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Home » Recipes » Dairy Free

Healthy Peanut Butter Balls

By Erin · November 1, 2020 · Updated September 27, 2021 · 3 Comments

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Gluten FreeDairy FreeVeganVegetarian
peanut butter with chocolate
peanut butter balls with chocolate and text overlay

Healthy Peanut Butter Balls are a fun spin on the traditional recipe. They're made with only 5 ingredients, including peanut butter and coconut flour, and they're the perfect afternoon or post-workout snack.

peanut butter balls with a chocolate drizzle

You know I love taking a classic recipe and making it a little bit healthier. My healthy caramel sauce and my almond butter rice crispy bars are two great examples of that!

Traditional peanut butter balls are made with peanut butter and powdered sugar, but not these. Nope! These healthy peanut butter balls are made with peanut butter and coconut flour. Don't worry--they're still plenty decadent--but made with better-for-you ingredients.

Recipe features

  • A healthier version of your favorite childhood recipe
  • Naturally gluten free; can easily be made vegan with a couple of swaps
  • A little sweet yet healthy enough to be an easy post-workout snack
ingredients with text over top

Ingredient notes:

Peanut butter - make sure to use peanut butter where the ONLY ingredient is peanuts (or peanuts and salt); the texture will be creamy and a little runny, and that's what we want!

Maple syrup - or honey

Butter - can use dairy free butter or even coconut oil

Coconut flour - I only tested these with coconut flour; you can probably sub other flours, though the amount will need to be adjusted

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Whisk wet ingredients. First, whisk the peanut butter and maple syrup together, then add in the softened butter. It's ok if there are a few lumps -- it'll all come together after step 2.

peanut butter and coconut flour in a glass bowl

Step 2: Add flour. Pour the coconut flour into that same bowl, then use a spatula to gently fold it in. Use your hands to roll the dough into 15-20 balls, placing them directly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

peanut butter rolled into balls on a baking sheet

Step 3: Drizzle with chocolate. Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, then microwave in 30 second intervals until it's melted and smooth. Drizzle chocolate over the peanut butter balls, then place them and store them in the refrigerator.

peanut butter balls being drizzled with chocolate

Tips + tricks

  • My favorite brands of peanut butter are the 365 brand from Whole Foods and Kirkland brand from Costco.
  • Every peanut butter is a little different; if the final mixture seems too dry, add 1 tablespoon maple syrup and if it seems too wet, add 1 tablespoon flour.
  • Don't want your hands to get messy? Wet them beforehand so that the peanut butter mixture won't stick to them!
  • To melt chocolate: either heat chocolate + coconut oil in a saucepan over the stove, or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave, stirring occasionally so that chocolate doesn't clump up.

Are these vegan?

If you follow the recipe as written, they are not. However, to make them vegan, simply use dairy free butter and dairy free chocolate chips and you'll be good to go.

Can I use a different kind of nut butter?

Yes; however, I only tested this recipe with peanut butter. Other nut butters may have a slightly different texture, so keep that in mind and adjust the other ingredients accordingly.

How should I store these?

Store peanut butter balls in a container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. You can also freeze them -- store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

close up of a ball drizzled with chocolate and sea salt

More healthy dessert recipes

  • Healthy Birthday Cake Brownies
  • Sweet Potato Mousse
  • Vegan Key Lime Pie Tarts

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!

peanut butter balls with a chocolate drizzle

Healthy Peanut Butter Balls

Healthy Peanut Butter Balls are a fun spin on the traditional recipe. They're made with only 5 ingredients, including peanut butter and coconut flour, and they're the perfect afternoon or post-workout snack.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 18 balls
Author: Erin

Ingredients

  • 1 cup peanut butter see notes
  • ¾ cup coconut flour
  • 5 tablespoon maple syrup
  • ¼ cup butter softened
  • â…“ cup chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil

Instructions

  • Whisk peanut butter and maple syrup together; then, add softened butter and whisk. It's ok if there are a few lumps of butter -- it'll all blend together in the end.
  • Next, fold in coconut flour until well combined. Use your hands to form mixture into 15-20 balls, placing them on a lined baking sheet and then placing that into the freezer.
  • Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil together until smooth. (I usually do this in the microwave in 30 second intervals).
  • Take peanut butter balls out of the freezer, then drizzle them with chocolate. Store balls in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Notes

*Calories are for 1 peanut butter ball and are an estimation
*Use peanut butter where the only ingredient is peanuts, or peanuts and salt. That way, the texture is correct and the recipe will turn out perfectly. 
*Can use dairy free butter and dairy free chocolate chips to keep these vegan 
*If mixture still seems too soft, add 1 more tablespoon coconut flour; if mixture seems too dry, add 1 more tablespoon maple syrup -- it should be easy to roll into balls 

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 79IU | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you Make this Recipe? Tag me Today!Leave a comment below and tag @thealmondeater on Instagram!
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About Erin

Erin is the recipe developer, writer and photographer behind the healthy food blog, The Almond Eater. She's been blogging since 2014 and loves to create food for many different diets, including vegan, gluten free and/or Whole30 recipes.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Meghan says

    October 31, 2022 at 12:11 am

    Is there any way to possibly incorporate protein powder into these? They sound delicious!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      October 31, 2022 at 8:17 am

      Yes definitely! If you're just adding 1 scoop of protein powder, there's no need to alter the recipe -- just go ahead and add it in. If you want to add more, you may need to increase the amount of maple syrup you use.

      Reply
      • Meghan says

        October 31, 2022 at 1:37 pm

        Thank you!!

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