These Peanut Butter Balls are a riff on buckeyes, with a creamy center coated in a dark chocolate shell. If you like peanut butter cups, you’ll love these no-bake treats too. You’ll only need 6 ingredients to make them!

Peanut Butter Balls - Stacked on a White Plate with Filling Shown

The first time I went to Ohio and tried a proper buckeye, I totally got the hype. There is something so magical about the combination, and how humble but delicious it is.

Since then, I’ve dabbled in a few homemade versions, and have wound up with something that I think is even better. Here’s what’s different:

The Merits Of This Recipe

Better proportions – The focus here is more on the gloriousness of peanut butter, with simply a thin coating of chocolate on the outside. It’s well-balanced.

Not sickeningly sweet – I like buckeyes, but I’ve always found them to be a bit too sweet. We’ll use less sugar than usual here, for a more balanced taste.

Not gritty – The other downside to too much confectioner’s sugar in the standard buckeye is it makes the texture really gritty. These have much less confectioner’s sugar in them, which makes them a little trickier to work with, but only requires a little fridge time to firm them up.

Super creamy texture – The filling has a richly creamy texture that is a delight to eat. It’s similar to the indulgence of a Chocolate Truffle.

It’s the kind of dessert where you can keep it stashed in the freezer for whenever you need a little treat, or you can make it ahead for holidays like Christmas. I like starting my holiday baking right after Thanksgiving and storing items like this in the freezer, so I can focus on the stuff that has to be freshly baked for the holidays, like Molasses Cookies and Chocolate Crinkle Cookies.

Tips for Best Results

Use the right peanut butter – I do not recommend natural peanut butter here, because it’s quite loose and doesn’t have a consistent texture.

Use a flavorful butter – Because there are so few ingredients here, it’s worth it to purchase a premium and flavorful butter. I like Kerrygold.

Mind the chocolate – Do NOT buy chocolate bars from the candy section that are meant for eating and snacking. You will need to use a chocolate that is intended for melting. I recommend going to the baking section and picking baking chips or bars. Guittard is my favorite brand, but Callebaut, Vahlrona, Scharrfen Berger, and Ghirardelli are all great too.

Step by Step Guide:

In a bowl, combine room temperature creamy peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract, and butter:

Peanut Butter, Butter, and Confectioner\'s Sugar in Bowl

Whip that together until you get a very fluffy mixture, that almost looks like frosting:

Whipped Peanut Butter Filling in Bowl

Use a cookie scoop to portion out the filling into small scoops:

Scooping Peanut Butter Filling for Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

Then dollop them directly onto a wax paper (or parchment paper) lined plate.

Peanut Butter Balls on a Piece of Wax paper

Because all of the ingredients are warm, they will be too loose to roll right now.

Refrigerate the peanut butter balls until they are firm enough to roll into a smoother shape:

No bake Peanut Butter balls on Wax Paper

You can really do any shape you want here. I like to shape them into eggs for Easter!

Chill them further, then it’s time to coat them in chocolate.

As I discuss in my Chocolate Bark post, it is important to use a chocolate designed for melting, and also to melt it properly.

Place the balls on a rack set over a sheet pan and spoon the melted chocolate over, letting the excess drip off:

Chocolate Peanut Butter balls - on a Wire Rack

You can retrieve the dripped chocolate below and use it again to pour, you just may need to pop it into the microwave for a few seconds to melt again.

You may also insert toothpicks into each piece and swirl it into the chocolate, but I like the pouring method better for a smoother top.

Place the balls into the fridge or freezer once again, until the chocolate sets.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Recipe - Served on Gray Dish with One with bite Taken to Show Filling

These Peanut Butter Bon Bons are very similar to this recipe, but use crispy rice cereal, if you want to try a different texture.

How to Serve These

Some people enjoy these at room temperature, and some enjoy them chilled in the fridge. The room temperature version will have a creamier, softer texture, while the chilled version will be more firm. The choice is yours.

Whenever I make these for a party, I like to plate them with other bite-sized desserts like Homemade Chocolate Truffles, Oreo Truffles, and Chocolate Covered Strawberries.

You can also serve them with Cream Puffs or Shortbread Cookies.

FAQ and Tips

Can you freeze Peanut Butter Balls?

Yes, in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

How do you store Peanut Butter Balls?

I recommend keeping them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Can you make these ahead of time?

Absolutely. They keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, though I recommend making them on the earlier side so they taste more fresh.

Did you enjoy the recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

Peanut Butter Balls Stacked on a White Plate with Filling Shown

Peanut Butter Balls

Servings: 24 pieces
Prep Time: 15 mins
Chill time: 1 hr
Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
These are a riff on buckeyes, with a creamy peanut butter center coated in a dark chocolate shell.
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Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup peanut butter (I recommend creamy)
  • 1 cup confectioner’s sugar (4 ounces by weight)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup butter* softened
  • 4 ounces dark chocolate** chopped
  • 1/2 tsp oil (olive, coconut, avocado, etc)

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, whip together the peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, vanilla, and butter. It will be light and fluffy, like frosting.
  • Use a cookie scoop to portion out the mixture onto a wax paper or parchment lined tray. I do 1-tbsp scoops, though you may vary the size as desired. FYI the mixture will be very soft right now.
  • Chill the scoops in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes, until cold enough to roll into a more spherical shape, then place back into the refrigerator or freezer for another 30 minutes, to chill completely. 
  • Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, then stir in the oil to thin the chocolate slightly.
  • Place the peanut butter balls on a wire rack, and pour the melted chocolate over them, scooping up the fallen chocolate as needed to recoat. Because the balls are cold, you'll notice that they will harden up the chocolate fairly quickly.
  • Chill the balls in the fridge for 10-15 minutes, to completely set the chocolate shell, then enjoy!
  • Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer.

Notes

*Salted is better here, but if using unsalted, add a pinch of salt to taste (start with 1/8 tsp).
**Use a melting chocolate that you enjoy, not “ready-to-eat” bars found in the candy section. I like Ghirardelli’s Dark Chocolate 60% disks. Note that darker chocolates with a higher cacao content will be more firm. If you use a milk chocolate, you may not need to thin it with oil.
Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Freezing: Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 113kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 54mg, Potassium: 86mg, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 60IU, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 0.7mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Joanne Ozug

Post updated in November 2018. Originally published May 2011.