Buckeye peanut butter balls recipe with rice krispies

You’ll love these delicious no bake chocolate covered peanut butter balls! This recipe includes only 5 ingredients and is so easy to make.

Every Christmas growing up, my mom and I would make the same Christmas goodies– peanut butter balls and cut-out cookies. I loved helping my mom make and bake these special cookies at Christmastime. I always look forward to traveling home and making this chocolate peanut butter balls recipe with my mom. They’re the best peanut butter and chocolate treat in my opinion.

I made these bad boys for our annual Christmas party this past weekend. I also made spinach dip with Hawaiian bread, gooey butter cookies, and peppermint Oreo truffles. And while it isn’t seasonal, I had a request from our friend who was visiting from out-of-state to make my famous peach cobbler, so I dug out some of the peaches I froze this summer.

And earlier in the Christmas season, I made them for my cookie exchange. They were such a big hit! Everyone was so excited to go home and make some for their family and friends.

These Peanut Butter Balls Are:

1. no bake
2. not dense
3. dipped in chocolate
4. made with crushed rice krispies
5. amazing

Peanut Butter Balls Vs Buckeyes

Now, I realize some of you call these “Buckeyes” or “Buckeye Balls” even though my version involves completely covering them in chocolate and true Buckeyes are bare on top. But I grew up calling them peanut butter balls, so peanut butter balls they are.

Keep in mind that because you’re using rice krispies, the one inch balls will be more like crispy peanut butter balls. But trust me, these are so much better than dense peanut butters that are almost like fudge. These are lighter because of the crispiness.

The 5 Ingredients

1. Peanut Butter — You can use any peanut butter you like, but I highly suggest using Peter Pan creamy peanut butter for this recipe. I’ve used other brands of peanut butter with this recipe, but PP is my favorite. I also suggest using this chocolate coating. I’ve never had any issues with it.

2. Butter — I prefer salted butter. It helps to balance out the sweetness of the powdered sugar.

3. Crisped Rice Cereal — This is the unexpected ingredient that makes these peanut butter balls so good. The crushed crisped rice cereal gives a slight crunch that’s so good.

4. Powdered Sugar — It makes the peanut butter balls denser and sweetens things up.

5. Chocolate or Almond Bark — I prefer almond bark, but that’s because I grew up eating the PB balls with an almond bark coating but chocolate tastes great too. But if you want to melt chocolate chips in a double boiler and use that as your coating, knock yourself out. And also feel free to mix it up– milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate. Even though white chocolate peanut butter cups aren’t my favorite, white chocolate peanut butter balls would be delicious if that’s your favorite.

Peanut Butter Balls Video

My 4 Tips to Apply in this Recipe

2. Use a Stand Mixer: After hand mixing this recipe for years, I’ll never go back after using this amazing piece of machinery. And I LOVE this accessory. Seriously, put them on your Christmas or birthday wish list.

3. Refrigerate Mixture Before Rolling and Dipping: After mixing everything together in a large bowl, I recommend putting the peanut butter mixture in the fridge for 1-2 hours before rolling. Also, I’ve found it’s easier to dip the balls if they’re refrigerated for an hour before dipping them in the melted chocolate. Simply roll them, place them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or foil, and set them in the fridge.

4. Sticky Balls: If you find that the balls aren’t rolling very well and seem to be sticky, add a little more confectioners sugar and crushed cereal.

5. Uniform Balls: I also recommend using one of these to make the balls uniform in size. Best kitchen tool ever!

How to Make Peanut Butter Balls

1. Mix together the smooth peanut butter and butter. The mixture will look like thinner peanut butter.

2. Add in the powdered sugar and crush crisped rice cereal. Depending on the peanut butter you use and the oil content of the peanut butter, you may need to add in some more powdered sugar and crushed crisped rice cereal.

3. Chill. Chill the mixture for 1-2 hours. This helps the mixture set up, making it easier to roll into balls.

4. Roll into balls. Use a cookie scoop to form the perfect-sized balls. Roll into balls and place on foil.

5. Dip in chocolate or candy coating. Drop the balls into the chocolate. Remove the balls with toothpicks. If the balls are falling apart in the chocolate, chill the remaining balls for 1-2 hours so they firm up a little.

These peanut butter balls are a huge hit! They're no bake, easy to make, and require only 5 ingredients!

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: buckeyes, chocolate covered peanut butter balls, chocolate peanut butter balls, chocolate peanut butter truffles, no bake, no bake peanut butter balls, peanut butter balls, peanut butter buckeyes

Servings: 4 dozen

• 3 c. crisped rice cereal measure out 3 c. then crush
• 2 c. smooth peanut butter
• 3/4 c. butter softened
• 3 3/4 c. powdered sugar
• 1 pound melting chocolate OR almond bark

1. Mix together: 2 c. smooth peanut butter and 3/4 c. butter

2. Add: 3 3/4 c. powdered sugar 3 c. crushed crisped rice cereal

3. Chill mixture for 1-2 hours. Use cookie scoop to make uniform balls. Roll into balls. Melt 1 lb. of chocolate. Dip balls into chocolate. Remove with a toothpick. Place on foil or wax paper until cool.

4. Yields 3-4 dozen peanut butter balls, dependent on size. Store in airtight container at room temperature. Best when eaten fresh or within 2-3 days.

5. NOTES: If you're having a hard time getting the balls out of the chocolate with a toothpick, try a fork. Or refrigerate the balls for an hour before dipping. Do not substitute margarine for butter.

1. REFRIGERATE: I recommend putting the peanut butter mixture in the fridge for 1-2 hours before rolling.
2. PEANUT BUTTER BRAND: I highly suggest using Peter Pan creamy peanut butter for this recipe. 
3. STICKY  BALLS: If you find that the balls aren’t rolling very well and seem to be sticky, add a little more confectioners sugar and crushed cereal. 
4. DIPPING THE BALLS: It’s easier to dip the balls if they’re refrigerated for an hour before dipping them in the melted chocolate. Simply roll them, place them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or foil, and set them in the fridge. 
5. UNIFORM BALLS: I also recommend using a cookie scoop to make uniform balls.

Why are my peanut butter balls are too sticky?

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