Healthy Christmas Peanut Balls (Printer-Friendly)
Crunchy peanut butter balls with rice cereal and a chocolate finish, ideal for festive gatherings and healthy indulgence.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Base Mixture
01 -
1 cup smooth peanut butter
02 -
2 tablespoons chia seeds
03 -
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
04 -
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
05 -
3 tablespoons honey
→ Crunch Component
06 -
3 cups puffed rice cereal, crushed
→ Coating and Decoration
07 -
1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
08 -
2 teaspoons coconut oil
09 -
24 candy eyes
10 -
12 small red chocolate balls for noses
11 -
24 mini pretzel pieces for antlers
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Crush the puffed rice cereal using a food processor or place in a sealed plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin; set aside.
02 -
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine smooth peanut butter, chia seeds, ground flax seeds, ground cinnamon if using, and honey. Microwave for 15 seconds.
03 -
Stir the microwaved mixture until fully incorporated, then fold in the crushed puffed rice cereal ensuring even coating.
04 -
Using a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon, portion the mixture and roll into balls by hand. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
05 -
Freeze the shaped balls for 15 minutes to set.
06 -
Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a microwave-safe bowl at 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted and smooth.
07 -
Dip each peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate using a fork or dipping tool, shake off excess chocolate, and place back on the lined baking sheet.
08 -
Immediately decorate each ball with candy eyes, red chocolate ball nose, and pretzel antlers while the coating is still wet.
09 -
Return the decorated balls to the freezer for 10 minutes to set the chocolate coating.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
If the mixture feels too soft or sticky, refrigerate it for 10 minutes before shaping.
02 -
Have extra pretzels on hand as the antlers can break while cutting.
03 -
If chocolate hardens too quickly during dipping, gently remelt it in 15-second increments.