Making your own candy at home isn't difficult at all! This Easy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe have the surprise crunch of Rice Krispies inside an taste just like a reese's peanut butter cup! Add the chocolate candy coating and your holiday dessert table is set.
You can also make your own caramel peanut butter cups - because more candy is always better, right? The contrast in the amount of filling between these two candies make them perfect for a dessert charcuterie experience! I also love classic peanut butter cookies, and your family will, too.
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Ok ya'll, these no bake chocolate peanut butter balls are one of my personal favorites. What is it about the combination of peanut butter and chocolate that's like a match made in heaven?! It speaks to the peanut butter lover in me.
This no bake recipe is actually family tradition. We make rice krispie peanut butter balls at Christmas time and always bring back so many happy memories! (Pro tip: crispy peanut butter balls and hot cocoa are a match made in heaven!)
Simple ingredients come together to make this no bake treat easy and delicious! They taste like reese's peanut butter cups but with a crunch!
No bake peanut butter balls are a great recipe for cookie exchanges during the holiday season (these are a hit for Valentine's Day too!), for an easy dessert or snack, and the perfect addition or garnish on a cake. Sprinkle with a little bit of flake salt or crushed peanuts and you're set.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Perfect for any special occasion! These bite-sized treats are super quick and easy to make, plus they store in the fridge and can be made ahead.
- Super easy recipe to make! Let the kids help with this one. You may need to help melt the chocolate but they can do the rest.
- Salty and sweet. The crunchy rice krispies with the sweet peanut butter filling are the perfect combination. Add some flake salt on top to contrast the sweet filling and your tastebuds will sing.
Peanut Butter Ball Ingredients
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Creamy Peanut Butter - Stick with your favorite brand that has the best taste. Regular peanut butter works well here. Avoid using natural peanut butter, they're too oily and don't hold together well.
Powdered Sugar - Also known as confectioners sugar, this is what gives the peanut butter that soft bite you are looking for.
Unsalted Butter - Don't be afraid of the amount of butter! The silky, creamy factor of the filling is elevated by its inclusion.
Rice Krispie Cereal - If you haven't stirred these into a truffle like this before you are in for a treat! This adds just enough texture to make them fun.
Chocolate Chips - Nothing fancy here, just regular semi-sweet chocolate chips that you also love eating out of your hand. feel free to use milk chocolate or dark chocolate to tailor this sweet treat to your liking!
Pro Tips
- Make it smooth. Mix that filling up super well to ensure there are no lumps of peanut butter or powdered sugar. This makes a pleasant eating experience.
- Melt the chocolate carefully! You don't want it to seize or burn as then you won't be able to dip.
- Crunchy or smooth PB? As much as I love crunchy peanut butter, smooth peanut butter works best for this recipe.
- Leftover chocolate? Do a chocolate drizzle on top! Add the excess chocolate to a piping bag or ziploc bag and drizzle on top.
- Make it fancy and use a good quality chocolate instead of chocolate chips. Just be sure to use a double boiler to melt it so that you don't burn the chocolate!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Melt the butter in a large mixing bowl and then stir in the peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
Carefully fold in the powdered sugar and Rice Krispies into the peanut butter mixture until combined.
Use a small cookie scoop to make truffles and place on the prepared sheet. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and use a fork to dip each truffle. Let any excess chocolate drip off. Place the dipped ball onto a baking sheet. If adding, sprinkle flake sea salt or chopped peanuts on top before the chocolate sets.
How do I make my chocolate smooth?
I like the addition of a small scoop of coconut oil in the melted chocolate. This will give you a nice glossy finish and it's so little you won't taste it in the finished product.
Storing Leftovers
Keep these in a container in the fridge so they don't melt or stick together. They taste great chilled or they will be safe sitting out with the rest of your holiday dessert spread. No need to rush them back to the fridge.
Recipe FAQs
The easiest way is in a bowl in the microwave. Go in short 15-30 second bursts, stirring in between. Stop before all the chocolate chip forms have disappeared so you don't burn it. They will finish melting as you stir.
You can also use a double boiler and stir constantly - just ensure the steam doesn't get into the chocolate bowl! Water causes chocolate to seize up and there's no recovering - you'll have to start over with fresh chocolate.
Drizzle on some extra melted chocolate by placing it in a zipper baggie and cutting off a tiny corner. You can also add flakey salt, finely chopped peanuts, or even butterscotch chips on top of the balls. Looking for a special presentation? Try melting a contrasting chocolate such as white chocolate to drizzle on top.
More Chocolate Recipes
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Let's stay connected on social media and continue to cook together! Also, if you decide to make this recipe, please leave a star rating on the recipe card and leave a comment below! Tag @BritneyBreaksBread on Instagram and hashtag #britneybreaksbread so I can see your creations! I hope that you love this recipe as much as we do!
Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons Butter melted
- 1 ½ cups Creamy Peanut Butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups Powdered Sugar
- 2 ½ cups Rice Krispies
- 12 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips melted
- 1 tablespoon Coconut Oil
Directions
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Melt the butter in a large mixing bowl and then stir in the peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
- Carefully fold the powdered sugar and Rice Krispies into the peanut butter mixture until combined.
- Use a cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) and scoop peanut butter mixture into balls. Roll the balls in your hand to smooth out the shape and place on the parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining mixture. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
- Melt chocolate in a separate bowl according to the package instructions and add coconut oil (optional). Dip each of the balls into the chocolate and place on the baking sheet to set, about 5-10 minutes.
Notes
- Try different chocolate varieties for a new twist!
- Chocaholic? Why not cocoa Krispies?
these look yummy - how to store?
Thanks! these are best stored in a ziploc bag in the fridge.