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You’re going to love these decadent peanut butter balls. Creamy peanut butter mixed with just a smidge of vanilla, butter, and powdered sugar is rolled into balls and coated in chocolate for the perfect bite-sized treat.
If you are a peanut butter chocolate lover like me, these chocolate-covered peanut butter balls are about to become your new favorites. Smooth peanut butter is creamed together with butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla to make a gloriously rich, sweet dough that is then rolled into perfect bite-sized balls. As if that weren’t enough, the peanut butter balls are dipped into velvety melted dark chocolate and popped in the fridge to set. I really can’t get enough.
Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
Wondering why you have to try this peanut butter balls recipe (like now)? Let me tell you!
- So easy. This no-bake dessert is so wonderfully straightforward. Just mix together a couple of ingredients, roll the mixture into balls, chill the balls, dip them in chocolate, and chill again. It’s as simple as that.
- A classic flavor combo. Who could say no to peanut butter and chocolate? Not I! These little dessert bites celebrate this classic flavor combination beautifully.
- Texture. I love the slight crunch of the hardened chocolate as it gives way to the creamy, buttery, smooth peanut butter ball beneath. Delicious!
What You’ll Need
You’ll only need 6 ingredients to make these wonderfully simple no bake peanut butter balls. Here’s a shopping list for you. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card below for precise measurements.
- Creamy peanut butter – Do not use natural peanut butter. It separates which will make it difficult to cream it together with the butter.
- Salted butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Dark chocolate chips – You could use semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips instead. It’s a matter of personal preference. Even white chocolate chips could be fun!
- Coconut oil
How to Make Peanut Butter Balls
Here’s a quick overview of how to make these delicious chocolate peanut butter bites. Don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Make the peanut butter dough. Cream together peanut butter and butter and then mix in the powdered sugar a little bit at a time. Mix in the vanilla.
- Form balls. Roll the peanut butter dough into 1-inch balls and arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Chill. Pop the balls in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Make the chocolate coating. Heat the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each until smooth.
- Dip. Dip each peanut butter ball into the chocolate mixture and arrange the balls on the same baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Chill. Chill the balls in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Tips & Variations
No need to learn from your mistakes here, folks. Just follow these simple tips and tricks to achieve perfect results the first time around. I even included some fun ways you can make these dessert bites your own.
- Make ahead. This is a great make-ahead dessert. Make the peanut butter “dough” a couple of days ahead of time, wrap it in plastic, and store it in the fridge until you are ready to form it into balls. You could also store the peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the fridge before dipping them in chocolate.
- Chill. If you find that your peanut butter dough is too soft and sticky to work with, go ahead and pop it in the fridge for a bit before attempting to roll it into balls.
- Oil your hands. Rub a little butter or coconut oil on your hands before forming the peanut butter dough into balls. It will be less likely to stick to your hands.
- Parchment paper. Before and after dipping your peanut butter balls in chocolate, place them on parchment paper. They will peel off the paper so easily, making cleanup a breeze.
- Use a different nut butter. I love peanut butter here but you could just as easily use almond butter, cashew butter, or another nut butter of your choosing (sunflower butter would even work). Just note that some nut butters are looser than others in which case you may need to add a bit more powdered sugar to help the balls hold together.
- Nuts and other “toppings”. After dipping the balls in chocolate, sprinkle them with (or roll them in) finely chopped nuts or coconut flakes while the chocolate is still wet.
- Surprise center. I love putting a peanut M&M or a mini Reese’s peanut butter cup in the center of my peanut butter balls sometimes. Just wrap the peanut butter dough around the candy before chilling and coating with chocolate for a sweet surprise center.
How to Store No Bake Peanut Butter Balls
Once the chocolate has solidified around the peanut butter, arrange the balls in an airtight container with parchment paper separating any layers. You can store them in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Allow the balls to thaw before indulging.
More Easy Peanut Butter Desserts
In a peanut butter mood? You certainly will be after you try these yummy chocolate peanut butter balls. Here are a few other favorite peanut butter dessert recipes to keep the good times rolling.
- Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Mug Cake
- Peanut Butter Overload Cookies
- Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
- Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup (258 g) creamy peanut butter, not natural peanut butter
- 6 tablespoons (84 g) salted butter
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (180 g) dark chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter and butter until combined.
- Add in the powdered sugar in increments, mixing after each addition.
- Add the vanilla and mix.
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
- Scoop 1-inch balls of the peanut butter mixture then gently roll with your hands into a ball shape and place on the baking sheet. Repeat until all the peanut butter mixture has been used up.
- Allow to firm up in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- When the peanut butter balls are almost done firming up, melt dark chocolate chips and coconut oil together in the microwave, stirring in 30 second increments.
- Dip the peanut butter balls into the chocolate mixture with a fork and allow excess to drain off. Repeat until all has been dipped then place in the refrigerator for another 30 minutes.
Nutrition
Photographs by Eat Love Eat
These look beautiful! This is exact same recipe I learned from my mother in law over 30 years ago and it is perfect! I was so glad to see that yours does not add Rice Krispies to the peanut butter ball like some of the newer variations. These will always disappear from holiday trays. Thank you for the reminder and happy holidays!