You only need four ingredients to make my Easy Peanut Butter Balls. A perfect no-bake dessert, these peanut butter chocolate truffles are a favourite Christmas or Easter treat. Ready to eat in just 30 minutes!
These Easy Peanut Butter Balls tick ALL the boxes ❤️ They’re quick to make, completely no bake, and you only need four ingredients.
A soft, melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter filling is covered in smooth dark chocolate. A drizzle of warm peanut butter makes these homemade truffles complete.
If you’re looking for a quick holiday treat for the busy Christmas season, these Easy Peanut Butter Balls are the answer.
Why you will love this recipe
- Quick and easy: These Peanut Butter Balls take only 30 minutes to make.
- Simple ingredients: You only need four basic ingredients to make a batch – they’re also gluten free!
- No bake: You don’t even need to turn the oven on for this no-bake treat.
- Make-ahead: Make a batch of these truffles ahead of time for easy holiday entertaining or sweet Christmas gifts.
This is heaven! So much better than Reece’s peanut butter cups. And so easy to make. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
– Amy
Recipe testing
I love a smooth Nutella Hazelnut Truffle or a fudgy Caramel Truffle. But let’s be real, these buttery Peanut Butter Balls are hard to beat.
While my Peanut Butter Bars have graham crackers in the filling, the inside of these truffles are made from only three ingredients – peanut butter, butter and icing sugar.
Combine the three and you have a creamy peanut butter filling similar to Reese’s peanut butter cups. Then it’s time to scoop and roll like cookie dough and then cover it in your favourite chocolate.
I prefer to use dark chocolate since the filling is rather sweet. But you can use milk chocolate or white chocolate – whatever you like!
Once they spend a little time in the fridge, these bite-sized treats will set. And you’ll be met with a sweet peanut butter centre and a crisp shell of chocolate – literally a mini Reese’s peanut butter cup.
Whip these out at your next do and you’ll make new friends – guaranteed.
Ingredients
You only need four ingredients to make a batch of my Easy Peanut Butter Balls. You can easily double this recipe for the busy holiday season too!
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you will need, including any substitutions you can make:
- Butter: You can use unsalted or salted butter in this recipe.
- Peanut butter: Smooth peanut butter will work best in this recipe. You can use crunchy peanut butter – but the filling won’t be completely smooth. I recommend using a full-fat, processed peanut butter, rather than a natural-style one.
- Icing sugar: Use icing sugar, powdered sugar or confectioners sugar for this recipe. Do not use regular caster sugar or granulated sugar as your filling will be gritty and grainy.
- Chocolate: I like to use dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate to coat the truffles. However, you can use milk chocolate or white chocolate if you prefer. I find a block of chocolate melts best when dipping truffles. Chocolate chips or chocolate melts tend to seize or set too quickly for coating.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to make Peanut Butter balls
These chocolate-covered Peanut Butter Balls are so easy to make! Here’s how to make them in six simple steps.
The full instructions and method are included in the recipe card below.
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Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add butter and peanut butter.
Step 2: Mix on low speed using an electric mixer until combined and creamy. Or you can stir by hand.
Step 3: Add icing sugar and mix well until you have a smooth peanut butter mixture.
Step 4: Portion out the peanut butter truffles into 1 tablespoon balls. Roll smooth using your hands.
Step 5: Melt your chocolate until smooth and creamy. Use a fork to carefully dip each truffle in the melted chocolate.
Step 6: Chill truffles until chocolate has set. Drizzle over extra peanut butter.
Recipe tips
- Choose a good quality chocolate: I don’t use ‘melting chocolate’ or chocolate chips for truffle dipping. I’ve found that both set too quickly and have the tendency to seize – plus they don’t taste as good. I prefer to use a regular block of chocolate that’s broken up into pieces and melted.
- Use your fridge or freezer: If your peanut butter dough seems too soft to dip, it could be because your butter was too soft – or you live in a very warm climate. Don’t worry – a little extra time in the fridge or freezer will help them firm up. Try again after 10 minutes.
- Use a fork to dip: I find a fork is the best dipping tool. Use a fork to neatly dip truffles in the chocolate mixture. Be sure to gently tap the side of the bowl to shake off any excess chocolate. They’re never perfect but always delicious!
Frequently asked questions
Yes. If you prefer, you can melt your chocolate on the stovetop using a double boiler. Simply sit a heatproof bowl on top of a saucepan on medium heat that has a few inches of simmering water in it. Ensure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Stir gently by hand to melt the chocolate.
Keep Peanut Butter Balls in an airtight container in the fridge. Hot tip: They’re also SO good straight from the freezer!
Yes! You can easily make these Peanut Butter Balls ahead of time and freeze them. You can thaw them in the fridge to serve – or I love to enjoy them cold from the freezer.
More peanut butter recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Hungry for more? Join me on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok for more amazing recipe ideas.
Let’s Bake
Easy Peanut Butter Ball recipe
Delicious no bake Peanut Butter Balls dipped in dark chocolate.
Ingredients
- 60 grams (1/4 cup) butter, room temperature
- 125 grams (1/2 cup) smooth peanut butter, plus extra for drizzling
- 125 grams (1 cup) icing sugar or powdered sugar
- 180 grams (1 and 1/4 cup) block of dark chocolate (50-70% cocoa) or semi-sweet chocolate, broken into pieces
Instructions
- Line a large baking tray or cookie sheet with baking or parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, add butter and peanut butter. Mix briefly using an electric mixer on low speed until smooth and creamy.
- Add sugar and mix until a soft dough forms. Use a small cookie scoop to portion out peanut butter mixture (1 tablespoon per ball) and roll smooth using your hands. Place on prepared tray.
- Place truffles in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds, until melted and smooth.
- Dip each peanut butter ball into the chocolate, one at a time, and use a fork to get slowly lift them out. Gently shake off excess chocolate and place on tray or serving plate. Pop in the fridge (or freezer) for 10 minutes to set.
- Add a few tablespoons of peanut butter to a small bowl and microwave 20 seconds or so, until melted and smooth. Drizzle peanut butter over truffles.
Notes
Butter: You can use unsalted or salted butter in this recipe.
Peanut butter: Smooth peanut butter will work best in this recipe. I recommend using a full-fat, processed peanut butter, rather than a natural-style one.
Icing sugar: Use icing sugar or powdered sugar for this recipe. Do not use regular caster sugar or granulated sugar as your filling will be gritty and grainy.
Chocolate: I like to use dark chocolate to coat the truffles. However, you can use milk chocolate or white chocolate if you prefer. I find a block of chocolate melts best when dipping truffles. Chocolate chips or chocolate melts tend to seize or set too quickly for coating.
Rolling: If you find your peanut butter balls are too soft to roll, it may be because your butter was too soft. Simply leave the peanut butter mixture in the freezer for 10 minutes and try again.
Storage: Keep Peanut Butter Balls in an airtight container in the fridge.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1 truffle Calories: 150 Sugar: 11.2 g Sodium: 31.1 mg Fat: 10.1 g Carbohydrates: 13.7 g Protein: 2.2 g Cholesterol: 7.8 mg
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Christmas Desserts
Hi, I’m Jess, the creator of Sweetest Menu and the author of Something Sweet. A self-taught baker and published recipe writer who can’t stop making easy and delicious baking recipes.
Perrine says
Wow just made these and they are delicious! They are like a ball version of Reese’s peanut butter cups, but even better! Really dangerous as I am a chocolate and peanut butter lover and I now know that I can be a few minutes away from a very easy and yummy treat!
Jessica Holmes says
Aww so glad you love them Perrine – and yes they are dangerous! 😂
Tara says
I made these for my team at work, as part of a little celebration for beating our monthly target😁 They went down a treat, sooo tasty!!
Jessica Holmes says
Aw love hearing that Tara! Thanks for the lovely feedback.
Michelle says
I made these for a bake sale to raise funds for the Australian bushfires. They were a seriously huge hit.
I used both dark chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips and melted them in the microwave for dipping. I found that it was a lot easier to dip the balls in the chocolate if they were left in the fridge for about 20 minutes.
Jessica Holmes says
Perfect! Thanks for the lovely feedback Michelle!
Jody kelderhouse says
I made these last year for christmas just as I am doing this holiday season . They were one of our favorites.
Jessica Holmes says
Aww love hearing that Jody! Enjoy!
Rhiannon says
Amazing! I made a double recipe using my favorite natural peanut butter and these were SO yum! Unfortunately my hubby has a nut allergy but that just means more for the kids and I! 😉 Also super simple and quick to make! These will be added to our annual Christmas treats list for sure.
Jessica Holmes says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them Rhiannon! ☺️
Jade Stone says
Does this recipe also work with margarine instead of butter? If so, how?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Jade, I haven’t tried these with margarine but I’m not sure they would taste as nice as margarine doesn’t have the same flavour or texture.
Christel says
What brand of Chocolate did you used?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Christel, I recommend using a good quality block of chocolate (not chocolate melts). I usually use either Cadbury or Nestle chocolate.
Britt says
Can these be made ahead and frozen?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Britt, they sure can! ☺️
Jonathan Kowalski says
Thank you so much for this recipe. They were quick and easy to make, and above all DELICIOUS!!
Jessica Holmes says
Awesome! So glad you liked them Jonathan!
Valeen Fussell says
I loved the peanut butter balls. Thank you so much Jessica Holms. Made lots of different kinds. Enjoyed all the different kinds. My favorite ones was when I drizzled the peanut butter on the top of them so delicious! Also enjoyed the rice Krispy cereal ones good crunch bar taste. Really nice of you to share that with us all Sarah. Then I made a few different ones myself, dipped into chocolate and added some coconut sprinkled on them.
Jessica Holmes says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them Valeen! And I love all the different varieties you tried! ☺️
Sarah says
I used 1l2 cup smooth and also added 1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter. I cut the powdered sugar back to 1 cup and added some rice crispys cereal. These had a wonderful creamy yet crunchy airy texture.. super easy and delicious!
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Sarah! So glad you enjoyed these! And I love the idea of adding Rice Krispies – yum! ☺️
rachelle Carriere says
I was just looking for quantities to reduce sugar n add cereal.. tnx
Janet Hawkins says
Went by directions but the peanut butter mix is to creamy to roll in a ball. Any suggestions
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Janet, this may be because of the temperature of your butter or the type of peanut butter used. I suggest popping the mixture in the fridge or an hour or two to firm up before rolling. Let me know how you go and feel free to email me – hello@sweetestmenu.com if you need to troubleshoot further ☺️
Donna Miller says
I used salted butted not paying attention mixture to soft to roll or do I start over using unsalted butter or put in fridge to form up ??!
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Donna, don’t worry, salted butter will be fine. Just pop the mixture in the fridge for 30 mins to firm up ☺️
rachelle Carriere says
Wet your fingers eith water.
Add icing sugar to your batter:)
Jasmine says
These look awesome. Do you know how long these will last please? And do they need to be kept in the fridge?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Jasmine! These keep well for up to 5 days and yes I recommend storing in the fridge. Hope you enjoy them!
Natalie says
These look like the ultimate snack! I love chocolate and peanut butter together – simply delicious!
Jessica Holmes says
Thanks Natalie!
Josh says
These were so delicious! And super easy to make.
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you enjoyed them Josh! 😊