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    Home » No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

    No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

    Published: Dec 8, 2019 · Modified: Sep 6, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This no-bake chocolate peanut butter balls recipe is easy to make with only 6 ingredients (including graham crackers)! They are always the first treat to disappear from my Christmas cookie tray! Decorate them with melted chocolate or festive holiday sprinkles! 

    overhead view of a peanut butter ball cut in half so the filling is showing.

    You're probably already knee-deep into your holiday baking (we've already made cut-out sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, and oatmeal cookies), but let me beg you to add these no-bake peanut butter balls to your to-bake list!

    This chocolate peanut butter balls recipe is easy to make with only 6 ingredients! They are always the first treat to disappear from my Christmas cookie tray, because no one can resist the chocolate peanut butter flavor combination!

    They are creamy with a little crunch (from the graham crackers) and have a big peanut butter flavor! You can decorate them with melted chocolate or holiday sprinkles for a festive flare! 

    10 No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls with a chocolate drizzle

    Peanut Butter Balls Recipe: Ingredients

    Let's chat about the ingredients used in this recipe, and possible substitutions!

    overhead photo of the ingredients in this chocolate peanut butter balls recipe
    • Butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter. For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter (Earth Balance) or ghee. Just be sure whatever you use is softened to room temperature.
    • Peanut Butter: Make sure it's creamy and not too liquidy. I prefer a natural, no-stir variety so that the balls hold up better as they reach room temperature. If you choose to use a more runny peanut butter you will need to serve these cold or add more powdered sugar or graham cracker crumbs to make them roll easier (and make less of a mess). 
    • Powdered sugar: if you try to avoid refined sugar, make this easy Paleo Powdered Sugar and use it as a substitution.
    • Graham Cracker Crumbs: I just toss some grahams in my Vitamix or food processor and blend them up. If you have any dietary restrictions use a gluten-free/allergy friendly graham cracker variety!
    • Chocolate Chips: Our favorite chocolate of choice is a semi-sweet variety. However I have used milk and dark chocolate with delicious results. 
    overhead view of a No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball cut in half so the center is showing sitting on top of 15 other balls.

    How to make Peanut Butter Balls

    This chocolate covered peanut butter balls recipe has three main steps that we'll walk through together.

    1. Make the peanut butter ball filling and roll into balls
    2. Freeze the balls.
    3. Coat frozen peanut butter balls with chocolate 

    Make the Peanut Butter Ball Filling

    If you watch the video you will see how easy it is! Simply mix up the wet ingredients in a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with a hand mixer. 

    two overhead photos showing how to make peanut butter balls filling

    Add the dry ingredients and mix until the mixture resembles a coarse meal that comes together easily when pinched. The balls should be easy to roll. 

    How to make homemade graham cracker crumbs:

    • Place 10-11 graham crackers into a food processor fitted with the “S” blade or blender.
    • Process/blend until mixture turns into a fine powder.
    • Use in the recipe as directed.
    two overhead photos showing how to make peanut butter balls filling

    Use a 1 TBS measuring spoon to measure out peanut butter ball mixture. Roll each 1 TBS portion into a smooth ball and place each ball on the lined baking sheet.  (Note: if balls are not rolling smoothly add a touch more peanut butter to the mixture). Repeat until all the peanut butter ball mixture is used.

    Freeze Peanut Butter Balls

    Place peanut butter balls on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper and freeze until hardened (about 1 hour). 

    two overhead photos showing how to make peanut butter balls portioning filling and forming into balls

    Make the chocolate peanut butter coating

    Towards the end of the freezing time, make the chocolate peanut butter coating. Simply melt the chocolate and peanut butter together in the microwave or on a double boiler on the stovetop until glossy and smooth. 

    Transfer melted chocolate to a small bowl (you want the chocolate to be deep, not a shallow layer in a large bowl).

    two overhead photos showing how to make chocolate coating

    Coat Peanut Butter Balls in Chocolate

    Remove the peanut butter balls from the freezer and dip each one individually into the chocolate mixture.

    Shake off excess chocolate and place on the wax paper on the baking sheet. Repeat until all the balls are coated with chocolate.

    front view of a peanut butter ball being dipped in chocolate

    Add sprinkles or other toppings

    If desired, immediately sprinkle with sprinkles (before the chocolate hardens). 

    front view of 7 chocolate peanut butter balls with Christmas sprinkles

    To drizzle with chocolate

    1. Wait until the peanut butter balls are hardened.
    2. Melt more chocolate, white chocolate, candy melts, etc. and drizzle on top! (for a perfect drizzle I use a decorators bag and pipe it on with a small round tip).
    3. Let set until hardened.
    Overhead view of 5 chocolate peanut butter balls, 3 with sprinkles 2 with a chocolate drizzle

    Let set

    Since the peanut butter balls are frozen the chocolate will set up quickly. Let them set on the baking sheet until it has hardened. You can place them in the refrigerator or freezer to speed the process along. 

    Serve

    These peanut butter balls are best when served at room temperature because the chocolate is soft enough to bite through without cracking! 

    Store/freeze

    Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw slowly at room temperature or in the refrigerator - do not warm in the microwave.

    up close overhead view of a No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball cut in half sitting on top of other peanut butter balls.

    Recipe FAQS

    Can you freeze peanut butter balls?

    Yes, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

    How do you make a chocolate coating that will harden?

    The chocolate peanut butter coating in this recipe hardens beautifully, and it's easy to make! The trick is using mostly chocolate, which is solid at room temperature. Adding  just a touch of peanut butter makes it soft enough to bite through without cracking! 

    Can I double this recipe?

    Yes, this recipe easily doubles to make enough to give as gifts or to feed a crowd.

    front view of a No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball cut in half standing up on a plate surrounded by other peanut butter balls

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

    Laura
    This no-bake chocolate peanut butter balls recipe is easy to make with only 6 ingredients (including graham crackers)! They are always the first treat to disappear from my Christmas cookie tray! Decorate them with melted chocolate or festive holiday sprinkles! 
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Freezing 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 36 peanut butter balls
    Calories 159 kcal

    Equipment

    • baking sheet
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • KitchenAid Mixer
    • spatula
    • cookie scoop
    • Parchment Paper

    Ingredients
     
     

    Peanut Butter Balls:

    • ¼ cup butter softened
    • 1 ½ cup creamy peanut butter
    • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
    • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs 10-11 full graham crackers-4piece sheets
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • pinch of sea salt

    For the chocolate coating:

    • 12 oz (2 cups) chocolate chips
    • 1 TBS peanut butter

    Instructions
     

    Make the peanut butter ball filling:

    • In a large bowl, mix together powder sugar and graham cracker crumbs, set aside.
    • In a mixer, beat butter and peanut butter together until creamy. Add vanilla and beat until combined.
    • Add powdered sugar mixture and a pinch of salt and beat until combined.
    • Line a large baking sheet with wax paper.
    • Use a 1 TBS measuring spoon to measure out peanut butter ball mixture.
    • Roll each 1 TBS portion into a smooth ball and place each ball on the lined baking sheet. (Note: if balls are not rolling smoothly add a touch more peanut butter to the mixture). Repeat until all the peanut butter ball mixture is used.
    • Place peanut butter balls in the freezer for at least 1 hour (or until frozen).

    Make the chocolate coating:

    • After 1 hour, place chocolate chips and 1 TBS peanut butter in a microwave safe dish or in the bowl of a double boiler. Melt, stirring until smooth and glossy.
    • Transfer melted chocolate to a small bowl (you want the chocolate to be deep, not a shallow layer in a large bowl).

    Dip the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate:

    • Remove peanut butter balls from the freezer and dip each one individually into the chocolate mixture.
    • Shake off excess chocolate and place on the wax paper on the baking sheet.
    • If desired, immediately sprinkle with sprinkles (before the chocolate hardens).
    • Repeat until all the peanut butter balls are coated with chocolate.
    • Let the peanut butter balls harden, either at room temperature or in the freezer (faster).
    • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature!
    • Serve at room temperature!

    Video

    Notes

    To make your own graham cracker crumbs:

    1. Place 10-11 graham crackers into a food processor fitted with the “S” blade or blender.
    2. Process/blend until mixture turns into a fine powder.
    3. Use in the recipe as directed.
    To create a drizzle on top of the peanut butter balls:
    1. Wait until they are hardened.
    2. Melt more chocolate, white chocolate, candy melts, etc. and drizzle on top! (for a perfect drizzle I use a decorators bag and pipe it on with a small round tip).
      Let set until hardened.

    Store/freeze

    Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw slowly at room temperature or in the refrigerator - do not warm in the microwave.

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter. For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter (Earth Balance) or ghee. 
    • Peanut Butter: Make sure it's creamy and not too liquidy. I prefer a natural, no-stir variety so that the balls hold up better as they reach room temperature. If you choose to use a more runny peanut butter you will need to serve these cold or add more powdered sugar or graham cracker crumbs to make them roll easier (and make less of a mess). 
    • Powdered sugar: if you try to avoid refined sugar, make this easy Paleo Powdered Sugar and use it as a substitution.
    • Graham Cracker Crumbs: I just toss some grahams in my Vitamix or food processor and blend them up. If you have any dietary restrictions use a gluten-free/allergy friendly graham cracker variety!
    • Chocolate Chips: Our favorite chocolate of choice is a semi-sweet variety. However I have used milk and dark chocolate with delicious results. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ballCalories: 159kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 4gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 92mgPotassium: 79mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 61IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More chocolate peanut butter desserts

    I have SO many chocolate peanut butter treats on my blog! Here are a few of my favorites: 

    • No-bake chocolate peanut butter bars are basically these balls, but in bar form. 
    • These gluten-free peanut butter blossoms are so fun to make for the holidays. 
    • I make these no-bake chocolate peanut butter oat bars all the time. They're SO good!
    • What would YOU dip in this chocolate peanut butter fondue? 
    • Who can resist this dairy-free chocolate peanut butter ice cream (LOADED with peanut butter chunks)!?
    • Make this Reindeer Food (Christmas Puppy Chow) for a delicious & festive treat. 

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

    « Moments 11.2019
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    Comments

    1. Emily Swanson

      December 16, 2019 at 11:37 am

      I love these Laura! I made them last week, and i think I might like them even more than buckeyes because of the crunchy bits inside the balls. I used cookies inside them, and they were delectable.

      Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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