No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Are you in search of a delicious dessert recipe that is easy to make and perfect for gifting? Look no further! Here’s a sweet treat that’s a favorite around the holidays: peanut butter balls. Made with five simple ingredients, these chocolate peanut butter balls are creamy on the inside and coated in a delectable layer of delicious chocolate!

Homemade chocolate covered peanut butter balls

These last few years, I have been coming up with easy and delicious dessert recipes to gift to my friends and family during the holiday season.

Taking the time to DIY something special shows that you care AND can save you a lot of money on gifts.

After trying out different recipes (these mini chocolate chip bundt cakes were a favorite last year!), I have found that homemade peanut butter balls are always a hit!

Growing up, my family always used to make these around Christmas and would gift them to our neighbors and teachers.

I mean, who doesn’t love peanut butter and chocolate? The perfect combination of sweet and salty. And when combined into a small, bite-sized treat, it becomes irresistible!

That’s why I am so excited to share with you our family recipe for creamy peanut butter balls coated in warm, melted chocolate.

Ingredients needed to make peanut butter balls

To make these sweet chocolate peanut butter treats, here are all of the ingredients you’ll need:

• Peanut Butter: For the base of this dessert recipe, I used my favorite creamy peanut butter. You can use any brand or type of peanut butter you prefer, but creamy works best for these balls.
• Powdered Sugar: This will add a touch of sweetness to the peanut butter and help bind everything together.
• Butter: Make sure your butter is at room temperature so it’s easier to mix in with the other ingredients. I like to use salted butter for this recipe, but unsalted will work just as well.
• Chocolate Chips: These will be used to coat the peanut butter balls in a delicious layer of chocolate. You can use milk, dark chocolate chips, or even white chocolate if you prefer.
• Shortening: This will be used to help thin out the chocolate and make it easier to coat the peanut butter bites.
• Paraffin Wax: In the olden days, paraffin wax was added to this recipe to help thin the chocolate and give it a shiny coat. It’s not frowned up to use this, but don’t tell… I sometimes still use maybe a Tablespoon or two, just for good measure.

Kitchen equipment needed

• Stand Mixer (or Hand Mixer)
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Waxed Paper
• Baking Sheet
• Microwave-Safe Bowl, or
• Double Boiler and Pot
• Toothpicks

Tips for making the best peanut butter ball recipe

• Use crunchy peanut butter: If you prefer a little crunch in your peanut butter balls, feel free to use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy. This will add some texture and make them even more delicious.
• Sub in coconut oil: If you don’t have shortening on hand, you can use coconut oil instead. It will have a similar effect of thinning out the chocolate. But it may take longer to set up.
• Use wax paper: Once you have shaped your peanut butter balls, place them on a wax paper-lined baking sheet and chill them in the fridge. This will make it easier to coat them in chocolate later.
• Don’t overheat the chocolate: When melting the chocolate chips, be sure to do it slowly and stir often. If overheated, the chocolate can become lumpy or seize up.
• Use a toothpick to dip: Insert a toothpick into each ball and use it as a handle while dipping them in chocolate. This will make coating them much easier.
• Let them set: After coating the peanut butter balls, place them back on the wax paper-lined baking sheet and chill in the fridge until the chocolate has set completely.

What to serve with no bake peanut butter balls

These chocolate covered peanut butter balls are perfect for a DIY or homemade holiday gift to your friends and family. Pair them with these no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies for a delicious assortment of treats. They also make a great addition to any holiday dessert platter or party tray!

To pair them with a non-chocolate dessert, you can try these cake batter Rice Krispies for your friends who are not fans of chocolate.

Tip: Have any leftover chocolate chips? Consider whipping up this chocolate chip pie for another delicious dessert.

Frequently asked questions about homemade peanut butter ball candies

Whenever I share this recipe, I get some of the same questions. Here are the most popular ones that people ask!

If you have a question that isn’t listed here, please leave them in the comments, and I’ll answer them as soon as possible.

Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

YES! I prefer natural peanut butter now, but I’ve made this recipe using both natural and regular Jif. Both work great. But sometimes other natural peanut butters are too soft, and the candy won’t set up properly. Make sure you mix the peanut butter well before adding it to your powdered sugar mixture.

Can I use milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet?

This recipe is versatile, so feel free to use your favorite type of chocolate for coating the peanut butter balls. Milk chocolate will give a sweeter taste compared to semi-sweet. You can also use dark chocolate if you prefer a more intense flavor.

Do I have to use the double boiler method to melt down the chocolate chips?

Using a double boiler is the traditional method for melting chocolate, but you can also use a microwave if you prefer. Just be sure to heat it in short intervals and stir often to avoid overheating.

My chocolate is grainy! What do I do?

If your chocolate becomes grainy or seizes up while melting, you can try adding a bit of vegetable oil to help smooth it out. Alternatively, add a small amount of melted shortening or coconut oil to the chocolate and stir until smooth.

This also could happen ebcause the chocolate was heated too quickly and seized up. If that’s the case, you might have to start over.

Can I add different toppings to the chocolate peanut butter balls?

Definitely! Get creative and sprinkle some chopped nuts, sprinkles, flakey salt, or even crushed candy canes on top of the chocolate coating for added texture and flavor.

Do I have to coat the peanut butter balls in chocolate?

No, you don’t have to coat the peanut butter bites if you prefer not to. You can also roll them in powdered sugar or cocoa powder for a different and equally delicious treat.

How long does this dessert recipe last?

If stored in an airtight container, these peanut butter balls can last up to two weeks. However, they usually don’t make it past the first few days because everyone loves them so much!

Can I freeze these peanut butter balls?

Yes. Once the peanut butter balls have set in the fridge, you can place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to a month. Just make sure to thaw them in the fridge before serving.

More Grandma-Approved Recipes To Try

If you enjoyed this recipe for peanut butter balls coated with chocolate, take a look at some of these other yummy recipes:

• Chocolate Fudge Pie Recipe
• No Bake Peanut Butter Pie
• Homemade Fudge Brownies With Frosting
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe

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