This Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls recipe is my favorite candy for the Holidays and so incredibly Easy to make! These are like little Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, but in ball form.
I’m pretty much a peanut butter fanatic and love making desserts using peanut butter including out Reese’s Cookies, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Cups, No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. If you love peanut butter like I do, you definitely want to check these out.
How To Make Peanut Butter Balls
These are a must for our Holiday cookie plates and the most requested. They are so simple to make and the kids can make these all by themselves. They might need a little bit of help on the dipping part, or things could get a bit messy.
Ingredients you will need…
- Creamy Peanut Butter
- Powdered Sugar
- Butter
- Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
- (optional) Vegetable Shortening or Coconut Oil
First, you make the peanut butter dough…
Then you form the dough into balls…
Next, you dip the balls into the melted chocolate…
Now the dangerous part. Try…just try to eat one. It’s incredibly difficult because these are melt in your mouth delicious!
Add Christmas sprinkles on top of the peanut butter balls for a festive Holiday look. It’s become a family tradition to make these for holidays and parties. These are are so great because it’s a quick and easy no-bake treat when your making a gazillion other goodies. It’s a guaranteed winner for the Christmas cookie tray.
Can You Freeze Peanut Butter Balls?
Yes! These will freeze perfectly. Make sure the balls are completely set (hardened back up) and line them in a tupperware container. Add a piece of wax or parchment paper on top and repeat until full. Seal the top.
How long do They last?
You can store in the freezer for up to 1 month.
You can also drizzle extra melted chocolate on top for a different look.
Peanut Butter Ball Tips:
- You can use any nut butters for this recipe. Almond butter, cashew butter, etc…
- Make sure the balls are chilled before dipping.
- We love these Chocolate Dipping Tools, but you can always use a fork for dipping. A toothpick will also work. Expect a bit of a mess, but it will work.
- You can melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30- second increments, or over a double boiler.
- You can use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy if you prefer. We also like to add in Rice Krispies sometimes for some texture.
- Add any type of holiday sprinkles, chopped peanuts, sea salt or whatever you prefer. It’s all good!
4-ingredient Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 Tbsp salted butter softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1 Tbsp vegetable shortening or coconut oil optional
Instructions
- Mix the peanut butter and softened butter together in a mixing bowl. Gradually stir in powdered sugar until fully combined. Cover and place in the fridge for about 15 minutes to firm up.
- Using your hands, shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet, cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes (this will hold it's shape for dipping).
- Melt the chocolate chips according to package instructions.
- Using a fork, dip the peanut butter balls one at a time into the melted chocolate. Allow the excess chocolate to fall off. Place the chocolate balls onto wax paper, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Last Step:
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Once you try this recipe for chocolate covered peanut butter balls, it will be your go to recipe! It’s SO GOOD!
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265 comments on “4-ingredient Peanut Butter Balls”
50 years ago my mom was making these every year. She added rice crispy cereal to the peanut butter to give a little crunch. They are very good also
Thanks Greg! Yes, they are so good with rice krispies as well!
These are quite yummy! We made them for National Peanut Butter Day (01/24/24) and celebrated happily. Our parents and kids live with us, so everyone from 26 – 93 gave these a thumbs up!
One question… What is done with the coconut oil? We put it in the melted chocolate, but are not sure that was correct.
Thanks Kelly! Glad everyone enjoyed them! Yes, the coconut oil helps with the consistency and sheen of the chocolate.
My family loves this!
Glad to hear that Sue! Thanks!
I Doubled the recipe, it is or was delicious.
thanks for sharing.
Judy from Alabama
Thanks Judy!
OMG sooooo yummy and easy to make. Thank you for receipe.
Thanks Barbara!
Fabuloue!
Doubled this recipe. Delicious and easy ( except for dipping in chocolate). I haven’t mastered the art of dipping yet.
Thanks Pat!
This has been a family favorite of ours for over 50yrs!
It’s ALWAYS Jif Extra Crunchy for us. And for years the chocolate dip was made from dry cocoa/sugar and Gulf wax to set it… The chips are a bit easier, but more costly. I’ve made them several times, but my older sister is the main practitioner of the cooking these days. It was sure great to X-mas with them this year!!
I made these for the first time on Thanksgiving for the family. They loved them so much they insisted I make them again for Christmas as well. Delicious 5 stars
Thanks Valorie!
Love these! Can they be kept on the counter or do I need to store them in the refrigerator?
Thanks Amanda! These can be kept on the counter in an airtight container.
when do you add the vegettable oil or coconut oil
Hi Sue. You add it into the melted chocolate to help with the consistency.
It also helps give a shine to the cooled balls..
Made these a couple days ago and all are gone now. I’m in the process ofmaking a triple batch. Tasted great and very easy tomake
I’m planning on making these. But how much butter in the chocolate chips, 1 Tbsp?. What does the butter do?
Hi Lori. You can use one tablespoon of shortening or butter to help make the the consistency smoother and it also gives the chocolate a nice sheen.
There is Vanilla extract in the photo when did you add that?
Hi Kelly. The ingredient pic shows that in error, there is no vanilla extract in these peanut butter balls.
Love these peanut butter balls and so does my daughter so it is a must have during the holidays. They are so quick & easy to make and disappear fast so you may want to double or triple the recipe like we do.
So glad to hear this! Thank you.
Can I use melting chocolate instead of the chips and skip the oil?
Hi Connie. Yes you can use melting wafers if you prefer and just follow the directions on the package.
Loved them
Vegetable oil or coconut oil optional. If I add when do I add and what effect does this have on the recipe?
Hi John. You could use either as a substitute for the butter. It will change the taste slightly.
Makes them shiny and add when melting the chocolate
This is an easy and yummy recipe. My family asks me to make them whenever we get together!
Yum, just made a double batch. Easy, I did add crushed pretzels to mine.
Very tasty and easy to make!! I will be making these again!!