Peanut butter balls are a fusion of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate, offering a taste sensation that’s hard to resist. With just 6 ingredients and no baking needed, these chocolate-covered treats are as easy to make as they are delicious.

bitten peanut butter balls in a bowl.
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Super Easy Peanut Butter Balls!

Our easy No Bake Peanut Butter Balls take my favorite flavor combination of chocolate and peanut butter found in my Peanut Butter Blossoms, old fashioned oats Energy Bites, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Pie, and turns it into a chocolate covered truffle.

Making no bake chocolate covered bites is as simple as scooping the 4 ingredient peanut butter batter, rolling it into round balls, coating each in melted candy, and decorating with a drizzle of chocolate or colorful sprinkles.

Easy to make in minutes with 6 simple gluten-free ingredients, there’s no better way to get a peanut butter chocolate fix than forming snack balls that you don’t have to bake!

Why We Love Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Balls

  • Quick and easy to make.
  • Uses a handful of simple ingredients.
  • Single-serving snacks are pre-portioned and portable.
  • Dessert recipes that require no cooking are great during the hectic holiday season.
  • Perfect for a potluck or party, dessert platter, cookie exchange, gift giving, or serving as a snack.

Peanut Butter Balls Ingredients

a couple of peanut butter balls lined up on a white plate.
  • Peanut butter: I used creamy peanut butter because I love a smooth texture, but you can use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer. I do not recommend using natural peanut butter in this recipe–it is too oily, and the balls will not set properly.
  • Butter
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Chocolate chips
  • Paraffin wax: You can substitute this with candy melts and leave out the paraffin wax.
  • Sprinkles

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions and Additions

  • Pick Your Peanut/Nut Butter: You can substitute crunchy peanut butter if you want more texture in your balls. If you want the filling to be smooth, you should keep to creamy peanut butter. You can also substitute another nut or nut alternative butter, such as almond butter, cashew butter, and SunButter, but please be aware that they all have different consistencies, so you may need to add more or less powdered sugar to get a firm dough.
  • Choose Your Chocolate: Feel free to use your favorite white, milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chips to coat these no-bake treats. You can use chocolate chips or candy melts.
  • Make With Mix-Ins: You can make no-bake peanut butter balls with oats, Rice Krispies, graham crackers, or mix mini chocolate chips into the peanut butter batter.
  • Decorate Your Desserts: You can decorate these bites with fun and festive colors after you dip them in chocolate. Try using colorful sprinkles, sanding sugar, crushed pretzel pieces, contrasting colored chocolate drizzle, or a sprinkle of sea salt.

How to Make Peanut Butter Balls (No Bake)

  1. Make The Middle Mixture: Mix together the peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract (Image 1). Roll the mixture into balls. (Image 2)
  2. Melt The Chocolate: Bring the water to a rolling boil, then add the chocolate chips and wax. Stir until smooth.
    Pro Tip: If you use candy melts, leave out the wax and follow the directions on the package.
  3. Dip and Decorate: Dip each peanut butter ball into melted chocolate to cover (Image 3) and decorate with sprinkles or a drizzle of white chocolate.
  4. Set And Serve: Place in the freezer to harden for about 30 minutes (Image 4). Serve and enjoy!
peanut butter mixture in a bowl. a couple of peanut butter balls lined in baking sheet. dip the balls in melted chocolate. lined up chocolate covered balls in baking sheet.

Tips for Making Perfect Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

  • Do not use natural peanut butter in this recipe–it is too oily, and the balls will not set properly. I think Jif or Skippy works great!
  • If the balls are not holding together well, add a bit more confectioner sugar (powdered sugar). Add one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
  • If your dough becomes too sticky to roll, just put it in the refrigerator for a few minutes. It is much easier to work with the dough when it is cool. (You may even want to consider putting the dough in the refrigerator for a few minutes before forming balls).
  • When dipping the balls into the melted chocolate, let the excess chocolate drip off briefly before placing it on wax paper or parchment paper.
  • I like to use this cookie scoop to keep the balls uniform in size.

How to Store Peanut Butter Balls

  • To Store: Peanut butter balls can stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
  • To Freeze: You can freeze them in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
bitten peanut butter balls with a few red and green sprinkles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to store peanut butter balls?

It is recommended to store them in an airtight container or resealable bag. Please keep them in a cool and dry place, such as the refrigerator, to maintain their freshness and texture. Properly stored, they can typically last for about 1 to 2 weeks. I recommend you place a layer of wax or parchment paper between them.

How should I dip my balls in chocolate?

The best method to coat these balls in chocolate is to use a fork and gently tap any excess chocolate on the side of the bowl. I like to use a toothpick to remove the excess melted chocolate from the bottom of the fork and then gently push the ball onto the prepared baking sheet.

What is the difference between peanut butter balls and Buckeyes?

Peanut butter balls and buckeyes have the same delicious chocolate peanut butter flavor combination, resembling chocolate-covered truffles. But Buckeyes leave a small part of the peanut butter showing on the top so that they look like they didn’t get all the way dipped. 

More Easy Peanut Butter Recipes

stacked peanut butter balls with rainbow sprinkles

More like this No Bake Peanut Butter Ball Recipe

If you tried this No Bake Peanut Butter Balls Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!

4.44 from 110 votes
a couple of peanut butter balls in a white bowl.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Recipe (No Bake)

Serves — 25
No Bake Peanut Butter Balls are easy to make with 6 simple ingredients!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Video

Ingredients
  

  • cups chunky or creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12 oz bag of chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons paraffin wax grated (You can substitute this with Candy Melts – then you would leave out the paraffin wax)
  • sprinkles optional

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl add peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix to combine.
    1½ cups chunky or creamy peanut butter, ½ cup butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Form into 25 balls. Using a double boiler bring water to a rolling boil and add chocolate chips and wax. Stir until smooth.
    note: if you use the candy melts, leave out the wax and follow the directions on the package)
    12 oz bag of chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons paraffin wax
  • Using a spoon dip each peanut butter ball into chocolate to cover. Place dipped balls on a rimmed sheet pan lined with wax or parchment paper.
  • Sprinkle with holiday themed sprinkles or drizzle with white chocolate (optional) 
    sprinkles
  • Place in freezer to harden about 30 minutes.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:
    • To Store: Peanut butter balls can stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
    • To Freeze: You can freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Tips: 
  • Do not use natural peanut butter in this recipe–it is too oily and the balls will not set properly. I think Jif or Skippy works great!
  • If the balls are not holding together well, add a little more confectioner sugar (powdered sugar). Add one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
  • If your dough becomes too sticky to roll, just put it in the refrigerator for a few minutes. It is much easier to work with the dough when it is cool. (You may even want to consider putting the dough in the refrigerator for a few minutes before you begin forming balls).
  • When dipping the balls into the melted chocolate, let the excess chocolate drip off for just a moment before placing on wax paper or parchment paper.
  • I like to use this cookie scoop to keep the balls uniform in size.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 41mg | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 145IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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4.44 from 110 votes (99 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Hi❗️I’m new at making candy and I want to try these Peanut Butter Balls around the up coming Holiday season❣️
    Thank you for this recipe and I hope you have a wonderful day❣️
    Grammy Allen ❤️

  2. I clicked the link for the cookie scoop. Which size do you use for the peanut butter balls? I look forward to making these with my granddaughter.

  3. 5 stars
    love love love this, I am 48 yrs. old I love peanut butter balls my friends always gave as holiday gifts but I never had the chance to make them myself although I love to cook & bake. I never even looked at the actual recipe but always planned on making them one day, my favorite recipe just always seemed to escape my menu when planning holiday or special occasions to make myself so my husband and I are really excited to get the chance to try this oh so popular recipe this holiday season! thank you princesspinkygirl recipes! Merry Christmas & a Blessed 2023 New Year to all!

  4. I have made this same recipe for years & make them to look like buckeyes since I live in Ohio! They are always a hit with everyone! I started making them with my granddaughter every Christmas along with other candies to give as gifts! It’s a great memories maker with your grandchildren.

  5. This chit chat is endless mindnumbing, nonfunctional baby talk. Con waste money and ruin your chocolate chips with nasty parts n, folks! Instead, use a tablespoon of Crisco added to your melting chips, and they will set very nicely. See how easily I just said that?!