Peanut Butter Balls

4.5
(458)

The recipe for these peanut butter balls was shared by my 96-year-old neighbor, Mrs. Lucille Savage. She still makes them at Christmas and now I do too. Peanut butter balls are always a crowd-favorite with a hardened chocolate coating and a smooth, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter filling. This recipe delivers an unexpected, but delightful crunch, thanks to the addition of crisp rice cereal. Decorate your peanut butter balls with sprinkles or other candy coatings just after dipping, or drizzle melted chocolate over top.

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A plate of peanut butter balls, with one cut in half showing the peanut butter filling
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
5 mins
Additional Time:
3 hrs
Total Time:
3 hrs 35 mins
Servings:
48
Yield:
4 dozen

Peanut butter balls are always a good idea — and this top-rated recipe is all the proof you need. Sweetened peanut butter is mixed with crunchy rice cereal, rolled into balls, and dipped in melted chocolate. It doesn't get much more indulgent than that, folks.

Peanut Butter Balls decorated with pink hearts
nicolen

Peanut Butter Balls Ingredients

Make these peanut butter balls with just five easy-to-find ingredients:

· Peanut butter: This recipe calls for smooth peanut butter, but you can use crunchy peanut butter if you like.
· Butter: Butter adds richness and creates an extra decadent texture.
· Sugar: These peanut butter balls are sweetened with confectioners' sugar.
· Rice cereal: Crisp rice cereal lends irresistible flavor and texture.
· Chocolate chips: The peanut butter balls are dipped in melted semisweet chocolate chips.

How to Make Peanut Butter Balls

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these decadent peanut butter balls:

1. Mix the ingredients: Melt the peanut butter and butter in a saucepan. Mix the sugar and cereal together, then stir the cereal mixture into the peanut butter mixture.
2. Roll the peanut butter balls: Form the mixture into balls, cover, and refrigerate until firm.
3. Coat the peanut butter balls: Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Coat the peanut butter balls in the melted chocolate. Refrigerate until the chocolate is firm.

How to Store Peanut Butter Balls

Transfer the peanut butter balls to a shallow, airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Can You Freeze Peanut Butter Balls?

Yes! You can freeze peanut butter balls for up to two months. When the chocolate is set, transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag or another freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight when you're ready to serve.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Excellent and easy recipe," according to STACYBETH1. "My in-laws remind me months in advance to make these for the Christmas holidays! I used chunky peanut butter for some added flavor and crunch."

"I make these at Christmas time and everyone loves them," says Katrina Colleen Wilken. "They are easy to make and make great gifts."

"These are awesome," raves Allison Haney. "I followed the recipe exactly and they are perfect! Not too rich, not too crunchy. Just right!"

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups creamy peanut butter

  • ½ cup butter

  • 4 cups confectioners' sugar

  • 3 cups crisp rice cereal

  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make peanut butter balls

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Melt peanut butter and butter in saucepan over low heat, stirring often.

    A sauce pan with peanut butter and cubbed butter

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Mix crisp rice cereal and confectioners' sugar in a large bowl until all well combined. Pour melted peanut butter mixture over top and stir until thoroughly blended; mixture will still appear crumbly but will easily form into balls.

    A large bowl of melted peanut butter and butter, confectioners sugar, and rice cereal

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Form into 1-inch diameter (or smaller) balls and place onto parchment-lined cookie sheets. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 3 hours to overnight.

    A parchment paper-lined baking sheet with balls of peanut butter mixture, next to a large glass bowl of peanut butter-rice cereal mixture

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. When ready to coat the balls, melt chocolate chips in double boiler. Keep over the lowest heat to keep melted.

    A small glass bowl of melted chocolate set over a pan of simmering water

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Place a peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate. Use two forks to roll it around until fully coated. Carefully remove it, letting any excess chocolate drip back into the pot, and place it on a wire rack set over a piece of parchment paper. Repeat to coat remaining balls.

    A fork dipping a peanut butter ball into the bowl of melted chocolate

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Refrigerate coated peanut butter balls until completely firm before serving.

    A plate of peanut butter balls, with one cut in half showing the peanut butter filling

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Editor's Note:

Based on reviews that this dough was too dry, we've added an extra 1/4 cup peanut butter to the recipe here and also in the video.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

167 Calories
10g Fat
18g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 48
Calories 167
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 4g 19%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 83mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 4g 7%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 107mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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