to prevent moisture introduction. This simple step keeps your treats perfectly preserved and deliciously ready.

Great Pairings For Peanut Butter Balls

  • Sip Sweet Chocolate Milk: Rich, creamy chocolate milk perfectly complements the nutty, sweet peanut butter balls, creating a classic childhood-style indulgence that feels nostalgic and comforting.
  • Pair with Bold Coffee: A strong espresso or dark roast coffee cuts through the sweetness, providing a robust contrast that enhances the chocolatey, peanut butter flavors and offers a sophisticated adult twist.
  • Match with Vanilla Dessert Wine: A chilled dessert wine like Moscato d'Asti brings out the delicate vanilla notes in the recipe, adding an elegant layer of complexity to these bite-sized treats.
  • Enjoy with Sparkling Cider: A crisp, slightly effervescent sparkling apple cider cleanses the palate between bites, balancing the rich, dense texture of the peanut butter balls and adding a refreshing element.

Different Ways To Make Peanut Butter Balls

  • Nutty Almond Adventure: Swap peanut butter with almond butter for a different nutty profile. Add chopped almonds to the filling for extra crunch and texture.
  • Cocoa Caramel Fusion: Mix cocoa powder into the filling for a deeper chocolate flavor. Drizzle caramel sauce over the chocolate coating for a rich, indulgent treat.
  • Coconut Crunch Explosion: Incorporate shredded coconut into the peanut butter mixture. Roll the finished balls in toasted coconut flakes for added tropical flair.
  • Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Edition: Use dark chocolate for coating instead of milk chocolate. Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each ball for a sophisticated sweet-salty combination.

Peanut Butter Balls Common Questions

  • Why do I need to refrigerate the peanut butter mixture before dipping?

Chilling helps the balls firm up, making them easier to handle and preventing them from falling apart during the chocolate dipping process.

  • Can I use a different type of nut butter instead of peanut butter?

Absolutely! Almond butter or cashew butter work great as substitutes with similar results.

  • What if my chocolate is too thick for dipping?

Add a little more coconut oil to thin out the chocolate, creating a smoother coating that’s easier to work with.

  • How can I make these look more decorative?

After dipping, sprinkle some chopped nuts, sea salt, or drizzle white chocolate on top for a fancy touch.

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Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Peanut Butter Balls Recipe


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4.6 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 20 1x

Description

Irresistible chocolate-coated peanut butter balls dance with sweet and creamy perfection, blending rich flavors from classic American dessert traditions. Crunchy peanut butter centers dipped in smooth chocolate create an addictive treat you can’t resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Peanut Butter Balls

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

Flavoring and Binding:

  • 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) vanilla extract

Coating and Melting Agents:

  • 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) coconut oil or vegetable shortening

Instructions

  1. Craft a luscious peanut butter mixture by thoroughly blending peanut butter, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a spacious mixing bowl until the consistency becomes uniform and malleable.
  2. Meticulously shape the creamy blend into compact spheres, approximately the diameter of a large marble, carefully positioning each orb onto a parchment-lined baking tray.
  3. Chill the formed spheres in the refrigerator for approximately 45 minutes, allowing them to firm and maintain their structured shape.
  4. Create a silky chocolate coating by gently melting chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe vessel, stirring intermittently to achieve a glossy, smooth texture.
  5. Delicately immerse each chilled peanut butter sphere into the molten chocolate, utilizing a fork or toothpick to ensure comprehensive coverage and elegant presentation.
  6. Strategically place the chocolate-enrobed spheres back onto the parchment-lined tray, maintaining sufficient spacing between each confection.
  7. Return the chocolate-coated delicacies to the refrigerator, permitting them to solidify for roughly 30-40 minutes until the chocolate shell becomes completely rigid.
  8. Transfer the completed treats to an airtight storage container, preserving their freshness in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or extending their longevity by freezing for three months.

Notes

  • Choose room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, easy mixing without lumps in the peanut butter filling.
  • Use a cookie scoop or melon baller for uniform, perfectly sized balls that look professionally made.
  • Opt for natural peanut butter with no added sugar for a less sweet, more intense nutty flavor that balances the chocolate coating.
  • Create dietary variations by substituting ingredients: use almond butter for nut-free versions, dark chocolate for lower sugar content, or coconut oil for vegan-friendly chocolate dipping.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 20
  • Calories: 183
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 53 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 21 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 5 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

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.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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