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.
These are delicious! I just made my first batch and they make the perfect Christmas gift!
Yay, I am so happy to hear that!
can you freeze them for later.?
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.
Can you freeze these?
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.
Can you make these ahead of time and freeze after dipped in chocolate,and for how long.
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.
Can I use chocolate chips?
You can, although you wont get the smooth finish like you would with the chocolate melting wafers.
So easy! My 10 year old actually was the one who made them, so they are fool proof. And delish!
Love to hear that your little one was in the kitchen with you! So glad you all enjoyed them :)
Looking for a similar recipe. It also had shredded coconut. Balls were dipped in melted buttersch and then melted chocolate
Hi Deborah! I’m sorry, I’m not sure which recipe you are looking for. If you go to my site and search “coconut”, in the search bar you will see all of my recipes with coconut. I hope that helps!
Everyone’s favorite! I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love these!
How do you recommend storing these? Fridge? Counter? (Not that I think they will last long haha)
They will stay fresh in the fridge for about 1 week. You may also freeze them as well. 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.
Loved the sea salt in these beauties – so good!
Not yet but I will be cooking for Thanksgiving and looking for new recipes
Biggest hit at our home!!! My daughter & I made them for our family and they loved them except we used skippy crunchy peanut and they were delicious. Thank you so much for the recipe.
Sounds delicious! I’m so glad you enjoyed them! :)
These Creamy peanut butter balls would disappear in our house!
Mmmm so delicious! I dipped some of mine in white chocolate when I made them and both ways turned out excellent
Sounds delicious!!
Nothing quite like peanut butter and chocolate! Adding this to my baking line up for this holiday season, indeed!
These look so delicious and easy to make! That is the perfect snack idea for me.
Peanut butter balls are my very favorite! That sprinkle of sea salt is the perfect topper!!
I will be making these at the christmas party. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve been looking for a recipe just like this!