🥜🍫 No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls
Creamy, melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter centers coated in a crisp chocolate shell—these classic No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls are incredibly easy to make and perfect for holidays, cookie trays, parties, or whenever a chocolate-peanut butter craving hits.
⏱ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Chill Time: 30–45 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 30–36 peanut butter balls
Difficulty: Easy
Method: No-Bake
Ingredients
🥜 Peanut Butter Filling
- 1½ cups creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🍫 Chocolate Coating
- 12 oz (340 g) chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons paraffin wax, food-grade, optional
Note: Food-grade paraffin is traditionally used in some candy recipes to create a firm, glossy coating. It is optional; you can simply omit it for a softer chocolate coating.
Instructions
1. Make the Peanut Butter Mixture
Place the softened butter and creamy peanut butter in a large mixing bowl.
Beat together until completely smooth and creamy.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
2. Add the Powdered Sugar
Gradually add the powdered sugar, about ½ cup at a time, mixing after each addition.
Once the mixture becomes too thick for the mixer, switch to a sturdy spatula or use clean hands.
The finished mixture should be firm enough to roll into balls without sticking excessively to your hands.
If it’s too soft:
Add a little more powdered sugar.
If it’s too dry:
Add a small spoonful of peanut butter.
🥜 Shape the Peanut Butter Balls
3. Portion the Mixture
Scoop approximately 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter mixture for each ball.
Roll between your palms until smooth.
Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Repeat until all the mixture has been used.
4. Chill
Place the tray in the refrigerator for approximately 30–45 minutes.
The peanut butter balls should become firm and cold.
This makes dipping much easier.
🍫 Prepare the Chocolate
5. Melt the Chocolate
Place the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl.
If using food-grade paraffin, add the 2 tablespoons to the chocolate.
Melt gently over a double boiler, stirring frequently.
Alternatively, microwave in 20–30 second intervals, stirring well after each interval.
Continue until completely smooth.
Important:
Don’t allow water or steam to get into the chocolate, as this can cause it to seize.
Dip the Peanut Butter Balls
6. Coat in Chocolate
Use a fork, dipping tool, or toothpick to lower each chilled peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate.
Turn it gently until completely coated.
Lift it out and allow excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl.
7. Place on Parchment
Transfer each chocolate-coated ball to the parchment-lined baking sheet.
If desired, use a fork to create decorative lines on the chocolate before it sets.
✨ Decorate
While the chocolate is still wet, you can add:
- Finely chopped peanuts
- Peanut butter chips
- Chocolate sprinkles
- Crushed pretzels
- A drizzle of melted white chocolate
- A pinch of flaky sea salt
❄️ Set the Chocolate
8. Chill Until Firm
Place the finished peanut butter balls in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes, or until the chocolate coating has completely hardened.
Once set, they’re ready to serve.
⭐ Chef’s Tips
Use Creamy Peanut Butter
Traditional shelf-stable creamy peanut butter gives the filling the most consistent texture. Natural peanut butter can be oilier and may require additional powdered sugar.
Chill Before Dipping
Cold peanut butter balls are much easier to coat and are less likely to fall apart in the warm chocolate.
Don’t Overheat the Chocolate
Gentle heat produces a smoother coating.
Work in Batches
Keep most of the peanut butter balls refrigerated while dipping a smaller batch.
Food-Grade Paraffin Only
If using paraffin, make sure it is specifically food-grade and intended for candy making. It can also simply be omitted.
🍫 Delicious Variations
Dark Chocolate
Use dark chocolate chips for a richer, less-sweet coating.
White Chocolate
Dip the balls in melted white chocolate and drizzle with milk chocolate.
Pretzel Peanut Butter Balls
Add ½ cup finely crushed pretzels to the peanut butter mixture for a sweet-and-salty crunch.
Crunchy Peanut Butter
Replace creamy peanut butter with crunchy peanut butter for added texture.
Chocolate Peanut Butter
Add 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder to the peanut butter filling.
Storage
Store the finished peanut butter balls in an airtight container.
Refrigerator: Up to 2 weeks.
Allow them to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving for a softer peanut butter center.
Freezing
These freeze beautifully.
Arrange the finished balls in a single layer until frozen, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
🥜🍫 Recipe Summary
These No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls combine a sweet, creamy peanut butter center with a rich chocolate shell for the ultimate classic candy.
They’re simple enough for everyday treats but special enough for holiday candy trays.
No oven, minimal effort, and that irresistible peanut butter-and-chocolate combination in every bite.