Peanut Butter Balls with Chocolate Rice Krispies: The 20-Minute No-Bake Sensation

1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural/oily)

6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal

2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)

1 tbsp coconut oil or shortening (for thinning chocolate)

Optional Add-Ins & Variations:

½ tsp vanilla extract (added with the butter)

A pinch of salt (if using unsalted peanut butter)

Crushed graham crackers (replace ½ cup of the powdered sugar)

Flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top

Ingredient Role & Substitution Guide

Ingredient	Why It Matters	Best Substitutions
Creamy Peanut Butter	Use standard shelf-stable peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy). The stabilizers help the balls hold their shape.	Natural peanut butter will make the mixture too oily and soft.
Powdered Sugar	Sweetens and provides structure to the peanut butter mixture.
Rice Krispies Cereal	Provides the iconic light, crispy, and airy crunch.	Any crisp rice cereal.
Chocolate Chips	Creates the delicious, smooth chocolate shell coating.	Chocolate almond bark or melting wafers (they don’t require coconut oil).
Coconut Oil	Thins the melted chocolate, making it easier to dip and resulting in a smoother, shinier shell.	Vegetable shortening.

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