I have fond memories of making peanut butter balls with my mom and sister every holiday season. The women in my family are all big peanut butter and chocolate fans, so it seems like a natural holiday dessert to splurge on. In fact, I know when they see this post they’ll be running to the kitchen to make this version! You can’t beat how easy peanut butter balls are to throw together during those hectic last-minute preparations.
This year, I came up with a lighter version of my childhood favourite. Rather than using 2 cups of powdered sugar and plenty of butter like the old recipe, I turned to a few lighter ingredients to do the same job.
This version contains much less sweetener than classic recipes, but I promise you won’t even notice the difference, especially once the chocolate coating is in place!
The secret to achieving a similar dough (without all the powdered sugar) is a little trick I picked up from making homemade nut butter in my food processor. I noticed when I added too much maple syrup into the machine, it would cause the nut butter to seize up (i.e., get really thick). After that point, no matter how much I processed the nut butter, it never returned back to it’s creamy, drippy state. A similar thing happens when you add water to melted chocolate.
For this recipe, I used this knowledge to my advantage by stirring the peanut butter and maple syrup vigorously, until the mixture “seized” and thickened up. Well, it worked like a charm! All I had to do after that was add a couple tablespoons of coconut flour for additional thickening powers. Coconut flour is quite dense and drying, so just a little bit did the trick. No powdered sugar necessary. Yes!
Tip: If you are new to coconut flour and don’t want to buy a whole bag, try buying a small amount from a bulk food bin. I’m pretty sure Bulk Barn carries coconut flour.
At first, when you stir in the maple syrup, it will look quite runny and you’ll think there’s no way it’s going to thicken up, but it does. Just keep on stirring! It took me probably 30 seconds of stirring and letting it sit a couple minutes helps it firm up too (the coconut flour absorbs a lot of moisture). The timing will depend on how thick (or thin) your brand of peanut butter is (I only recommend using 100% all-natural peanut butter with nothing else added). It’s quite possible you might need a touch more (or less) coconut flour than what I used. I’m not sure if other sweeteners will work the same way that maple syrup does, so I can’t vouch for the results if you swap out the maple syrup.
Once it thickened up, I stirred in some sea salt to enhance the flavours and rice crisp cereal for a crunchy texture. Oh my….simply irresistible!!
Watch them disappear almost as quickly as they were made.
Peanut Better Balls
Yield
16-20 balls
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Chill time
25
Total time
These peanut butter balls forgo the powdered sugar and butter, and instead use a few lighter ingredients using only a fraction of the sweetener compared to traditional recipes. You'll wonder how you ever lived without this recipe around the holidays! It's quick to throw together and makes about 16-20 balls that will fill a platter for a holiday party. For mess-free finger food, place the balls in mini cupcake liners.
Ingredients
- 1 cup 100% natural peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
- 3.5-4 tablespoons pure maple syrup, to taste (see note)
- 1-3 tablespoons coconut flour, only if needed
- fine grain sea salt, to taste (I used 1/4 teaspoon)
- 6 tablespoons gluten-free rice crisp cereal
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life)
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
Directions
- Stir the jar of peanut butter well before using. In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter and maple syrup vigorously, for 30-60 seconds, until it thickens up. It will go from runny to thick during this time.
- Stir in the coconut flour until combined (if your PB is dry, you might be able to skip this step or only use half). We're looking for a texture that isn't too sticky, but not too dry either. Let it sit for a couple minutes to firm up as the coconut flour will continue to absorb moisture with time. Add a touch more coconut flour if necessary. Or if it's too dry, add a touch more syrup.
- Add salt to taste and stir in the cereal.
- Shape into small balls (I made about 17).
- In a small pot, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil and heat over low heat, stirring frequently. Once half the chips have melted, remove from heat and stir until completely smooth.
- With a fork, dip the balls into the melted chocolate. Tap off excess chocolate on the side of the pot and place the ball on a plate or cutting board lined with parchment. Repeat for the rest. Save any leftover melted chocolate for later.
- Place balls in the freezer for around 6-8 minutes until mostly firm.
- Dip a fork into the leftover melted chocolate and drizzle it on top of the balls to create a "sophisticated" design like the baking diva you are.
- Freeze the balls for another 10-15 minutes, until the chocolate is completely set. If you can wait that long, you win life.
Tip:
1) I'm not sure if other liquid sweeteners will work in this recipe (and firm up the peanut butter the same way as maple syrup does), therefore I can't recommend any. A reader did tell me that agave nectar worked for her though! 2) I recommend only using 100% natural peanut butter for this recipe. You just want to see roasted peanuts on the label (and maybe salt, if it’s salted). The no-stir kinds made with oil and sugar might not work the same way. The PB I used was very drippy. If your PB seems dry, you probably won't need to use all of the coconut flour.
These look lovely! Love the addition of coconut flour! I am sure it adds great texture!
I made these using a peanut free butter I bought and subbed out the coconut flour for Brown rice flour. Delicious and still gluten free. We love them!
I am so making these for my husband – he is a peanut butter fiend. I might even try some with my favourite cashew butter – mmmm, the possibilites are endless
This is my first comment on your blog. I love PB & chocolate anything so I’m super excited to make this ASAP! I’ve been following your blog for years & all the recipes I’ve tried have been great! Thanks for making being vegan a little easier to share amazing recipes with family & friends:)
Thanks for your comment Laurie! I hope you enjoy them :)
Oh my, these look heavenly! I know these as “Buckeyes” and they were a childhood favorite. I haven’t made them in years, because of all the butter and sugar! I will definitely be making these, they seem almost too good to be true.
(Love the light bokeh, beautiful!)
Just made these! They were so good! One is just enough to satisfy a craving for something decadent. Thank you!
Would it change if I didn’t use rice cereal? I have all the ingredients but those. They look so good!
Did you try it without the rice cereal? I was wondering the same thing
Hi! I didn’t add the cereal. They came out really great, but next time I’m going to add it because I think the crunch would make them even better!
I used some coarse chopped almonds and oats instead of the rice cereal! Added texture and turned out great !
I didn’t want to buy a whole box of rice crispies just for this so I didn’t use them either. I did however add dried cranberries for contrast. They’re great! I was a bit worried about the measurments because around this corner of the world we use the metric system, but this recipe was so easy I basically didn’t even need to measure!
I am not a fan of coconut at all. Can another flour and oil be used?
Hi Susan, I’m not sure about substitutes as I’ve only tested them using the ingredients in the recipe. Sorry I can’t be of more help!
You can try not using any flour OR oil. If you homemake the peanut butter it should be firm anyway ;)
Susan j- I don’t care for coconut either,however, I use coconut flour in many recipes and I don’t taste coconut at all. Maybe give it a try in a small batch because these look absolutely scrumptious! Definitely making these for the holidays!
Susan, have you ever tried subbing in peanut flour? You can purchase it on amazon and iherb.com
Sherry
They do look yummy and want to try them. That is a good suggestion the half batch. thanks
Amelia
No I have not but what a great idea.. I will try the peanut flour. I didn’t even know they had peanut flour but that would be great in this recipe. thanks!
I used garbanzo flour and they actually turned out amazing… yum yum!
These look amazing! Peanut butter balls are my favorite Christmas candy since childhood and I’ve been wanting to find a way to lighten them up without sacrificing the flavor. This looks like you nailed it. I can’t wait to try them!!
I have never used coconut flour before; I think I am going to half to try it. What a wonderful alternative to a classic treat.
Angela these look & sound incredible! I’m a big fan of cookie dough, balls, truffles, bites, and if it has PB (and coconut flour and those great little crispy rice cereal bits in it), all the better! I need a dozen :) pinned
OH MY – These look amazing! I can’t think of any better combination than chocolate and peanut butter – I think it would be hard not to “sample” all the dough – I am not sure if I would even be even able to make it to the “ball” stage ;) Can’t wait to make these! :D
yes, it’s very hard not to just grab the bowl and enjoy with a spoon! hah.
Can these be made in advance and stored in the
fridge until serving? They sound amazing & I’d like
to make them a few days in advance. :-) Thanks!!
I can’t see why not!
My husband is a huge fan of the peanut butter balls at Christmas time. I cannot wait to make these for him! Thanks for a great recipe!
Oh yeah, babe! These are getting made ASAP!
these look delicious, angela!
I do love me some peanut butter and chocolate. I can’t wait to try this one!
Do you think they would ship ok?
Hi Lori, I don’t think they would hold up in transit…well, I think the chocolate coating would potentially melt depending on the conditions?
I will definitely be making these for the holidays! Can you change the peanut butter to almond butter? We have a peanut allergy in the house. By the way I just wanted to to say thank you for all the amazing recipes you continually post. You are hands down the BEST food blog ever!!!!
Hey Diane, Thanks for your kind words!
I’m not sure about swapping the peanut butter in this recipe. I’ve only tried it this way so I really don’t know if the almond butter and maple syrup would thicken the same way. Let us know how it goes if you try it! The recipe can be halved so maybe you could try a smaller batch.
These look phenomenal!! LOVE!
These look delicious! I cannot wait to try them!
These look beautiful! I’ve made peanut butter chocolate balls with a similar recipe but NEVER have mine looked as pretty!
My grandma always used to make these for Christmas but these look like a far healthier option! I can’t wait to try them!
This must be a sign! I have had coconut flour sitting in my pantry and truer a recipe yesterday only to have it be awful. Idk why I try any other recipes besides yours! Now I have a new dessert to take to the inlaws for Christmas!! Thank you!
i love these, thanks for the lighter version :)
do you mix the cereal in with the coconut flour?
Yum! I’m a sucker for chocolate-coated anything, so these are right up my alley!
Hi Angela,
Thanks for the awesome recipe! When do you add the cereal? I don’t see it mentioned in the directions.
It’s at the end of step 2 (easy to miss!) Hope this helps. :)
Peanut butter balls has always been a holiday tradition with my mom and sister too! I was just trying to think of a way I could make a healthier vegan version so this is perfect! Thanks :)
Yum! I know it’s not vegan, but honey does the same thing as maple syrup so that would work too for those who are not strictly vegan!
These look great! Do you have any idea how well they hold up outside the fridge? Not for a long time, just a few hours for a party on the counter.
Ours were on the counter for an hour before they were all gone ;) Not sure after that. It will depend on the room temperature. If the room is hot, I wouldn’t keep them out long or I would try placing them on a plate that’s been in the freezer.
We found that if you kept them out for a couple of hours, they did get a little soft, but not unbearably so. I personally like the chocolate kind of crunchy around the soft PB, so we just keep them in a container in the fridge.
Oh – my mom makes peanut butter balls every year! I was diagnosed with Celiac a few years back and it just never felt like Christmas without them. Last year was the first year she attempted GF PB balls – I ate them all…in a week and a half…and it was a double batch. I wish I were kidding. Part of me hopes that she made them this year too but my waistline hopes she didn’t!
These are right up my alley! Can’t wait to give these a try this holiday season – I know they will be a winner with my family!
I CANNOT BELIEVE you just posted this! I made pb balls yesterday but was needing a better recipe – just googled it this morning as I want to make a whole other batch! You are a mind reader! I also made your pumpkin gingerbread bars yesterday – loved them! I made a plain glaze but used sucanat to make the powdered sugar so it was a brown glaze which looked so perfect on this type of bar!
what would I do without your blog?????
Thank you AGAIN! :-)
I’ve never heard of peanut butter balls before, but these certainly do look delicious! Looks like they have an amazing texture, and of course the pb-chocolate combo can’t be beat. Can’t wait to try!
Oh em gee! Peanut butter is my favourite food on the planet, but I just got a bunch of almond butter…would I have to adjust the recipe in any way if I wanted to use almond butter instead?
I have just discovered your blog and it is giving me so much hope! I have tried to make the transition to a plant-based diet a few times and was unsuccessful because I felt like I had to give up all of my traditional favorites. You are giving me so much hope! Thank you for writing.
I’m so happy to hear that Kate! I found a slow and steady approach (rather than all at once) worked for me. Good luck with your transition!
I think I just fell more in love with your website. . . if that is even possible! My favorite food combo ever, in healthier form!! YES!
Question. . . Do you have to use the crispy rice cereal in the mix? I think I would prefer to make it without. . .
Thanks for such wonderful recipes that grace my table quite often!
It’s totally optional if you don’t want to use it! I just love the crunch it provides.
Thanks for your lovely comments about the blog!
I like these better than your traditional peanut butter balls. The coconut is such a lovely addition!
Wow these look so great! I’m not the biggest peanut butter fan, long story, but I like it in little hits here and there. This seems like a great way to eat a ball (or two!) and give the rest away as a gift. Plus, coconut flour? YUM!
I’m dying by how delicious these look!! I’m going to have to try these for sure!!
I once mixed some honey into peanut butter, and it thickened up significantly in the jar. So that would probably work here too. Though depending on your opinion of honey’s vegan-ness, that might make it not vegan.
Please check the ingredients of the natural peanut butter when you choose one! Many of them have palm oil as an ingredient. The burning of Sumatra and Borneo’s rain forest for palm oil plantations is one of the leading causes of extinction rates in that area of the world
Hi Angela! This may be a goofy question, but did you mix by hand or with a mixer? Thanks!
Not goofy at all – I did it by hand.
Ah! I am so excited! My husband is from Ohio and thus has always had Buckeyes. I know they aren’t very healthy and I’ve been wanting to try something a little more healthy. These look perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for making and sharing this recipe!!! My family grew up making traditional and highly unhealthy peanut butter balls (2-3 cups of the highly processed peanut butter, 2 cups of confectioners sugar, 1 stick of butter!! Eek!) that I haven’t made in years since I stopped eating mainstream peanut butter and butter. (Is mainstream the right word??)
Anyway! I can’t wait to make these and I won’t even feel bad letting my 15 month old son have a taste knowing all the ingredients are so pure!
What a brilliant idea! I’m a sucker for a healthified dessert but these honestly look way better than those filled with powdered sugar. I would have to have some self control not to devour them all!
I haven’t heard of coconut flour. Is it easy to find?
What could I replace the cereal with? We dont buy cereal. If i use a cacao bar how much would u recommand?
Peanut ‘better’ balls – instantly justified ;)
These look so good! I have everything at home to make them except coconut flour. Do you have to use coconut flour or will another type of flour work? Thanks so much!
Ummm, when I get home from vacay, I’m TOTALLY making theseeeeee!!!
Thank you for this! As far as other sweeteners making it thick I have had the same experience with honey and even coconut sugar!
I of course can’t say for sure they will work the same but they do make it really thick as well.
Yum!
I am embarassingly excited about these.
But my poor itty bitty hometown sells no coconut flour. Anyone have suggestions on where I can buy it online (at a reasonable price?) in Canada?
Hilariously, I was eating a peanut butter ball when I came across this post! Except mine definitely had the heaps of icing sugar added. And also a cherry in the middle. So yummy…but I’ll definitely try your version next time I make them!