How To Make Peanut Butter Balls

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This peanut butter ball recipe is a great snack to have around to tide people over until dinner! Get the kids involved to make this nutritious snack! 
 

 

Peanut butter balls are delicious!! This is a great snack for children and grown ups alike. They are kept in Ziploc bags in the freezer and when we manage to have any (they are eaten so fast!).  Full of all sorts of goodness, it’s one snack that will not only tide your family over until you can finish up supper, but one you can feel good about letting them have.

What You’ll Need:

peanut butter balls ingredients

Ingredients:

  • quick oats
  • peanut butter
  • powdered milk
  • honey*

*Note about honey: If you have children under the age of two, substitute corn syrup as raw honey poses health risks.

How To Make Peanut Butter Balls:

measure oats into bowl

Measure oats into mixing bowl.

measure out milk and add to mixing bowl

Measure out milk and add it to the mixing bowl

stir to blend

Stir to blend.
 
pour in honey or corn syrup

Pour in honey (or corn syrup).
 
add peanut butter

Add peanut butter.
 
mix with hand mixer

Pull out the hand mixer and mix until it looks like this!
 
form into balls

Scoop out peanut butter balls with a cookie scoop, or form it into balls with your hands, compressing the balls tightly so they stick together well.
 
put peanut butter balls on cookie sheet and freeze
 
Freeze peanut butter balls on waxed paper lined cookie sheets until hardened, then place them in a Ziploc bag and return them to the freezer. They are ready to eat anytime!
 
peanut butter balls

 

These are seriously irresistible. Enjoy having this delicious and nutritious snack around!

peanut butter balls

If you’re feeling creative, feel free to add your favorite additives to your peanut butter balls! Adding some extra ingredients can take your peanut butter balls to the next level of flavor and texture. Here are some delicious add-in ideas to consider:

  • Crushed Graham Crackers: Stir in some crushed graham crackers to the peanut butter mixture for a subtle hint of sweetness and a satisfying crunch.
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: Mix in mini chocolate chips for bursts of chocolatey goodness throughout the peanut butter balls.
  • Chopped Nuts: Add chopped nuts such as peanuts, almonds, or pecans for extra crunch and a nutty flavor.
  • Toasted Coconut Flakes: Incorporate toasted coconut flakes into the peanut butter mixture for a tropical twist.
  • Dried Fruit: Mix in chopped dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots for a chewy texture and a pop of sweetness.
  • Pretzel Pieces: Stir in crushed pretzel pieces for a salty-sweet contrast that adds crunch and flavor.
  • Crispy Rice Cereal: Mix in crispy rice cereal to add a light and crispy texture to the peanut butter balls.
  • Flavored Extracts: Experiment with different flavored extracts such as almond extract, coconut extract, or maple extract to enhance the flavor profile of the peanut butter balls.
  • Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the peanut butter mixture for a warm and aromatic flavor.
  • Protein Powder: For a protein-packed treat, mix in some protein powder of your choice to boost the nutritional content of the peanut butter balls.

Feel free to get creative and customize your peanut butter balls with your favorite add-ins to suit your taste preferences. The possibilities are endless!

peanut butter balls

Peanut Butter Balls

Peanut butter balls were a staple in our school lunchrooms. Now you can make them at home with this quick, easy and delicious recipe!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: peanutbutter
Servings: 4
Calories: 135kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 C honey or corn syrup
  • 3 C creamy peanut butter
  • 5 C dry milk powder
  • 6 C quick oats

Instructions

  • Mix all together with hand mixer. Form into balls with hands and freeze on waxed paper lined cookie sheets until hardened. Store in freezer in ziploc bags. (Makes about 100)

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

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124 Comments

  1. Love these – I’ve been keeping a bag in the freezer at all times since I found this recipe! They’re also great for a quick dessert – I just melt some chocolate chips in a mug and drop the (thawed) peanut butter balls in there one by one. Roll ’em around to coat, put ’em on a plate, and stick ’em in the freezer for a few minutes to let the chocolate harden. Like peanut butter cups, except healthier!

  2. ……I forgot to mention that at our school it appeared that after the peanut butter balls were made they were rolled in coarsely crushed vanilla wafers, which gave it some crunch. I could do without the vanilla wafers, I just love the peanut butter!

  3. We always had these at school and I was crazy about them. The kids that didnt like them would pass them down the table to me. Not the most sanitary means of transporting food, I realize now. I would end up with 4 or 5, wrap them in a napkin, and eat them throughout the rest of the school day. I shudder to think of the calories I must have consumed on peanut butter ball day! Anyway, I’ve always wanted the recipe. Now I am excited to make them for my kids. Thank you so much!

  4. Christy, I don’t know if you’ll even see this, but… I bought a milk glass footed bowl, like a compote in shape (at a thrift store for $1.50 so yay!), that has a border just like that one pictured with the balls.

    Do you know the pattern or maker for this design? I bought it for cranberry at Thanksgiving, but I might like some more serving pieces and/or develop a new antique hunting obsession.

    1. Yippee!! It’s made by anchor Hocking and called “Old Colony Lace”. Pieces are fairly easy to find right now but I’m sure they’ll go up in value as more folks seek them out. So glad you love it like I do!!

  5. Making these today! They make a great mid-day or after-school snack. My three boys got so excited when they saw me get all the ingredients out on the counter. They started running in circles, “Mom’s making Peanut Butter balls!” I think I know their love language. 😉

  6. Sorry if I missed it earlier in the replies, but should it be honey or corn syrup? Saw honey in the photos, and corn syrup in the recipe…??

  7. This is my third time to make these! So easy to prepare and yummy to eat. This is a great snack to take to the beach.

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