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    Home » Whole Food Recipes » Best Desserts

    December 2, 2019 | By Jami

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

    Jump to Recipe

    This recipe for healthier crispy peanut butter balls are not just 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 goody plates.

    easy and healthier chocolate crispy peanut butter balls pin image

    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.

    Healthier Chocolate Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

    Cutting crispy chocolate peanut butter balls

    So what makes these crispy peanut butter balls healthier?

    • Organic brown rice cereal (aka, rice krispies).
    • Natural peanut butter containing 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 - only 1/3 cup for three dozen candies!

    Oh, and the chocolate is dark, of course, full of antioxidants as well as a deep, full chocolate flavor. TIP: to know if your chocolate is actually dark, check the ingredients - cocoa should be first and sugar second, like these bittersweet chips.

    TIP #2: a commenter mentioned that anyone wanting to make candies without any refined sugar can use a stevia sweetened chocolate like these Lily's Dark Chocolate Chips.

    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.

    Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter balls-silver plate

    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.

    crispy chocolate peanut butter balls on plate

    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!

    Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter balls-silver plate
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    4.67 from 3 votes

    Healthier Chocolate Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

    An easy, no bake crispy chocolate peanut butter ball recipe that's also healthy! 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 mins
    Refrigeration1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 30 mins
    Course: Desserts
    Cuisine: American
    Yield: 3 dozen
    Author: Jami Boys

    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
    • 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

    *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: 1g | Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 51mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 116IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!
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    Healthier chocolate crispy peanut butter balls pin image

    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.

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. daisy says

      December 03, 2019 at 4:36 am

      I look forward to trying these, as I am eliminating most of the processed sugar in my diet. Just so you know, if folks are interested in making these completely refined sugar-free, there are good quality chocolates that are stevia-sweetened. Lily's is one that comes to mind. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Jami says

        December 04, 2019 at 12:50 pm

        Thank you for that tip, Daisy - I'll provide a link to those for anyone interested!

        Reply
    2. Mary says

      December 24, 2013 at 4:55 am

      Great (and easy) recipe!! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    3. Kim says

      December 05, 2013 at 3:22 pm

      Do you have the nutritional facts on this recipe??

      Reply
      • Jami says

        December 05, 2013 at 4:19 pm

        No, Kim, I don't include those on my site. I'm a whole food, 'everything in moderation' lifestyle-diet advocate, and calculating nutritional ingredients would add more time to a blog that already takes hours of my time. 🙂 And I think I'm pretty clear here that although I use healthier ingredients than some peanut butter balls, they are still a candy to be enjoyed occasionally. Here's a link where you can calculate any recipe, though, if you'd like to: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator

        Reply
    4. Bethann says

      September 20, 2013 at 10:48 am

      These sound wonderful! Would you happen to know caloric parameters (Sugar content, fats, etc.)? Interested in making healthier food changes, but we love sweets! Same question on the Whole Grain Oatmeal Cookies w/Cranberries & walnuts. Newbie at buying "healthy" products & product lingo confusing at times

      Reply
      • Jami says

        September 20, 2013 at 11:02 am

        Hey Bethann! I don't usually worry about calorie content (been there, done that) as eating a lot less and making it real food is what finally worked for me to be able to maintain a healthy weight (I wrote about it in my weight-loss series, if your interested - find the button in the sidebar). But thinking about calories has helped our daughter, so each of us has to find what works (though real food is for EVERYONE, ha!). You can go here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator to enter a recipes ingredients and it will calculate the calories for you. Hope that helps you out!

        Reply
    5. Tricia @ Simplicity in the South says

      September 19, 2013 at 2:59 pm

      You can't go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter. Making them crispy sends them over the top!

      Reply
    6. Live in the Yard says

      September 13, 2013 at 5:55 pm

      Oh deer! These look delicious, I will definitely be trying this recipe soon!
      Thanks for sharing. I love PB and Choc.

      Reply
    7. Charlotte Moore says

      September 12, 2013 at 4:00 pm

      Yummy!!! We have made the unhealthy several times, but it has been a few years. I need to try this version. I could roll some of them in unsweetened coconut for the ones that can't eat chocolate. I could make sure the cereal was GF and the one in our family that needs that could also eat them.

      Reply
    8. daisy says

      September 12, 2013 at 3:10 pm

      Ooooh, those look luscious!

      Reply
    9. bonnie says

      September 12, 2013 at 1:36 pm

      There's no better combination than peanut butter & chocolate! Will be making these as soon as I get some crispy rice cereal. I'm very new to your site, but have already made Addictive Tomato Chutney (LOVE it) and Unblanched Green Beans (tired of mushy, blanched freezer beans!). I'm a fan--thanks!

      Reply
    10. Crystal says

      September 12, 2013 at 1:32 pm

      We make these every year at Christmas time. I can't wait to try this healthier version!! Thanks so much for the recipe!!

      Reply
    11. Mindy says

      September 12, 2013 at 11:29 am

      YUMMY!!!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jami and I'm so glad you're here! My goal is to help you live a simple homemade life on your terms: cooking delicious real food, painless gardening, and making easy things that are totally worth your time. 

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