Best Peanut Butter Balls (Only 4 Ingredients)

Name: Best Peanut Butter Balls (Only 4 Ingredients)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: ½ cup creamy peanut butter*; 2 ½ tablespoons vegan butter (softened); ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup powdered sugar; Chopped peanuts; Shredded coconut; Mini vegan chocolate chips; Vegan-friendly sprinkles

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Peanut butter balls are a quick, easy, no-bake dessert perfect for all the peanut butter lovers out there. Made with just 4 ingredients, this uncomplicated treat is rich, creamy, fudgy, and sweet. Leave them plain, or roll the balls in your favorite toppings!

Peanut butter balls on a plate. — Roll them in your favorite flavors like coconut or crushed nuts

Table of Contents

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

No baking involved: Just mix everything together in one bowl, roll, and chill. You don’t even need to lay eyes on the oven!
Easy to customize: Use this recipe as a starting point. Then, choose from a variety of toppings, add your favorite mix-ins, or try a different type of nut butter.
Plant-based: Serve them to all your friends and family who are plant-based or have dairy sensitivities.
Versatile: Peanut butter balls are the perfect treat for holiday parties and get-togethers, but you can also serve them as a cool, creamy treat in the summer!

If you love this quick and easy peanut butter balls recipe, check out our peanut butter protein balls, buckeye candy, mazapan, or 2-ingredient peanut butter cookies.

🥜 4-Ingredient peanut butter balls

Peanut butter balls are one of our go-to desserts since they have the two things that make up a great recipe — few ingredients and no cooking! Apart from chilling them in the fridge or freezer, you can whip this dessert up in less than 5 minutes.

This particular recipe is made by mixing peanut butter, vegan butter, powdered sugar, and a touch of vanilla together, then rolling the balls in your favorite toppings. Some of our favorites include crushed peanuts, shredded coconut, and mini chocolate chips.

Each bite is sweet, fudgy, and melts in your mouth. We enjoy them chilled from the fridge as a quick snack, but if we’re being honest, we eat them way too quickly!

Hand picking up peanut butter balls. — Serve them slightly chilled for the best texture

🌱 Are peanut butter balls vegan?

Peanut butter balls are not inherently vegan since most recipes call for dairy-based butter. However, we’re here to tell you that you can just as easily make a recipe with plant-based butter instead.

Additionally, make sure the powdered sugar that you use hasn’t been processed through bone char so this recipe is suitable for everyone!

Peanut butter, vanilla, vegan butter, powdered sugar, chocolate, salt, peanuts, and coconut on a table. — All you need is 4 simple ingredients plus any toppings you would like

🛒 Ingredients & substitutions

Peanut butter: Provides a rich, nutty flavor and velvety smooth texture. Make sure to use creamy peanut butter, not natural peanut butter, for the best results. One of our go-to choices is Earth Balance.
Vegan butter: Adds a fudge-like texture and helps give the peanut butter balls structure. You can replace it with coconut oil, but the texture and flavor will vary.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the peanut butter balls, adding a sweet, creamy element. Always use pure vanilla extract whenever possible!
Salt: Only add salt if your vegan butter is unsalted. Or, add it slowly to taste.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the mixture and creates the right consistency. You can’t use granulated sugar here, but you can make your own powdered sugar by blending 1 cup of cane sugar with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a high-speed blender.
Decorations: Use crushed peanuts, shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, or vegan sprinkles to add unique flavors and textures to this peanut butter balls recipe.

For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.

📝 How to make peanut butter balls

Step 1: Cream the base ingredients

Let the butter come to room temperature before creaming it for an easier time mixing it. In a large bowl, beat the peanut butter, vegan butter, vanilla extract, and salt with an electric mixer until it’s well combined.

Whipped peanut butter in a bowl. — Use a hand mixer for the best results

Step 2: Add the sugar

Working slowly, add the powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture, mixing it on low until you reach a crumbly-yet-sticky texture. The mixture should be thick and hold its shape when rolled into a ball.

Whipped peanut butter in a bowl with a scoop of powdered sugar. — Add the sugar slowly to achieve your preferred consistency and sweetness

Peanut butter ball dough. — Add the sugar slowly to achieve your preferred consistency and sweetness

If the mixture is too sticky, add a bit more powdered sugar. We recommend adding it ½-cup at a time to prevent a mess and to ensure you don’t go overboard.

Step 3: Roll the balls

Roll the peanut mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Add your decorations of choice to small, shallow bowls.

Rolled peanut butter balls on a baking sheet. — Use a cookie scoop for even-sized balls

Peanut butter ball in a cup full of crushed peanuts. — Use a cookie scoop for even-sized balls

Coat each peanut butter ball in chopped peanuts, shredded coconut, vegan-friendly sprinkles, mini vegan chocolate chips, or whatever else you’d like.

Step 4: Chill the balls

Store the peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Enjoy them cold or let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving. Happy eating!

Peanut butter balls on a baking sheet. — Chill them for at least 15 minutes in the fridge or freezer

If you have questions about this peanut butter balls recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!

🌈 Fun topping ideas

There are virtually endless toppings you can roll peanut butter balls in! Here are some of our favorite ideas:

Vegan-friendly rainbow sprinkles
Chopped peanuts, pecans, hazelnuts, or walnuts
Coconut shreds or toasted coconut flakes
Mini dark chocolate chips
Cocoa powder
Powdered sugar
Crushed pretzels
Freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries
Instant espresso powder
Cinnamon sugar
Crushed Oreos or other cookies

🌡️ Storage

Whether you have leftovers or are making this recipe ahead of time, keep the following storage tips in mind:

Fridge: You can keep the peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the fridge for a minimum of 2-3 weeks.
Freezer: Transfer peanut butter balls to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag with the air removed. They will last this way for up to 3 months.
Prep ahead: Make this peanut butter balls recipe in advance and store them in the refrigerator or freezer until you’re ready to serve. If they’re in the freezer, allow them to sit out on the countertop for 5-10 minutes before digging in.

♻️ Variations

Melted chocolate: Add a layer of melted vegan chocolate for a peanut butter balls recipe that resembles buckeye candy.
Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warming, festive flavor.
Other butter: Use almond or cashew butter instead of peanut butter for a different flavor profile. Just note that the texture will vary depending on the variety.
Fruit-stuffed: Add a dollop of fruit jam or jelly to the center for a fruity explosion.
Citrus: Add a touch of orange zest for a bright, citrusy kick.
Dried fruit: Add dried fruit to the dough, like raisins, dates, or cranberries.
Protein: Use flavored vegan protein powder to boost the nutritional value and add a unique taste — just like our peanut butter protein balls.

🧑‍🍳 Top tips

Use softened butter: Bring the butter out about 10 minutes before starting the recipe. You want it to be softened but not melted.
Adjust the sweetness: You can adjust the level of sweetness by adding more or less powdered sugar. Just remember that adding more sugar will change the final consistency.
Chill before rolling: If the mixture is too sticky to handle, refrigerate it for about 15 minutes before rolling it into balls and in the toppings.
Use a cookie scoop: We suggest using a small (1-1 ½-tablespoon) cookie scoop to ensure each ball is about the same size when you roll them.
Prevent sticking: To prevent the peanut butter balls from sticking to the baking sheet, line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Let them warm up: For the softest, fudgiest texture, let the peanut butter balls sit on the counter for a few minutes before eating them.

💬 FAQ

Can I use natural peanut butter in this recipe?

Yes, you can use natural peanut butter, but you will need to increase the powdered sugar to achieve the right consistency. Keep adding it ½-cup at a time until you can roll uniform balls and they hold their shape.

Are these peanut butter balls gluten-free?

Yes, this peanut butter balls recipe is gluten-free as written. However, we always suggest checking individual ingredient labels to ensure there is no cross-contamination or gluten-containing additives.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer a more textured peanut butter ball.

How do I make nut-free peanut butter balls?

To make nut-free peanut butter protein balls, swap the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter.

Can I add protein powder to these peanut butter balls?

Yes, you can replace some of the powdered sugar with an equivalent amount of flavored or unflavored protein powder for an extra protein boost. For a dedicated recipe, check out our peanut butter protein balls.

🍴 More peanut recipes

If you enjoyed this easy peanut butter balls recipe, take a peek at some more peanut-forward snacks and treats like these:

Vegan Peanut Butter Cups: A dairy-free Reese’s peanut butter cups copycat.
Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies: 20-minute cookie recipe that’s soft and chewy.
2-Ingredient Fudge: Smooth, creamy fudge ready in about 5 minutes!
Palanqueta: A sweet and crunchy Mexican snack made from peanuts and caramel.