Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Balls

If you’re looking for a sweet treat to serve at your next party but don’t feel like baking some elaborate dessert in the oven, these peanut butter rice crispy balls are the perfect solution! Beat together four ingredients for the peanut butter cereal filling and dip them in melted chocolate to finish. Not only are they a crowd pleasing party snack, but they also make for a great homemade gift if you’re not sure what to give to your friends or family when the holidays roll around!

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Balls

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• Peanut butter: Use a creamy peanut butter of your choice. Crunchy could also work if that’s what you prefer.
• Butter: Make sure the butter is softened before you beat together the ingredients.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Using powdered sugar sweetens up this treat and also gives it a thicker texture.
• Crisp rice cereal: The cereal also helps to add to the texture of these peanut butter balls and gives it that satisfying crunch.
• Semisweet chocolate chips: Chocolate is melted for an outer dip for this treat.
• White baking chips: The peanut butter balls are finished with a white chocolate drizzle on top.
• Shortening: The chocolate chips are melted with shortening to give the dip and drizzle on these peanut butter rice crispy balls a smooth finish.

Directions

Step 1: Beat together the filling

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In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter and butter until blended. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the cereal with a spatula and then shape it into 1-inch balls. Place on a waxed paper-lined pan and refrigerate until they are chilled.

Step 2: Melt the chocolate and dip

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In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of the shortening. Stir it between intervals until smooth. Dip the peanut butter balls into the chocolate, allowing for the excess to drip off. Place the balls back on the pan and let them stand until the chocolate is set.

Editor’s Tip: Pick up the ball using a toothpick. This makes it easy to dip the ball and place it back down on the pan. Fill in the small hole at the top with extra chocolate when finished with dipping.

Step 3: Drizzle with white chocolate and refrigerate

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In another small bowl, microwave white baking chips with the remaining shortening until melted. Stir until smooth and drizzle the white chocolate over the candies. Refrigerate the rice crispy peanut butter balls until they are set.

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Recipe Variations

• Use a different nut butter: Not a fan of peanut butter? Swap it out with the nut butter or seed butter of your choice! Have a jar of almond butter on hand? How about cashew or sunflower seed butter? All of these nut butter variations could work in this peanut butter rice crispy balls recipe.
• Try a different cereal: This peanut butter crispy balls recipe can work well with other types of cereal as well! Corn flakes or even cocoa pebbles have that same crunch that will blend well with this tasty sweet snack.
• Melt dark chocolate: If you prefer a darker chocolate with your sweet snack, use your favorite variety of dark chocolate chips instead of a semi-sweet kind when melting your chocolate for dipping.
• Top with sprinkles: Not a fan of white chocolate? Skip the white chocolate drizzle and top your peanut butter chocolate rice crispy balls with sprinkles instead! Do this while the chocolate is still warm before it sets so the sprinkles stick on. You could even top your snack with other variations like salty crushed peanuts, dried coconut, mini candies or even more rice cereal. Because why not?

How to Store Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Balls

These peanut butter chocolate rice crispy balls can store at room temperature in an airtight container or tin for up to two days. It will store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Can you freeze peanut butter rice crispy balls?

Yes! These rice crispy peanut butter balls freeze well for up to three months. You can also freeze the filling before shaping the balls so you always have some dough on hand for an easy party snack. Defrost in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours.

Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Balls Tips

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What’s the best way to microwave chocolate chips?

The last thing you want to do is overcook your chocolate chips by microwaving them for too long. To avoid this, microwave your chocolate chips in 15 seconds intervals. Stir the melted chocolate with the shortening, then microwave again. Do this continually until the chocolate is just smooth. If you cook it too long, it will get cake-like and the consistency will not make for easy dipping.

How do you package peanut butter rice crispy balls for gifting?

This desert make for a great gift, especially when you want to give a sweet treat to your loved ones during the holiday season! Some of the best ways to gift this peanut butter rice crispy balls recipe is by lining a cardboard box or a tin with wax paper so they don’t stick to the container.

Can peanut butter balls be left out?

While these peanut butter rice crispy balls can be left out, the peanut butter center can get soft and the chocolate can start to melt if it’s warm in the room. They are best right out of the refrigerator, so keep them chilled until it is time to serve them. Or simply have a container for easy snacking when you want one throughout the week.