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    Home » Simple Vegan Recipes » Desserts

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

    Published: May 5, 2023 by Becky Striepe · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Recipe Video Print
    close-up of vegan peanut butter balls with a bite out of the one in the foreground
    close-up of vegan peanut butter balls with a bite out of the one in the foreground
    image collage showing the peanut butter balls before covering in chocolate, in a bowl of melted chocolate, a close-up of one chocolate-coated peanut butter ball, and then all of them on a baking sheet, ready to freeze

    Vegan peanut butter balls are basically healthy peanut butter cups that you can eat any time you want. They are so fun to make, no baking needed!

    close-up of vegan peanut butter balls with a bite out of the one in the foreground
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • How to make vegan peanut butter balls
    • Helpful tips
    • Storage directions
    • Frequently asked questions
    • More vegan peanut butter recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Wow, have we been snacking lately! I decided to work on this recipe for vegan peanut butter balls, because I needed a sweet treat that was a bit less junky. These healthy peanut butter bites were just the ticket.

    Not that I have a problem with a decadent dessert, but y'all. Things were getting out of hand with the late-night snacks

    I needed something that tasted decadent without being so sugar-packed that I woke up with a sweets hangover in the morning.

    Vegan chocolate peanut butter bites are it!

    peanut butter powder and chocolate chips in bowls on a kitchen counter

    Ingredients and substitutions

    • powdered peanut butter - This is just dehydrated peanut butter, and it's the base for the vegan peanut butter balls filling.
    • salt - Just a little pinch of salt really brings out that peanut butter flavor!
    • water - To reconstitute the powdered peanut butter into a dough.
    • maple syrup - Optional, for sweetening. You can use agave nectar or your favorite sweetener instead, if you prefer.
    • vegan chocolate chips - Melted chocolate chips will make up the coating for these vegan peanut butter balls! You can find dairy-free chocolate chips at most grocery stores.

    How to make vegan peanut butter balls

    Normally when you make a peanut butter cup, you mix peanut butter with a frankly shocking amount of powdered sugar to thicken it.

    But these treats have a secret weapon that allows you to reduce that powdered sugar to zero: powdered peanut butter!

    These little treats contain no added sugar. In fact, you only need three simple ingredients to make them!

    image collage showing the peanut butter balls before covering in chocolate, in a bowl of melted chocolate, a close-up of one chocolate-coated peanut butter ball, and then all of them on a baking sheet, ready to freeze

    In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered peanut butter and salt. Then, add 4 tablespoons of the water. Mix until the powder absorbs the water and turns crumbly/chunky, then get in with your hands and knead this mixture into a cohesive ball of dough.

    Add more water by the teaspoon, as needed, if the dough is crumbly after kneading. If it's sticky, add a teaspoon of powdered peanut butter to thicken it up. 

    Taste the dough to see if you want to sweeten it. If so, knead in a tablespoon or two of maple syrup at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. If the dough becomes sticky with the added moisture, you can balance that out with more peanut butter powder.

    Divide the mixture into 16 one-inch balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

    Place the peanut butter balls in the freezer for 30 minutes to chill before serving or moving them to the refrigerator.

    Helpful tips

    • You want the peanut butter mixture to form a cohesive dough. It should not be crumbly or sticky. ¼ cup water usually does the trick, but sometimes you do need to tweak a bit to get a nice, clean dough.
    • To melt your chocolate chips in the microwave, cook them on high for 15-45 seconds at a time, stirring in between cooking times, until they fully melt. 

    Storage directions

    Store chilled vegan peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for a couple of weeks this way.

    I do not recommend storing them at room temperature, because the chocolate can melt. I have even tested this in the winter, when my house is cold AF, and they still get pretty soft. Fridge is best!

    If you want to keep them for longer, you can transfer these to a freezer bag or other freezer-safe container. There, they'll keep for up to a few months.

    Frequently asked questions

    Why are my peanut butter balls not coming together?

    If the dough is too crumbly, it needs more moisture. Add water by the teaspoon or tablespoon until you can knead it into a cohesive dough.

    Why are my peanut butter balls too soft?

    If the dough is too soft and sticky, add more powdered peanut butter to help firm it up.

    If your peanut butter balls are too soft when storing, chances are you didn't store them in the refrigerator. Definitely do that. :)

    How to make peanut butter balls without butter?

    You don't need any butter to make vegan peanut butter balls! All you need are powdered peanut butter, vegan chocolate chips, a teeny bit of salt, and maple syrup.

    Which peanut butter is vegan?

    As long as your peanut butter doesn't contain honey, you can be pretty confident that it's vegan.

    More vegan peanut butter recipes

    • jar of ginger peanut sauce on a marble table surrounded by ingredients
      Easy blender peanut sauce
    • fluffy vegan peanut butter frosting on a fork
      Fluffy vegan peanut butter frosting
    • jar of banana and peanut butter overnight oats with slices of banana and a peanut butter drizzle on top
      Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats

    📖 Recipe

    close-up of vegan peanut butter balls with a bite out of the one in the foreground

    Vegan Peanut Butter Balls

    Vegan peanut butter balls are basically healthy peanut butter cups that you can eat any time you want. They are so fun to make!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Keyword: chocolate peanut butter balls, healthy peanut butter cups, vegan peanut butter balls
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Chilling Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 59kcal
    Author: Becky Striepe

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup powdered peanut butter
    • pinch of salt
    • 4 tablespoons of water
    • maple syrup - to taste, optional
    • ¾ cup vegan chocolate chips

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered peanut butter and salt. Then, add 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) of the water. Mix until the powder absorbs the water and turns crumbly/chunky, then get in with your hands and knead this mixture into a cohesive ball of dough. Add more water by the teaspoon, as needed, if the dough is crumbly after kneading. If it's sticky, add a teaspoon of powdered peanut butter to thicken it up.
    • Taste the dough to see if you want to sweeten it. If so, knead in a tablespoon or two of maple syrup at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. If the dough becomes sticky with the added moisture, you can balance that out with more peanut butter powder.
    • Divide the mixture into 16 1-inch balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave. Then, coat each ball evenly in the chocolate. Use a fork to roll each ball around in the chocolate, then transfer back to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
    • Place the peanut butter balls in the freezer for 30 minutes to chill before serving or moving them to the refrigerator.

    Video

    Notes

    You want the peanut butter mixture to form a cohesive dough. It should not be crumbly or sticky. ¼ cup water usually does the trick, but sometimes you do need to tweak a bit to get a nice, clean dough.
    To melt your chocolate chips in the microwave, cook them on high for 15-45 seconds at a time, stirring in between cooking times, until they fully melt. 
    Store these in the refrigerator. They will keep for a couple of weeks. You can also freeze them for months.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Peanut Butter Balls
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    59
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    3
    g
    5
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    10
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    0.004
    mg
    0
    %
    Sodium
     
    35
    mg
    1
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    7
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    4
    g
    4
    %
    Protein
     
    2
    g
    4
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    19
    IU
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    15
    mg
    2
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    About Becky Striepe

    Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

    Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

    Learn more about me >>>

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Tamara Hanel

      February 25, 2021 at 8:56 am

      5 stars
      These were easy and delicious.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        February 26, 2021 at 8:40 am

        Thank you so much, Tamara!

        Reply

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    About Me

    photo of Becky Striepe
    Hi! My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”). I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here. → READ MORE

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