These crunchy Rice Krispie Peanut Butter Balls have the flavor of peanut butter and chocolate with a satisfying crunch that is made with only 5 ingredients. These crispy buckeyes are a pop-in-your-mouth treat that no one can refuse. Easy to make and perfect for those days you need a chocolate fix.
Creamy peanut butter centers with a smooth chocolate coating and a fun twist of a little crunch! These crispy buckeyes are always a hit.
Jump to:
They're a super easy dessert recipe when you don't know what to make. No one can say no to popping one in their mouth. Plus, if you love chocolate candy, check out my Chocolate Peppermint Bark Recipe, Spanish Chocolate Krispy Treats, or my Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats!
Ingredients:
You will need the following ingredients to make these Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Balls:
Ingredient Notes:
Use Good Chocolate - Using store-bought chocolate is fine; however, if you want to make this recipe the best it can be, use Valhrona, Callebaut, or Guittard semi-sweet chocolate. Chocolate is my love language and I use the the same terrific chocolate in other recipes like my Dark Chocolate Truffles or the Dark Chocolate Bark. You can check out what is "good" chocolate by reading about the Complexity of Chocolate.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Variations
While these are delicious without changing a thing, there are a few ways you can make these your own style:
- Toppings - you can make these buckeyes festive by sprinkling on some crushed colored sprinkles once they're dipped in the chocolate. Similarly, if you love the sweet and salty flavor, sprinkle the tiniest bit of flaky sea salt on the balls before letting them set. Try adding some crushed salted peanuts to the outside, flaky coconut, or crushed peppermint candy canes to jazz up the look and taste.
- Chocolate - if you want to switch up the look of the buckeyes, you can also dip the crunchy peanut butter balls into white chocolate or milk chocolate for a unique twist. Are you a chocolate lover? Add extra chocolate with a second layer of dipping.
- Peanut Butter - swap the regular peanut butter for crunchy peanut butter and get a whole other level of crunch. This may make combining the ingredients a little harder but the taste is really good. If you want to stay away from peanut butter, try almond butter or sunflower seed butter.
Do You Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from A Sweet Thyme
How to Make Rice Krispie Peanut Butter Balls
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, peanut butter, and rice krispies.
Step 2: Roll them into small 1-inch balls and place them on a prepared baking sheet topped with parchment paper. Place them into the refrigerator for a minimum of two hours.
Step 3: After two hours, place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Melt the chocolate by placing the bowl into the microwave and microwaving the chocolate on high using 30-second intervals, making sure to stir the chocolate in between cycles.
Step 4: Place a toothpick into the top of the ball and coat them by dipping them one by one into the melted chocolate.
Set them on a tray lined with parchment or wax paper and let them set for an hour.
Pro Tips
You need to a no-stir peanut butter for these buckeyes. Natural peanut butter has too much oil in it and will result in the balls not holding together well.
Make sure to chop or pulse the Rice Krispies in a blender or food processor before mixing. This helps hold the balls together and gives you just that hint of crunch you need.
I am a huge chocolate fan! You may also like trying my Dark Chocolate Covered Nut Clusters or Simple Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Place the buckeyes in an airtight container, freezer-safe container, or plastic bag once they're set and the chocolate has hardened. You may want to separate them by layers of parchment paper to prevent sticking. Stored like this, they'll last in the freezer for up to 3 months. To enjoy them, let them thaw in the fridge overnight then allow them to come to room temperature.
You can swap the peanut butter in crispy buckeyes for sunflower seed butter to make them nut-free. Remember that you need to find a nut-free butter that isn't oily and is pre-stirred for the recipe to work.
It is the result of water, in the form of dampness or condensation, that interacted with the chocolate. Allow the container of buckeyes to come to room temperature on the counter before enjoying.
Dinner Ideas To Enjoy With Chocolate
This easy candy recipe will be a surefire hit on your Holiday cookie tray and a huge hit with your family and friends. Using a handful of ingredients, these chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls are the best buckeyes you will ever eat!
Let me know your thoughts on these Rice Krispie Peanut Butter Balls by leaving a star rating below or by sharing it on Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, or Pinterest!
Thank you!
Gwen
Rice Krispie Peanut Butter Balls
Do You Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from A Sweet Thyme
Ingredients
- 8 oz unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 3 cup Rice Krispies chopped in a blender or food processor
- 1 lb powdered sugar
- 2 bags semi-sweet chocolate chips 12 ounces each
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, peanut butter, and Rice Krispies.
- Roll them into small 1-inch balls and place them on a prepared baking sheet topped with parchment paper.
- Place them into the refrigerator for a minimum of two hours.
- After two hours, place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl.
- Melt the chocolate by placing the bowl into the microwave and microwaving the chocolate on high using 30 second intervals, making sure to stir the chocolate in between cycles.
- Place a toothpick into the top of the ball and coat them by dipping them one by one into the melted chocolate.
- Set them on a tray lined with parchment or wax paper and let them set for an hour.
Linda R says
These look delicious but they are not gluten free, They contain barley malt. To be gluten free you would have to substitute with an alternative brand of cereal.
Gwen Wolken says
You are correct! I have been going through my recipes and updating them. I haven't updated this one but I did go back and take out the GF references for now.
Anonymous says
Yum!