These Peanut Butter Balls are a holiday classic with just four ingredients! Quick and easy to make, this simple peanut butter ball recipe is perfect for adding to cookie trays, dessert tables or giving as gifts. Drizzle with extra chocolate or add your favorite toppings like colorful Christmas sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or chopped nuts for a festive treat!
Love chocolate and peanut butter together? Make sure to try these favorites: Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes and these yummy Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars!
Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
No bake Peanut Butter Balls are such a quick and easy candy to whip up this holiday season! They stay fresh for days and can be frozen so they’re ideal for gift bags and to hand out among coworkers, friends, and family.
With just four ingredients, this easy Peanut Butter Balls recipe is a dreamy, creamy delight! The three ingredient peanut butter mixture is coated in mouth watering chocolate – one of the best flavor combinations ever created!
Homemade peanut butter balls are practically foolproof with how easy they are to make. You can easily double the recipe for larger gatherings or to package up in festive treat bags to give out as stocking stuffers. Who wouldn’t love a chocolate treat with their present? Add these to dessert charcuterie boards, cookie trays, or candy dishes to bring some cheer to all your seasonal events!
Peanut Butter Balls Ingredients
Peanut Butter Balls, Buckeyes, whatever you call them in your neck of the woods, they’re always a treat! As always, you can find the full printable recipe with complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need…
- peanut butter – You can use creamy or crunchy!
- butter – Unsalted and softened.
- powdered sugar – To add a little sweetness to the peanut butter.
- melting chocolate – Milk or dark chocolate will work depending on your preference.
How to Make Peanut Butter Balls
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Combine the peanut butter, softened butter, and powdered sugar in a bowl. Beat until the powdered sugar is fully incorporated. The mixture should be smooth.
- Scoop the mixture into equal portions and roll into balls. Set the peanut butter balls onto the prepared baking sheet. Chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes or until firm.
- Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments to avoid burning. Stir in between. The chocolate will be smooth when completely melted.
- Remove the set Peanut Butter Balls from the fridge. Use a fork to dip each ball into the melted chocolate until completely coated. Return them to the parchment paper to set.
- Serve and enjoy!
Trish’s Tips and Tricks
- For extra flair, drizzle the Peanut Butter Balls with extra melted chocolate. Before that sets, sprinkle with coconut flakes, sea salt, chopped nuts, crushed candy canes, or colorful sprinkles.
- You may be able to substitute for a different type of nut butter as long as the consistency is the same as peanut butter. Something thick so everything holds together.
- Use good quality melting chocolate. If you need to use chocolate chips, add 1 teaspoon shortening, coconut oil or vegetable oil so they melt smoothly.
- You can use white chocolate, milk, or dark.
- Try adding a dash of vanilla or almond extract into the peanut butter mixture for extra flavor.
- Depending on the size of the scoops this recipe can yield various batch sizes. If the balls are larger they may need to chill for longer to fully set.
Storage Information
You can store leftover Peanut Butter Balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
They also freeze well! Store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Place wax paper in between each layer before freezing so they don’t stick together. Thaw and serve.
What’s The Difference Between Buckeyes and Peanut Butter Balls?
Essentially, they’re the same thing. The only difference is when dipping the peanut butter in the chocolate, leave a circle at the top so the peanut butter shows through. That’s how you get the classic “buckeye” look.
Why Does My Peanut Butter Seem Dry?
If the Peanut Butter Balls aren’t creamy, you may have used too much powdered sugar in the mixture. You want enough powdered sugar to stiffen the peanut butter but not enough to dry it out. Stick to the exact measurements and you should be fine!
What Are Some Good Types Of Chocolate To Use for Dipping?
Almond bark, melting wafers, melting chocolate or block chocolate are all great options. Here are some of my favorites:
- Merckens Melting Wafers
- Ghirardelli Melting Wafers
- If you use chocolate chips, add 1 teaspoon shortening, coconut oil or vegetable oil so they melt smoothly.
More Delicious Candy Recipes
Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 8 ounces melting chocolate
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine peanut butter, butter and powdered sugar. Stir or beat together until combined and the powdered sugar is blended in. Consistency should be smooth and creamy.
- Use a 1 ½ inch portion size scoop, to scoop and roll into balls. Set onto parchment paper, then chill for 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator until firm.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate in 30 second increments until smooth and creamy. Stirring each time so that you do not burn the chocolate.
- Remove balls from the refrigerator. Using a fork, dip into the chocolate until fully coated. Return to parchment paper and repeat until all balls have been dipped in the chocolate. Allow chocolate to set before serving.
Notes
- Merckens Melting Wafers
- Ghirardelli Melting Wafers
- If you use chocolate chips, add 1 teaspoon shortening, coconut oil or vegetable oil so they melt smoothly.
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