Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies

Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies are an easy no-bake candy for Christmas! The sweet chocolate coating pairs perfectly with the crunchy peanut butter middle. These are a delicious sweet and salty treat that can’t be resisted.

Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies, which my family lovingly refers to as Goof Balls, are quite possibly the most addicting treat you’ll make this holiday season. They’re quick, easy to whip up, and make perfect gifts, or goodie bags.

This recipe was passed onto me by my Aunt! After just one taste, I was hooked and simply needed to know how to make them. And with her blessing, I’m happy to pass on a traditional Christmas sweet from my family to yours.

What are Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies

Think of a traditional Buckeye candy that’s made with crunchy peanut butter plus Rice Krispies then dipped fully in chocolate! Perfectly sweet and salty!

Why You’ll Love These Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls!

• You’ll achieve impressive results with only a handful of ingredients. 
• Easily scalable recipe means you can make however many you need: whether you’re feeding a whole party or just your family.
• Make these Goof Balls ahead of time and store them in your freezer for whenever a sugar craving strikes.

Ingredients Needed for Peanut Butter Balls!

• Butter – Softened, unsalted butter works best for this recipe since the peanut butter already adds plenty of salty flavor.
• Peanut Butter – Crunchy peanut butter adds texture to these super simple treats. Still, you could use smooth peanut butter for a more truffle-like consistency.
• Powdered Sugar – Powdered sugar helps bind everything together and won’t create a grainy texture like you might get from granulated sugar.
• Rice Krispies – I use regular Rice Krispies. But you could riff on this recipe by using Chocolate Rice Krispies for chocolatey peanut butter heaven.
• Chocolate Coating – I love the flavor that chocolate almond bark gives these treats, but feel free to customize this step. I also think the almond bark melts easier and gives the peanut butter balls the smoothest coating. You can also try semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips or almond bark. 
• Shortening – Reach for butter flavored shortening, but in a pinch regular shortening or even butter can be used in this recipe.

Substitutions

• Chocolate – I love using chocolate or white almond bark because I think this melts the best and gives the smoothest coating on these peanut butter balls, but you can also use chocolate chips, any kind of melting chocolate or candy melts.
• Shortening – The best option is regular shortening, but you could use butter flavored, butter or oil to help smooth out the chocolate and give that shiny, smooth coating.
• Peanut Butter – For the “crunch” in these I prefer to use crunchy peanut butter, but smooth peanut butter can be used. You could even chop up peanuts with your smooth peanut butter if you didn’t have crunchy!

How to Make Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies

Mix Filling & Chill – Combine butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and Rice Krispies. I find it easiest to mix everything but the powdered sugar first. Then incorporate the sugar since it will thicken the mixture to an almost dough-like consistency. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

Form the Balls – Once chilled, you can start forming the Peanut Butter Balls. You’re shooting for walnut-sized treats, so you can eyeball the measurement and roll them between your hands. If you have a #24 cookie scoop on hand, that’s a perfect size.

Melt the Coating – Next, melt the chocolate and Crisco together in a double boiler or microwave. If you’re going to use the microwave, only do so in 15-second intervals, stirring between each to prevent the coating from burning.

Coat and Set – Finally, dip the Goof Balls into the melted coating and then move them to a sheet pan lined with waxed paper to set. I found the least messy way to do this is to use a fork.

How to Melt Chocolate

Melting chocolate can be a little tricky. You can either melt the chocolate on the stovetop or the microwave.

Using almond bark is going to make it easier to melt because it doesn’t seize like chocolate chips if it gets a little to hot. Almond bark is more forgiving.

If you use the stovetop to melt the chocolate I recommend using a double boiler. If you don’t have one you can create one by boiling water in a pot then placing a heat-safe boil with your chocolate on top of the pot.

A double boiler will melt your chocolate more evenly. Make sure to stir the chocolate frequently. You can also use a regular saucepan, but I recommend using a low heat to melt the chocolate to prevent seizing.

If you use a microwave place the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl, heat the chocolate for 20 seconds, stir and continue this until chocolate is completely melted.

Serving Suggestions

• Maybe you’re looking for another truffle-like recipe to serve alongside these unique Goof Balls. Look no further than these Oreo Balls. They offer a completely different flavor profile to round out a spread. But, they look similar enough to the Goof Balls for a cohesive dessert presentation.
• No holiday dessert spread is complete without these Rolo Pretzels. They’re equally simple to the Goof Balls and make a perfect addition to Christmas Cookie Platters.
• Following along with the theme of bite-sized holiday treats, you have to taste my Eggnog Fudge. It’s loaded with creamy, spiced eggnog flavor and chock full of walnuts. It’s another low-effort, high-reward treat to make those busy Christmastime events a little less stressful.

I hope you enjoy this easy no-bake candy for Christmas as much as I do. If you like this recipe you might like my Oreo Balls, too!

More Easy Christmas Candy!

• It doesn’t get easier than this quick and easy Microwave Peanut Brittle!
• With only 3 ingredients these Rolo Pretzels are so easy to make, plus the perfect sweet and salty combination.
• This easy Chocolate Fudge recipe is made with just a three ingredients and it comes out perfectly every single time! You don’t even need a candy thermometer.
• If you love the peanut butter and chocolate combination make sure to check out these Buckeyes!