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Homemade Crispy Peanut Butter Balls recipe photo

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

No-bake peanut butter and date energy balls coated in chocolate with an optional sprinkle of coarse sea salt.
Prep Time 18 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 23 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 20 balls

Equipment

  • food processor with S blade
  • parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Large Bowl
  • Small Saucepan
  • heat-safe bowl
  • Fork or dipping tool
  • freezer
  • Refrigerator

Ingredients
  

Ingredients

  • 1 cupMedjool dates pitted
  • 1/2 cupcreamy peanut butter all-natural and drippy in texture
  • 2 tablespoonsground flax seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoonfine sea salt
  • 1 cupcrispy rice cereal*
  • 3/4 cupchocolate chips
  • coarse sea salt optional topping

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • Place the pitted dates in the bowl of a large food processor fitted with the "S" blade. Secure the lid and process until the dates break down into a sticky mass (a big sticky ball may form).
  • Add ½ cup creamy peanut butter (room temperature, drippy), 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds, and ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt to the food processor. Process until a uniform, crumbly dough forms, scraping down the sides as needed.
  • Add 1 cup crispy rice cereal and pulse briefly—just until the cereal is slightly broken down but still adds texture. The mixture should be crumbly but hold together when pinched.
  • Use a tablespoon to scoop portions of dough and roll between your hands to form 20 balls. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 15–30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile set up a double boiler: place a heat-safe bowl over a small saucepan with about 1 inch of water. Bring the water to a simmer, add ¾ cup chocolate chips to the bowl, and stir until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Turn off the heat.
  • Remove the peanut butter balls from the freezer. Using a fork or dipping tool, coat each ball in the melted chocolate, letting excess drip off, then return each coated ball to the parchment-lined sheet. Sprinkle coarse sea salt on top of each ball, if using.
  • Chill the chocolate-coated balls in the fridge or freezer until the chocolate is set, about 10–30 minutes. Serve at room temperature for the softest texture.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Notes
Nutrition information is for 1 of 20 balls, assuming you use all of the melted chocolate. (You may not!) This information is automatically calculated and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.
• Gluten-Free Note:
Kellog’s Rice Krispies cereal is NOT gluten-free, but there are several gluten-free brands of cereal available. Check the package for a “gluten-free” label, if needed.
• If you don’t want to use dates, try using
this recipe
instead.
• If you’d prefer to make your own naturally sweetened chocolate coating, use
this recipe
.