These healthy peanut butter balls feature a creamy peanut butter filling and smooth chocolate coating! They are true decadence in every bite. This quick and easy recipe requires only 6 ingredients. They are perfect for an afternoon snack, sweet treat or holiday dessert!

Healthy peanut butter balls.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • These healthy peanut butter balls are quick and easy.
  • The filling is creamy.
  • The chocolate coating is silky smooth.
  • They are made with only 6 ingredients.
  • Just like Buckeyes!
  • Perfect for a quick dessert or snack. Try these Gluten Free Nutter Butters too!
  • These are fun and festive for Christmas, the holidays, Valentine’s Day, or any special occasion.
  • This recipe is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, and can be made refined sugar free.
  • To make them Paleo, use cashew butter or almond butter. In addition, use sugar free chocolate.
  • For nut free, use sunflower butter.
  • Check out these Peanut Butter Energy Balls for another healthy recipe!

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for healthy peanut butter balls. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.

Use all natural creamy peanut butter made with only peanuts and salt. Brands with added sugars and oils are usually too thick or dry for this recipe.

Coconut flour is a healthy baking flour. It helps thicken the filling. To replace, use slightly more almond flour than the ⅓ cup coconut flour this recipe calls for. Oat flour may work too, although I have not tested that yet.

Replacing coconut flour with protein powder may work as well. Just be sure to slowly add protein powder so it does not become too dry.

Pure maple syrup helps sweeten the filling. Feel free to use honey.

The coating is made with melted chocolate chips and coconut oil. If necessary, microwave for 10 to 15 seconds so it is completely smooth. Use refined coconut oil for a neutral taste. Unrefined coconut oil has a slight coconut flavor.

For vegan, be sure to use vegan chocolate chips.

Lastly, garnish with sea salt at the end.

Ingredients for healthy peanut butter balls.

Health Benefits

This is not a kale salad. However, these peanut butter balls have some health benefits.

All natural peanut butter is a great source of plant based protein. Additionally, peanut butter contains healthy fat. It does not spike blood sugar levels and it is filling.

Coconut flour is naturally Paleo, grain free and gluten free. It is high in fiber and aids in digestion. Coconut flour does not spike blood sugar.

Dark chocolate provides nutrients as well! Dark chocolate contains high levels of copper, iron, magnesium and manganese.

Taste & Texture

These healthy peanut butter balls taste like chocolate and peanut butter! They are sweet, chocolaty and incredibly delicious.

The filling is creamy. The chocolate coating is so smooth! These bites are melt in your mouth! Store in the fridge or freezer to prevent melting.

How to Make

Step 1

First, add peanut butter, coconut flour and maple syrup to a mixing bowl.

Peanut butter and coconut flour.

Step 2

Stir to combine.

Thick peanut butter mixture.

Step 3

Use hands to roll into 1 inch sized balls. Place on a parchment lined pan.

Nut dough balls.

Step 4

Place pan in freezer for 15 minutes.

Step 5

Then, combine melted chocolate chips and coconut oil in a bowl. Stir until completely creamy. If needed, microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.

Creamy melted chocolate.

Step 6

Coat each peanut butter ball completely in the melted chocolate mixture. Place back on parchment lined pan. Garnish with sea salt.

Step 7

Place pan in freezer for 15 minutes or until hardened.

Step 8

Finally, serve! Store in the fridge or freezer.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Use all natural creamy peanut butter. The only ingredients should be peanuts and salt.

Peanut butter with added sugar and oil are usually too thick.

Coconut flour is very absorbent. It cannot be directly replaced.

To replace the coconut flour, use more almond flour. Start with ½ cup almond flour and go from there.

Mix together the melted chocolate chips and coconut oil completely. You may need to quickly microwave.

Use a fork or spoon to help coat the peanut butter balls in melted chocolate.

Chocolate peanut butter balls.

Variations & Add Ins

Consider these flavor variations and additions to these healthy peanut butter balls.

Add in some oats.

Add in chia seeds.

Use cashew butter or almond butter.

Add in mini chocolate chips to the dough.

Use melted white chocolate for the coating.

Garnish with sprinkles.

Replace coconut flour with protein powder to make healthy peanut butter protein balls.

How to Serve & Store

Serve healthy peanut butter balls once chilled and hardened.

They are great by themselves, with a cup of coffee, milk or hot chocolate.

Add one or two to a bowl of ice cream!

Store in the fridge or freezer. They cannot be kept at room temperature.

Freeze for up to 2 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the health benefits of peanut butter balls?

These peanut butter balls contain protein, iron, healthy fats and contain no refined sugar. Be sure to use naturally sweetened chocolate chips.

Can I substitute the coconut flour?

Sure! Use more almond flour or oat flour than what this recipe calls for.

Are they gluten free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten free as written.

Do I need to store them in the fridge?

Yes. These will start to melt at room temperature.

Which type of peanut butter should I use?

Use all natural creamy peanut butter made from only peanuts and salt.

Dark chocolate truffles.

Equipment Needed

USA Pan 3 Piece Cookie Sheet Set: I used the smallest baking sheet for this recipe. They are high quality, durable and long lasting.

Pre-Cut Parchment Paper Sheets: Line baking pan with parchment paper. This makes clean up a breeze!

Pyrex 3 Glass Mixing Bowls: These mixing bowls are heavy duty and easy to clean.

Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups: These glass measuring cups are great for any recipe.

You May Also Like

If you make this healthy peanut butter ball recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on InstagramFacebook, and Pinterest. Join my exclusive Facebook Group for a behind the scenes look. I would love for you to follow along!  For more ideas, check out these Dessert Recipes.

Healthy peanut butter balls.

Get the Recipe: Healthy Peanut Butter Balls

These healthy peanut butter balls feature a smooth and creamy peanut butter filling! They are enclosed in a silky smooth chocolate coating. This quick and easy recipe is great for snacks and dessert. Both kids and adults love them!
5 from 7 votes

Ingredients

Instructions 

  • First, add peanut butter, coconut flour and maple syrup to a mixing bowl.
  • Stir to combine. Mixture will be thick.
  • Use hands to roll into 1 inch sized balls. Place on a parchment lined pan.
  • Place pan in freezer for 15 minutes.
  • Then, combine melted chocolate chips and coconut oil in a bowl. Stir until completely creamy. If needed, microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.
  • Coat each peanut butter ball completely in the melted chocolate mixture. Place back on parchment lined pan. Garnish with sea salt if desired. Repeat for all dough.
  • Place pan in freezer for 15 minutes or until hardened.
  • Finally, serve! Store in the fridge or freezer.

Notes

  • Use all natural creamy peanut butter made from only peanuts and salt.
  • Brands like Jif may be too thick and dry for this recipe.
  • To replace the coconut flour, use slightly more almond flour.  Start with ½ cup almond flour and add more as needed.  Oat flour may work too.
  • If needed, microwave the melted chocolate chips and coconut oil for 10 to 15 seconds.  Then, stir until completely creamy.
  • Store these in the fridge or freezer for up to 2 weeks.
Calories: 216kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Sodium: 92mg, Potassium: 118mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Calcium: 14mg, Iron: 1mg

Love these healthy homemade peanut butter balls? You can sign up here to receive healthy meal plans, exclusive new recipes and updates!