This easy, no-bake dessert can be thrown together in no time to bring some fun to a gathering or be used as a great after-school snack. Peanut Butter Rice Krispie balls were a hit with our small group and are a perfect treat for kids and grown-ups alike.
This recipe makes about 24 peanut butter balls, so you won’t have as many leftovers to finish off (if you are like me and feel like you must make sure no desserts go to waste).
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Let’s get going!
The first step in making these delicious treats is to wash your hands.
Seriously… don’t be gross! You might want to tie back your hair as well.
And then put on a cute apron to get you in the mood! I am a bit domestically challenged, and I believe whole heartedly that a cute apron always helps.
Here are a couple of options if you don’t already have one.
It’s also a good idea to make sure nobody you are going to be sharing this with has a peanut allergy. (I made this mistake and should have known better) If that is the case, this recipe can be made with Wow Butter, Sun Butter, or another peanut butter alternative.
Now let’s assemble these treats!
Ingredients
- Peanut butter- I used a store brand of creamy peanut butter for this recipe. Any kind of nut butter should work. If you use a natural peanut butter that is only peanuts, you may need to add a bit more liquid sweetner to get the consistancy right.
- Honey- Honey is my preferred flavor in these Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Balls, but you can use any liquid sweetner. Other options include maple syrup, brown rice syrup, Karo Syrup, or Agave.
- Vanilla Extract- I like the flavor of pure vanilla extract, but you can use imitation as well.
- Sea Salt- If your peanut butter is already salty, you might want to omit this. I enjoy the salty kick of these treats, so I add a little extra.
- Chocolate Chips- Semi- sweet chocolate pairs perfectly with the salty, peanut buttery goodness. You can use milk chocolate, white chocolate, or omit this ingredient all together. I think the semi-sweet drizzle on top is what makes this so good.
Instructions
In a bowl combine peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and salt and mix until combined.
Next, pour in the Rice Krispie cereal and mix. Start with two cups, but you can add more if the mixture seems too runny. You don’t want to put too much and dry it out. It won’t stick together well if it’s too dry.
Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop out even amounts of dough and then form them into balls with your hands. You can shape these however you would like, but balls are easy to make uniform and a great size for eating.
It might be fun to shape ghosts or pumpkins out of the Rice Krispy mixture for Halloween and trees or ornaments for Christmas. Really… your options are endless. That is the beauty of this dessert.
Put the formed balls or shapes in the refrigerator while you melt the chocolate. If you want to stop here and omit the chocolate, they are still a tasty treat… but not as good as they are after you add the chocolate!
Next you will want to melt the chocolate. I find the microwave to be the easiest method. Start by putting the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Put the bowl in for 30 seconds, stir, and then put it back in for incriments of 15 seconds until the chocolate is melted.
You can also use a double boiler if you are hard core like that. I am not hard core.
Tips for filling a piping bag:
I love piping bags! I always use them for decorating cookies at Christmas time, but I also use them for making life easier while frosting cupcakes, adding whipped cream to things, and drizzling chocolate on Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Balls.
The easiest way to fill a piping bag is to get a glass, put the piping bag into the glass, and fold the bag over the edges. (See image above) This keeps the bag open for you to easily fill it with a spoon.
You also have a handy bag holding device when it is not in use. You can thank me later!
If you don’t have access to piping bags, don’t you fret! You can use a ziplock bag and just cut off the corner. It’s a little more difficult to work with, but it gets the job done. For this recipe, you can even just drizzle it on with a spoon… but the piping bags will make you feel more legit!
Drizze the melted chocolate over the peanut butter rice krispie balls. Then put them into the refrigerator until you are ready to eat them. It takes about an hour for the chocolate to get hard enough to not smear all over you. Although, chocolate fingers are quite yummy!
Questions and Substituions
Are these gluten free?
This can be a great gluten free option as long as the crispy rice cereal you choose is gluten free. Unfortunately, Kellogs Rice Krispies are not labeled as gluten free, but several other brands are. You can use
Is this recipe vegan?
This recipe includes honey as it is written, so it would not be a vegan friendly recipe. You can easily substitue maple syrup or another liquid sweetner in place of the honey. You will also want to use Natures Path Crispy Rice Cereal, which is a vegan friendly alternative to Kellogs Rice Krispies. If you choose to top it in chocolate, you can go with a vegan option like Enjoy Life Morsels.
Can I use a different cereal?
I don’t see why you can’t try this with other cereals. I think Cocoa Pebbles would be delicious in this recipe. I have also heard of people making this with corn flakes, but I have not yet tried it. If you try this recipe with a different cereal, let me know how it turns out.
Pin it for later
Fun option
I think candy eyeballs make everything more fun, so I made a little family out of these peanut butter balls.
Looking for another easy treat to take to dinner with friends? Try these Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini-muffins!
Find Recipe Here——>>> Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini-Muffins
Now here is the printable recipe you were looking for!
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Balls
Equipment
- 1 bowl
- 1 medium bowl for melting chocolate chips
- 1 pastry bag
- 1 medium cookie scoop
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 2 cups Rice Krispie Cereal may need a bit more depending on consistency
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- line a cookie sheet with wax paper and set aside
- In a medium bowl mix together peanut butter, honey, vanilla and salt until combined and smooth
- Fold in Rice Krispie Cereal
- Form into balls using a medium cookie scoop and shape with your hands
- Melt chocolate chips and and melted chocolate put into a pastry bag. Cut off the tip.
- Once the Peanut Butter Rice krispie balls have chilled, drizzle chocolate on top using a pastry bag.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve (at least 1 hour)
Video
Notes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a review and let us know what you thought! Follow @messyjoyfuljourney on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube!
30 Comments
There’s no better combination than chocolate and peanut butter! Will definitely be making some of these and pinning to my recipe board.
I totally agree! Chocolate and peanut butter are the perfect combination!
Awesome recipe. It’s a very easuly and simple snacks. Love the use of peanut butter not just for flavor, but also for addeded protein.
Yes! Any way I can get my kids to eat protein is a win!
This looks delicious! Who doesn’t love chocolate and peanut butter, especially with some sea salt mixed into it!
Right?! Chocolate and peanut butter are the perfect combo!
These are so adorable and tasty. I am going to have the kids help me make these again for their Halloween party.
That is a great idea!
I need to save this recipe for my next football party!
Oh… you could shape these into footballs!
I absolutely love peanut butter and chocolate – these look amazing. I really like your description and recipe pictures, too. Can’t wait to try them!
Thank you, Debbie! You will love them!
Looks amazing! This would be a crowd pleaser for sure!! Making this!
these sound great would be great to add to a dessert table over the holidays
For sure!
Amazing recipe. Can’t wait to try it out. Thanks a lot for sharing!
So yummy! And what a beautiful blog!
Thank you, Claudia.
I love how simple and easy this recipe is. Not only that, but I also love how versatile it is. I can see changing it up for different holidays. Decorate the rice Krispie balls for Halloween, thanksgiving (turkey decorations), Christmas, or even birthdays. Love it!
Yes! There are so many ways to modify these!
I am definitely going to have to make these with my daughter
It’s a great recipe to make with kids!
Wow definitely making these! I really love that you create a printable recipe. So helpful!
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These look delicious!
I’ve been trying to find a simple but tasty rice krispie recipe for a few weeks now so I’m so pleased to have found this one! I cannot wait to make these!
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So delicious and a huge hit with the kids!
Yum, these look and sound so delicious! Definitely going to be making these soon 🙂
Let me know what you think of them!