Two Twenty One

Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies

You’ll love these delicious no bake chocolate covered peanut butter balls! This recipe includes only 5 ingredients and is so easy to make.

Every Christmas growing up, my mom and I would make the same Christmas goodies– peanut butter balls and cut-out cookies. I loved helping my mom make and bake these special cookies at Christmastime. I always look forward to traveling home and making this chocolate peanut butter balls recipe with my mom. They’re the best peanut butter and chocolate treat in my opinion.

I made these bad boys for our annual Christmas party this past weekend. I also made spinach dip with Hawaiian bread, gooey butter cookies, and peppermint Oreo truffles. And while it isn’t seasonal, I had a request from our friend who was visiting from out-of-state to make my famous peach cobbler, so I dug out some of the peaches I froze this summer.

And earlier in the Christmas season, I made them for my cookie exchange. They were such a big hit! Everyone was so excited to go home and make some for their family and friends.

 The BEST peanut butter balls! Only 5 ingredients!

These Peanut Butter Balls Are:

1. no bake
2. not dense
3. dipped in chocolate
4. made with crushed rice krispies
5. amazing

Peanut Butter Balls Vs Buckeyes

Now, I realize some of you call these “Buckeyes” or “Buckeye Balls” even though my version involves completely covering them in chocolate and true Buckeyes are bare on top. But I grew up calling them peanut butter balls, so peanut butter balls they are.

Keep in mind that because you’re using rice krispies, the one inch balls will be more like crispy peanut butter balls. But trust me, these are so much better than dense peanut butters that are almost like fudge. These are lighter because of the crispiness.

The 5 Ingredients

1. Peanut Butter — You can use any peanut butter you like, but I highly suggest using Peter Pan creamy peanut butter for this recipe. I’ve used other brands of peanut butter with this recipe, but PP is my favorite. I also suggest using this chocolate coating. I’ve never had any issues with it.

2. Butter — I prefer salted butter. It helps to balance out the sweetness of the powdered sugar.

3. Crisped Rice Cereal — This is the unexpected ingredient that makes these peanut butter balls so good. The crushed crisped rice cereal gives a slight crunch that’s so good.

4. Powdered Sugar — It makes the peanut butter balls denser and sweetens things up.

5. Chocolate or Almond Bark — I prefer almond bark, but that’s because I grew up eating the PB balls with an almond bark coating but chocolate tastes great too. But if you want to melt chocolate chips in a double boiler and use that as your coating, knock yourself out. And also feel free to mix it up– milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate. Even though white chocolate peanut butter cups aren’t my favorite, white chocolate peanut butter balls would be delicious if that’s your favorite.

The most amazing chocolate peanut butter balls! Only 5 ingredients!

Peanut Butter Balls Video

My 4 Tips to Apply in this Recipe

2. Use a Stand Mixer: After hand mixing this recipe for years, I’ll never go back after using this amazing piece of machinery. And I LOVE this accessory. Seriously, put them on your Christmas or birthday wish list.

3. Refrigerate Mixture Before Rolling and Dipping: After mixing everything together in a large bowl, I recommend putting the peanut butter mixture in the fridge for 1-2 hours before rolling. Also, I’ve found it’s easier to dip the balls if they’re refrigerated for an hour before dipping them in the melted chocolate. Simply roll them, place them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or foil, and set them in the fridge.

4. Sticky Balls: If you find that the balls aren’t rolling very well and seem to be sticky, add a little more confectioners sugar and crushed cereal.

5. Uniform Balls: I also recommend using one of these to make the balls uniform in size. Best kitchen tool ever!

How to Make Peanut Butter Balls

1. Mix together the smooth peanut butter and butter. The mixture will look like thinner peanut butter.

2. Add in the powdered sugar and crush crisped rice cereal. Depending on the peanut butter you use and the oil content of the peanut butter, you may need to add in some more powdered sugar and crushed crisped rice cereal.

3. Chill. Chill the mixture for 1-2 hours. This helps the mixture set up, making it easier to roll into balls.

4. Roll into balls. Use a cookie scoop to form the perfect-sized balls. Roll into balls and place on foil.

5. Dip in chocolate or candy coating. Drop the balls into the chocolate. Remove the balls with toothpicks. If the balls are falling apart in the chocolate, chill the remaining balls for 1-2 hours so they firm up a little.

4.12 from 168 votes
easy peanut butter balls
Print
Peanut Butter Balls
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 

These peanut butter balls are a huge hit! They're no bake, easy to make, and require only 5 ingredients!

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: buckeyes, chocolate covered peanut butter balls, chocolate peanut butter balls, chocolate peanut butter truffles, no bake, no bake peanut butter balls, peanut butter balls, peanut butter buckeyes
Servings: 4 dozen
Ingredients
  • 3 c. crisped rice cereal measure out 3 c. then crush
  • 2 c. smooth peanut butter
  • 3/4 c. butter softened
  • 3 3/4 c. powdered sugar
  • 1 pound melting chocolate OR almond bark
Instructions
  1. Mix together: 2 c. smooth peanut butter and 3/4 c. butter
  2. Add: 3 3/4 c. powdered sugar 3 c. crushed crisped rice cereal
  3. Chill mixture for 1-2 hours. Use cookie scoop to make uniform balls. Roll into balls. Melt 1 lb. of chocolate. Dip balls into chocolate. Remove with a toothpick. Place on foil or wax paper until cool.
  4. Yields 3-4 dozen peanut butter balls, dependent on size. Store in airtight container at room temperature. Best when eaten fresh or within 2-3 days.
  5. NOTES: If you're having a hard time getting the balls out of the chocolate with a toothpick, try a fork. Or refrigerate the balls for an hour before dipping. Do not substitute margarine for butter.
Recipe Notes
  1. REFRIGERATE: I recommend putting the peanut butter mixture in the fridge for 1-2 hours before rolling.
  2. PEANUT BUTTER BRAND: I highly suggest using Peter Pan creamy peanut butter for this recipe. 
  3. STICKY  BALLS: If you find that the balls aren’t rolling very well and seem to be sticky, add a little more confectioners sugar and crushed cereal. 
  4. DIPPING THE BALLS: It’s easier to dip the balls if they’re refrigerated for an hour before dipping them in the melted chocolate. Simply roll them, place them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or foil, and set them in the fridge. 
  5. UNIFORM BALLS: I also recommend using a cookie scoop to make uniform balls.

Peanut Butter Balls Recipe!

The most amazing chocolate peanut butter balls! Only 5 ingredients!
Peanut Butter Ball Recipe

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Comments

  1. moosenoose says

    I’m making some candy cane chocolate chunks for friends and family this year, and now I will def. be making some of your peanut butter balls to go with them – yuuuuuum!

    Reply

    • patti says

      My mother called them bon bond. One recipe she had used p.b. & dates. She also made the rice krispies ones, but used chunky p.b. She melted baking chocolate, chocolate chips & parafin wax for dipping. Just mixed up a 3rd batch.

      Reply

  6. Rachel says

    MMmmmmm, you’ve done it again! These look delicious! I love peanut butter treats. I think, though, this is destined to become another one of your “pretty” recipes that I completely demolish. It’ll taste just as good when they’re less perfectly-shiny-ballish and more creepy-lumpish though, I’m sure.

    And thanks again for the guest post 🙂

    Reply

  9. Holly says

    You know as good as they taste and as much as I love PB and chocolate, I’ve never made these before. I need to change that. Thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂

    Reply

  11. MomsFunMoney says

    I have made these for years but instead of rice krispies I put in a cup of graham cracker crumbs. Also, I put parafin wax in with the melting chocolate to give them a shine. Yummy!

    Reply

  14. The Arizona Russums says

    yes, i call them peanut butter balls too! i’ve never made them before because i would always just eat the ones my best friend’s mom made, but now that i’ve moved i am going to try your recipe!

    Reply

  16. Heidi says

    Oh yum yum yum…I must make these today!! I would love for you to come link this up at our link party…junkintheirtrunk.blogspot.com/2011/12/link-it-up-wednesday-7.html

    Reply

  17. mrs. c says

    My youngest brother stands at the door on Christmas until I bring in his jar filled with Buckeyes! I have not added Rice Krispies before but I am going to try it!

    Reply

  18. Laura S. says

    Hi, I am making this receipe & I noticed that at the top you mention 1 1/2 sticks of butter but in your printable receipe you have 1 1/2 cups which is 3 sticks of butter. Since I used the printable receipe & my batter is very soft I think it’s probably 1 1/2 sticks, but just checking. Thanks!

    Reply

  20. Jazmine says

    Hi! My boyfriend has been begging me to make him these, he’s a huge peanut butter fan. In all the other buckeyes receipes, they first put the balls in the fridge before dipping them in chocolate- is that necessary with this receipe?

    Reply

  21. Colleen M says

    OMG! Just went through the comments and found out about the butter…no wonder I had soooooo much goo (filling)! they were still good although I have a ton left that I froze or I’d still be dipping peanut butter balls!!

    Reply

  23. shazrules says

    OMG from two Peanut Butter Cup lovers thank you – I cant wait to make these. Also, Moosegoose – can I have your recipe for candy cane chocolate chunks please??? Thanks in advance 🙂

    Reply

  25. Gwen says

    I could totally eat my weight in those! But that would NOT be good, would it???

    Thanks so much for sharing it at our Heirloom Recipe party! Amazeballs….

    Reply

  29. Chrish says

    Hi,
    These Sounds like Yummy..!!
    This Christmas Peanut Butter Balls look delicious and adorable.
    I love this. I really excited to eat this.
    Thanks For sharing….

    Reply

  30. Jen says

    I LOVE peanut butter balls!!!! We plan to make these this weekend when we get together with my mom and sister to celebrate Thanksgiving.
    And oh my, that snl skit is hilarious!!
    Thanks for your recipe 🙂

    Reply

  31. Colleen says

    I can’t wait to try and make these for the office. I noticed in the picture of your food products there is the almond bark package. Is this chocolate that you melted? Thank you

    Reply

  33. Nicole Anderson says

    Yum, these look so good !! I’m from Australia and we don’t have butter bars, can you tell me how many oz is in a butter bar!
    Thanks Nicole

    Reply

      • Donna says

        we call them mice cookies here in Newfoundland but we also add 4 cups of rice crispies and get 5 dozen cookies out of then you can shape them oval to look like mice or into balls we get more if you roll them into balls
        makes these every year even 2 batches my kids love them excellent for freezing but they don’t last long enough at my house to freeze lol

        Reply

  37. ellen g says

    My family have made these for years also, they originated from my best friends family. Our’s are almost identical except we don’t use the cereal and we use more powdered sugar. They are delicious and are better than Reeses peanut butter cups. They can be frozen. We traditionally make these, frosted Christmas cookies and strawberry jam and share them with friends and family.

    Reply

  38. Tami says

    I just made these for the very first time, and wow, they are rich! My batch made about 3.5 dozen and I was afraid the 1 lb of chocolate wasn’t going to be enough, but it was…with a bit left over. I couldn’t find Peter Pan peanut butter at my local grocery store, so I bought a low fat peanut butter and halved it with a regular peanut butter. *Someone had mentioned that their dough was “very” sticky. Mine wasn’t. I rolled into balls and set them back into the fridge while I heated the chocolate. This recipe is a keeper! =)

    Reply

  39. Caroline says

    Hello , I made these today and they are delish…I had some trouble dipping them in the melted chocolate and getting them to look as nice as yours…could you put a picture of how you did that part? These are now a new addition to my Christmas baking list. Thanks for a great recipe!!

    Reply

    • Chelsea @ two twenty one says

      Glad you like them!

      Put them in the chocolate. Cover them with chocolate using a spoon. Stab with a toothpick and remove from the chocolate. If you have a hard time getting them out of the chocolate they’re either not dense enough or your chocolate isn’t thin enough. You can thin chocolate with a little bit of vegetable oil, but don’t go overboard or the chocolate won’t set up. Hope this helps!

      Reply

  40. Tara (@MissActress04) says

    Hi!! I making these for Christmas and and am super excited for it!! I too was confused by the two different amounts of butter you said so I went back and read through the comments…and am still confused…exactly how much butter do we need?

    Reply

  41. Tara (@MissActress04) says

    I get confused easily so its not completely your fault lol…thanx!! i will let yo know how they turn out!!

    Reply

  44. pam sheedy says

    We always called them “buckeyes”, but when my daughter was small, she always thought we said “bug eyes”. So now that she is grown,, She traditionally makes ‘bug eyes.?

    Reply

  45. Andie says

    My mom and I make fudge every year. 🙂 this year I’ll be making it on my own since my mom lives in IL and i live in TN

    Reply

  46. Susan says

    I make these every year also and I use PP peanutbutter. I also use Kellog’s rice krispies as I find they stay crispy better then store brand. Love them!

    Reply

  47. Kandi says

    My daughter has asked me to make these for her wedding reception. I want to make these in advance. Does anyone know if I can freeze them and take them out to thaw? Do they taste as good?

    Reply

  48. Jennifer says

    These have been my “secret ” recipe for yrs. I got it from a neighbor but once I started making them everyone associates them with me now and requests them every yr. They are the best! I use some parrifin wax in mine to give the chocolate a little shine. My sister makes the jalepeno popper dip! So we have a bit in common 😉

    Reply

  50. Tina says

    Hi! My son has dairy allergy. I was wondering if I could use safe chocolate chips instead of a melting chocolate? Or does it specifically have to be a melting chocolate? Something like ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips are safe, so it doesn’t have to be anything that is too out of the norm. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Raquites says

      that will work fine. 🙂 I use chocolate chips as well. I find I need to add about 1 tablespoon of oil to the chips when I melt them so that it is smooth and coats nicely.

      Reply

  51. Bobbi Johnson says

    A couple questions… About how many balls does 1 batch make? And if I wanted to double the recipe is that ok?

    Reply

  52. Gina says

    Ours have always been a favorite in our home as well… but we use chopped graham crackers (best if you chop up your own so they’re not so finely chopped) in the place of rice crispy cereal. and because I prefer peanuts in mine, I use crunchy PB. I’ve never tried the rice crispy. We’ll have to try them next time. Buuuuut… Just like yours, ours are called Peanut Butter Balls too. Besides, A Peanut Butter Ball by any other name just isn’t the same! 😉

    Reply

  53. Tanya says

    My husband’s great grandma makes these every year, and we can’t wait for the package to arrive. I don’t think she uses Peter Pan PB so we’ll definitely give that a try.

    Reply

  54. Wanda Castro says

    I tried your recipe and they are soooooo good! I shaped mine into mini bars because we’re doing a Walking Dead theme at our office. So, I made “Morgan’s Peanut Butter bars.” Any ways, these were a big hit with everyone!

    Reply

  55. Rebecca says

    Do I really have to save this recipe until Christmas !!!! LOl Love peanut balls and am pinning this to make often. Thanks for sharing. PS-They must be soo good if you can make a grown man giggle !!!

    Reply

  56. Shreyashi Ganguly says

    Hey Chelsea,
    How do you know a recipe is gold? Cause after so much time people still get excited to see it pop up. Found your recipe on Something To Talk About party. I was planning on making some treats for the up-coming holiday season to give as home-made gifts to my family. These would be so perfect.
    Thank you for sharing the recipe.
    Cheers!

    Reply

  63. Stephanie says

    My grandmother’s best friend and neighbor, both passed now, use to make these every Christmas. I remember sitting on my grandma’s step stool in her kitchen and eating the entire bin of them every year. I haven’t had them since being a child but not despite my best efforts to recreate! I’m hoping this recipe is the one as I remember her’s having riced cereal inside! Can’t wait for baking next weekend!

    Reply

  64. Megan says

    My grandma used to make these! So addicting. I found out later though that her recipe had paraffin in the chocolate coating so I definitely will be replacing it with yours.

    Reply

  67. Michelle says

    Just made these. Didn’t refrigerate the pb before rolling in the chocolate. It was awful. Couldn’t pick them up with the toothpick. Not enough chocolate to cover them all. Is that because I didn’t refrigerate?

    Reply

  68. Carmen says

    Hi! I was looking for a peanut butter ball recipe and found yours on Pinterest. The recipes I got from friends and family are just basic, peanut butter, butter and confectioners sugar. I’m just wondering, what does the crushed crisp rice cereal do? Is it mainly for texture?

    Reply

  71. Sara says

    These are way too sweet. The powdered sugar was way to overpowering. I used only 2 1/2 cups and it was still way to sweet. Also added a little more peanut butter the next time and it did seem to dull out some of the sugar taste. Any suggestions? Im afraid if i reduce the sugar anymore the consistency will be off??

    Reply

    • Chelsea @ two twenty one says

      Some of it depends on the type of peanut butter and chocolate you use. I find that almond bark makes them a lot less sweet than if you were to use melting chocolate or melting chocolate chips. You can also try to reduce the sugar and increase the crisped rice cereal.

      Reply

    • Heather says

      I attempted to make these but had problems melting the chocolate chips. Any suggestions on how to best melt chocolate without it turning into the consistency of frosting?

      Reply

  74. Bill says

    I just made these, they are amazing! I added espresso powder to the chocolate (1tbsp) to amplify the chocolate taste…wow! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  75. tatjana says

    I will definitely try those! I am always craving sweet stuff but don’t have an oven at home to bake cookies or cakes. These peanut butter treats are a perfect alternative! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

    Reply

  76. dawn says

    Loved these! But after making way too many batches, I had to try another way to coat chocolate. After MANY attempts, the best was using a metal whisk (open bendable). Insert one ball dip, shake and then open whisk and drop onto wax paper. Not only was this SO much faster , made a much nicer even coating than any other method AND ALOT less chocolate waste. (I did freeze the balls first and now only use the good dark chocolate to coat these-no wax/shortening)

    Reply

    • Laura says

      Rachel, just follow the recipe. If you want to replace an ingredient, you can’t expect the author to do it for you. Use your head. Gram cracker crumbs are not as “airy” as crisp cereal. If you want to replace the crisp cereal with graham cracker crumbs, start with one cup and check consistancy. If still too sticky to roll, add more… If you get a recipe from a cookbook, are you asking that author about substitutes too?

      Reply

    • Laura says

      Rachel, just follow the recipe. If you want to replace an ingredient, you can’t expect the author to do it for you. Use your head. Gram cracker crumbs are not as “airy” as crisp cereal. If you want to replace the crisp cereal with graham cracker crumbs, start with one cup and check consistancy. If still too sticky to roll, add more… If you get a recipe from a cookbook, are you asking that author about substitutes too?

      Reply

  79. Debbi says

    Hello! I’m wanting to make these for Christmas…they look delicious! I’m having trouble finding Peter Pan peanut butter where I live. Has anyone out there used other peanut butters with success?

    Reply

  80. Debbi says

    Thanks Chelsea! I tried three different grocery stores with no luck. I can’t wait to try them…I’ll let you know in the next coming weeks how it goes.?

    Reply

  81. Patricia Schroll says

    I make peanut butter balls every year for the Holiday. I know alot of people use tooth picks to remove them from the chocolate but I never have good luck by doing that.
    You did a beautiful job decorating the porch and I’m sure the family loved your talent.
    We wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

    Reply

  82. Trish says

    Hi I am from Australia and my recipe is very similar. I have to put in freezer due to heat here but these treats are a firm favourite at Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

    Reply

  83. Jacquelyn says

    This recipe was straight up aggravating. Followed it exactly and the filling was way too wet. Tried adding more icing sugar and rice crisps in random amounts to get it to hold together. Peanut butter balls would not stay on the tooth pick when dipping in the chocolate. Required way more chocolate as much was wasted on the wax paper. I would not use this recipe as is again.

    Reply

  87. Pam says

    Thanks for recipe. Made these when kids were younger, love them, lost the recipe. Also found candy making kit at Party City (around $10), made dipping the balls a breeze!

    Reply

  88. jerolyn says

    Made these exactly as you directed and they are fantastic! they will kill a chocolate peanut butter craving instantly. Thank you for sharing this. these will be a huge hit at Christmas.

    Reply

  89. Olivia says

    I’ve never tried it with the Rice Krispies, but my family always makes them with crushed graham crackers. Makes them absolute perfection. People that don’t even like peanut butter think or peanut butter balls are amazing. Reminiscent of butterfingers and Reese’s. You should definitely give it a try. Same recipe, but swap Rice Krispies for crushed graham crackers. You won’t regret it.

    Reply

  92. Cindy Fine says

    Totally Delicious! I took these to a NYE party and everyone loved them, Thanks for the awesome recipe Chelsea!

    Reply

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