Peanut Butter Balls

Peanut butter balls taste like homemade peanut butter cups, but have the shape and smooth texture of a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate truffle. This no-bake, five-ingredient recipe is a fun way to get the kids involved in the kitchen.

Peanut butter, butter and sugar are mixed, rolled into balls and then dipped in melted chocolate, resulting in bite-sized candy with a hard chocolate exterior and a smooth, nutty filling. They’re sure to satisfy lovers of peanut butter and chocolate desserts. Customize them with crunchy peanut butter, cracker crumbs or crispy rice cereal for more texture, or decorate them with seasonal sprinkles for a treat you can enjoy year-round!

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Balls

• Peanut butter: This recipe calls for creamy peanut butter, but it works with chunky peanut butter if you prefer the texture. Since peanut butter is the star ingredient, use a high-quality product for the best-tasting candy. Thick peanut butter that’s not drippy will give them the ideal texture and be easier to shape. You can use natural peanut butter, but look for a no-stir option like the one on our list of best peanut butters.
• Confectioners’ sugar: The fine texture of confectioners’ sugar easily dissolves into the peanut butter mixture, making the filling thick and creamy. Sift your powdered sugar before mixing to break up clumps.
• Butter: Two tablespoons of butter adds richness for a more decadent peanut butter filling. You’ll need softened butter for easy mixing, so portion it and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before making the candy.
• Vanilla: A dash of vanilla extract adds some extra oomph in the flavor department. Choose pure vanilla extract for stand-out aroma and taste.
• Chocolate chips: Chocolate is the other key flavor in this candy, so my number-one tip is to use a brand of chocolate chips that tastes good straight out of the bag. This recipe calls for a 16-ounce bag of semisweet chocolate chips, but you can swap milk, dark or white chocolate chips to fit your mood or the occasion.

Directions

Step 1: Make the peanut butter filling

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In a large bowl, beat the peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, butter and vanilla extract at medium speed until smooth.

Editor’s Tip: Since peanut butter is thick and sticky, this job is well-suited for a stand or handheld mixer.

Step 2: Shape into balls and chill

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With your hands, roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. Arrange the peanut butter balls on waxed paper-lined baking sheets and freeze them until they’re firm.

Editor’s Tip: There’s no need to freeze the peanut butter balls solid. Just 15 to 20 minutes in the freezer is enough to firm them up so they don’t fall apart when dipped in the chocolate.

Step 3: Melt the chocolate

In a small, microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in 30-second increments until melted. Stir the chocolate in between each burst.

Editor’s Tip: Chocolate can quickly burn in the microwave, so we recommend setting your microwave to 70% power when melting chocolate.

Step 4: Dip the peanut butter balls in chocolate

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Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a toothpick, fork or candy dipping tools to pick up a peanut butter ball. Dip it into the melted chocolate, let the excess chocolate drip off and place it on the lined baking sheets. Repeat with all of the peanut butter balls.

Editor’s Tip: Grab a second toothpick or fork to slide each chocolate-dipped peanut butter ball onto the baking sheet. If you have leftover melted chocolate, use a spoon to drizzle it back and forth on top of the peanut butter balls.

Step 5: Chill

Refrigerate the peanut butter balls for at least one hour or until the chocolate has completely set.

Editor’s Tip: Add sprinkles, chopped nuts or any other optional toppings before chilling while the chocolate is still wet.

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Recipe Variations

• Top with something salty: Make it a sweet-and-salty dessert by sprinkling flaky salt or chopped salted peanuts on top of the peanut butter balls before the chocolate sets.
• Make ’em festive: Decorate the chocolate-covered peanut butter balls with seasonal sprinkles for year-round holidays and occasions.
• Melt your favorite chocolate: Dip them in milk, dark or white chocolate, or make a variety of chocolate-covered peanut butter balls.
• Use another nut butter: You’re not limited to just peanut butter! These confections would also be delicious with almond or cashew butter. For a nut-free treat, try sunflower seed butter.
• Add texture: Mix graham cracker crumbs, crumbled buttery round crackers or crisped rice cereal into the peanut butter mixture for a crispy, chewy candy.
• Turn them into Easter eggs: After rolling the peanut butter mixture into balls, flatten them and shape them into an oval to make peanut butter eggs.
• Make vegan peanut butter balls: Use a plant-based buttery spread and dairy-free chocolate chips to make plant-based peanut butter balls.

How to Store Peanut Butter Balls

Since these peanut butter balls contain butter, they should be chilled to keep them fresh. Once the chocolate coating has completely hardened, transfer the balls to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you want them to have a softer texture, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving them.

Can you freeze peanut butter balls?

Yes, peanut butter balls will store well in the freezer. After the chocolate has set, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or storage bag and freeze for up to three months. Pop one or two out to satisfy a sweet craving—just let the balls sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften a bit. If you’re serving the treats to a crowd, let them thaw for several hours or overnight in the fridge.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball Tips

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My peanut butter mixture is too dry. How can I fix it?

If the peanut butter filling seems dry or crumbly, don’t worry! It should come together when you roll it; the heat from your hands should soften the peanut butter and create smooth balls. If the mixture isn’t sticking together, you may have added too much sugar. Fix it by adding more peanut butter or softened butter.

Why are my peanut butter balls runny?

If the peanut butter balls are runny, try chilling them for longer. Chill the rolled-out peanut butter balls until they’re firm before dipping them in chocolate, and then again after dipping them to set the chocolate. Natural peanut butter can be thin and drippy, which will result in softer peanut butter balls. If that’s the case, refrigerate the peanut butter mixture before rolling it, or add more powdered sugar to thicken it.

How can I keep the melted chocolate smooth?

Adding a teaspoon of vegetable or coconut oil can thin the melted chocolate and make it smoother and shinier, which is ideal for dipping. Add the oil to the chocolate chips before melting them, and stir them well once they’ve melted. Melted chocolate will thicken as it cools, so try to dip the peanut butter balls quickly. If you find the chocolate is getting too thick to work with, just pop the bowl back in the microwave, reheat the chocolate for 10 seconds and stir again.