These healthy peanut butter balls are crunchy, chocolatey, and made with just 5 simple ingredients. An easy no-bake treat with crispy rice cereal and no refined sugar!

No bake peanut butter balls arranged on a table.

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These healthy peanut butter balls are my lighter take on classic chocolate-covered peanut butter balls, with a crunchy twist. Instead of butter and powdered sugar, they're made with just 5 simple ingredients, including natural peanut butter and crispy rice cereal, for a salty-sweet center with plenty of crunch.

I've found that chilling the peanut butter balls before dipping is key: it helps them hold their shape and makes the chocolate coating set quickly. They're an easy no-bake dessert that's perfect for the holidays, gifting, or whenever you need a chocolate-peanut butter fix.

For more healthy treats, try my healthy chocolate cookies and cookie dough energy bites!

Jump to:

⭐️ Why You'll Love These Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
🥜 Ingredient Notes
🥄 How To Make Healthy Peanut Butter Balls
👩🏼‍🍳 Tips For The Best Peanut Butter Balls
Storage & Freezing
More Healthy Treats
Healthy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

⭐️ Why You'll Love These Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Just 5 ingredients: Simple pantry ingredients and no powdered sugar or butter.
Crunchy + creamy: Crispy rice cereal gives the creamy peanut butter filling a light crunch.
No bake: There's no oven required-just mix, roll, chill, and dip.
Make ahead: Store them in the refrigerator or freezer for an easy dessert whenever you want one.

🥜 Ingredient Notes

Crisped rice cereal - Gives the filling its signature crunch. Use your favorite brand of crispy rice cereal.
Natural peanut butter - Use a well-stirred, natural peanut butter so the oil is completely incorporated before measuring.
Maple syrup - Provides just a touch of sweetness.
Chocolate chips - I recommend using dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips to balance the sweetness of the peanut butter filling.

🥄 How To Make Healthy Peanut Butter Balls

*For printable instructions, see recipe card below.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place rice cereal, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and maple syrup in medium-sized bowl and mix thoroughly using a rubber spatula.

peanut butter balls on baking sheet ready to be dipped in chocolate.

Using a 1-inch cookie scoop, scoop peanut butter mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place peanut butter balls in refrigerator to firm up for at least 15 minutes while you prepare your chocolate.

small bowl of melted chocolate with a whisk in the background.

Melt chocolate: Place chocolate chips in a medium-sized bowl and microwave for 30 seconds on high. Give it a good stir. Repeat and stir again. The chocolate should be almost melted at this point.

peanut butter balls without powdered sugar being dipped into chocolate.

Dip in chocolate: Using a fork, dip balls into chocolate. Lightly tap fork against side of bowl to get rid of any excess chocolate. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets until chocolate is completely set. This usually takes several minutes.

👩🏼‍🍳 Tips For The Best Peanut Butter Balls

Peanut butter balls with rice krispies arranged on a wooden table.

Stir natural peanut butter first. You want the oil fully incorporated so the filling isn't overly greasy.
Chill before dipping. Cold peanut butter balls are firmer and much easier to coat in warm chocolate.
Use a fork for dipping. Let excess chocolate drip through the tines before transferring the ball to parchment.
If the mixture is too soft: Chill it before rolling.
If it's too dry: Add a small amount of peanut butter until it holds together.

Storage & Freezing

Refrigerator: Store peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let them soften briefly before serving if you prefer a softer center.

More Healthy Treats

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old fashioned peanut butter balls stacked on parchment paper with some cut in half

Healthy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Author: MaryAnne

These peanut butter balls are crunchy, chocolatey, and made with just 5 simple ingredients. An easy no-bake treat with crispy rice cereal and no refined sugar!

5 from 10 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 0

Total Time 30

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings balls

Calories 103 kcal

Ingredients

▢ 2 cups crisped rice cereal (Rice Krispies)
▢ 1 ½ cups crunchy (all-natural, unsweetened) peanut butter *if using sweetened, omit the maple syrup
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
▢ 16 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

Instructions

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place rice cereal, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and maple syrup in medium-sized bowl and mix thoroughly using a rubber spatula.
Using a 1-inch cookie scoop, scoop mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set aside. Place balls in refrigerator to firm up a bit while you prepare your chocolate.
Place chocolate chips in a medium-sized bowl and microwave for 30 seconds on high. Give it a good stir. Repeat and stir again. The chocolate should be almost melted at this point. Be very careful not to overheat the chocolate chips. The chocolate should feel neutral in temperature. Stir for several minutes to ensure chocolate is completely melted but also not too warm. If it feels too warm, continue to stir. The chocolate mixture will thicken as it cools.
Using a fork, dip balls into chocolate. Lightly tap fork against side of bowl to get rid of any excess chocolate. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets until chocolate is completely set. This usually takes several minutes. (You can also place baking sheet in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to help set the chocolate).

Notes

Storage: Store in an airtight container at in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 103kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 87mgPotassium: 249mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 1mg

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