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We’ve already established that chocolate + peanut butter is a flavor match made in Heaven – at least it’s my hubby’s favorite flavor pairing!

If you also love this famous combo, look no further than this peanut butter balls recipe! We LOVE this easy candy (and make it every Christmas)! They only require about 10 minutes of hands-on work and are perfect for longer-term storage. Win-win!

At first glance, these bite-sized treats look just like our Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies but are actually a chocolate-covered version of our yummy Peanut Butter Snowballs.

If you love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, you’ll love these treats too!

Why we think you’ll love it:

  • Quick. The prep is quick (about 10 minutes), they just need to chill!
  • Simple. There are ONLY 4 ingredients in this easy dessert, and they’re easy to make.
  • Perfect for gifting. They are great for gifting and for adding to cookie plates for the holidays.

Peanut Butter Balls Ingredients and Substitutions

  • ½ cup peanut butter Use regular creamy or crunchy peanut butter like Skippy or Jif. Natural peanut butter has a different consistency and does not work as well.
  • 3 tablespoons butter – We use unsalted but salted butter works as well.
  • 1 cup powdered sugar – sifted
  • 1 pound chocolate candy coating Candy coating is different from simply melting chocolate and almond bark. Use any of the types of coating just be sure to follow the package directions to melt it properly. Try colored candy coating too!
  • sprinkles (optional) colorful or holiday sprinkles

How to Make Peanut Butter Balls

  1. BATTER. Combine ½ cup peanut butter, 3 tablespoons butter, and 1 cup powdered sugar in a bowl mixing until dough forms.
  2. Shape the peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls (a cookie scoop can help) and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper. Chill for 30 minutes.
  3. CHOCOLATE. When done chilling, melt 1 pound candy coating until smooth. Dip balls into the coating until smooth and all over. Allow excess chocolate to drip off. Place them back on the lined baking sheet, add sprinkles before the chocolate sets, and chill for an additional 15-20 minutes.
    • To add a chocolate drizzle, allow the balls to cool and set. Add melted candy coating to a piping bag with a small tip work quickly to add a drizzle design to the top of the chocolate balls.

How to Melt Candy Coating

Melt according to the package directions. We also like to use a double boiler because it keeps the chocolate melted without worrying it will burn.

Peanut butter balls recipe dipped in chocolate stacked on white plate.
5 from 71 votes

Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

This 4-ingredient chocolate peanut butter balls recipe is SO easy to whip up – assemble these favorite decadent bites in just 10 minutes!
Servings: 14
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Chill: 45 minutes
Total: 55 minutes

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 pound chocolate candy coating
  • sprinkles

Instructions 

  • Combine peanut butter, butter, and sugar in a bowl mixing until dough forms.
  • Shape into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Chill for 30 minutes.
  • When done chilling, melt candy coating until smooth and dip balls coating with candy until smooth and all over.
  • Place back on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet, sprinkle with sprinkles, and chill for an additional 15-20 minutes.

Video

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3-4 days, in the refrigerator for 7-10 days, or freeze for 1-2 months.
How to melt candy coating? You can melt according to the package directions. We also like to use a double boiler because it keeps the chocolate melted without worrying it will burn.

Nutrition

Serving: 14g, Calories: 294kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 73mg, Potassium: 61mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 32g, Vitamin A: 75IU, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3-4 days, in the refrigerator for 7-10 days, or freeze for 1-2 months.

This recipe was originally published July 2021.

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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5 from 71 votes (24 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




48 Comments

  1. Terri Adams says:

    5 stars
    Making these today for my 94 year old father.

  2. Kelly Gunchon says:

    5 stars
    I’ve made these for years, and everyone loves them. What I do differently:
    – I use chocolate chips with some paraffin instead of the chocolate coating. I like the idea of drizzling the coating at the end and will give that a try!
    – I use a skewer instead of toothpicks Because I make several dozen of these, I would hate to waste that many toothpicks.
    – If I want them to be true buckeye balls, I use a candy dipping tool and leave a small circle of exposed peanut butter on the top to replicate horse chestnuts.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for sharing what you do!

  3. Marty Taylor says:

    5 stars
    I could eat a whole plate of these! This recipe makes them so easy to make and so delicious!

  4. Tammie Blevins. says:

    5 stars
    Looks very easy and yummy. Will be making them!

  5. Kristi Meyer says:

    5 stars
    So easy and delicious! A Christmas time MUST have.

  6. Elaine Loreto says:

    5 stars
    Quick and easy recipe. Great treat for the kids.

  7. Nicole jones says:

    5 stars
    Perfect for the Christmas plate! Yum

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