3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls

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5 from 766 votes
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My 3 ingredient peanut butter balls are soft, fudgy, and full of peanut butter flavor. They take seconds to make. Enjoy them as a wholesome treat after dinner or a snack between meals.

bowl of peanut butter balls.
Table of Contents
  1. Key Ingredients
  2. How to make peanut butter balls
  3. Recipe Variations
  4. Storage instructions
  5. 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls (Recipe Card)
  6. Frequently asked questions
  7. More simple 3-ingredient desserts

Why you need to make my 3 ingredient peanut butter balls

Arman Liew

I usually grab some peanut butter oatmeal balls when I’m needing a substantial snack between meals, but when I want something a little more dessert-like, I make these 3 ingredient peanut butter balls. They are thick, fudgy, and perfectly satisfy the sweet tooth.

Peanut butter balls are ridiculously easy to make and, frankly, even easier to eat. They take just minutes to make and are incredibly easy to customize. I also adore the texture – I describe these as a cross between fudge and truffles. In fact, many of my family members refer to these truffles and buckeyes!

If you’d like to cover these in chocolate, try my chocolate peanut butter balls.

★★★★★ REVIEW

“Great recipe for a perfect snack! Thanks so much!” – Dana

Key Ingredients

  • Peanut butter. Smooth and creamy peanut butter, not the crunchy type! 
  • Coconut flour. Thicker than other flours and has a cakier texture. You can easily find this low-carb and high-fiber flour at grocery stores and health food markets. Not a fan of coconut? I’ve tested these with both blanched almond flour and oat flour, and it worked just as well.
  • Maple syrup. Adds sweetness and also helps bind the balls together. Honey or agave nectar will also work. 

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to make peanut butter balls

Step 1- Mix. In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients.

Step 2- Shape. Roll the mixture into small balls.

Step 3- Set. Refrigerate the peanut butter balls for at least thirty minutes to firm up. 

3 ingredient peanut butter balls in a bowl, overhead shot.

Recipe Variations

  • Choose the right peanut butter. Always use smooth peanut butter and not one that separates from the oil or one that is too chunky. I find all-natural peanut butter is best for these.
  • Swap the peanut butter. I’ve made these with almond butter, cashew butter, and tahini, and it works just as well.
  • Enhance the flavor. Add some salt, vanilla extract, or cocoa powder to change the flavor. 
  • If the balls appear too crumbly, add a few drops of water until you have a cohesive batter.
  • Add mix-ins. Fold through some chopped nuts, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or anything you like! 

Storage instructions

To store: Place leftover peanut balls in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to two weeks. If you intend on enjoying these within a few days, they will keep well at room temperature. 

To freeze: Wrap the balls in parchment paper, place them in a ziplock bag, and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. 

3 ingredient peanut butter balls recipe.

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls

5 from 766 votes
These 3 Ingredient peanut butter balls take less than 5 minutes to make. Soft, fudgy, and seriously satisfying. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!
Servings: 40 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Line a large tray or plate with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut flour and mix well. If the batter is too thick, add some water until a thick batter remains. 
  • Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form the dough into small balls and place them on the lined sheet. Refrigerate the peanut butter balls for 30 minutes or until firm. 

Notes

  • Peanut butter: Any smooth and creamy peanut butter works. Use any nut or seed butter.
  • Coconut flour: Swap it out for oat flour or almond flour. 
  • Storage: Place leftover peanut balls in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you intend on enjoying these within a few days, they will keep well at room temperature. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 57kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 2gFat: 4gPotassium: 3mgFiber: 1.5gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 1.7mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.2mgNET CARBS: 2g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!
three ingredient peanut butter balls in a bowl.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make this recipe with different sweeteners?

Use corn syrup or confectioners’ sugar instead of maple syrup or honey. I find these to be a little sweeter but they will just as delicious.

My mixture is too sticky. What can I do?

If your mixture is a little too sticky to roll into balls, add a little extra coconut flour until it thickens up.

My mixture is too dry. What can I do?

This can happen with certain brands of peanut butter. To compensate, add a few drops of water until it becomes smooth.

More simple 3-ingredient desserts

If you’ve enjoyed this 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls recipe, please give it a star rating. It really helps others thinking of making it. Tag me in your photos or videos on InstagramTikTok, or Facebook I love hearing from you!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, culinary school graduate, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

5 from 766 votes (753 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Awesome recipe, instead of coconut powder, try adding low carb protein powder for a tasty treat. I used weight watchers chocolate peanut butter powder.

    1. 5 stars
      could you/would you try making these with PB2 and what would you recommend? I might try it but I’m curious what you think too 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    I enjoy viewing your recipes. I am not a maple flavor anything person and I see it used quite frequently in your recipes. Would natural honey be considered a good substitute? Just curious. Thanks.

  3. Any tips on what to do if I’d like to reduce the amount of maple syrup?
    Thanks so much!

  4. Number of your recipes call for protein powder can you make any of those same recipes without the protein powder?

    1. 5 stars
      Awesome recipe, instead of coconut powder, try adding low carb protein powder for a tasty treat. I used weight watchers chocolate peanut butter powder.

  5. 5 stars
    Arman,
    I made these yesterday and added some Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips and they turned out real good. I enjoy your recipes. Even this amateur cook has had success with. Thank you.

  6. What can I use instead of coconut flour? I have problems with coconut products. And I don’t want to do an uncooked flour like oatmeal or rice flour or arrowroot powder. Thanks

  7. 5 stars
    My grandkids and I love these little bites of Super power as my
    G-kids call them. My granddaughter asked me if we could add coconut flakes inside as well. Do you think that would be ok to add just a little?

  8. I was searching for an easy snack and these hit the spot because of the protein and I added chocolate chips and coconut on the outside and I used date syrup they are so delicious thank you for this recipe

  9. Would oat flour work in this recipe? I’m not crazy about coconut flour. Maybe I’d use less, since oat flour absorbs lots of liquid?

  10. Have you tried it with almond nut butter? Sometimes difficult to get smooth sugar- and additive free peanut butter🙄!

  11. Have you tried it with almond nut butter? Sometimes difficult to get smkoth sugar- and additive free peanut butter🙄!

  12. Has anyone read through the comments from beginning to end?!!! It will give you a laugh how many times the same question is asked and answered! Power to you Arman for not getting frustrated answering people that ask questions over and over without taking the time to read the comments. Much patience you must have. Recipe is Great btw! Thanks

  13. Hello! I have crunchy ( I like texture) all natural pb. As I’m sure you know, the all natural kind is FULL of oil and more on the liquidy side, even after mixing profusely. Will this affect the balls holding their shape?

  14. 5 stars
    Arman, I often go to your site to read a new recipe, thanks for teaching me how to cook delicious and healthy food.

  15. So delicious!! Mine seemed very soft even after sitting in the fridge. Maybe it was too humid today to make them.
    Still very good kids loved them. Thank you!!

    1. I haven’t tried, but feel free to experiment and see- I’d love to know if it works! I think it should be fine- Start with 1 scoop then add a little milk to thicken.

  16. I got my peanut butter, almond butter, and cashew butter at WINCO my last trip. They each have their own grinder and grind the nuts right before your eyes, nothing added but is between smooth and chunky but I think it will work. I’m getting ready to make these. I usually make my go to cream cheese fat bombs made with cream cheese, vanilla, formed into balls and rolled in coconut flakes. But I need a little variety.:) I’ve lost 60 lbs since June on Keto and am always looking for something new to try. Thank you.

  17. These look amazing to me but I don’t eat any kind of sugar or sweetener (honey, maple syrup, agave) or artificial sweetener of any kind (stevja). Can I exclude the sweetener entirely and/or can you think of anything else that I could use as an alternative?

  18. My partner is allergic to coconut, do you have a suggestion for what I could try instead? Our usual default is almond flour but I can see that texture being off. Thanks in advance! This recipe looks delicious and easy.

  19. I used manilife creamy peanut butter and the consistency is very runny not allowing me to make balls. Did you come across this?

    1. Hi! Store them in the fridge and they will keep for at least 4 weeks 🙂 They can be stored in the freezer too, for up to 6 months.

  20. These take less than 5 min. to make — so easy. I’m thinking of drizzling semi-sweet chocolate over them. Checking my cabinets now for a high cacao block😆

  21. Sooooo good, love how simple and quick these are to make…thank you!!

  22. Can’t wait to make these to have on hand in the freezer! only 3 ingredients that I always have on hand too…could it get any easier?! 🙂

  23. I checked on ordering the monk fruit maple syrup and it in fact contains 21 calories and 12 grams of carbs. Where do you find the zero calorie and low carb?

      1. 5 stars
        Holy Moley. These are super quick to make and absolute heaven to eat. I don’t worry about carbs etc or numbers. I eat what I like and am healthy, fit and slim at 58.
        Ladies, don’t panic. Just put aside your Diet Coke and have this instead.