Easy Peanut Butter Balls (Christmas Recipe)

If you’re a peanut butter lover, you’re going to want to add these easy peanut butter balls to your Christmas cookie recipes list! Made with simple ingredients and dipped in chocolate, these homemade peanut butter balls are the perfect combination of creamy peanut butter, a little crunch, and rich chocolate.

Why I love these peanut butter balls so much!

Yeah! Another no-bake Christmas treat to share with you! These chocolate-covered peanut butter balls were given to me by my good friend Kim years ago, and they have become a Christmas tradition in our home too. I find myself making a batch—or two!—every Christmas time because they are such a delicious treat to have tucked away for holiday guests, Christmas cookie trays, or to package up and give as a gift.

There are many versions of this classic peanut butter and chocolate treat. If you live south of the border—the Michigan border, that is—you may know these tasty morsels as Buckeyes, named after the nut that grows on the Buckeye tree. While they are similar, there are a few things that set these easy peanut butter balls apart from traditional Buckeye candy.

The best part is that you only need a handful of simple ingredients, and you don’t need any fancy dipping tool to make them. A cookie scoop, a little patience, and a bowl of melted chocolate are all you need. Whether you use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or semi-sweet chocolate, the combination of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter makes these the perfect treat for the holiday season.

If you’re a peanut butter lover, this great recipe definitely belongs on your Christmas baking list!

A Note About the Peanut Butter

For the best results, use a conventional creamy or crunchy peanut butter rather than natural peanut butter. Natural peanut butter does not work as well in this recipe because the oil can separate and change the consistency of the peanut butter mixture.

I personally love using crunchy peanut butter because it adds a little more crunch to the filling. If you prefer a completely smooth center, creamy peanut butter works beautifully too.

Gather these ingredients

How to Make Peanut Butter Balls

The step-by-step instructions.

1. Make the peanut butter ball mixture

Start by bringing your peanut butter and butter to room temperature. This makes everything much easier to combine.

In a large mixing bowl, mix peanut butter, softened butter, powdered sugar, and rice crispies cereal together. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined. If you are using crunchy peanut butter, you’ll have a little crunch throughout the peanut butter filling, which I love!

The finished peanut butter mixture should be firm enough to roll into balls. If it feels too soft or sticky, give it a little time to chill before shaping.

2. Roll into balls

Use a cookie scoop to portion out the mixture, then roll each portion between your palms to create smooth balls. I usually make them about 1 inch in diameter, but you can make them a little larger or smaller depending on what you prefer.

Place the inch balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Once they are all rolled, chill them until they are firm.

If you have a melon baller use it to scoop out the filling, plop it in your hand…not your pie hole, and give it a quick roll in the palm of your hands.  Set it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and keep it going until all the filling has been scooped and rolled.  This will make approximately 50 pieces.

At this point I pop them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes while I melt my chocolate.  Or you can leave them in the refrigerator up to a day before you give them a chocolate bath, this will allow time for laundry, laundry, grocery shopping, and present wrapping.

3. Melt the chocolate

The original recipe calls for 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips and four squares of white candi-quik. I have found Ghirardelli Chocolate Melts to be much easier and they taste amazing.

*If using chocolate that needs to be tempered or carefully melted, a double boiler works beautifully. You can also melt chocolate gently in the microwave, stirring frequently so it doesn’t scorch.

4. Dip the peanut butter balls

Now things get a little messy…but oh so good!

Using a fork, toothpick, or whatever simple tool you have handy, dip each chilled ball into the melted chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl before placing the dipped balls back onto the parchment.

And remember—you don’t need any fancy dipping tool! A regular fork works just fine. Or poking a toothpick into the peanut butter ball and dipping or spooning chocolate over the ball works great as well.

Tips

This is my method, but please feel free to do it your way if you already have a chocolate coating technique.

1. I like to start out by dipping the fork in the chocolate, then setting the peanut butter ball on the fork.

2. Then I take a spoon full of melted chocolate and pour it over the top of the peanut butter ball.

3. Tap the fork on the edge of the bowl to knock the excess chocolate off. Using a toothpick carefully scoot the chocolate covered peanut butter ball off the fork on to a parchment lined baking sheet.

Alternate Method: poke tooth pick into the peanut butter ball, dip into chocolate, allow excess chocolate to fall off, then set ball on parchment lined baking sheet. Sometimes if the ball isn’t firm enough it will break apart when poked. You should chill peanut butter balls before using this method to ensure they are firm.

 

Nearly every bit of chocolate coating will get used, so be prepared to do a little scraping.  One year I was an enormous glutton for punishment and I doubled the chocolate coating and double dipped the balls.  I have to say gluttony has a really been given a bad wrap most days, cause the double dipped peanut butter balls where just shy of heavenly!

 

How to decorate Peanut Butter Balls

Want to dress up your peanut butter balls for a special occasion? These are so easy to decorate, and you can change the colors and sprinkles to match just about any celebration!

Melt one square of White Candi Quik with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in the microwave for 30 seconds on high. Stir until smooth. Add a few drops of food coloring if desired, then drizzle the colored chocolate over the peanut butter balls. Immediately add colored sugar or sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet so they stick. This is an older picture, but you can see how easy it is to bedazzle your peanut butter balls for the occasion.

I’ve made these peanut butter balls for all kinds of occasions, not just Christmas. One year I made them for a tailgate before my nephew’s football game and used colored chocolate to make his school’s letter right on top. They were such a fun addition to the spread!

Think school colors, team celebrations, baby showers, birthdays, holidays—or whatever you’re gathering people around the table to celebrate. The possibilities are endless!

I opted for a simple drizzle of chocolate over the peanut butter balls. See easy yet it adds that extra touch.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use natural peanut butter to make peanut butter balls?

I don’t recommend it. Natural peanut butter does not work as well because the oil tends to separate, which can make the mixture too soft or difficult to roll. For consistent results, use regular creamy or crunchy peanut butter.

What kind of chocolate is best for peanut butter balls?

That really comes down to personal preference! Milk chocolate makes these especially sweet and creamy, while dark chocolate gives you a richer, slightly less-sweet finish. Semi-sweet chocolate chips are another good option, and candy melts are convenient when you want an easy coating.

Do these need to be refrigerated?

I recommend storing homemade peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be brought to room temperature before serving.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter gives the filling a little crunch and is especially delicious if you love texture. Creamy peanut butter will give you a smoother center.

How big should I make peanut butter balls?

I usually make them about 1 inch balls. I think they should be a two biter. Any bigger than that and it’s too much to handle. But obviously you can make them whatever size you prefer. A small cookie scoop makes it easy to keep them relatively uniform.

Do I need a special tool for dipping?

No! You don’t need any fancy dipping tool. A regular fork, toothpick, or even a skewer can work. Dip the ball into the melted chocolate, allow the excess to drip off, and place it on parchment paper to set.

Can I use candy melts instead of chocolate?

Yes. Candy melts are an easy option when you don’t want to worry about tempering chocolate. Follow the package directions for melting and dipping.

Are peanut butter balls the same as Buckeye balls?

They are similar, but these are different than Buckeye balls. Both feature the delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate, but traditional Buckeye balls usually leave a portion of the peanut butter center exposed so they resemble the nut of the buckeye tree. These peanut butter balls are completely covered in chocolate and they have rice krispies in the peanut butter filling.

Can I make peanut butter balls ahead of time?

Yes! These are a wonderful make-ahead Christmas treat. Prepare them several days ahead and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve them.

Can I freeze peanut butter balls?

Yes. Place the finished peanut butter balls in an airtight freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.

Why is my peanut butter mixture too soft?

The most common reasons are overly soft butter, natural peanut butter, or not enough chilling time. Place the mixture in the refrigerator until it is firm enough to scoop and roll.

How long do peanut butter balls last?

Stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they will keep well for several days. They’re perfect for making ahead during the busy Christmas time.

There is just something about making these peanut butter balls that feels like Christmas to me. Maybe it’s the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, maybe it’s the simple ingredients, or maybe it’s because this recipe has become part of our family tradition. Whatever the reason, they are one of those treats I look forward to making year after year.

I love having a batch of these best peanut butter balls in the refrigerator during the holiday season. They make a perfect treat for a Christmas cookie tray, a sweet little gift for a friend, or a delicious treat to pull out when family comes through the door.

If you make these chocolate-covered peanut butter balls, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a rating on the recipe card—especially if you’ve already made them or you’ve eaten them at my table. Your ratings and reviews help other people find and trust my recipes, and I truly appreciate it.

Thanks so much for being here and letting me share the recipes that gather us around the table. I hope these peanut butter balls become part of your Christmas tradition too.

From my table to yours, with love, Sheila