Crispy Old Fashion Peanut Butter Balls are the perfect no bake treat for you and your family and only has six ingredients.
These crispy peanut butter balls are simple to make and are a great snack for your kids or even for gift giving. They’re delicious, versatile and are perfect for making ahead of time.
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About Old Fashioned Crispy Peanut Butter Balls
Peanut butter balls are a classic treat that everyone has always loved. They taste as if peanut butter cups were cookies! Sometimes these delicious treats are known as buckeye balls. A variation of this no-bake recipe was always at my family get-togethers, but these are by far the best!
Why This No-Bake Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Balls Recipe is a Keeper
These no-bake peanut butter balls are great since everyone is going to love them and you can adapt them to your liking.
- 40 Minute Treat: The longest part of this recipe is waiting for the balls to chill for 30 minutes.
- 6 Easy Ingredients: All you need is 6 easy ingredients that you might already have around your kitchen. Sweet Peanut butter and chocolate chips, etc.
- Like Peanut Butter: Everyone in the family is going to love peanut butter treats.
- Adaptable: Can adapt it to meet you or your loved one’s dietary needs.
- Perfect for the Holidays: Peanut butter balls are great for a cookie tray or even for gift giving. These peanut butter balls are creamy and crunchy and when you dip the balls with chocolate they make a wonderful candy.
If you’re looking for more cookie recipes, try these Twix Cookie Bars, Italian Pizzelle Cookies and Buckeye Brownie Cookies
With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
Why Won’t My No Bake Peanut Butter Balls Firm Up?
One reason why your peanut butter balls won’t firm up is because you may not have let them chill for long enough. If you’d like to speed up the chilling time, throw the balls in the freezer for 20 minutes.
Variations and Substitution Ingredients to Make Peanut Butter Balls
There are so many variations of these delicious peanut butter balls. Learn how to make this recipe your own, add whatever you like!
- Softened Butter: If you’re not using salted butter, try adding a pinch of salt or a little vanilla extract to add more flavor to make homemade peanut butter balls. Vegan butter is also great to make these delicious peanut butter sweet treats.
- Peanut Butter: In this recipe we’re using creamy peanut butter. If you’d like an added crunch, go ahead and use your favorite crunchy peanut butter. You could even use natural peanut butter or homemade peanut butter for the peanut butter ball candy.
- Peanut Butter Filling: Freeze small balls of peanut butter to fill the middle of your crispy peanut butter balls.
- Shortening: For this recipe, a good substitution for shortening is coconut oil.
How to Make Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Balls
This easy peanut butter balls recipe comes together in just a few simple steps, making them a great beginner treat.
These are the basic steps for making Crispy Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Balls. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Combine
In a large bowl, beat peanut butter and the butter together until combined. Slowly add in powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Then, stir in rice krispies .
STEP 2: Scoop Peanut Butter Mixture to form 1-inch Balls
Use a small cookie scoop to shape mixture and rolled into balls and place balls on a baking sheet to prevent the balls from sticking. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until chilled.
STEP 3: Line and Melt the Chocolate
To melt the chocolate chips, place them and 1/4 cup shortening in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high in 15 second increments until melted; stir until smooth. While the chocolate chips are melting, line baking sheets with parchment paper.
STEP 4: Dip Peanut Butter Balls /Balls in the Fridge
Then dip the peanut butter balls in chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Place on a prepared baking sheet. Let stand until set or place balls in the fridge to firm up.
Recipe FAQs to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls
Expert Tips for Making This Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
- Almond Butter: Replace the peanut butter with almond butter.
- Add Nuts: For a little extra crunch, try adding in your favorite nuts.
- Candy: Add chopped up peanut butter candy or small chocolate covered pieces to the peanut butter to add a different texture and flavor.
- Toppings: Try adding crushed graham cracker, shredded coconut or a little more powdered sugar on top.
- More Add-Ins: Add some mini semi-sweet chocolate chips to the peanut butter balls in chocolate.
- Chocolate Melts: Instead of trying to melt chocolate chips, use chocolate melts or chocolate coating. Dip the balls into melted chocolate several times for a thicker chocolate, chill the peanut butter balls between dips.
- Melting Options: If you don’t want to melt your chocolate in the microwave, use a double boiler to make no bake chocolate and peanut butter treats.
- Top Peanut Butter Balls: To make these a little more presentable, add some sanding sugar, chopped nuts or sprinkles on top.
- Dipped in Chocolate: If you don’t like chocolate covered peanut butter balls without baking, or just don’t want to dip them in chocolate, another option is to melt some peanut butter and chocolate and drizzle them on top.
More Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes
Crispy Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- 3 ¾ cups confectioners’ sugar
- 3 cups Rice Krispies
- 4 cups milk chocolate chips
- ¼ cup shortening
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat peanut butter and butter until combined.
- Slowly add in confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth; Stir in cereal.
- Use a small cookie scoop to shape mixture into 1 inch balls.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until chilled.
- Line baking sheets with wax paper.
- Meanwhile, place chocolate chips and 1/4 cup shortening in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 15 second increments until melted; stir until smooth.
- Dip balls into melted chocolate allowing excess to drip off.
- Place on a waxed paper-lined pan. Let stand until set.
Expert Tips
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: If you want to double this recipe, you’re going to want to split the mixture into two groups to save time. For example, while the first tray of peanut butter balls are chilling, roll the next tray of balls.
- Add Nuts: For a little extra crunch, try adding in your favorite nuts.
- Candy: Add chopped up peanut butter candy or small chocolate covered pieces to the peanut butter to add a different texture and flavor.
- Toppings: Try adding crushed graham cracker, shredded coconut or a little more powdered sugar on top.
- More Add-Ins: Add some mini chocolate chips to the peanut butter mixture.
- Chocolate Melts: Instead of trying to melt chocolate chips, use chocolate melts.
- Melting Options: If you don’t want to melt your chocolate in the microwave, use a double boiler or throw your chocolate in the oven.
- Decorate: To make these a little more presentable, add some sanding sugar, chopped nuts or sprinkles on top.
- Drizzle: If you don’t like chocolate covered peanut butter balls, or just don’t want to dip them in chocolate, another option is to melt some peanut butter and chocolate and drizzle them on top.
