Peanut Butter Balls With Rice Krispies
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Chocolate peanut butter balls with rice krispies take traditional buckeyes and give them the perfect bit of crunch and texture with the addition of rice cereal.
Chocolate and peanut butter are a classic flavor combination for a reason–they work so well together! For more chocolate peanut butter desserts try our classic no-bake cookies, chocolate peanut butter fudge, peanut butter cup cookies, or peanut blossom cookies.
Although you will need to use your microwave to melt the chocolate, chocolate peanut butter balls with Rice Krispies are a no-bake dessert.
They are quick and easy to make, and a perfect dessert for the holidays. In fact, they are a classic Christmas treat and a perfect holiday candy recipe to add to your Christmas cookie trays or holiday dessert table spread.
They also make a terrific gift during the holidays. Simply place a few of the sweet peanut butter treats in a little box or cellophane baggie.
Ingredients
This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Creamy peanut butter– I recommend sticking with conventional peanut butter over natural peanut butter here. Natural peanut butter tends to have more oil and is in general runnier. Using a conventional peanut butter here helps the peanut butter balls hold their shape. I used Jif No Sugar Added.
- Unsalted butter– I recommend sticking with unsalted butter to keep the salt content down
- Vanilla extract– Use pure vanilla extract if possible. If you are using imitation vanilla increase the amount to 2 teaspoons.
- Powdered Sugar– Also known as confectioners’ sugar. Sift the sugar before measuring it.
- Rice Krispies Cereal– Any crispy rice cereal will work here. For a gluten-free treat Nature’s Path, Barbara’s, and One Degree all make gluten-free crispy rice cereals.
- Chocolate almond bark– I find that almond bark melts smoother and is easier to work with than regular chocolate, but feel free to use melting chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips instead.
- Coconut oil or vegetable shortening– This makes the chocolate smoother and helps it coat more easily.
- Vanilla almond bark– optional, for drizzling over the balls
Recipe Variations
- Try making your crispy peanut butter balls with cocoa krispies cereal for added chocolate flavor.
- For less crunch, try crushing the rice krispies just a bit before adding them.
- Skip the drizzle and top your no-bake peanut butter balls with sprinkles instead. Red and green sprinkles would be perfect is you are making these as Christmas treats!
Kitchen Supplies
You will also need the following kitchen tools and supplies:
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment or wax paper
- Mixing bowls and spoons
- Hand-held mixer
- Cookie scoop – I used a medium/1.5 Tablespoon sized scoop.
How to make peanut butter balls with rice krispies
This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
In a medium mixing bowl, use a hand-held mixer to beat together the peanut butter and butter. Mix in the vanilla extract. Then, gradually beat in the powdered sugar. Use a spatula to gently fold in the rice cereal.
Using a cookie scoop (or your clean hands) shape the batter into small balls and place them on a lined baking sheet. Pop the peanut butter balls into the freezer for 15-30 minutes (or chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour).
Break the chocolate almond bark into squares and add to a microwave-safe bowl. Add in 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening and heat the mixture in 30-second increments at 50% power, stirring between each increment, until completely melted and smooth.
Use a fork to dip each peanut butter ball into the chocolate mixture, rolling it around to cover all sides in chocolate. Let the excess drip off before transferring the peanut butter ball back onto the baking sheet. When all of the peanut butter balls have been dipped in chocolate place them in the freezer or refrigerator to chill while you prepare the vanilla almond bark.
Break up the vanilla almond bark and add it, along with the remaining 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening, into another microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments on 50% power, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
Working quickly, place the melted vanilla almond bark in a piping bag or plastic bag with the corner cut off and drizzle over the top of the balls.
Return your sweet peanut butter treats to the refrigerator until completely set. Then enjoy!
Storage
Keep these Rice Krispie peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
FAQ
I have not tested this recipe with another nut butter but I think it would be fine to use. Other nut butters tend to be runnier than conventional peanut butter so you will likely need to increase the amount of powdered sugar to help them hold their shape. Start with an extra Tablespoon of powdered sugar and go from there to get the right texture to where the mixture is easily rolled into balls.
I recommend keeping these treats chilled for optimal texture. Although they will still be safe to eat if left out at room temperature the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter is likely to become soft, leaving you with soft and mushy balls.
This all depends on the temperature of your room. They are safe to eat at room temperature but the texture will change when they warm up. The treats can typically be left out at room temperature for an hour or two. Just keep an eye on them and when they start to become soft pop them back into the refrigerator for 15 minutes or so to firm them back up.
Yes, once the chocolate is completely set you can freeze rice krispie peanut butter balls for up to 3 months.
More Tasty Holiday Treats
- Crockpot Candy – only 4 ingredients!
- Microwave Nut Brittle
- Sugar Cookie Truffles
- Christmas Crack
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats – easy no-bake recipe
- Sugar Cookie Christmas Fudge
- Christmas Pretzel Hugs – only 3 ingredients!
- Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
- Christmas Snowball Cookies
Peanut Butter Balls With Rice Krispies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar sifted
- 2 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 10 ounces chocolate almond bark
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil or vegetable shortening divided
- 5 ounces vanilla almond bark
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, use a hand-held mixer to beat together the peanut butter and butter. Mix in the vanilla extract, followed by the powdered sugar. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the cereal.
- Using a cookie scoop (or your hands), shape the mixture into small balls and place them on the lined baking sheet. Once all the balls are rolled place them in the freezer for 15-30 minutes, or in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
- Break the chocolate almond bark into squares and add to a microwave-safe bowl. Add in 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening and heat the mixture in 30-second increments at 50% power, stirring between each increment, until completely melted and smooth.
- Use a fork to dip each peanut butter ball into the chocolate mixture, rolling it around to cover all sides in chocolate. Let the excess drip off before transferring the peanut butter ball back onto the baking sheet. When all of the peanut butter balls have been dipped in chocolate place them in the freezer or refrigerator to chill while you prepare the vanilla almond bark.
- Break up the vanilla almond bark and add it, along with the remaining 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening, into another microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments on 50% power, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
- Working quickly, place the melted vanilla almond bark in a piping bag or plastic bag with the corner cut off and drizzle over the top of the balls.
- Return the peanut butter balls to the refrigerator until completely set.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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1
These are great.will maker again .a keeper.thank you.