If you’re a fan of peanut butter cups, you’ll love these no-bake peanut butter balls. With just four ingredients and no baking required, you can be on your way to enjoying a yummy mid-afternoon or after-dinner snack in as little as 45 minutes!
Plus, these peanut butter balls can be altered to fit almost any diet (vegan, keto, etc.), and provide the energy and protein boost you need before or after a workout. Creamy, chocolate-y, and soft, you’ll wonder why you never made these no-bake peanut butter balls before.
For those from Ohio, you may be familiar with this recipe, and more used to eating these ‘Buckeyes’ during football games!
Simple And Delicious No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup softened butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar (or sugar alternative of choice)
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Supplies
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Measuring cups
- Toothpicks (optional)
Directions
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Take your large bowl and mix the three ingredients, peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar, until smooth. If you find that your dough is falling apart or too crumbly, add a little more peanut butter or butter to soften it.
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll between your hands into a small ball. If the ball sticks to your hands, wet them before handling.
Set each peanut butter ball onto the baking sheet you previously set aside. Once you’ve covered the baking sheet with peanut butter balls, place it into the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
Add your chocolate chips to a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate until melted (~60 seconds), stopping to stir every 15 seconds.
Once the peanut butter balls are chilled and the chocolate is melted, use a fork or toothpick to dip the peanut butter ball into the chocolate. Place the chocolate-covered peanut butter ball back on the baking sheet.
Place the peanut butter balls into the freezer for 15 minutes to properly set.
Recipe Notes
Should I use creamy or chunky peanut butter?
The type of peanut butter–creamy or chunky–can be left up to you! Some people like the crunch of biting into a peanut butter ball, while others prefer a smooth and creamy texture. If you have a preference for a different nut butter such as almond or cashew, it’s an easy substitute for peanut butter.
What other ingredients can I add to peanut butter balls without baking?
If you want to add a little more texture to your no-bake peanut butter balls, you can add quick-cook oats, crumbled graham crackers, or rice krispies to the dough. None of these ingredients need to be cooked or baked, keeping the ease and simplicity of the original recipe.
Can no-bake peanut butter balls be keto?
Yes, no-bake peanut butter balls can easily be incorporated into your keto diet! Peanut butter is low-carb and a healthy fat, which is perfect for keto. Instead of dairy butter, you can recreate the soft texture of peanut butter balls by using coconut or almond flour. Instead of powdered sugar, monk fruit is a great alternative that also gives the no-bake peanut balls the stickiness to keep its circular shape. And finally, for the dipping sauce, semi-sweet chocolate chips can be substituted for sugar-free chocolate chips to make these peanut butter balls fully keto!
Can you make this treat without powdered sugar?
If you don’t have powdered sugar on-hand or want a healthier option, you can substitute powdered sugar for natural sweeteners. Honey is always a great alternative that most of us have in our pantry. Generally, you will need less honey than sugar. For every cup of sugar, you can use about ½ – ? cup of honey or syrup. If you’re vegan and don’t eat honey, exchange the sugar for agave nectar or maple syrup.
What is the best way to store no-bake peanut butter balls?
Although you can store these chocolate treats in an air-tight container at room-temperature for one week, to keep the shape and freshness, we recommend storing your no-bake peanut butter balls in the fridge. You can also keep them in the freezer for up to one month. If you decide to freeze the extras, make sure to put parchment paper in between the layers of peanut butter balls before stacking. This will prevent them from sticking to each other.
