Crispy Peanut Butter Balls (Healthier Recipe!)

crispy peanut butter ball split in half on a pan.

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls (Healthier Recipe!)

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crispy peanut butter balls

Prep Time: 25

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 25

Servings:

Calories: 100kcal

Author: Megan Gilmore

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls are inspired by the version made with butter and powdered sugar, but these have a fruit-sweetened center and a satisfying crunch.

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Ingredients

1 cup Medjool dates , pitted
½ cup creamy peanut butter , all-natural and drippy in texture
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup crispy rice cereal*
¾ cup chocolate chips
coarse sea salt (optional topping)

Instructions

Place the pitted dates in the bowl of a large food processor fitted with an "S" blade. Secure the lid and process until broken down. (Mine usually forms a big, sticky ball.)
Add in the peanut butter (you want it drippy in consistency, so use one at room temperature, rather than from the fridge), the ground flax seeds, and salt. Process again until a crumbly, uniform dough is created. I usually watch the mixture turn into a big ball first, and then it breaks down into crumbles if you continue processing for a minute or so. Scrape down the sides if necessary.
Add in the crispy rice cereal and process briefly again, just until the cereal is broken down slightly. The mixture will look crumbly, but you should be able to pinch the dough with your fingers and roll it into a ball easily with the cereal inside.
Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough and roll it between your hands to create 20 balls. Arrange them on a parchment lined baking sheet, then place them in the freezer to firm up.
Arrange a heat-safe bowl over a small saucepan filled with an inch of water to create a double boiler. Bring the water to a boil, and place the chocolate chips in the bowl to melt. Stir until the chocolate is smooth, then turn off the heat.
Remove the peanut butter balls from the freezer and coat each one with melted chocolate. Return each coated ball to the parchment-lined pan, and sprinkle with coarse sea salt on top if you like a sweet and salty treat.
Place the pan of chocolate-coated peanut butter balls in the fridge or freezer until the chocolate has hardened. Then they are ready to serve. They will have the softest texture when served at room temperature. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Nutrition information is for 1 of 20 balls, assuming you use all of the melted chocolate. (You may not!) This information is automatically calculated and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.

• Gluten-Free Note: Kellog's Rice Krispies cereal is NOT gluten-free, but there are several gluten-free brands of cereal available. Check the package for a "gluten-free" label, if needed.

• If you don't want to use dates, try using this recipe instead.

• If you'd prefer to make your own naturally sweetened chocolate coating, use this recipe.

Nutrition