Easy peanut butter balls made with creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar and covered in a sweet chocolate coating. So easy to make and the perfect holiday treat!
With only 5-ingredients, this candy recipe is simple just like sugar cookie truffles, brownie truffles, homemade crunch bars and cookie dough truffles!
Table of Contents
Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
If you love Reese’s peanut butter bars or my rich chocolate peanut butter fudge, you will love these chocolate peanut butter balls! They are basically a creamy peanut butter truffle covered in chocolate. Similar to buckeye balls and so hard to resist!
These peanut butter balls are chocolate covered and irresistible just like my peanut butter blossoms! If you love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate in holiday cookies and treats, you will love these truffles.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Peanut butter: I prefer creamy smooth peanut butter from Skippy or Jif. The natural peanut butter that is drippy won’t work in this recipe.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter. I let it sit out on the counter for a bit to soften and come to room temperature.
- Vanilla extract: This adds a delicious boost of pure vanilla flavor.
- Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar. This helps sweeten the balls and creates an extra creamy texture.
- Chocolate: High quality semi-sweet chocolate melting wafers work best (like Ghirardelli).
How to Make Peanut Butter Balls
Start by mixing together peanut butter, butter and vanilla with an electric mixer. Mix in 1 cup of powdered sugar gradually then use hands to mix in the remaining 3/4 cup powdered sugar. Shape into 1-inch balls and place in the freezer for 15 minutes to harden.
Next melt the chocolate until smooth (in a double boiler or microwave 60 seconds). Remove from freezer, then dip individually into chocolate until evenly coated. Place back on parchment paper or wax paper.
Immediately add toppings like sea salt, chopped nuts or sprinkles. Then place truffles in the fridge to chill for 10 minutes. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Balls
- Use high quality chocolate. I’ve found that Ghirardelli melting wafers work best. You could use chopped dark chocolate, white chocolate, candy melts or even almond bark.
- Nut butter. Any nut butter works, almond butter, cashew butter or crunchy peanut butter.
- Crispy: Make peanut butter balls with Rice Krispies! Just mix some Rice Krispies cereal in with the peanut butter filling for a crispy texture.
- Freeze before coating with chocolate. This helps the chocolate-covered peanut butter balls hold their shape and prevents these bite-sized treats from melting.
- Use a fork for dipping. Place the truffle on your fork, then dip in chocolate. Then tap the fork on the side of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate for an extra smooth finish.
- Immediately add toppings. The warm chocolate dries fast, so immediately sprinkle on toppings while it’s still wet. If drizzling with chocolate like I do in chocolate covered coconut balls, that can be added after they set.
Looking for more candy recipes to add to your holiday plate? Try my peanut butter fudge, homemade peanut brittle or these easy Rolo pretzels.
More Chocolate Candy Recipes
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Video
Ingredients
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate melting wafers
Optional toppings: sea salt, crushed nuts, mini chocolate chips, powdered sugar, coconut or sprinkles
Instructions
- Prep. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Combine peanut butter mixture. Mix together 3/4 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup butter, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in a medium-size bowl with an electric mixer. Gradually add in 1 cup powdered sugar and mix until well combined. Add the last 3/4 cup powdered sugar and mix with your hands until all the sugar is gone. It will start feeling thick.
- Shape. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet. I like to use a small cookie scoop and then roll them in my hands. Place on baking sheet and then freeze for 15 minutes.
- Melt chocolate. In a small bowl, melt 1 1/2 cups chocolate melting wafers in the microwave for 60 seconds or in a double broiler. Stir until melted.
- Dip. Remove the peanut butter balls from freezer and dip them one by one in the chocolate. Make sure they are evenly coated. I like to use a fork to dip them in and then tap the fork on the side of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate.
- Chill. Place the dipped chocolate balls back on the parchment paper. Top with sea salt, or other toppings if desired. Place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to allow to harden. Best stored in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
You can use semi-sweet chocolate chips, although you won’t get the smooth finish like you would with the chocolate melting wafers.
They will stay fresh in the fridge in an airtight container for about 1 week.
Yes, I recommend keeping them in the fridge so they don’t soften. They store great in the freezer as well.
Yes! I’d recommend flash freezing them first so that they don’t stick together. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes, or until hard. Then place in a freezer container and store for up to 2 months.
If the filling is too soft, try adding a little more powdered sugar. You can also try refrigerating it before rolling.
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Candy + Fudge, Chocolate, Christmas, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Mini, No-Bake, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
What can I do with the chocolate it’s so think as soon as I dip the ball in the chocolate they either break up and the chocolate is so thick there’s nothing to dip of . Is it because I used morsels? Mine look awful they taste great but they sure don’t look good the chocolate is just to thick.
I always recommend to use chocolate melting wafers, they melt smoother than morsels.
Tse peanut butter balls were what my boyfriend ordered he says the best he ever had, So I had to try one and they are so good. I use the Ghirardelli dark chocolate wafers then put walnut on top. I even went off my low carb diet for a few.
Thank You so much for the recipe
Made these for our neighbors but held a few back to let my kids try them. They insisted that we immediately make another batch to keep for ourselves — ha! Quick, easy, and a huge hit!
So glad that you enjoyed the peanut butter balls!
Made these for my Christmas gift boxes and they turned out so pretty and delicious. Will make these again!
The most perfect thing I have ever tasted! I cannot believe how simple and delicious these were. Can’t wait make it again!
these peanut butter balls are a staple at christmas! i could eat the whole batch they’re that delicious! ❤️
Me too! Hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Perfect!
I broke up pretzels in small pieces and put in batter made it crunchy and salty was amazing
Mmm that sounds SO delicious! Will have to try that next time :)
Fantastic. My family loved them.
Yay! Glad they were a hit with your family!
What if I only have salted butter? Would it work?
The flavor might change a bit but I think that should be fine.
Yes!!
I can’t find the amounts of each ingredient, anywhere in the recipe. Am I missing something?
Hi Linda, if you click the teal “View Recipe” button at the top right of the page, it will lead you to the recipe card with specific measurements/instructions :)
Can you use sugar free skippy peanut butter?
It might change the flavor but I don’t see why not. Just make sure the consistency of the peanut butter you’re using is creamy (not drippy).
I have chocolate baking bars, do you know how many squares equal one and a half cups? TIA!
If you are using 8 oz bars, I would say maybe 1 and a half? 1.5 cups is 12 oz, so you want to use a similar amount!
Could I use crunchy peanut butter instead of rice krispies for crunch?
Yes you could :)