3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls are an easy no-bake treat made with butter, peanut butter, and icing sugar. They come together in 15 minutes, then chill until firm, perfect for quick dessert bites or holiday trays.
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls (No-Bake & Ready in Minutes)
When I want something sweet without turning on the oven, these peanut butter balls are what I make. They taste like the inside of a peanut butter cookie, soft, rich, and sweet, without any baking or waiting around.
You only need one bowl and simple pantry ingredients. Mix, roll, chill, and they're ready. If you feel like dressing them up, you can dip them in chocolate like these peanut butter balls or buckeyes, or add a pinch of flaky salt, but they're just as good kept simple. If you enjoy simple no-bake treats, this recipe pairs well with my almond nougat or toffee bark during the holidays.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's easy: You only need three simple ingredients, and there's no baking involved. Just mix, roll, and chill, done!
- Perfect for peanut butter lovers!: If you love peanut butter (like me!), these little treats are pure heaven.
Ingredients
Here's the breakdown of what's in this 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls recipe:
- Salted Butter: I use room-temperature salted butter because it adds a bit of saltiness, which really brings out the peanut butter flavor. It also makes the mixture smooth and soft, which helps when I'm rolling the balls. The butter makes them melt in your mouth!
- Peanut Butter: Room-temperature peanut butter is the star of the show! It gives these balls that creamy, nutty flavor I can't resist. Plus, it holds everything together, so I don't have to worry about the balls falling apart. It's the perfect base for this treat.
- Icing Sugar: I add icing sugar because it makes the balls sweet and gives them that smooth, almost fudgy texture. It's also what helps them firm up after chilling, so they hold their shape. The sweetness balances the saltiness of the butter and the peanut butter perfectly!
👩🏻🍳How to Make 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls
You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Mix the Base: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and peanut butter with a hand mixer until smooth.
2. Add the Sugar: Gradually mix in icing sugar with a spatula until a thick, rollable dough forms.
3. Roll: Scoop and roll into bite-sized balls (about 2-3 cm) and place on a lined tray.
4. Chill: Chill for 20-30 minutes until firm.
My Tips for Recipe Success
Use Soft Butter: I like to let the butter sit at room temperature so it blends smoothly with the peanut butter; cold butter can stay lumpy and make the dough uneven.
Avoid Adding Icing Sugar Too Fast: I add the icing sugar little by little and mix between additions, because adding it all at once can create a sugar cloud and make the mixture harder to bring together.
Storage: I always chill the balls until firm, then keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week (or freeze up to 3 months) so they stay firm and not sticky.
Try These Peanut Butter Recipes Next!
Recipe
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredients
- 90 g Salted Butter
- 250 g Peanut Butter
- 300 g Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Mixture: In a large bowl, mix the softened salted butter and peanut butter with a hand mixer until smooth and well combined.
- Add the Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing with a spatula until a thick dough forms. The mixture should be firm enough to roll into balls.
- Shape the Balls: Scoop out small portions of the dough and roll them into bite-sized balls (about 2-3 cm in diameter). Place them on a lined cutting board or baking tray.
- Chill: Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes until they firm up.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Susana says
These 3-ingredient peanut butter balls are so simple, quick, and delicious! Perfect for a sweet snack or last-minute treat. Thanks for sharing the recipe!