Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies is a delicious twist on a classic treat. The crispy rice cereal combines with the creamy peanut butter for a fabulous dessert.
If your family loves Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls and Rice Krispie Treats, you have to try this new recipe. It is the perfect combination of chocolate, peanut butter, rice krispies cereal and more.
You will love this no bake dessert recipe.
Table of contents
Why We Love This Recipe
I have been making traditional peanut butter balls for over 15 years and this recipe is a great twist. It is creamy and crunchy all at the same time. I think you are going to love it as much as we do.
The recipe calls for only a few simple ingredients. It’s so fast to put together.
Ingredients
- Creamy Peanut Butter. I prefer the texture of creamy peanut butter in this recipe. Crunchy peanut butter has chopped peanuts, and the texture is different.
- Butter. Softened at room temperature.
- Vanilla Extract. Pure vanilla extract is best.
- Powdered Sugar. Sift the powdered sugar to remove any lumps if necessary.
- Rice Krispies Cereal. Make sure to use fresh cereal.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips. Semi-Sweet chocolate helps to the peanut butter balls from being overly sweet.
Get the complete list of ingredients at the bottom of the page.
Variations
- Peanut Butter. We used creamy peanut butter, but you can also use crunchy peanut butter in this candy recipe.
- Chocolate. We used semi sweet morsels but you can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate, You can even try white chocolate.
- Sprinkles. If you are making these for a birthday party or holiday, feel free to top the balls with sprinkles. You can easily coordinate holidays and theme colors.
- Drizzle chocolate on top. This is optional but looks really pretty. I like to drizzle extra chocolate on top or use something different such as white chocolate. It makes the peanut butter balls look so fancy.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Line the baking sheet. I like to use wax paper to cover the pan. This makes clean up much easier.
Step 2. Get out a large bowl and cream together the ingredients.
Step 3. Mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla extract and powdered sugar together.
Step 4. Combine until smooth and creamy.
Step 5. Add the cereal to the mixture by hand.
Step 6. Mix together until well combined.
Step 7. Form into balls and place on the lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 8. Melt the chocolate chips. Put the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl.
Step 9. Heat in 30 second intervals. Make sure to stir between each interval until the chocolate is fully melted.
Step 10. Coat in chocolate. Dip each peanut butter ball once chilled into the melted chocolate.
Step 11. Use a fork to lift the ball out of the chocolate and then put them back on the baking sheet.
Step 12. After you have coated all of the peanut butter balls, place the cookie sheet in the fridge. It will take about 15 to 30 minutes to completely harden the chocolate coating.
Step 13. Place on a platter and enjoy.
Storage
Place the peanut butter balls inside an airtight container. I like to separate the layers of candy with parchment paper, so they do not stick together.
Place in the fridge up to 3 weeks. If your family enjoys them as much as we do, they won’t last that long though.
Pro Tips
- Rice Krispies. You can use store brand or any brand of rice crispies you prefer.
- Room temperature ingredients. This recipe will be easier to mix if you use room temperature butter.
- Stir the chocolate in intervals. Make sure to melt the chocolate in 30 second intervals so you do not burn it.
- Cookie Scoop. It is easier to form the balls if you use a cookie scoop. Not only is this quick but each one will be uniform.
- Slightly crush the cereal. The cereal needs to be slightly crushed prior to mixing with the other ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
We use the microwave to melt chocolate. You do not need a double boiler or anything fancy.
Simply put the chocolate morsels in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time and stir.
Make sure to microwave in intervals or you risk burning the chocolate. Learn How to Melt Chocolate Chips for more tips and tricks.
Yes, you can freeze this recipe. In fact, it freezes really well, and we do this often for holidays and special occasions.
Just make sure to place the candy inside an airtight container. Also, place layers of parchment paper in between the peanut butter balls.
This will make it easy to grab just a couple and they won’t stick together.
They can be frozen up to 2 to 3 months. We make these every year for the holidays and also for birthdays.
It saves me a ton of time since they can be made up to 3 months in advance. You can whip up a batch when you have time and enjoy them later.
They taste just as delicious frozen as they do freshly made.
If the peanut butter balls are too sticky, they need more powdered sugar. Gradually add more to the mixture until it is no longer sticky.
More Chocolate Peanut Butter Desserts
- 2 Ingredient chocolate peanut butter fudge
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups Recipe
- 4 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Make these today for a dessert everyone will most certainly enjoy. You might want to make extra so you will have some for the freezer! Please leave a comment once you try them.
Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies
Ingredients
- 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- ¼ cup Butter softened
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 2 cups Rice Krispies Cereal crushed
- 12 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 2 Tbsp Shortening
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and set aside.
- Cream together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla extract and powdered sugar together in a large bowl.
- Then stir in the crushed Rice Krispies Cereal.
- Then shape the mixture into small balls (bite size). Place the peanut butter balls on the prepared cookie sheet with waxed paper and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Place the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second intervals, stir between each interval until the chocolate is fully melted.
- Dip each of the chilled peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate. Lift the ball out of the chocolate with a fork and then transfer them back to the baking sheet.
- Once all of your peanut butter balls are coated, put the cookie sheet in the fridge for 15-30 minutes. This will ensure the chocolate coating is completely hardened.
