Peanut Butter Balls Recipe: The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need

What Are Peanut Butter Balls? (And Why Everyone Is Obsessed)

Peanut butter balls are no-bake confections made by combining peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and often oats or Rice Krispies into a dough, rolling it into bite-sized balls, and coating them in melted chocolate. They sit at the perfect intersection of candy and snack — rich enough to satisfy a dessert craving, yet substantial enough to double as an energy bite.

Sometimes called Buckeyes (when partially dipped to resemble the Ohio state nut), these treats have deep roots in American home baking culture, with recipes passed down through generations of family cookbooks. The version we’re making today is the ultimate modern iteration — streamlined, foolproof, and deeply delicious.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Here’s everything you’ll need to make approximately 24 perfect peanut butter balls. Each ingredient plays a specific role in the flavor, texture, and structural integrity of the final treat.

The Core Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups (384g) creamy peanut butter — use a conventional brand like Jif or Skippy for best results; natural peanut butter can cause the mixture to be too oily
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature — this is your binding agent and adds richness
• 2 ½ cups (300g) powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar), sifted — creates that melt-in-your-mouth sweetness and firm texture
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract — the aromatic backbone that ties all the flavors together
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt — balances sweetness and intensifies the peanut butter flavor

For the Chocolate Coating

• 2 cups (340g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate — we recommend 60% cacao for the perfect bittersweet contrast
• 2 tbsp coconut oil or vegetable shortening — creates a smoother, shinier coating that sets cleanly

Optional Add-Ins and Substitutions

• 1 cup (30g) Rice Krispies cereal — adds a delightful crunch (classic Buckeye-style)
• ½ cup (45g) old-fashioned rolled oats — for a heartier, energy-ball texture
• Swap semi-sweet chocolate for dark chocolate (70%+) for a more sophisticated, less sweet coating
• Use sunflower seed butter or almond butter as a nut-free or peanut-free alternative
• White chocolate drizzle for visual flair and flavor contrast

💡 Pro Tip: For the smoothest, most cohesive peanut butter filling, make sure your butter is genuinely room temperature — soft enough to leave an indent when pressed, but not melted. This makes a dramatic difference in the final texture.

Timing Overview

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Chilling Time: 30 minutes (hands-off — perfect for cleaning up while you wait)

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yield: Approximately 24 peanut butter balls (serving size: 2 balls)

Difficulty Level: Easy — no baking, no candy thermometer, no special equipment required

To put that in perspective, the average chocolate truffle recipe takes 90 minutes or more. This peanut butter balls recipe gets you to the same indulgent result in roughly half the time. It’s an ideal project for beginners and a reliable go-to for experienced home cooks who want maximum impact with minimal effort.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Follow these steps carefully and you’ll end up with perfectly round, evenly coated, beautifully glossy peanut butter balls every single time. Let’s go.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Place it in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the filling. A cold surface helps the balls firm up faster once you’ve rolled them.

Gather all of your ingredients and measure them out before you begin (mise en place). This small habit eliminates mid-recipe scrambling and ensures you don’t accidentally over-measure your powdered sugar.

💡 Pro Tip: Place your stand mixer bowl or mixing bowl in the fridge for 10 minutes before starting. Cold equipment keeps the peanut butter mixture firmer and easier to roll.

Step 2: Mix the Peanut Butter Filling

In a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer (or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), beat the softened butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the peanut butter and beat until thoroughly combined and smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Add the vanilla extract and sea salt, mixing briefly to incorporate. Then, with the mixer on low speed, gradually add the sifted powdered sugar in three additions, mixing until fully incorporated after each addition. The mixture should be thick, slightly tacky, and hold its shape when pressed between your fingers.

If using Rice Krispies or oats, fold them in now using a rubber spatula until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

💡 Pro Tip: If your mixture feels too soft or sticky to roll, refrigerate it for 15 minutes before proceeding. If it seems too dry and crumbly, add 1 tablespoon of peanut butter at a time until it comes together.

Step 3: Portion and Roll the Balls

Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop (or a heaping tablespoon measured by hand), portion the peanut butter mixture onto a clean work surface. Roll each portion between your palms with gentle but firm pressure to form smooth, uniform balls approximately 1 inch in diameter.

Place the rolled balls onto your chilled, parchment-lined baking sheet. Work efficiently — the warmth of your hands will soften the mixture over time. If the dough becomes too warm and sticky to roll cleanly, refrigerate the bowl for 5 minutes before continuing.

Once all balls are rolled, transfer the baking sheet to the freezer for 20–30 minutes. The balls should be very firm and cold to the touch before dipping — this is the single most important factor in achieving a smooth, even chocolate coating.

💡 Pro Tip: Wearing food-safe disposable gloves while rolling dramatically reduces sticking and gives you a smoother surface on each ball. This is a trick professional confectioners swear by.

Step 4: Melt the Chocolate Coating

While the balls chill, melt your chocolate. Combine the chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate) and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals at 50% power, stirring vigorously between each interval, until the chocolate is completely smooth and fluid. This typically takes 2–3 cycles.

Alternatively, use a double boiler: set a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water (ensure the bowl doesn’t touch the water) and stir until melted. Remove from heat and let cool for 3–4 minutes. You want the chocolate fluid but not scorching hot — hot chocolate will melt the peanut butter filling on contact.

💡 Pro Tip: For a professional-looking shine and satisfying snap, temper your chocolate properly by bringing it to 88–90°F (31–32°C) before dipping. A simple instant-read thermometer makes this effortless.

Step 5: Dip and Coat the Peanut Butter Balls

Working quickly with your balls directly from the freezer, use a fork, dipping tool, or toothpick to dip each ball into the melted chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drip off by gently tapping the fork against the side of the bowl, then place the coated ball back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.

For classic Buckeye-style peanut butter balls, use a toothpick to dip only three-quarters of each ball, leaving a circle of exposed peanut butter filling on top. For fully coated truffles, submerge the entire ball and use the fork to lift it out.

Repeat with all balls, working in batches and returning undipped balls to the freezer if they begin to soften.

💡 Pro Tip: For a decorative finish, immediately sprinkle dipped balls with flaky sea salt, crushed pretzels, rainbow sprinkles, or a drizzle of contrasting white or dark chocolate before the coating sets.

Step 6: Set and Store

Return the coated peanut butter balls to the refrigerator for at least 15–20 minutes until the chocolate is fully set and firm. Once set, the balls can be transferred to an airtight container.

Layer between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. They’ll keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow frozen balls to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information

The following nutritional values are estimated per serving of 2 peanut butter balls (approximately 60g), based on the standard recipe without optional add-ins. Actual values may vary depending on brand-specific ingredients and exact portion sizes.

Nutrient	Per Serving (2 balls)	% Daily Value
Calories	210 kcal	—
Total Fat	13g	17%
Saturated Fat	4g	20%
Cholesterol	5mg	2%
Sodium	95mg	4%
Total Carbohydrates	18g	7%
Dietary Fiber	1.5g	5%
Total Sugars	12g	—
Protein	6g	12%
Calcium	40mg	3%
Iron	0.8mg	4%