Peanut Butter Balls

These scrumptious Peanut Butter Balls are perfect for dessert, parties, or if you need a sweet fix.

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Every year when fall rolls around, at least one news source reminds us that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are one of the nation’s perennial candy favorites. If you are part of this majority, your love for the chocolate and peanut butter combination runs deep. Reese’s have been around for almost 100 years and the popular candy is not going away anytime soon. And just imagine if you could mimic the taste of this beloved candy at home. Well, you can!

So, it is one thing when we attempt a new dinner recipe at home, but being a confectioner is the next level. Don’t worry – making these peanut butter balls is not as daunting as it seems. It is pretty simple. With a handful of ingredients you likely already have in your baking cabinet or pantry, you can call yourself a candymaker in no time! I also love that you can decorate these chocolate peanut butter balls for whatever occasion you want.

Another thing that I absolutely love about these peanut butter balls is that they are gluten-free. I was literally JUST chatting with a gluten-free girlfriend of mine about how hard it is to find a good bakery with gluten-free sweets. Luckily, these peanut butter balls require no flour substitutions and no baking.

Are Peanut Butter Balls Healthy?

These peanut butter balls are not just delish and gluten-free, they contain protein, which is rare for something this sweet and delicious. These peanut butter balls are rich and decadent, so I feel satisfied and don’t need to overindulge. To make these vegan, substitute vegan butter or coconut oil for the butter and use vegan chocolate chips. You may need to chill them a bit longer, but it will be worth it.

Which Peanut Butter Makes The Best Balls

I normally encourage using natural ingredients, but for these peanut butter balls this is not the case. Natural peanut butter is oily, needs to be mixed thoroughly, and may not roll well. While no-stir natural peanut butter could work, I recommend using Skippy’s or a similar commercial brand. If you only have natural peanut butter you can add more powdered sugar or a bit of coconut flour to help achieve the consistency desired. Also, this recipe works well with either smooth or chunky peanut butter.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Pinch of kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon canola oil
Melted white chocolate or sprinkles for decorating, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix

Combine peanut butter, butter, salt, vanilla, and sugar.

Shape

Form into balls and refrigerate until firm.

Coat

Dip in melted chocolate, decorate if desired, and refrigerate until set.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

Peanut butter balls can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge or up to a couple of months in the freezer. If frozen, be sure to let them sit at room temp for a few hours or overnight before enjoying.

Can I use dark chocolate for these peanut butter balls?

You sure can! I prefer dark chocolate over semi-sweet and milk chocolate, but it is a personal preference. You can also use white chocolate to coat the balls, which is nice if you use colored sprinkles to decorate.

Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter in this recipe?

Yes, if you have a peanut allergy or just prefer almond butter, go for it! Almond butter is usually a bit smoother than peanut butter, so add more confectioners’ sugar if needed.

Serving Suggestions

I love topping these decadent peanut butter balls with salt, specifically salt flakes. I feel like it really complements the peanut butter. You can also drizzle any leftover chocolate on top and add crushed peanuts or sprinkles. I am big on giving tins of cookies for Christmas, and these peanut butter balls go perfectly in the mix. Hand them out with these Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies and Vegan Pumpkin Cookies for a nice flavor variety. Peanut butter balls will also look nice on a tray with nutritious Favorite Bliss Balls or these Easy Oreo Balls.