Smooth 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls Recipe for Beginners

Chocolate-drizzled peanut butter balls bring pure delight to your dessert table with minimal effort.

These simple treats pack a punch of sweet and nutty flavor in every bite.

No complicated techniques or endless ingredients stand between you and a quick snack.

Rolled by hand and chilled to perfection, these balls are a no-bake wonder that everyone can master.

Protein-packed and satisfyingly rich, they disappear faster than you can make them.

The combination of creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, and melted chocolate creates an irresistible treat.

Whip up a batch and watch faces light up with pure happiness.

What You’ll Need for 3-Ingredient PB Balls

• Peanut Butter: Creamy and rich spread with a classic nutty flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Soft and tangy dairy product that adds smoothness.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweet and fine ingredient for binding and sweetening.

• Chocolate Chips, Graham Cracker Crumbs: Delightful extras for extra texture and taste.

• Parchment Paper, Baking Sheet: Essential for easy preparation and chilling.

How to Make Quick Peanut Butter Balls

Step 1: Blend Creamy Base

Grab a medium mixing bowl and toss in softened cream cheese and peanut butter.

Use a hand mixer or sturdy spatula to create a silky, smooth mixture that looks like delightful clouds of deliciousness.

Keep blending until no lumps remain and the texture is completely uniform.

Step 2: Create Sweet Dough

• Powdered sugar
• Cream cheese mixture

Mix everything thoroughly until the dough becomes thick and holds its shape perfectly.

If the mixture feels too sticky, add a touch more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time.

The goal is a consistency that’s easy to roll and not too wet.

Step 3: Form Delectable Bites

Scoop out small portions of the dough and roll them into adorable bite-sized balls using your hands or a small cookie scoop.

Make sure each ball is roughly the same size for consistent treats.

Arrange the formed balls on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper or wax paper, ensuring they’re not touching each other.

Step 4: Chill and Enjoy

Pop the baking sheet into the refrigerator and let the peanut butter balls firm up for at least 30 minutes.

Once chilled, these creamy treats are ready to devour!

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, though they rarely last that long.

Easy Tips for Smooth and Sweet Results

• Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother blending and easier mixing with peanut butter.
• Adjust powdered sugar quantity to customize the sweetness – start with less and add gradually to suit your taste preferences.
• Lightly wet your hands with cold water before rolling balls to prevent sticky dough from clinging to your fingers and create smoother, more uniform shapes.
• Refrigerate the peanut butter balls for at least an hour to enhance firmness and develop richer flavor, making them easier to handle and more delightful to eat.
• Keep balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze for longer storage without losing their delicious creamy texture.

How to Store and Enjoy PB Balls Later

• Store the peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap the balls tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen peanut butter balls can last up to 3 months.
• Remove frozen balls from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
• For best texture and flavor, consume chilled directly from the refrigerator within a week of preparation.

Pairings for Peanut Butter Snack Bites

• Pair with Creamy Comfort: Vanilla almond milk creates a smooth, gentle companion that complements the rich peanut butter flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Enhance with Chocolate Delight: Dark chocolate hot cocoa offers a decadent contrast, with its deep, slightly bitter notes perfectly matching the creamy peanut butter balls.
• Serve alongside Nutty Crunch: Toasted almonds or pecans provide a delightful textural counterpoint, adding a satisfying crunch that elevates the soft, creamy dessert bites.
• Refresh with Cold Brew: Cold brew coffee with a touch of cream brings a robust, slightly bitter undertone that cuts through the sweetness and highlights the peanut butter's deep, nutty essence.

Fun Flavor Ideas for Peanut Butter Balls

• Protein Power Balls: Replace cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a protein-packed snack, perfect for fitness enthusiasts and athletes.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap powdered sugar with powdered erythritol or monk fruit sweetener to create a low-carb, ketogenic-friendly treat.
• Chocolate Lover's Option: Roll the finished peanut butter balls in melted dark chocolate or cocoa powder for an extra rich flavor profile.
• Allergen-Free Alternative: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter for those with nut allergies, ensuring everyone can enjoy this simple dessert.

FAQs

• Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?

Yes, you can use low-fat cream cheese. However, the texture might be slightly less creamy compared to full-fat cream cheese.

• Is this recipe suitable for people with gluten allergies?

These peanut butter balls are naturally gluten-free, but always double-check your ingredients to ensure they are certified gluten-free.

• How long can these peanut butter balls stay fresh?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they can last up to one week. Just make sure to keep them chilled.

• Can I add chocolate coating to these peanut butter balls?

Absolutely! You can melt chocolate chips and dip the chilled balls for an extra layer of deliciousness. Simply let them set on parchment paper after dipping.

Why These Peanut Butter Balls Are a Sweet Favorite

• Beginner-Friendly Delight: Perfect for novice bakers with minimal cooking skills, this recipe requires no baking and uses just three simple ingredients anyone can handle.
• Speedy Sweet Treat: Whip up these peanut butter balls in minutes, making them an ideal quick dessert for sudden cravings or last-minute gatherings.
• Customize with Ease: Versatile recipe allows endless variations like rolling in chocolate chips, coconut, or drizzling with melted chocolate to match personal taste preferences.
• Kid-Approved Snack: Fun, hands-on recipe that children can help prepare, creating a delightful bonding activity in the kitchen while making a tasty treat.

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Indulgent 3-ingredient peanut butter balls blend creamy richness with sweet simplicity, creating a no-bake treat perfect for quick dessert cravings. Chocolate-drizzled and effortlessly delicious, you’ll savor these irresistible bites that promise pure nutty satisfaction.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened

Sweetener:

• 1 cup powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing vessel, amalgamate softened cream cheese and peanut butter, leveraging a hand mixer or robust spatula to create a silky, homogeneous blend.
2. Progressively introduce powdered sugar, incorporating it thoroughly after each addition to establish a cohesive dough consistency.
3. Monitor the mixture’s texture, adjusting with additional powdered sugar if the blend appears excessively tacky or lacks structural integrity.
4. Utilize clean palms or a compact cookie scoop to transform the dough into uniform spherical formations, aiming for approximately one-inch diameter globes.
5. Delicately position each crafted sphere onto a parchment-lined tray, ensuring minimal contact between the orbs.
6. Transfer the prepared tray to the refrigeration unit, allowing the peanut butter spheres to solidify and mature for a minimum of thirty minutes.
7. Once chilled, extract the delectable morsels and serve immediately, presenting a delightful no-bake confection that marries creamy and sweet nuances.

Notes

• Soften cream cheese completely at room temperature to ensure smooth, lump-free blending with peanut butter.
• Use a sturdy spatula or hand mixer for consistent mixing, avoiding overmixing which can make the texture dense.
• Adjust powdered sugar gradually to control sweetness and achieve the perfect dough consistency for rolling.
• Chilling balls helps maintain shape and intensifies flavor, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for quick snacking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 100
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg