“Crispy Peanut Butter Balls”

I’m a Buckeye girl through and through so with that said, these Crispy Peanut Butter Balls are in order.

Filled with rich peanut butter flavor and crispy rice cereal for that crunch factor. Who can resist? No one!

Fellow foodies from the Buckeye state know what I’m talking about. When I first moved to Chicago almost 30 years ago, no one knew what a buckeye was. So, when I introduced these little gems, everyone was hooked. It was like can I get the recipe all the time.

Traditional buckeyes are made with just peanut butter yet years ago I started adding crispy rice cereal for something different. How something so simple and delicious can be elevated to a new level is beyond me.

Checkout my buckeye recipe for an Ohio original. However, looking for a different take then this recipe is a must try if you haven’t made them before. Peanut butter and chocolate never tasted so good.

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

This recipe just works and so easy to prepare. You can make the peanut butter balls ahead of time stored in refrigerator until ready to dip in chocolate.

A few simple ingredients like peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, salt, unsalted butter and crispy rice cereal are combined and rolled into balls. Chill mixture until firm and roll into balls.

Dip the balls halfway or covered completely in chocolate. Buckeyes are traditionally left with the peanut butter exposed on top. I did the same thing with the Crispy Peanut Butter Balls. However, feel free to cover completely with chocolate and garnish with chopped peanuts if you like.

No matter how you put your own spin on these crispy balls, they will be the hit of the party.

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

How to make Crispy Peanut Butter Balls: It’s incredibly easy and perfect for any springtime celebrations. Plus, kids love them.

Start by prepping all your ingredients. Make it easy on yourself.

I recommend using a stand mixer to combine butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add in salt and vanilla mixing until combined.

Gradually add in 4 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar until well combined. No white should remain. If mixture is still too soft add in more sugar. Mixture should be firm in texture.

Remove bowl from mixer and stir in crispy rice cereal evenly. Chill ball mixture for 1 hour or until firm enough to roll into 1 T. size balls. Coat your hands in confectioners’ sugar to make rolling a bit easier.

Keep mixture chilled especially if your house is warm. Place rolled balls on a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet.

When ready to dip in chocolate, melt chocolate bark. Using a toothpick or dipping fork, dip in chocolate as desired. Place back on baking sheet and return pan to refrigerator to chill.

Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

These Crispy Peanut Butter Balls are so easy to make. If you’re really into experimenting with this recipe, form other small shapes like squares or patties. Crushed corn flakes can be subbed for rice cereal as you’ll still have the crunch factor.

Each bite will leave you wanting one more bite. Don’t you think these balls make a great springtime treat? YAAAS! Just keep refrigerated and grab one when you want a bite of something sweet.

Warning: Everybody will go crazy over this simple treat and perfect made ahead of time. They keep extremely well, at least a week. I bet they won’t last that long.

Need teachers’ gifts for end of the school year or a sweet treat on Mother’s Day. This is your recipe.

If you make this recipe, like or message me below, @chowdownlowdown, #chowdownlowdown or @michelleheyden. Happy Baking!

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

 

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature

2 cups creamy peanut butter (not natural)

1 t. pure vanilla extract

1/2 t. sea salt

4 1/2 to 5 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal

1 pound Chocolate bark, melted for dipping

 

In bowl of stand mixer with paddle attachment on medium speed, combine butter and peanut butter until combined. Add in vanilla and salt and mix.

Gradually add in confectioners’ sugar on low speed. Mix until almost no confectioners’ sugar remains.

Stir in rice cereal with large spatula. Chill for 1 hour.

Roll peanut butter mixture into balls with a 1 Tablespoon scoop.

Place balls on a parchment or wax paper lined sheet pan and chill balls until ready to dip. At this point I like to chill the balls overnight.

When ready for dipping, melt chocolate and dip balls as desired. Use the same sheet pan as you did for previous chilling.

Return sheet pan to chill peanut butter balls until ready to serve.

Keep the Crispy Peanut Butter Balls refrigerated.

 

Makes about 48 peanut butter balls.