Easy Chocolate Crispy Peanut Butter Balls (Honey Sweetened, Dairy Free)

This recipe for healthier crispy peanut butter balls are not only better for you, they taste amazing! Sweetened with honey (no powdered sugar!), using natural nut butter, coconut oil, and coated in dark chocolate, these delicious candies are also EASY. They are perfect for gifting, parties, and holiday goodie plates.

These luscious little balls of chocolate-nut-butter goodness are one of my family’s favorites. I’ve made chocolate peanut butter balls for years and years (and years, but who’s counting?) the “regular” way (meaning lots of powdered sugar), but decided to experiment with the recipe.

Not only did I add some crispy rice, I also made them healthier! Notice how I don’t go so far as to call these crispy peanut butter balls healthy, just healthier?

They are still a melt-in-your-mouth, candy worthy treat, just packed with a bit more nutrition and less sugar. Because we could all use a bit of that, couldn’t we?

What’s the difference between chocolate peanut butter balls and Buckeyes?

They are essentially the same recipe, but when you coat the chilled peanut butter ball in chocolate, you leave the top uncoated. I guess that makes them look like an eye? Buckeye’s tend to be a southern thing, I think.

To be honest, I’ve never understood it – why would you miss out on the chocolate? I want my whole ball coated, thank you very much, lol.

That said, you could easily leave the tops open when coating this healthier recipe and make them into Buckeyes.

Chocolate Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

So what makes these crispy peanut butter balls healthier than normal peanut butter balls?

• Organic brown rice cereal (aka, rice krispies).
• Natural “old fashioned” peanut butter – the kind that contains just peanuts and salt.
• Refined coconut oil – refined to not flavor the candy with coconut – butter is also real-food healthy, but if you’re trying to avoid dairy, go with the coconut oil.
• Honey – preferably a raw honey (and there’s only 1/3 cup for three dozen balls!).
• Dark Chocolate – not only is it full of antioxidants as well as a deep, full chocolate flavor, it naturally has less sugar (the higher the cocoa %, the lower the sugar!).

Do I have to add the crispy cereal?

Nope, you can have a classic smooth peanut butter ball if you’d like by omitting the crispy cereal. Your yield will decrease, though, so you may want to double the rest of the recipe.

You’ll need just six ingredients to make these, many of which you probably have in your cupboard. I’ve offered some substitutions in the recipe below, which you can choose based on your preferences and what you have on hand.

For example, if you need them to be dairy free, definitely use the coconut oil. If it’s not a big deal and you don’t have coconut oil, you can use butter.

Don’t have brown rice krispies? Use regular (or leave them out like stated above). Same with the nut butter – make these cashew balls, sunflower seed balls, or whatever.

However you make them, I’m here to tell you that no one will think they are healthier, they’ll just think they are wonderful, delicious, and satisfying chocolate crispy peanut butter balls.

I know because I didn’t tell my family…and they didn’t ask. So, try them on your family and see what they think!

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4.88 from 8 votes

Chocolate Crispy Peanut Butter Balls (Low Sugar, Dairy Free)

An easy, no bake crispy chocolate peanut butter ball recipe that's also healthier than the regular peanut butter balls. Made with honey, coconut oil, brown rice crispy cereal, and coated in dark chocolate (yep, no powdered sugar!) they are a quick dessert or gift idea.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Refrigeration1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Yield: 36 balls

1x2x3x

Author: Jami Boys

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Ingredients

• 1 cup natural peanut butter* or other nut or seed butter
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted (or butter, softened)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
• 2 cups brown rice crispy cereal or regular crispy rice cereal**
• 10 to 12 ounces dark chocolate chips

Instructions

• In a large bowl mix together all the ingredients except the rice cereal until smooth. Add the brown rice cereal and mix well with a wooden spoon.
• Use a small cookie scoop to help shape into balls and place on a lined cookie sheet. Tip: run your hands under a bit of water if the dough starts to stick to your fingers as you shape them.
• Refrigerate until solid, about an hour (or freeze for 10-15 minutes).
• When ready to dip the peanut butter balls, melt the chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave (if using the microwave, heat only 1 min. and stir until all is melted). Dip each ball into the chocolate*** and place back on the lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set.
• Serve while still cold (they melt) or place the balls in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Notes

*Use a peanut butter that’s just peanuts and salt – don’t go by the title “natural” as there now are no-stir versions that have other ingredients.

**You can omit the crispy rice if you’d like the classic smooth peanut butter ball interior, though the recipe will make less, more like 2 to 2 1/2 dozen.

***I use a three-pronged meat fork to pick each coated ball out, tapping off excess chocolate on the edge of the bowl. To get the decoration on the top, I tap the fork prongs into the chocolate.

Make Ahead: These store in the fridge for 2-3 weeks and in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0.1mg | Sodium: 47mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?Mention @anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!

Other Easy Candy Recipes To Try:

• Dark Chocolate Coconut Clusters (Low Sugar & Just 3 Ingredients)
• Amazing Homemade Butter Mints Recipe
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles (gluten-free & maple syrup sweetened)
• Classic Cream Cheese Mints Updated with Dark Chocolate

This recipe has been updated – it was first published in September 2013.