Quick Peanut Butter Balls

This recipe for quick peanut butter balls is the most requested recipe I have. My family actually tries to stash them to keep other people from eating them. As you can tell, they are a family-favorite thing.

*Post contains affiliate links* for more information please read the disclaimer on the About Us page.

This delicious family tradition has been one that my family has enjoyed many years. There are certain things that are a must have at the Holidays and this is one of ours.

These peanut butter balls are so quick and easy to make that they’ll be your new go-to for any occasion. They’re perfect for the holidays, but also delicious perfect treat any time of year.

Easy Chocolate Candy with Big Taste

I have been making these peanut butter balls for decades. It only takes Five ingredients to make these little gems that are big on taste and filling. The peanut butter filling makes these a bit healthy too.

One thing I love about these treats is the big peanut butter and chocolate taste. There is nothing else to distract my taste buds. Sometimes, it is the simple things in life we like the best.

Ingredients Used to Make This Christmas Candy

5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls

There are just five ingredients used to make these scrumptious treats.

Powdered Sugar. Confectioner’s sugar is the same thing.

Graham Crackers. Make sure that they are crushed fine. I use a food processor; however, you can purchase a box of the graham crackers already crushed. You can also crush whole graham crackers by placing them in a plastic bag and using a rolling pin to crush them.

Peanut Butter. Any kind really works here. I like the creamy peanut butter filling.

Salted Butter. Just make sure that it is softened before adding as it will incorporate better with the ingredients.

Chocolate. I prefer Ambrosia milk chocolate. Milk chocolate chips work well for this too.

Smooth Peanut Butter and Chocolate

The peanut butter balls have a creamy peanut butter center.  It is a very easy recipe to master. Peanut butter balls that have a crunchy center do not appeal to me. I like smooth peanut butter when having it on toast and for this recipe, it is no different; therefore, like a smooth peanut butter center.

However, if you do like crunchy peanut butter, by all means use that instead of the smooth peanut butter for your recipe. Always make recipes the way you want to eat them.

Chilling the Filling

Once I mix the ingredients together, I do let it chill so it is easier to work with for forming the balls. In order to make the balls a more uniform size, I use a 1 inch cookie scoop for making the balls. It is kind of hard to find a smaller cookie scoop, I have spent many a day driving from store-to-store looking for the smaller size.

How to Make Quick Peanut Butter Balls

In a large bowl, mix the powdered sugar, graham cracker, and softened butter. I use a pastry cutter to help mix the ingredients thoroughly. Then add the peanut butter and mix it with a sturdy spoon.

Cover with plastic wrap and chill about 1 hour until the peanut butter filling mixture is firm. (it will still be easy to work with). Kind of semi-firm. (I like to put the peanut butter filling in a plastic container to chill).

Melt chocolate in microwave safe bowl 1 minute at a time stirring in between.  Normally 2-3 minutes total.

Make small balls with the peanut butter mixture. Use a 1-inch cooking scoop to help make uniform shapes.

Dip the balls into the melted chocolate and scoop them out using a teaspoon, fork, or toothpick. I put them on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet.

Cool until the chocolate hardens. Enjoy

Melting the Chocolate

I melt the chocolate a minute at a time until melted in the microwave, and I use waxed paper to line a large cookie sheet and drop the peanut butter balls onto so they don’t stick when chilling and setting up. Since I make these mostly in the winter time, I put them in the garage for 30 minutes to set up. They remove easily and taste great.

Pro Tips for Making the Peanut Butter Balls Candy

Line Cookie Sheets with Waxed Paper. I have tried parchment paper for this; however, I have found that the candy tends to stick to the paper. Therefore, my tried-and-true method is to use waxes paper to like the baking sheet. The candy comes right off without a struggle.

Melting the Chocolate. Years ago, I used to use a double boiler for melted chocolate. However, it is much faster and easier to melt the chocolate in the microwave. Just place one pound of chocolate at a time in a microwave safe container. Melt the chocolate one minute at a time, stirring between until the chocolate is smooth and creamy.

Hardening the Chocolate. Allow the chocolate to set before placing the chocolate candies in a container for storage. If you are like me, you do not have enough room in your refrigerator. Since I make these mostly in the wintertime, I put them in the garage for 30 minutes to set up. They remove easily and taste great.

Change up the Nut Butter. Any nut butter will work for this recipe. While we enjoy the peanut butter, other nut butters such as almond butter, or cashew butter would work well.

Making the Peanut Butter Balls. When scooping the peanut butter filling mixture that has been chilled, don’t just dig deep into the mixture as you might break your scoop. Instead, I kind of scrape the scoop over the mixture a few times to get the scoop full.

Easy Chocolate Candy

Dipping Utensils. I use two spoons for dipping the peanut balls in the chocolate. However, you may find that you prefer a fork or a toothpick. Try a few variations and find the tools that work best for you.

Chill the Peanut Ball mixture. Make sure to chill the filling before making the peanut butter balls. This will help them keep their shape and hold up to the warm chocolate. It also helps the chocolate harden faster.

Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls. If you prefer a little crunch, use chunky peanut butter. You can also add a cup of Rice Krispies to the batter for added texture.

Change up the Chocolate. I love using milk chocolate for this recipe. However, sometimes I will drizzle on dark chocolate or white chocolate for a dramatic effect. If you prefer, you can use the dark or white chocolate, or semi-sweet chocolate as your dipping chocolate. If you use chocolate chips, they come in a wide variety of flavors and colors now days.

Decorate the Chocolate Ball. Sometimes, it is fun to add a bit of pizzaz to the chocolate balls. Drizzle on white chocolate, add colored sprinkles, or a dusting of chocolate powder or other sugar sprinkles.

What to do with Excess Chocolate. If you have leftover chocolate once all of your filling has been made into balls. Add some mixed nuts, and dried fruit such as raisins to the chocolate. Use the cookie scoop to drop little piles of the chocolate covered nuts and fruit onto wax paper. Let the chocolate harden and you have another homemade delicious chocolate treat.

Make Peanut Butter Cups

Place a teaspoon of the melted chocolate in a muffin cup. Let that harden. Add a teaspoon of the peanut butter ball mixture and layer on a teaspoon of melted chocolate. Let these muffin cups set. That’s it.

Storing Peanut Butter Balls

Store peanut butter balls in a cool place. Preferably in the refrigerator. If you have a hallway that is cool in the winter months, that is a great place. Make sure to have in an airtight container and they will last for up to 1 month.

Can You Freeze Peanut Butter Balls?

Yes, you can. These are perfect to freeze for later use. Once the chocolate is completely set (hardened), pop them into an airtight freezer container. You may want to place a piece of waxed paper between the layers, but I have not had a problem without.

I have successfully enjoyed these little peanut butter gems after they have been frozen for 6 months. Just thaw and enjoy. Keep cool though or the chocolate will melt.

Making Buckeye Balls

Buckeyes are another dipped ball. These chocolate covered peanut butter gems can be made into buckeyes too. Just leave a bit of the peanut butter filling uncovered.

Holiday Homemade Gift Giving

Chocolate Candy is wonderful to receive for chocolate fans.

This peanut butter balls recipe is sought after by my family and co-workers too. All of my nieces know how to make this recipe. We have another tradition of spending one day making Christmas goodies as a family.

Everyone that can make it does and we all bring the ingredients to a few of our family favorite and easy recipes. Then we help each other make our recipes. That way, we all know the secrets to making our recipes. The kids help too.

It is a lovely day of talk, laughter, and eating.

Some family members are lucky enough to have their birthdays near the holiday. That means that they get their own container of peanut butter balls that they don’t have to share with anyone. I often pair these peanut butter balls with the English Toffee and Truffles when gift giving for co-workers. Quite often, the treats do not make it home.

More recently, we have started making these quick and delicious treats too. Rolo and Pretzel Turtles. Simple and yummy!

Give a few of these chocolate candy recipes a try and find your new holiday favorite.

If you loved this post, please share. It helps to show me that these types of posts are helpful – thank you!

I hope that you liked this recipe. If you are looking for more ideas on what to make, here are a few other recipes that you may enjoy.

• Peanut Butter Pie
• Chocolate Butter Toffee Peanut Clusters
• What says “I LOVE YOU” better than chocolate candy?
• How to Melt Chocolate in the Microwave
• No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake Dessert