My homemade Peanut Butter Balls taste like Reese’s peanut butter cups but even better! This is a simple candy recipe with easy-to-find ingredients.
They’re similar to buckeye balls but completely covered in chocolate. If you’re looking for the best peanut butter balls ever you’re in the right place!
Jump to Recipe Print RecipeThe Best Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
I have another super easy candy recipe for you today peanut butter balls! These are like buckeyes but even better, and they taste just like a peanut butter cup. These no-bake peanut butter balls are about the easiest candy recipe ever they’re practically fool proof and we love them!
This recipe is simple – only five ingredients!
You don’t need a candy thermometer or any advanced dessert-making skills just a few bowls, a baking dish and a microwave.
They taste like Reese’s peanut butter cups but better because they’re homemade. The magic is in the peanut butter filling – it has a similar texture and flavor.
I’m sharing my best tips for making, dipping and storing these sweet treats.
They are freezer-friendly and keep well for five days at room temperature. Perfect for gifting!
Ingredients in Peanut Butter Balls
You only need 5 ingredients to make these peanut butter treats!
Peanut Butter: Use creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter for extra texture but not natural peanut butter.
Butter: Use unsalted butter or salted if that’s all you have. It should be at room temperature.
Powdered sugar: for sweetness and binding.
Vanilla: for flavor.
Melting chocolate: Ghirardelli Candy Melts or Candiquik are the best you can find at the grocery store. I recommend milk chocolate but dark chocolate is also great!
Making Peanut Butter Balls
Mix: Blend the peanut butter and butter in a mixing bowl. Slowly add the powdered sugar while mixing on low until well combined. Add the vanilla and mix again.
Roll and Chill: Place a fresh sheet of wax paper or parchment paper on a baking sheet. Scoop 1-inch balls of the peanut butter mixture and roll between your palms. Chill the balls for 15 minutes or until they harden.
Melt: Melt the chocolate according to the package instructions. Usually, you can do this in the microwave in about 30 seconds.
Dip: Use a toothpick to quickly dip each peanut butter ball in the melted chocolate coating it evenly on all sides. Let the excess chocolate drip off, then place it on the baking sheet. Check out my best tips for dipping candy in chocolate!
Set: Place all the dipped balls back on the cookie sheet and let them set. Once the chocolate has hardened, they are ready to serve.
What is the Difference Between Buckeyes and Peanut Butter Balls?
If you’re making Buckeyes, then don’t dip the whole truffle in chocolate. If you’re making peanut butter balls, you do. This recipe is a no-bake chocolate-covered peanut butter ball.
How to Store Easy Peanut Butter Balls
Keep them in an airtight container, and they will last for five days in the refrigerator.
Best Chocolate for Peanut Butter Balls
There are many chocolates you can use, but here’s what I recommend:
Ghirardelli Candy Melts: Find these in the baking aisle. They come in chocolate or white chocolate and taste the best out of all the melting chocolates.
Candiquik: Find it in the baking aisle. It’s chocolate made for melting and easily comes in a block. It’s similar to almond bark but tastes better.
Baking Chocolate: You can also use semi-sweet baking chocolate bars, but that can get expensive!
Peanut Butter Ball Recipe Variations
You can easily change up this peanut butter balls recipe to make it your own – feel free to experiment!
Chocolate: Use white chocolate, dark chocolate or milk chocolate they all work great! Stick with candy melts, Candiquik, almond bark or baking chocolate for the best results. Avoid chocolate chips they don’t melt easily!
Peanut Butter: Use your favorite peanut butter! Crunchy, creamy or flavored.
Decorations: Sometimes, I like to add a few sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
This is great for holidays – think red and white for Valentine’s Day, red and green for Christmas, pastel sprinkles for Easter… you get the idea!
Easy Peanut Butter Balls
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy36
servings10
minutes20
minutes98
kcalMy homemade Peanut Butter Balls taste like Reese’s peanut butter cups but even better! This is a simple candy recipe with easy-to-find ingredients. If you’re looking for the best peanut butter balls ever, you’re in the right place!
Ingredients
1 cup (284g) creamy peanut butter
6 tablespoons (83g) butter
2 ¾ cups (312g) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 package 12 ounces Chocolate melting chocolate (such as Ghiradelli or Candiquik)
Directions
- In a mixing bowl, mix the peanut butter and butter together using a hand mixer.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar until well combined. Add the vanilla.
- Cover the surface of a large cookie sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.
- Scoop 1-inch balls of the peanut butter mixture and roll into a ball. Place on the cookie sheet. Continue until you’ve used all of the peanut butter mixture.
- Refrigerate for 20 minutes until hardened.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the melting wafers for 20 seconds. Stir and if not completely melted add for an additional 10 seconds, stir and repeat as necessary. (Refer to the package instructions for melting guidance as well.)
- Remove the peanut butter balls from the refrigerator. Using a toothpick, coat one ball at a time in chocolate until fully covered. Place back on the lined cookie sheet. Let harden completely before serving
- Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to six days.
Notes
- Some comments have mentioned that the recipe might be overly sweet .or doesn’t work. It DOES work – I’ve made them several times. Here are some tips:
- The dough easily combines if using a stand mixer. If you’re using a hand mixer, you might consider reducing the sugar to 2 1/2 cups.
- Be sure you’re measuring your sugar correctly and not packing it. I have added the weights in grams so that helps.
- I find 2 3/4 cups powdered sugar to be suitable for sweetness and taste. If you want them less sweet, you can reduce the sugar to 2 1/2 cups.
- Make sure you’re using SALTED butter. If you’re using unsalted, add 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- This recipe does work. Just have patience with mixing – it takes a while to get the mixture all together.
Nutrition Facts
1 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories98
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
6g
10%
- Saturated Fat 2g 10%
- Cholesterol 5mg 2%
- Sodium 50mg 3%
- Potassium 48mg 2%
- Total Carbohydrate
11g
4%
- Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
- Sugars 10g
- Protein 2g 4%
- Vitamin A 58%
- Calcium 4%
- Iron 1%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.