These crispy peanut butter balls are a fun and easy no-bake treat that brings together the classic flavors of peanut butter and chocolate. With a satisfying crunch from the rice cereal, they’re sure to satisfy any sweet tooth!
This recipe tackles issues of texture, sweetness, and dietary preferences, providing a crunchy, satisfying treat without dairy and gluten. Perfect for varied tastes.
When I’m juggling a busy weeknight or unexpected guests, these crispy peanut butter balls come to the rescue. They solve the problem of needing a quick sweet fix without fussing over complicated steps or long ingredient lists, which is definitely a plus!
This recipe works well because it’s tried and true, delivering that delightful mix of flavors in just about 55 minutes from start to finish. Plus, with just a few simple ingredients, you’ll feel confident whipping these up for any occasion!
If you want to try another tasty treat that’s easy to make, check out my Chocolate Peanut Clusters.
Table of contents
Dietary Considerations
- This recipe is not gluten-free due to the rice cereal containing gluten ingredients.
- The recipe contains peanut butter, so it is unsuitable for nut-free diets.
- This recipe is not vegan because it contains honey as a sweetening ingredient.
- The recipe suits vegetarian and dairy-free diets since it contains no animal-derived dairy products.
- This recipe does not meet keto or low-carb diets because of high carbohydrate content in rice cereal and powdered sugar.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Crunchy Texture With crispy rice cereal in the mix, these crispy peanut butter balls deliver an enjoyable crunch that satisfies your snacking needs. The texture contrasts beautifully with the creamy peanut butter, making each bite exciting.
- Rich Flavor The combination of nut butter and chocolate creates a deep flavor profile that appeals to both kids and adults. The nutty sweetness of peanut butter shines through, perfectly complemented by the rich chocolate coating.
- Make-Ahead Convenience These crispy peanut butter balls can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a week, making them a fantastic option for busy days. Just pop them out whenever you’re craving a tasty treat.
- Customizable Ingredients You can easily adapt these crispy peanut butter balls to your taste. Want to add some chopped nuts or dried fruits? Go ahead! The recipe is forgiving and allows for personal touches, making it unique to your preferences.
Crispy Peanut Butter Balls
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cool Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 pieces 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious no-bake crispy chocolate peanut butter balls that are easy to make and perfect for a sweet treat.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (approx. 60 g) crispy rice cereal, unflavored
- 1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened nut butter, typically peanut butter
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar, fine quality
- ⅛ teaspoon (0.5 g) sea salt
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1½ cups (270 g) chocolate chips, suitable for melting (dairy-free or dark chocolate optional)
- Sea salt flakes, for topping
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 2 cups crispy rice cereal, 1 cup unsweetened nut butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, ⅛ teaspoon sea salt, and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract in a large bowl. Stir well, making sure all the cereal is uniformly coated to ensure proper binding.
- Step 2: Using your hands (lightly greasing or moistening them with water to prevent stickiness), scoop and roll the mixture into 16 bite-sized balls. Press firmly as you roll to help the balls maintain their shape.
- Step 3: Place the balls on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan. Transfer to the freezer for 10 minutes to set and firm up the balls. This chilling helps when coating with chocolate.
- Step 4: Melt 1½ cups chocolate chips using a double boiler over the lowest heat, stirring frequently until smooth and glossy. Alternatively, melt in the microwave in 15-second increments, stirring after each, until fully melted without burning.
- Step 5: Using forks, dip each chilled ball into the melted chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl before placing the coated ball onto the prepared sheet pan. Hold the fork at an angle to help coat the balls evenly without clumping.
- Step 6: While the chocolate coating is still wet, sprinkle each ball with a few sea salt flakes to add subtle flavor contrast.
- Step 7: Transfer the chocolate-coated balls to the refrigerator for 10 minutes to allow the chocolate to set and become firm and shiny.
- Step 8: Store the crispy peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain crunch and flavor.
- Refrigeration: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days to preserve texture and firmness.
- Freezing: Wrap each ball individually in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- If the mixture is too sticky when rolling, moisten your hands with water to prevent sticking.
- When melting chocolate, use short 15-second microwave increments and stir frequently to avoid burning.
- If the chocolate coating feels too thick, dip balls rapidly and tap fork gently to shed excess chocolate before placing them back on the sheet pan.
- Press the rice cereal slightly in the mixture before rolling to achieve a crunchier texture and ensure even distribution.
- If chocolate does not set after 10 minutes of refrigeration, chill for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve alongside fresh fruit such as apple slices or banana halves.
- Pair with a handful of mixed nuts or a side of dairy-free yogurt.
- Add chopped crispy peanut butter balls to smoothie bowls, oatmeal, or use as topping for ice cream or yogurt parfaits.
- Drizzle with melted dark chocolate or sprinkle with cocoa powder for added interest. Serve with a scoop of nut butter for extra flavor.
- Swap nut butter for sunflower seed butter to make the recipe nut-free.
- Add chopped nuts or dried fruit for personalized texture and flavor variations.
- Use creamy, good-quality peanut butter for smooth texture; natural brands are suitable if stirred thoroughly.
- Choose plain crispy rice cereal without added flavoring to emphasize the peanut butter taste.
- Use fine powdered sugar to avoid grainy texture and ensure smooth sweetness.
- Pure vanilla extract is preferred for deep flavor; if using imitation vanilla, measure carefully to avoid overpowering the peanut butter.
- Honey is included in some variations as a subtle binder and flavor enhancer; substitute with maple syrup for vegan needs (note: recipe as provided contains honey and is not vegan).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Ingredient Notes
- Peanut butter: Choose a creamy, good-quality peanut butter for a smooth texture. Natural brands work well too, just make sure to stir if oil separates.
- Rice cereal: Look for crispy rice cereal, as it adds the essential crunch. Avoid the flavored types to keep the peanut butter taste front and center.
- Powdered sugar: Use a fine quality powdered sugar for a smoother sweetness. This helps achieve that melt-in-your-mouth texture without any graininess.
- Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract enriches the flavor profile. If you opt for imitation, go easy, as it might overpower the peanut butter.
- Honey: A drizzle of raw honey adds a subtle floral note and helps bind everything together. If you need a vegan substitute, maple syrup works well too.
Recipe Tips
- If the mixture is too sticky when rolling the balls, moisten your hands with water to help prevent sticking during shaping.
- When chocolate isn’t melting smoothly, heat it in 15-second increments on low, stirring frequently until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- If the chocolate coating is too thick, dip the balls quickly and let excess chocolate drip off before placing them on the sheet pan.
- For a crunchier texture, press down the rice cereal slightly in the mixture before rolling into balls to ensure even distribution.
- If chocolate doesn’t set after 10 minutes, refrigerate the coated balls for an additional 5 minutes until fully firmed up.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with fresh fruit like apple slices or banana halves. Pair with a handful of mixed nuts or a side of dairy-free yogurt.
Add to smoothie bowls or oatmeal for added crunch. Use as a topping for ice cream or yogurt parfaits.
Top with a drizzle of melted dark chocolate or a sprinkle of cocoa powder. Serve alongside a scoop of nut butter for extra flavor.
Recipe variations
- You can use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter for a nut-free option. This swaps the nutty flavor while keeping the creamy texture needed for the crispy peanut butter balls.
- Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling to introduce warm spice notes. These spices complement the peanut butter’s richness without overpowering it.
- Either milk or dark chocolate chips work well for coating the balls. If using dairy-free chocolate, ensure it melts smoothly before dipping each crispy peanut butter ball.
- If making a larger batch, double all ingredients to yield 32 pieces. You can refrigerate leftovers for up to 10 days or freeze them like my Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies.
Save This Recipe!
How to Store?
To keep your crispy peanut butter balls fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Store crispy peanut butter balls in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days to maintain crunch and flavor.
Refrigeration: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 10 days. This keeps them firm while preserving texture and taste.
Freezing: Wrap each crispy peanut butter ball in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Toasted Coconut Marshmallows
- Puff Pastry Apple Rosettes
- Rhubarb and Strawberry Tart Recipe
- Chocolate Peanut Clusters
If you enjoyed this Crispy Peanut Butter Balls or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
