Peanut Butter Balls with Graham Crackers

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Classic peanut butter balls made with graham cracker and dipped in chocolate taste just like Reese’s peanut butter cups are an easy, no-bake candy recipe that’s perfect for Christmas and the holidays.

Close up shot of a finished peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate with a bite taken out of it to show delicious inner mixture.

Everyone loves the classic recipe for peanut butter balls (aka Buckeyes) and sometimes I crave peanut butter balls with rice krispies for a little extra crunch.

But when you’re craving Reese’s peanut butter cups, I recommend trying a batch of peanut butter balls with graham cracker crumbs. The taste is spot-on!

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I especially enjoy this easy dessert recipe because there are only 6 ingredients and I don’t have to turn on my oven. Talk about a win-win.

Buckeyes are one of my family’s favorite christmas candies. There’s just something about peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate that makes them irresistible.

Dip them in milk chocolate for the most Reese-like experience. A coating of dark chocolate is my personal favorite though and I recommend making them both ways.

Finished peanut butter balls, easy no bake recipe ready to eat and serve.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Balls with Graham Crackers

You probably keep all of these ingredients in your kitchen anyway, so this is a great dessert you can whip up at the last minute without even having to make a store run.

Peanut Butter: I love smooth peanut butter for this recipe, though if you prefer a crunch, you can choose crunchy peanut butter as well.

Unsalted Butter: Your butter should be softened, but not melted. Take it out of the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before you start cooking, so it adjusts to the room temperature. This will make it easier to work with while preparing your peanut butter balls.

Peanut butter balls with graham crackers ingredients all laid out before we begin.

Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar will add that extra sweetness to take your peanut butter balls with graham crackers from good to great.

Graham Crackers: These are the icing on the cake for this recipe. Crush them well, so they mix well with the rest of the recipe.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: You want to select quality chocolate chips because they will coat your peanut butter, so they have to be delicious.

Vegetable Shortening: Shortening is needed to thin out the melted chocolate chips and create a delicious coating for your peanut butter balls. I’ve also read that coconut oil makes a good substitute.

Peanut butter balls easy no bake being mixed up, batter ready to be formed into balls.

Peanut Butter Balls with Graham Crackers

You want to start by lining your cookie sheet with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent the peanut butter balls from sticking. You don’t want to leave any of this tasty treat on the cookie sheet.

Next, combine the peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar in a large bowl until they form a creamy consistency. Once that’s done, add your graham crackers until they’re all well combined.

Graham crackers being mixed into the peanut butter balls with graham crackers recipe mixture.

Then you’re going to take your peanut butter and graham cracker mixture and create your ball shape. Place the rolled peanut butter balls on the parchment covered cookie sheet and let them chill for 30 minutes.

(You can place the cookie sheet on the counter if it’s not too warm in your house or you can set them in the refrigerator to chill faster.)

Once your balls are chilled, you will prepare your chocolate coating by mixing chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl.

Heat the chocolate chips for one minute then stir. Continue heating in 20-30 second increments until the chocolate is almost melted.

When it is nearly melted, stir the mixture until it’s completely creamy.

Peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate with graham crackers on top almost ready to be eaten.

Now comes the fun part. You want to dip your peanut butter and graham cracker balls into the chocolate and place them on a cookie sheet until it firms up. My post for buckeyes has some great tips for dipping in chocolate.

If you have any leftovers, place them in an airtight container so they can maintain their freshness over a few days.

Buckeye Recipe Tips

Be sure to chill your peanut butter balls before dipping them in chocolate. Taking this extra step allows the balls to hold their shape when coated with the warm chocolate mix. I’ve placed them in the freezer for a while with good results as well.

You have two options when melting your chocolate – you can put it in the microwave for 30 seconds increments until it’s reached the desired consistency, or use a double boiler.

Close up shot of the peanut butter balls with graham crackers on top, finished and ready to enjoy.

Your chocolate might thicken up as you’re dipping your peanut butter balls. If that happens, melt the chocolate again until you get the right consistency and continue.

When your peanut butter balls with graham crackers are done, feel free to decorate them to your liking. Add sea salt, sprinkles, extra chocolate, nuts, or whatever you think will mix well with this delicious dessert. We sprinkled this batch with a dusting of graham cracker crumbs.

Peanut butter balls made with graham crackers and dipped in chocolate

To make these taste like Reese’s peanut butter cups, use milk chocolate chips to dip the peanut butter balls. (And for another peanut butter treat, try these Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats!)

Let me know if you make this recipe, leave me a rating and tell me how it went in the comments below.

If you need a chocolate and peanut butter snack for one, Puppy Chow for One satisfies the craving perfectly, because resisting the temptation to gorge the entire massive bowl is a struggle!

Classic peanut butter balls receive a crispy upgrade with a generous addition of crunchy cornflakes. These bite-sized treats combine the beloved flavors of peanut butter and chocolate with an irresistible crunch.

Close up shot of a finished peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate with a bite taken out of it to show delicious inner mixture.

Peanut Butter Balls with Graham Crackers

4.38 from 8 votes
Classic peanut butter balls made with graham cracker and dipped in chocolate taste just like reese's peanut butter cups are an easy, no bake candy recipe that's perfect for Christmas and the holidays.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Servings: 30 peanut butter balls

Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ cups peanut butter smooth
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 ⅓ cups graham crackers crushed
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (use milk chocolate if you're going for the Reese's flavor)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (coconut oil would work too, but it makes the chocolate coating a bit harder)

Instructions

  • Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar.
  • Stir in graham cracker crumbs and mix until well combined and smooth. Shape into balls, about 1 inch in diameter place on a cookie sheet, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  • In a large microwave-safe bowl, add chocolate chips and shortening. Heat for 1 minute and stir, then continue heating for 20-30 seconds and stirring after each interval until chocolate is almost melted. Stir until completely smooth.
  • Dip balls into chocolate with a fork and place on a cookie sheet until firm. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

If the mixture seems dry at first, keep stirring or beat it with a mixer until smooth. Often, it just needs more stirring.
If it’s still too dry, add more peanut butter a tablespoon or two at a time, until smooth. If the mixture is too wet, add a few more graham cracker crumbs (or a couple of tablespoons of powdered sugar) until the mixture is moldable.

Nutrition

Serving: 1peanut butter ball · Calories: 286kcal · Carbohydrates: 28g · Protein: 4g · Fat: 18g · Saturated Fat: 8g · Trans Fat: 1g · Cholesterol: 17mg · Sodium: 88mg · Potassium: 161mg · Fiber: 2g · Sugar: 22g · Vitamin A: 195IU · Calcium: 18mg · Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @chocolatewithgrace or tag #chocolatewithgrace!

{originally published 10/11/19 – recipe notes and photos updated 4/2/21}

Peanut Butter balls made with graham crackers to taste like reese's peanut butter cups.

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  1. Lisa J Kirschenbaum says

    4 stars
    Hi! I thought 4 cups of powdered sugar seemed over the top so i put in 1 cup and tasted the mixture. It was VERY sweet! And the finished product was wonderful!

  2. Goldie Harman says

    I’ve used parfan wax shavings to the chocolate morsels when I was melting it in a double boiler pot
    It works better AND gives your Balls a Little Shine
    I’ve used butterscotch, and peanut butter morsels too

  3. Sandy says

    2 stars
    I found these tasted more like butter than peanut butter. The ratio of butter to PB is way too high, I think 1/4 the amount of butter would be adequate. It’s too bad, we cannot eat these, I feel like I wasted a lot of expensive ingredients.

  4. Nancy says

    5 stars
    Tried recipe. Very good. Same recipe my mom used every year before she passed away . One Christmas my mom made over 400 peanut butter balls. She let all the great grands dip them in the chocolate. That was an annual thing with her.
    I usually make over a 150 and give to my kids and grandkids . Really like this recipe.

  5. Betty Slacker says

    5 stars
    I worked with a pastry chef some 30 years ago. She wouldn’t share any recipes. Back then I had no electronic devices like we have today to look up recipes. All I knew was she put crushed graham crackers in her buckeyes along with the other traditional ingredients. I experimented until I duplicated her buckeyes, the only different thing I did was cover the entire peanut butter ball with chocolate. Then depending of the occasion I drizzled different colors of chocolate on the buckeyes.
    I’m asked to make them for holidays, weddings etc.
    They are by far the best buckeye you’ll ever taste.

    • Mary says

      I love that we live in a time of recipe sharing the way that we do! Graham crackers make a big difference in the final texture, don’t they??