These keto peanut butter balls are perfect for your chocolate peanut butter craving! They are the perfect combination of sweet and salty with a bit of crunch from roasted peanuts and the decadent flavor of chocolate.
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Oh, peanut butter balls. These are one of my Christmas favorites. Almost every year my friends Joy and Mel host a cookie exchange at one of their houses. Mel is known for making chocolate PB balls. Last year she made something else and when I got home the first thing my husband said was, "where are the peanut butter balls?" Sorry, honey, Mel didn't make peanut butter balls this year. The look on his face was priceless.
I decided a few weeks ago when I began planning all the delicious Christmasy things I wanted to make this year that healthy keto peanut butter balls were near the top of the list. So, yes I made Healthy Peanut Butter Balls that are as delicious with just 4 ingredients.
This easy peanut butter balls recipe is also low carb, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
If you love peanut butter these are a must. And make sure to try my Keto Peanut Butter Fudge next!
Ingredients Needed
These low carb keto energy balls need just 4 ingredients. No almond flour or coconut flour, no protein powder, or other expense ingredients are needed! Just peanuts, peanut butter, sweetener, and sugar free chocolate.
No Sugar Added Peanut Butter - I buy the two packs of organic peanut butter from Costco but any peanut butter that is only peanuts and salt is fine. Smuckers Natural peanut butter is one that is easily found. You can use creamy peanut butter or chunky peanut butter.
Finely Chopped Roasted Salted Peanuts - Using roasted salted peanuts in place of the rice crispy cereal in the original version gives these a nice texture and kicks up the peanut flavor.
Powdered Sugar-Free Sweetener - I've been taking the shortcut method and using powdered swerve when a recipe needs a powdered sweetener but you can grind your own erythritol or xylitol in a food processor or blender.
Sugar-Free Chocolate - This recipe calls for a full 8-ounce bag of sugar free chocolate chips, such as Lily's Chocolate Chips, if you'd like to completely cover the healthy peanut butter balls in chocolate. I know good sugar-free chocolate is not cheap so you alternatively you could roll these in cocoa powder and just do a drizzle of chocolate or roll them in coconut.
How to Make Keto Peanut Butter Balls
By swapping in a sugar-free sweetener for the powdered sugar and chopped peanuts for the rice crispy cereal I make the filling for these much healthier than the original. Just coat with a sugar-free chocolate and no one will ever know you converted this recipe to be sugar-free. This energy balls recipe is bound to be one of your favorite low carb snacks!
Step One: Finely grind fresh peanuts.
Step Two: Mix the peanuts with the peanut butter and sweetener. It is easy to do this in a medium bowl with a spoon.
Step Three: Form into balls. I normally scoop them with a small cookie scoop so they are the same size and then roll them in my hands to make a more uniform sphere shape.
Step Four: Coat in melted chocolate.
Variations
These have plenty of room for customization in low carb peanut butter balls. Here are some ideas:
Protein Peanut Butter Balls - Mix in a few tablespoons of collagen or peanut butter protein powder to make peanut butter protein balls. You may need to add a little more peanut butter, keto maple syrup, or regular butter to balance out the additional dry ingredients.
Coconut PB Balls - Stir in some unsweetened shredded coconut flakes.
Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls - Add in some coarsely chopped peanuts as well as the finely chopped peanuts.
Double Chocolate - Add some cocoa powder to the peanut butter mixture to make keto chocolate peanut butter balls.
Chocolate Chip PB Balls - Boost the chocolate and throw some chocolate chips into the filling.
White Chocolate Balls - Sub in some ChocZero White Chocolate Chips.
Shapes - Make these into Easter Eggs or Peanut Butter Trees.
These do flatten a little from the ball shape as they chill. If you really want round peanut butter balls I think adding a mixin would help.
Common Questions
What is the easiest way to form peanut butter balls?
My tip for having even peanut butter balls is to scoop with a cookie scoop. I love my set of cookie scoops. It has 3 different sizes and use them for everything from cookies and cupcakes to meatballs and chicken nuggets.
I used the medium scoop and made 18 balls from this recipe. You can make more and make them smaller but you might need additional chocolate to be able to coat them all.
Can I use peanut flour?
You can substitute peanut flour for the freshly ground peanuts. I do this in my Keto Peanut Butter Eggs.
Are these a fat bomb?
Yup. They have enough heavy fats from the peanuts and nut butter to be fat bombs.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted salted peanuts finely chopped (not peanut flour)
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sweetener such as swerve
- 8 oz sugar-free chocolate chips
Instructions
- Mix together the chopped peanuts, peanut butter, and sweetener. Divide the dough into 18 pieces and shape into balls. Place on a wax paper lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until cold.
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or on top of a double boiler. I microwave chocolate chips, stirring every 30 seconds until they are 75% melted. Then I just stir until the rest melt.
- Dip each peanut butter ball in the chocolate and place back on the wax paper. Refrigerate until the chocolate sets.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Keto Recipes:
Tagalong Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Gluten Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Keto Protein Bars aka Sweet & Salty Peanut Bars
Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
Originally Published October 31, 2018. Revised and Republished March 4, 2023.
Abigail Gay says
These are so delicious and easy! I’ve added collagen a couple times for more protein and it worked great. We love them! I pretty much keep them on hand in the fridge all the time
Kim says
I wonder how these would turn out if using finely-crushed pork rinds. Maybe more of the "rice krispie" texture. I will have to experiment. Thank you for the recipe!
Taryn says
LMK if you try! I've never been brave enough to try pork rinds in a sweet recipe.
Janna says
I made these PB balls and substituted chopped pecans in them for the crunch. Didn’t have peanuts on hand. I also sprinkled the top with sea salt! Yummy!
RoseAnn Pacheco says
So easy to make , so delicious!!! Great recipes are found at joyfilledeats.com
Michelle says
What are your thoughts on subbing cashew butter and chopped cashews instead of peanuts for those allergic?
Taryn says
That should be fine!
Geri says
I can’t get sugar free chips or sugar free chocholate where I’m
Living in Ireland. Can I use 70% dark chocholate and how much should I use weight wise Thanks
Taryn says
70% dark chocolate will work but will have more carbs. You need about 225 grams. If you click 'metric' under the ingredients it converts automatically.
Nelda Holley says
These are my favorite sweet treat to keep on hand. They are simple to make and I like to dip them in Lily's white chocolate peppermint chips for a fun flavor.
Sally says
Oh and I also only used 1/2 cup sweetener was plenty for me.
Sally says
Just made these yesterday they are super delicious, I think next time I'll blend my sugar to powder as it didn't dissolve as much as I thought it was all I could find at the time. I also accidentally bought chunky peanut butter but it worked fine, the dark chocolate is a treat and so smooth and yum. They are just the right size and rich enough that one is not enough but I don't need to eat 10! Will definitely be making these again. Friends said they were delicious too!
Taryn says
Hi Sally, did you use a powdered sweetener? That does make a difference in this recipe. I'm glad you liked them!
Sally says
Hi Taryn, I used granular sugar, I thought it would dissolve as I'm new to using sweetener and to me it didn't seem very granular, but yes powdered is definitely the way to go as it didn't dissolve as much as I thought.
Suze says
Oh myyyyy, I love PB balls and must try these! <3
Questions -
1 - Can it be made with all peanut butter instead of chopped peanuts? If would be too wet, I may experiment with a bit more PB and some powdered PB2. (not a chunky PB fan)
2 - I see the recipe calls for 1 cup sweetener, suggesting Swerve. I actually have your sweetener mixed up and it's supposed to be twice as sweet? So only use 1/2 cup? It's my first time using it, want to make sure I'm interpreting correctly!
Thanks for this recipe - the holidays are coming!!!
Taryn says
1. You need the combination of chopped peanuts and peanut butter.
2. I would suggest using all xylitol or erythritol so you can use a 1:1 sweetener. Grind it to a powder first.
Julia says
Trader Joe's now has pure cocoa chocolate chips for only $2.99. These look So good I'm about to make them.
Tom says
Assuming I could just use chunky peanut butter instead of plain and adding peanuts.
Taryn says
It might be too wet. It it seems so you could add extra sweetener or peanut flour.
Judy W. says
I agree with Zoey. These peanut butter balls are delicious and so easy to make. This recipe is a keeper. Thank you!
Courtney says
Any ideas on how to make the chocolate a little more “milk” chocolate? My boyfriend complains that Lily’s is too dark tasting
Taryn says
Have you tried their milk chocolate? There are other brands of sugar-free milk chocolate as well. Or you can add a little heavy cream. The chocolate won't set as hard but is still tasty.
Zoey says
These turned out great. So easy to make. Things got a bit messy while I was trying to coat the peanut balls with chocolate. Overall a hit
Virginia Moorehead says
These look great! I'm a chocolate and peanut butter fiend! My issue is i don't like dark chocolate. ...is there anyway to keep these reasonably keto and use milk chocolate? If so, what kind of milk chocolate to use, or how do we sweeten the dark chocolate.
Taryn says
Yup! There are several brands that now offer keto milk chocolate. Any of those are fine.
Marykate says
I never see Splenda mentioned as the sweetener is there a reason for that?
Taryn says
I stopped using it years ago. I prefer natural sweeteners.
Noah Rouch says
They have it at Walmart because it is the. Best thing for you when you are having coffee
Melissa Jones says
Can I use butter instead of peanuts at all can you help me I am on a keto diet
Taryn says
No, I'm sorry, that won't work. These have 4 net carbs each. They are pretty big. You can make them smaller so they are 2 net carbs. Leaving off the chocolate coating, or using less and drizzling it on saves a carb or two as well.
Kelly says
How much Collagen do you add?
Taryn says
I'd add 2-3 tablespoons.
Kelly says
I don't see collagen in the recipe?
Taryn says
That's right. You can add some if you'd like but it's not required.
Betsy says
Instead of peanuts can I add pb2? And skip the sugar?
Taryn says
PB2 will make these drier. It's a different texture when you eat them. It will work but I greatly prefer them with peanuts.
If you leave out the sweetener I'm not sure how they'll taste. I'd make a very small batch and taste them before making a lot.