If you’re a peanut butter and chocolate lover like me, get ready to meet your new holiday obsession! These Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies combine the absolute best flavors into one deliciously decadent, crispy and melt-in-your-mouth candy. With a peanut butter rice crispy center enrobed in a thick coating of rich chocolate, they’re like peanut butter cups met rice crispy treats in the most heavenly way possible.
Every Christmas season, these irresistible chocolatey peanut butter balls are one of the first treats I make. It’s been a treasured family tradition passed down from my Nana – we’d spend hours in the kitchen whipping up batch after batch to gift to neighbors, teachers and friends. The salty-sweet flavors, the contrast of crispy and smooth textures, it’s pure nostalgic bliss in candy form!
Why This Is the Best Peanut Butter Ball Recipe
- Easy no-bake recipe with just 6 simple ingredients
- Double dose of chocolate and peanut butter in every single bite
- Adding rice krispies gives them an addictive crunch you can’t stop eating
- Fun to make with kids for a sweet holiday activity
- Hold their shape well at room temp for gifting and cookie trays
- You can make them ahead and freeze for nicely portioned treats
The filling for these crispy peanut butter balls is essentially a peanut butter rice crispy treat mixture, but better. Peanut butter gets creamed with butter, vanilla, powdered sugar and crispy rice cereal until it forms a soft, pliable dough that you can easily roll into balls. Then it’s time for the real magic – a dunk in chocolate candy coating for the ultimate peanut buttery and chocolate shell.
While they’re absolutely perfect for tucking into Christmas gift bags and cookie boxes, the real reason I make them is because they’re downright irresistible to snack on! Maybe it’s the combo of sweet and salty flavors or the way the chocolate crackles when you bite into the crispy filling, but I defy you to eat just one.
They come together so easily with just 6 basic ingredients too. No need to turn on the oven – simply mix, roll, chill, then dip in melted chocolate or candy coating. Top them off with sprinkles, crushed peanuts or more rice crispies if you want to get extra fancy.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Balls
- Make the peanut butter dough by creaming together peanut butter, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar.
- Mix in crispy rice cereal until fully incorporated.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and chill for 30 minutes.
- Dip or drizzle the balls completely in melted chocolate candy coating.
- Let the chocolate set completely before storing.
The filling stays deliciously intact at room temp, making them ideal for holiday gifting and cookie platters. I also love stashing the dipped balls in the freezer for a quick chocolate peanut butter fix whenever the craving hits!
Tips for the Best Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
- Use creamy or crunchy peanut butter – both work great
- Chill the centers fully before dipping in chocolate so they hold their shape
- For a thinner chocolate coating, thin melted chocolate with 1-2 tsp vegetable oil
- Dress them up with sprinkles, finely chopped peanuts or more rice crispies
- Store at room temp, fridge or freezer depending on your climate
These chocolate peanut butter rice crispy balls might just be my favorite holiday candy – they’re that addictive! Portable, freezer-friendly and loaded with nostalgic flavors, they’re guaranteed to disappear in a flash at any cookie exchange or holiday gathering. One batch is never enough when it comes to these decadent treats. My Nana’s legacy lives on!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies
Ingredients
- 2 cups creamy OR crunchy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups crispy rice cereal
- 16 oz chocolate candy coating
Toppings:
- chopped peanuts
- sprinkles
- extra rice crispies
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter and butter until smooth. Beat in the vanilla.
- Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until fully combined and a dough forms. Fold in the rice krispies.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and chill for 30 minutes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Melt the chocolate coating according to package directions. Dip or drizzle the chilled peanut butter balls completely in chocolate.
- Optionally decorate with crushed peanuts, sprinkles, extra rice crispies, etc. Let chocolate set completely before serving.
- Store at room temp for up to 2 weeks, refrigerated for up to 1 month, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Let me know if you need any other tips to make these the most delicious chocolate peanut butter rice crispy candy balls!
Amazing recipes, so easy to follow