Healthy Christmas Peanut Butter Balls (Printer-Friendly Version)
Nutty, crunchy balls with peanut butter and crisp rice cereal, coated in smooth chocolate for festive enjoyment.
# Ingredients Needed:
→ Base Ingredients
01 -
1 cup smooth peanut butter
02 -
2 tablespoons chia seeds
03 -
2 tablespoons flax seeds
04 -
0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 -
3 tablespoons honey
→ Crunchy Element
06 -
1 cup puffed rice cereal, crushed
→ Coating and Decoration
07 -
1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
08 -
2 tablespoons coconut oil
09 -
24 candy eyes
10 -
12 red chocolate candy balls
11 -
24 small pretzel sticks, halved for antlers
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 -
Crush the puffed rice cereal using a food processor or a rolling pin inside a sealed bag until finely broken. Set aside.
02 -
Combine peanut butter, chia seeds, flax seeds, cinnamon, and honey in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 15 seconds, then stir until thoroughly blended.
03 -
Incorporate the crushed rice cereal into the peanut butter mixture. Mix until the cereal is evenly coated. Using a tablespoon measure, scoop and roll the mixture into balls. Place them on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 15 minutes.
04 -
Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring between intervals until smooth.
05 -
Dip each peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Place balls back onto the tray, then attach candy eyes, a red chocolate ball for the nose, and pretzel halves for antlers. Repeat for all balls.
06 -
Return the decorated balls to the freezer for 10 minutes to set. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
If the mixture feels too soft or sticky when rolling, refrigerate it for 10 minutes before shaping.
02 -
Have extra pretzels on hand as they can break easily while cutting for antlers.
03 -
Reheat melted chocolate in 15-second bursts if it hardens during the dipping process.