Searching for a ten minute, five ingredient, no bake dessert that everyone will love? Look no further than these Buckeye Balls with Rice Krispies. They’re sweet, crunchy peanut butter balls coated with a layer of chocolate for a super tasty treat.
Easy Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls
Why do we call them buckeyes? Traditional buckeye balls are peanut butter candies (typically a peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar mixture) coated in chocolate. They’re called “buckeyes” because when you bite in they truly look like buckeyes with the dark outside and the lighter brown inside.
This recipe adds a slight twist with the addition of Rice Krispies. This gives the center of the ball some extra texture with the crunch of the cereal.
You’re going to love how easy these are to make, too. Just ten minutes and no baking required before they Buckeye Balls with Rice Krispies are ready. And if you’re looking for other bite size treats check out these Healthy Peanut Butter Truffles or these Apple Peanut Butter Bites. I think you’ll love these simple Pretzel Hershey Kiss M&M Bites, too!
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What ingredients you’ll need
- Creamy Peanut Butter – Creamy works best so it can easily melt in with the butter.
- Rice Krispie Cereal – These give the Buckeye Balls their unique texture. A little crunch added to the treat is just the addition you’re looking for. If you have extra cereal leftover, try these Marshmallow Fluff Rice Krispies.
- Powdered Sugar – Powdered sugar is preferred over granulated sugar because its fluffy texture melts in with the peanut butter nicely.
- Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips – Can use chips, melting wafers or a chocolate bar. This will get melted for coating the balls.
- Oil – We’ll add oil to the chocolate to ensure it is thin enough for dipping.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
more of our favorite Cookie Recipes…
- Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
- Oatmeal Snickerdoodles
- Chocolate Chip Cherry Cookies
- Lucky Charms Cookies
- Halloween Candy Cookies
- Kit Kat Cookies
- No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie
- Funfetti Cookie Recipe
- Easy Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
- Avalanche Cookies (No Bake)
- Christmas Shortbread Cookie
- Pretzel Cookies
- Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies
How to make this recipe
1. Heat a saucepan over low heat and add creamy peanut butter and butter. Let melt and whisk together until well combined.
2. In a mixing bowl, add Rice Krispie cereal and powdered sugar. Toss together so ingredients are well mixed.
3. Pour the melted butter/peanut butter onto the powder sugar covered Rice Krispies. Use a rubber spatula to mix everything together. This will take a few minutes.
4. Sspray a cookie scoop with cooking spray. Scoop even sized balls and place onto parchment paper. For perfectly shaped Buckeye Balls (or if you don’t have a cookie scoop), grease your hands and roll the mixture into balls.
5. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval until chocolate is completely liquid (you may also do this in a double boiler on the stove – see FAQs).
6. Using a spoon to lower the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate. Spoon chocolate over the top and ensure they’re evenly coated before removing. You can also use a thin skewer – simply place the buckeye ball on the skewer and use it to rotate in the chocolate.
7. Place the chocolate covered balls on the parchment paper lined baking sheet. Add whatever garnishes you wish (I added festive sprinkles). Other good ideas: chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or toffee pieces.
8. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator (or outside if it’s cold enough & high enough so they don’t attract animals). Enjoy once chocolate has hardened completely.
How to Store Buckeye Balls
If your house isn’t too warm, these Buckeye Balls with Rice Krispies can be stored on the counter in an airtight container. You can also keep in the fridge if you’re worried about the chocolate melting.
Recipe FAQs
It’s likely your chocolate has burned or “seized.” This is why you need to stir it constantly while heating and immediately remove it once melted. However, if you catch the burning chocolate early enough, you may be able to save it by whisking in a tablespoon of avocado or another neutral oil and mixing gently in an attempt to loosen the seized clumps.
Buckeye bars are classically made with peanut butter, but you could instead use tahini, pumpkin seed butter, or granola butter (code COURTNEY15 saves you $).
Instead of melting the chocolate in the microwave, you can choose to do so over a double boiler.
To do so, place 1 inch of water in a sauce pot and heat until it’s just about to boil. Place a bowl that fits on top of the pot and rests on the rim without the bottom of the bowl touching the water. Add the chips to the top bowl. Melt chocolate chips, stirring occasionally, until smooth
Serving suggestions
Try making cookie boxes for friends and family! I’d be sure to include these Buckeye balls, No Bake Avalanche Cookies, Cranberry Bliss Bars, No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies and Shortbread Holiday Cookies. They all travel well!
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Buckeye Balls with Rice Krispies Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Sauce pot
- Rubber Spatula
- parchment paper
- Microwave safe bowl
- Spoon
- Cookie scoop
- parchment paper
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup creamy peanut butter, like Jif or Skippy
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups Rice Krispie cereal
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Optional topping ideas
- sprinkles
- chopped nuts
- toffee pieces
Instructions
- Heat a saucepan over low heat and add creamy peanut butter and butter. Let melt and whisk together until well combined.
- In a mixing bowl, add Rice Krispie cereal and powdered sugar. Toss together so ingredients are well mixed.
- Pour the melted butter/peanut butter onto the powder sugar covered Rice Krispies. Use a rubber spatula to mix everything together. This will take a few minutes.
- Tip: if you have time to chill the mixture for 10-15 minutes prior to forming them into a ball, it makes it much easier (and less sticky).
- Once everything is coated, spray a cookie scoop with cooking spray. Scoop even sized balls and place onto parchment paper. For perfectly shaped Buckeye Balls (or if you don’t have a cookie scoop), grease your hands and roll the mixture into balls.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips with the coconut oil. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval until chocolate is completely liquid (you may also do this in a double boiler on the stove – see notes).
- Use a spoon or two forks to lower the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate (again, if the balls are chilled, it makes this step much smoother). Spoon chocolate over the top and ensure they’re evenly coated before removing. You can also use a thin skewer – simply place the buckeye ball on the skewer and use it to rotate in the chocolate.
- Place the chocolate covered balls on the parchment paper lined baking sheet / wire rack. Add whatever garnishes you wish.
- Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator until chocolate has hardened. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you’re using MyFitnessPal, search ‘A Paige Of Positivity’ and find BUCKEYE BALLS WITH RICE KRISPIES calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
These are AMAZING! They rival with No Bake Avalanche Cookies and that’s saying something 😛
these are so easy! if you do a cookie exchange these should 100% be included
Dare I say better than the OG buckeyes! I love the Rice Krispie addition! Delicious. Just look at Courtney’s beautiful photos, please!
We and everyone that’s had them LOVE them! They have the best flavor and texture. I’ll be making these for years to come.
So freaking delicious and easy! We love these!
These are just like the ones my grandmother made for Christmas when I was little!!!
This is one of the best recipes for buckeyes