Become the star of the party with these scrumptious homemade candies.
Let’s face it—peanut butter and chocolate make a dynamic duo that can send us right back to childhood. But these ain’t no Reese’s cups! These are homemade peanut butter balls coated in luscious chocolate and crunchy sprinkles. This dessert can conquer your cravings while bringing everyone closer together for the holidays. Seriously, these can double as Christmas gifts to the whole family! They’re that delicious.
As the name indicates, no-bake peanut butter balls don’t involve the oven at all! In fact, the only heat you’ll use is from your hands when you form the peanut butter filling into little spheres. After that, it’s all about cooling them so that the chocolate solidifies and becomes candy-like. With simple ingredients that are easy to find in the baking aisle (or even in your kitchen already), you’ll have everything you need in one go. Plus, if you want, you can make more than one batch to freeze and save for later, keeping the celebrations going throughout winter.
Are No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Healthy?
This sweet treat is for sure a “once-in-a-while” thing, whether that’s for the holidays or for a quick fix once a month. I don’t recommend eating them every day, of course, as they are full of sugar and fats. Let’s just say that nobody is eating these for health benefits. That being said, there is some protein in peanut butter, which can fill us up quickly so we don’t overeat. Make this recipe vegan by using dairy-free butter and plant-based chocolate chips. This recipe is 100% gluten-free.
Can You Make A Peanut-Free Version?
Need to accommodate even more diverse diets? It’s all good! We are blessed to live at a time where adjusting recipes to suit dietary needs has never been easier. Believe it or not, there are tons of peanut butter alternatives out there that maintain a similar texture and flavor, so this recipe stays uniquely yummy. For starters, try Cashew Butter, Pecan Butter, Walnut Butter, or Almond Butter. And, if you need to do away with nuts altogether, I recommend Pumpkin Seed Butter or sunflower seed butter. While the flavors start to change more drastically when you use seed butters, you might be surprised to find that they can be just as rich and delicious as peanut butter. Remember though, some of these butters may have a thinner consistency than creamy peanut butter, so if using, adjust your other ingredients as needed.
How to make ahead and store
Pop these in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Make sure to separate them with layers of parchment paper so they don’t stick together. If needed, thaw them in the fridge overnight and enjoy cold or at room temperature.
Serving Suggestions
While you can pop these bad boys in your mouth without anything else, they also go great on a platter alongside Oatmeal Protein Balls, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Balls, and Coconut Rum Raisin Energy Balls. This is a decadent dessert platter that gives some healthier options!
Additionally, if you really want to jazz it up, serve these sweet spheres with a Peanut Butter Milkshake or Banana Smoothie.
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Vegetable or coconut oil as needed
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the peanut butter and butter together until smooth using a hand mixer.
- Sift the powdered sugar on top and beat again. Add the salt and vanilla extract and beat until smooth. The dough should be fairly dry for rolling out. Add more powdered sugar as needed to achieve the right consistency.
- Roll the peanut butter dough into balls about ½ to 1-inch in diameter and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 20 minutes to harden.
- Meanwhile, microwave the chocolate chips in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Add oil as needed to thin it out for easier dipping.
- Using a fork or skewer, dip the peanut butter balls into the chocolate; shake off excess. Top with sprinkles if desired.
- Then, transfer to a parchment-lined tray and allow the chocolate to firm up before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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