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Peanut Butter Balls

5 from 5 votes
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posted: 12/11/23

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

These amazing no-bake Peanut Butter Balls involve only four ingredients. They have the perfect consistency and, with a taste like a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup, they are irresistible.

Photo of Peanut Butter Balls with a bite taken out.

The combination of chocolate and peanut butter is irresistible. It is my ultimate weakness. From Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies to Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars, this delicious duo stars in many simple and delicious no-bake recipes.

If you are like me and can’t resist this amazing combo, you absolutely are going to want to make these Peanut Butter Balls. They are a like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups but in truffle form. These are perfect for a holiday dessert plate, but would also make a great neighbor gift.

How to Make Peanut Butter Balls

Here is a brief overview of how to make no-bake peanut butter balls. This easy no-bake treat uses only four ingredients. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the full list of measurements and instructions on the printable recipe card.

  1. Make the peanut butter dough. Combine the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
  2. Form into balls. Roll the peanut butter mixture into one-inch balls. See the tips below if your dough is too sticky or too crumbly.
  3. Coat balls in chocolate. Use a toothpick or fork to coat each ball in melted chocolate.
Overhead photo of Peanut Butter Balls recipe in the process. Peanut butter balls are laid out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Scooping Peanut Butter Balls

The most time consuming parts of this recipe are the scooping and the dipping. I love using a scoop when I make everything from meatballs to cookies. It keeps the size uniform (which is great for baking recipes) and makes everything go faster. For those recipes, I love this scoop.

For this recipe, I invested in a new scoop. I like it because it is a little bit smaller, which is perfect for recipes like this. It is 1 tablespoon (vs. 1 1/2 in the other scoop) which makes it the perfect size for bite sized treats like this.

TOP PICK

1 Tablespoon Cookie Scoop

This is the perfect scoop for bite sized treats!
Product Image
Overhead photo of Peanut Butter Balls in a bowl.

Chocolate Chips vs. Candy Melts

Chocolate covered peanut butter balls can be made with either chocolate chips, candy melts, or chocolate almond bark. While chocolate chips may be easier to find, they don’t form the hard coating you will be looking for. Additionally, a coating made with chocolate chips is more likely to melt on your hands while you eat these little wonders.

For those reasons, I prefer using candy melts or almond bark. Almond bark is easy to find in the baking aisle of your grocery store. It does not contain nuts but was named that for it’s ability to coat almonds. Candy melts can be a little harder to find, but are readily available on Amazon.

TOP PICK

Candy Melts

Both dark chocolate and light chocolate will work for these amazing Peanut Butter Balls.
Product Image

Tips and Tricks

  • Spoon the powdered sugar into the measuring cup. If you scoop it from the container with the measuring cup and pack it into the measuring cup, you will have too much.
  • If the mixture is too crumbly when you go to roll the balls, add more peanut butter. You likely will only need another tablespoon or two.
  • If the mixture is too sticky, add a little more powdered sugar. Go easy, a little can go a long way.
  • Refrigerate the peanut butter balls before dipping. This step isn’t absolutely necessary, but it does help with dipping. If you decide to pop them in the freezer, be sure to only do so for 30 minutes. Otherwise they will expand after dipping and crack the chocolate.
  • DO NOT over heat the chocolate/almond bark/candy melts. Chocolate becomes an absolutely disaster when it is overheated. It clumps up and there is no recovering. Regardless of what you use, follow the directions on the package closely.
  • Use vegetable shortening to thin out the chocolate. If the candy melts or almond bark is too thick after melting to dip, add a teaspoon or two of vegetable shortening to thin it.
  • Add a topping. For these, I melted a little bit of Reese’s peanut butter chips and then pipped those on top. Other great choices is cute drizzle of chocolate, some mini chocolate chips, or some crushed peanuts.
Overhead photo of Peanut Butter Balls in a bowl. One Peanut Butter Ball has a bite taken out.

Variations

Try one (or all!) of these yummy variations on the classic easy peanut butter balls recipe.

  • Add some crispiness. Make your peanut butter balls with Rice Krispies cereal for a little extra texture. Add 1/2 cup to the peanut butter mixture.
  • Use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy. You can replace crunch for creamy peanut butter in this recipe 1 for 1.
  • Swap out the vanilla extract for rum extract.
  • Use white almond bark or dark chocolate candy melts to cover peanut butter balls.
  • For a festive touch, add colored sprinkles before the chocolate sets. This would be a great addition for the holidays.

Storing and Freezing

Store your easy peanut butter balls in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

These chocolate peanut butter balls freeze extremely well. When fully set, place a single layer in a large freezer bag. Lay flat in your freezer and freeze for up to four months. They can be eaten frozen, thawed in the refrigerator, or enjoyed at room temperature.

FAQ

Why are my peanut butter balls so sticky?

Try adding a bit more powdered sugar. If they are too crumbly, add more peanut butter. Placing the formed balls in the refrigerator or freezer prior to coating them in chocolate can also be helpful.

Can you freeze peanut butter balls?

Yes! Place in a freezer-safe bag once the balls are fully set for up to four months.

How do you cover peanut butter balls?

Peanut Butter Balls are best when they are dipped in chocolate. We love using candy melts or almond bark for this, but chocolate chips also work.

Overhead photo of Peanut Butter Balls in a bowl.

Other No Bake Desserts

If you try this chocolate peanut butter ball recipe or any of my other recipes, leave a comment and tell me what you think!

Photo of Peanut Butter Balls with a bite taken out.
5 from 5 votes

Peanut Butter Balls

Serves: 28 balls
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 45 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
These amazing no-bake Peanut Butter Balls involve only four ingredients. They have the perfect consistency and, with a taste like a Reese's Peanut Butter cup, they are irresistible.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter (270 grams) softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (227 grams) (spoon it into the measuring cup to avoid packing)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 14 ounces chocolate candy melts (396.893 grams) melted (read here about tips and tricks for working with candy melts)
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter chips (88 grams) (optional)

Instructions

  • In a bowl, combine the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. The mixture should be easy to roll into balls that stay together while not being sticky. If it is sticky, add just a little more powdered sugar. If it won't form into a ball, add just a little more peanut butter.
    1 cup creamy peanut butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Roll the peanut butter mixture into 1 inch balls.
  • Dip the balls into the melted candy melts. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet to harden. (Having trouble rolling and dipping these? Check out my Peanut Butter Balls Tips and Tricks.)
    14 ounces chocolate candy melts
  • If you would like to top these, melt some peanut butter chips. Once melted, scoop it into a plastic zip lock bag. Cut a tiny hole in one of the corners and use that to pipe it over the top of the peanut butters (once the chocolate has set).
    1/2 cup peanut butter chips
  • Store in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. These also freeze very well. See all of our instructions on storing and freezing peanut butter balls.
Serving: 1peanut butter ball Calories: 147kcal (7%) Carbohydrates: 23g (8%) Protein: 3g (6%) Fat: 5g (8%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 3g Cholesterol: 0.1mg Sodium: 67mg (3%) Potassium: 140mg (4%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 19g (21%) Vitamin A: 17IU Vitamin C: 0.2mg Calcium: 13mg (1%) Iron: 0.5mg (3%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Photo of Peanut Butter Balls with a bite taken out.

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Peanut Butter Balls

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Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

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  1. ColleenB.~TX. says

    Oh My Goodness. These look Fantastic.
    Will be making these to put in a Christmas gift box and send to my brother in Ohio, as I know he will absolutely love these.
    Thank you.
    Enjoy your weekend.

    • Lisa Longley says

      How sweet of you! I hope he enjoys them!

  2. Linda says

    What did I do wrong? I had trouble rolling the balls since they weren’t sticking together. So I added more peanut butter but more than the amount suggested, at least 1/2 cup, and finally gave up and used my hands to form the balls.

    • Lisa Longley says

      Hi Linda! Is it possible that the powdered sugar was packed? If it is packed into the measuring cup it will be too much.

  3. Yvonne says

    I want to make the no bake peanut butter cookies but would like to use pecans instead of oats. Would this work? Thanks.

    Yvonne

    • Lisa Longley says

      Those are a little tricky, so I’d want to test it to make sure they would still set.

  4. ColleenB. ~ Tx. says

    Sift powdered sugar first and then measure.( sifting removes any small lumps)

  5. Robert says

    Wow, These look good! I think I might try to make them.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I hope you love them, Robert

  6. Brenda says

    I love all the things you have made!
    Be glad to see all of your recipes

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m glad to hear it!

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