These peanut butter balls are the perfect (and healthier) alternative to sugar-laden buckeyes and will even meet those cravings for a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup!  With zero processed sugar and a little added crunch, these little balls make for the perfect treat!

Peanut butter is LIFE. I think I could probably survive solely on recipes made with peanut butter!  And don’t even get me started on my love for Reese’s Peanut Butter seasonal shapes!  I once bought several bags of Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs a few days after Easter as they were 50% off and the grocery store checker said, “Are these all for you?”  Yes, yes they are.  They are going in my freezer to last until Halloween, thank you very much.  😂

But with a new year, comes new resolutions to eat a bit healthier.  And these little peanut butter balls use maple syrup instead of sugar to get the perfect amount of sweetness!  With some crispy rice cereal thrown in, these babies have the perfect amount of peanut buttery crunchy sweetness that hit the spot when you have a chocolate/peanut butter craving.

Typically peanut butter balls are covered in chocolate and buckeyes have only the top dipped.  But since I love the peanut butter part of these balls the best, I choose to just drizzle the chocolate on top.  But if you are more of a chocolate fan, you can double the amount of chocolate chips (and coconut oil) and completely submerge the balls in chocolate!

Make these balls gluten free by using gluten-free crispy rice cereal.  I used Rice Krispies, because that is what I had on hand and we don’t have any gluten allergies or intolerances in our house.

Finally, you will want to keep these in the freezer until you are ready to eat them.  The coconut oil mixed in with the chocolate chips will cause the chocolate to melt at room temperature.

Healthier Peanut Butter Balls

1. Line a pan or plate with parchment or waxed paper before starting. Measure out 1 cup of peanut butter (stirred) and mix with the maple syrup and salt. Stir vigorously until the mixture thickens enough to shape into balls.

2. If the dough is thick enough and not super sticky to the touch, you may want to skip the coconut flour altogether. But if your mixture is still sticky, add 1 tablespoon of coconut flour. Stir and then let sit for a minute. If the mixture is still too sticky, add another 1 tablespoon of coconut flour and stir.

3. Pour in the cereal and use your hands to knead the cereal into the dough until combined.
Shape the dough into tablespoon balls and roll between your hands. Place each ball on the lined pan and put in the freezer for at least 20 minutes.

4. Once the balls have set in the freezer, combine your chocolate chips and coconut oil in a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and microwave for 15 second increments, stirring in between, until the chips have melted.

5. Remove the pan of peanut butter balls from the freezer and drizzle the chocolate over the top. If you like more chocolate, double the amount of chocolate chips and coconut oil and dip the entire ball in the chocolate, returning them to the lined pan.  Once you have added the chocolate, return the balls to the freezer until ready to serve.