Peanut Butter Balls

Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 30 balls

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These Peanut Butter Balls are a no bake peanut butter truffle covered in chocolate! Made with just a few ingredients, buckeyes are the perfect make ahead treat for the holidays! Step by step recipe video down in the recipe card.

Love chocolate and peanut butter together? Try this No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pinwheels, this Puppy Chow or this Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie next!

overhead image of peanut butter balls coated in chocolate

I could start this post off by confessing how many of these Peanut Butter Balls I ate in one sitting, but why embarrass myself like that?

It’s no secret that peanut butter and chocolate is our kryptonite here, for all 5 of us!

It’s a combination we just can’t resist.

These Peanut Butter Balls (you might call them Buckeyes) are one of the easiest no bake Christmas treats, and one of the most addictive.

They are just the right amount sweet and salty, and covered in a chocolatey coating that makes them irresistible.

Why are they called Buckeyes?

These peanut butter balls are often called Buckeyes because they look exactly like the nut from the Ohio Buckeye tree — mostly dark with one lighter spot.

I promise these are much more delicious, though!

chocolate peanut butter balls stacked on white plate
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Tips and Tricks for making Peanut Butter Balls:

  • This recipe uses conventional peanut butter and not natural peanut butter, which can be more runny and more oily. Attempting to swap the peanut butter for natural peanut butter will affect the results.
  • Make sure your peanut butter mixture isn’t too dry or too moist: your peanut butter mixture may appear crumbly at first, but should hold together when you squeeze it. If you’re not sure, make a test peanut butter ball (no chocolate coating required) and take a bite to test the consistency.
  • Chill your peanut butter balls before coating: I’ll admit, I’m impatient so I usually opt for 20 minutes in the freezer instead of an hour or two in the fridge, but you can refrigerate up to several days before coating if you prefer.
  • Use solid chocolate bars: when melting and coating candy, solid chocolate bars are the way to go. Chocolate chips are designed to hold their shape in baking, so they contain stabilizers that can prevent them from melting smoothly.
two layers of peanut butter balls stacked on white plate

Melting chocolate on a double boiler:

The most foolproof way to melt chocolate for coating is to use a double boiler.

It might sound intimidating, but you don’t need any special equipment to make your own double boiler.

Simply find a small pot and a glass bowl that fits over the top of the bowl and can sit on top. You will want the bottom of the bowl not to be within a couple inches of the bottom of the pot. If it is too close to the bottom, find a larger bowl (so that it doesn’t sit as low), or a smaller pot.

Place one inch of water in the pot and heat to a low boil over medium-high heat.

Place your chopped chocolate and oil in the bowl — the oil keeps it from getting too thick.

Reduce heat to low and place the bowl over the top of the simmering water.

Stir constantly until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

To dip your peanut butter balls, I recommend leaving your bowl of melted chocolate over the pot to keep warm, but removing the pot from the heat.

peanut butter buckeyes with one bite taken out

Variations on these Peanut Butter Balls:

  • Use crunchy peanut butter for a bit of extra texture! If the peanut butter mixture becomes too thick, simply add a tablespoon of butter at a time to compensate for the added nuts until the consistency is right.
  • Extra salt: you know I love a sweet and salty treat, and these peanut butter balls hit the mark. If you like, you can sprinkle a bit of coarse or flaked salt on the top after dipping in chocolate for an extra salty punch.
  • Add some colorful sprinkles: add a festive spin to these buckeyes with some holiday themed sprinkles after coating.
  • Swap out your chocolate coating: you can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate to coat these peanut butter balls, as long as you choose the solid chocolate bars.

How to store Peanut Butter Balls:

Although there are no ingredients in these peanut butter balls that require immediate refrigeration, I recommend storing in the refrigerator long term to keep them at their best.

The kitchen is often one of the warmer places in the house, and the extra heat could cause the chocolate coating to soften or slide.

These buckeyes are absolutely fine left out at room temperature to serve, and can even be frozen up to 3 months.

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Peanut Butter Balls

5 from 6 votes
These Peanut Butter Balls are a no bake peanut butter truffle covered in chocolate! Made with just a few ingredients, buckeyes are the perfect make ahead treat for the holidays!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling: 1 hour
Total Time 30 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Servings 30 balls
Calories 152cal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups smooth peanut butter (not natural) (435 grams)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature) (56 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups powdered icing sugar (240 grams)
  • 250 grams chopped solid chocolate bars (not chocolate chips)
  • 2 teaspoons canola oil

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing with an electric mixer until combined. It might be crumbly, but when you press it together it will form a smooth ball. If it is too sticky, add a little more sugar. If it is too dry, add a bit more peanut butter or butter.
  • Roll into 1 inch balls (squeeze it first in your hands so it comes together) — I get about 30 from this recipe. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or pop in the freezer for 15 minutes until chilled.
  • Make a double boiler to melt your chocolate: place 1" of water in a small pot and bring it to a simmer over medium high heat.
  • Find a glass bowl that fits over the top of the pot and sits on the top edges, but will not touch the water. Add the chocolate and oil to the bowl and place it over the simmering water. Stir often until melted and smooth.
  • Use a toothpick to skewer each peanut butter ball, then dunk in chocolate. Allow the excess to drip off and then place on a parchment lined baking sheet to set.
  • You can allow them to set at room temperature, or pop into the refrigerator to serve quickly.
  • I prefer to store these in the fridge so the chocolate doesn't get soft, but they will last a day or two at room temperature.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 152cal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 134mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
Keywords buckeyes, peanut butter balls

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. PMG says

    We made these as children with my aunt. We added Rice Krispie cereal to the peanut butter. We also added a bit of paraffin wax to the chocolate to make the candy shiny.

  2. steffdee says

    OK I don’t know what I did wrong. My peanut butter (Skippy) mixture was so wet that I couldn’t roll them at all. I almost ended up doubling the powdered sugar and still too wet. Any thoughts or suggestions?

    • Amanda says

      I know I’m not the one who posted the recipe but my Grandma made these every year since I can remember and now I make them since she’s passed. Her recipe calls for crushed graham cracker crumbs (I think it’s 1.5 cups) to help give them some stability. We also always prefer to use crunchy peanut butter.

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Steffdee! Hmmm, mine are never too wet to where I can’t roll them and I’ve never had to double the sugar. It might be the brand of peanut butter. Next time try placing some powdered sugar on your hands to see if it helps with rolling.

  3. Cindy Oden says

    What’s the exact brand name and type of chocolate bar you use for this awesome recipe
    You shared?

    Appreciate your time.

  4. Jenny says

    I’m making these NOW… I’m using 100% cacao unsweetened baker’s chocolate (yuk)… will my PB Balls taste terrible? Should I add some sugar or something before dipping any more?

  5. Gina says

    I didn’t have a Buckeye until just within the last 5 years and omg, they are SO good! love how easy this recipe is, it’s become a solid favorite at the holidays!

    • Ashley Fehr says

      I recommend a solid dark chocolate bar — the creamier bars may not firm up as nicely. Bakers brand would work great, or any solid dark chocolate bar you can find in the candy aisle 🙂

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