Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies Recipe

Sweet, no-bake peanut butter balls with rice krispies dance with irresistible flavor in every single bite.

These nuggets of pure delight blend creamy peanut butter and crispy cereal into a perfect treat.

Chocolate coating adds a decadent layer that makes these snacks impossible to resist.

The recipe comes together quickly with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Kids and adults alike go crazy for these simple yet addictive morsels.

Simple ingredients and easy preparation mean you can whip up a batch in minutes.

Indulge in these delectable treats that promise to satisfy your sweet tooth and deliver a delightful crunch.

Serving Peanut Butter Balls for Snacks or Parties

  • Festive Party Platter: Arrange the peanut butter balls on a decorative tray with colorful toothpicks, creating an eye-catching dessert display perfect for gatherings and celebrations.
  • Sweet Breakfast Companion: Serve alongside morning coffee or hot chocolate as a delightful treat that adds a touch of indulgence to your breakfast routine.
  • Gifting Goodness: Package the peanut butter balls in clear gift bags tied with ribbons, making them a charming homemade present for friends, teachers, or holiday exchanges.
  • Movie Night Snack: Place these treats in small individual bowls during movie time, offering a quick and satisfying sweet bite that everyone will love to munch on.

Keeping Peanut Butter Balls Fresh in Storage

  • Cool Batch Preparation: Make a double batch and store extra balls in an airtight container for quick snacking or unexpected guests. Family and friends will love having these delightful treats ready to enjoy.
  • Chilled Storage Magic: Refrigerate these peanut butter balls for up to two weeks in a sealed container. Cold temperatures help maintain their perfect texture and prevent chocolate from melting.
  • Freezer-Friendly Treat: Wrap individual balls in wax paper, then place in a freezer-safe container for long-term storage up to three months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving for the best taste and texture.
  • Smart Portioning Trick: Layer the balls between sheets of parchment paper when storing to prevent sticking. This method keeps each ball looking beautiful and makes grabbing a quick snack super easy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 178 kcal

Servings: 22

What Goes Into Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies

For Base Mixture:
  • Peanut Butter: Creamy base that provides rich, nutty flavor and binds ingredients together; choose natural, unsweetened variety for best taste.
  • Butter: Adds smoothness and helps create soft texture; select unsalted butter for better control of recipe's saltiness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweetness and depth of flavor; opt for pure extract over imitation for authentic taste.
For Sweetening:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth consistency and adds delicate sweetness; sift to prevent lumps and ensure even mixing.
For Crunch and Texture:
  • Rice Krispies Cereal: Introduces delightful crispy element and light crunch; ensure cereal is fresh and crisp for maximum texture.
For Coating:
  • Chocolate Melting Wafers: Provides smooth, glossy exterior and complementary chocolate flavor; choose high-quality chocolate for best results.

Supplies for Making Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Balls

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining peanut butter, butter, and vanilla extract smoothly.
  • Cookie scoop: Perfect for creating uniform-sized peanut butter balls quickly.
  • Parchment-lined baking sheet: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
  • Deep, wide-mouth cup or bowl: Ideal for melting chocolate evenly and dipping balls.
  • Spatula or wooden spoon: Helps mix ingredients and fold in Rice Krispies cereal.
  • Microwave or double boiler: Needed for melting chocolate wafers gently.

Easy Steps to Make Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

Chocolate Peanut Butter Spheres

  • Creamy Foundation

Blend smooth peanut butter with softened butter and vanilla until the mixture looks silky and uniform.

  • Sweet Transformation

Sprinkle powdered sugar gradually into the mixture, stirring consistently until everything combines beautifully.

  • Crunchy Surprise

Gently fold crispy rice cereal into the mixture, creating delightful texture and unexpected crunch.

  • Ball Crafting

Scoop small portions and roll between your hands, creating perfect round spheres that fit comfortably in your palm.

  • Chocolate Bath

Melt chocolate wafers carefully in a microwave-safe container, stirring between short heating intervals until completely smooth and glossy.

  • Delicious Coating

Dunk each peanut butter sphere into warm chocolate, allowing excess to drip off before placing on a clean surface.

  • Cooling Magic

Let chocolate-covered spheres rest at room temperature or quickly chill in the refrigerator until chocolate sets completely.

Tweak This Recipe for More Crunch or Sweetness

  • Swap Rice Krispies for other crispy cereals like Corn Flakes or Graham Cracker crumbs to create unique texture variations.
  • Use a smaller cookie scoop to create bite-sized treats perfect for parties, holiday platters, or portion-controlled snacking.
  • Mix in optional ingredients like chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or a sprinkle of sea salt to elevate the classic peanut butter ball recipe.
  • Keep these treats fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for longer-term enjoyment without losing their delicious quality.
  • Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white chocolate, or drizzle contrasting chocolate over the dipped balls for a gourmet look and taste.
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Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls


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4.5 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 22 1x

Description

Homemade chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls with rice krispies promise creamy, crunchy delight. Sweet treats combine classic ingredients for irresistible no-bake snacks you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 20 oz (567 g) chocolate melting wafers
  • 2 cups peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
  • 3 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup (113 g) salted butter, softened
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Mixture Preparation: Blend peanut butter, softened butter, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until achieving a smooth, homogeneous texture.
  2. Sugar Integration: Gradually mix powdered sugar into the creamy base, ensuring thorough incorporation and eliminating potential clumps.
  3. Cereal Infusion: Delicately fold Rice Krispies into the peanut butter foundation, guaranteeing uniform distribution and consistent crunch throughout the mixture.
  4. Shaping Process: Employ a cookie scoop to portion the mixture, then roll each scoop between palms to create perfectly rounded, uniform spheres.
  5. Chocolate Enrobing: Melt chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe vessel, using short intervals and intermittent stirring to prevent burning, creating a smooth coating medium.
  6. Final Transformation: Immerse each peanut butter sphere into the molten chocolate, allowing excess to drip off before placing on a parchment-lined surface for setting.
  7. Cooling and Solidification: Allow chocolate-covered balls to set at room temperature, or accelerate the process by chilling in the refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes until completely hardened.

Notes

  • Prevent Sticky Hands: Lightly coat hands with cooking spray or butter before rolling balls to minimize sticking and create smoother surfaces.
  • Chocolate Melting Mastery: Use low microwave power and stir frequently to prevent chocolate from burning, ensuring a glossy, smooth coating.
  • Chilling Technique: Refrigerate balls briefly between steps to maintain firmness and make handling easier during chocolate dipping.
  • Storage Secrets: Store completed peanut butter balls in an airtight container between parchment layers in the refrigerator for up to one week, preserving texture and freshness.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 22
  • Calories: 178
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 89 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 8 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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