Indulge in 3-ingredient no-bake Peanut Butter Balls. This foolproof confection recipe boasts a luscious filling of cream cheese and sugar, perfectly balanced with rich, creamy peanut butter—coat peanut butter bites in melted chocolate or other delectable toppings.
Combining peanut butter, rich cream cheese, and sugar creates a bite-sized treat like peanut butter cheesecake. Peanut butter cream cheese balls are rich, sweet, and satisfying. Even more enjoyable than the delicious taste of these peanut butter bites is how easy they are to make.
Peanut butter cream cheese balls come together in just a few easy steps utilizing only three simple ingredients. The topping options are endless, but I am partial to chocolate coating (like peanut butter cups).
Like no-bake cheesecake balls, the creamy bite-sized treats are perfectly portioned and great for sharing. Enjoy peanut butter balls straight from the fridge or freezer.
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3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
This delicious no-bake dessert recipe starts with peanut butter and cream cheese for the ultimate rich, delicious filling. The peanut butter filling has a cookie dough-like texture once the sugar is added, which keeps you wanting more. Each ball is the perfect portion size, but do not limit yourself to just one (especially when the sweet craving hits).
- Peanut butter balls come together with three basic ingredients.
- This foolproof, easy candy recipe comes together quickly with minimal effort.
- Topping and mix-in options are endless for an irresistible, customizable dessert experience. See below for some suggestions.
Ingredients
- Creamy Peanut Butter - Use creamy or crunchy peanut butter, depending on your preferences. Do not use natural peanut butter; use regular peanut butter.
- Cream Cheese (room temperature) - Use softened cream cheese.
- Powdered Sugar (sifted) - Sugar adds sweetness and helps bind the balls together.
See the recipe card for the ingredient quantities.
Ingredient Substitutions
Peanut Butter - Cashew Butter, Almond Butter, Sunflower Seed Butter
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Beat the cream cheese and peanut butter in a large bowl using an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add the {sifted} powdered sugar and mix on low speed until incorporated before returning to medium-high speed, mixing until fluffy. Refrigerate the filling for at least 1 hour before shaping the balls.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Once the cream cheese mixture has firmed up, grease your hands with cooking spray. Scoop the mixture using a small cookie scoop and roll it into bite-sized balls. Place the peanut butter balls on the prepared baking sheet.
- Allow the cheesecake balls to chill in the refrigerator for about 4 hours to firm up.
Variations
- Keto - Use keto peanut butter (no sugar added) and swap powdered sugar for monk fruit sweetener (the powdered variety).
- Vanilla - Mix in ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Chocolate Coating - Use candy-coating chocolate for dipping. Or you can melt regular chocolate chips, too. Add one tablespoon of coconut oil to one cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to melt chocolate. Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl for 30-second intervals, stirring after each set, until melted. Dip firm cream cheese balls in the melted chocolate to coat.
- Alternative Toppings - Roll peanut butter balls in crushed graham crackers, rainbow sprinkles, coconut flakes, mini chocolate chips, crushed Oreo cookies, or pulverized freeze-dried fruit. Use a food processor to create cookie, graham cracker, and freeze-dried fruit crumbs. *These toppings can also be used as mix-ins too.
- Double Batch - Easily multiply this recipe for more servings.
Suggested Equipment
- Electric Mixer - Stand Mixer or Handheld Mixer
- Baking Sheet Tray
- Parchment Paper Sheets
- Cookie Scoop
Storage
Store cheesecake balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Delicious No-Bake Desserts
- 3-Ingredient No-Bake Cheesecake
- No-Bake Lemon Curd Pie
- Easy No-Bake Coconut Balls
- Mini Banana Pudding Cups
Expert Tips
- Use room-temperature cream cheese.
- Sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the other ingredients to prevent sugar lumps.
- If the filling appears too soft, add some extra powdered sugar to help bind it together.
- If needed, spray your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking as you form the balls.
- Chill the balls for 4 hours in the refrigerator before serving for the best flavor and texture results. For an even firmer filling, keep peanut butter balls in the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
This peanut butter ball recipe uses cream cheese, so it does need to be refrigerated.
Transfer chilled peanut butter balls to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Enjoy peanut butter bites straight from the freezer or thaw them in the refrigerator.
Like with most baking recipes, avoid using natural peanut butter for this recipe. The texture is too runny for this application and will alter the texture of the peanut butter balls.
If you make the recipe, don’t forget to rate it, and let me know what you think in the comments below! Take pictures, tag #sugarylogic, and share them with me on Instagram or Facebook.
📖 Recipe
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls (With Cream Cheese)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 6 oz cream cheese softened
- 2½ cups powdered sugar sifted
Instructions
- Beat the cream cheese and peanut butter in a large bowl using an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add the {sifted} powdered sugar and mix on low speed until incorporated before returning to medium-high speed, mixing until fluffy. Refrigerate the filling for at least 1 hour before shaping the balls. Transfer the peanut butter mixture to the freezer to set for quicker firming.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Once the cream cheese mixture has firmed up, grease your hands with cooking spray. Scoop the mixture using a small cookie scoop and roll it into bite-sized balls. Place the peanut butter balls on the prepared baking sheet.
- Allow the cheesecake balls to chill in the refrigerator for about 4 hours to firm up. Roll the balls in toppings or coat them in chocolate if desired.
Nutrition
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