Easy Vegan Peanut Butter Balls With Rice Krispies and Coconut

Last Updated on December 22, 2021 by Guillermina

Next time you’re in need of a quick, easy, and healthy vegan treat, look no further. This Easy Vegan Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies and Coconut Recipe is so delicious, down to the satisfying crunch. My mouth is already watering, so let’s get started!

This recipe only uses 6 ingredients that can be found at most grocery stores. Some specialty vegan ingredients are found at specialty stores or ordered online. This recipe is very easy, with only four steps, making it kid-friendly!

Jump to Recipe

Here’s What You’ll Need For This Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Balls Recipe:

Equipment

  • Measuring cups
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cookie scoop (optional)
  • Kitchen scale (optional)
  • Baking sheet
  • Small bowl

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup vegan protein powder
  • ¾ cup vegan rice cereal
  • ¼ cup vegan chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
  • ¼ cup maple syrup or agave
  • ½ cup unsweetened, shredded coconut

Instructions

Step 1. Combine dry ingredients.

In a large mixing bowl, add the protein powder, rice cereal, and chocolate chips. Mix with a wooden spoon.

Step 2. Add wet ingredients.

First, add the peanut butter and combine until halfway mixed. Then add the maple syrup and finish combining. The batter should be thoroughly mixed, with a moist cookie dough-like texture.

Step 3. Roll into balls.

Using your hands or a cookie scoop, roll ~1” balls of dough together. Another option is to scoop and weigh each ball on a kitchen scale. Each ball should weigh 0.7 oz. Set formed balls on a baking sheet.

Step 4. Roll in coconut.

Pour shredded coconut into a small bowl. One at a time, remove each individual ball from the baking sheet and roll in the coconut. Once coated with coconut flakes, set the ball back on the baking sheet.

Enjoy! For a firmer texture, place the baking sheet of balls in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.

Prep time 20 minutes
Yield 18 balls

 peanut butter balls with rice krispies and coconut

Recipe Notes

Measuring ingredients is important for this recipe. If the dough ends up too dry, add more peanut butter or maple syrup. If the dough is too wet, add more protein powder or rice cereal.

The recipe calls for natural peanut butter because of its texture. The runny consistency of natural peanut butter is ideal for mixing into the dry ingredients. Any nut butter works as a replacement but be sure to consider its consistency.

If you’re in a rush, there is a shortcut that won’t sacrifice flavor. Instead of rolling peanut butter balls in the coconut, add the coconut in with the dry ingredients. It will save a few minutes in the kitchen and still tastes delicious if you’re in a pinch.

Be sure to wash your hands before making this recipe. Because these peanut butter balls are no-bake, it’s important to keep your hands clean before touching the ingredients. Wearing kitchen-safe gloves is another option to maintain cleanliness.

Lining the baking sheet with parchment paper is optional, but will be helpful if you plan to freeze them on the sheet.

Storage

Chocolate rice Krispie balls are best fresh. They can be kept in an airtight container for up to five days. Store in the refrigerator for up to 14 days. Freeze for up to 3 months, thawing in the fridge or countertop for a few hours before eating.

Are Peanut Butter Balls With Rice Krispies And Coconut Gluten-Free?

This recipe is gluten-free! Double-check the ingredients on the vegan protein powder. Some powders contain wheat, which would make it not gluten-free.

Notes On Vegan Ingredients

Crisp Rice Cereal

We all know (and probably loved) Rice Krispies cereal. Like many of our favorite childhood cereals, Rice Krispies aren’t 100% vegan. The non-vegan ingredients include refined cane sugar and vitamin D.

Some vegans are okay with including those two ingredients in their diets. If you’d rather stick to a completely vegan cereal, that’s fine, too. Vegan-friendly crisp rice cereals include:

  • Barbara’s Organic Brown Rice Crisp
  • Nature’s Path Crispy Rice
  • One° Cereal Rice Crisp

Sugar

Refined cane sugar is not an animal product itself, but it is processed using animal bone char. Depending on the way you define vegan, you may allow this byproduct in your diet. Unrefined sugars include raw, organic cane, beet, and coconut sugar are all vegan.

Vegan Protein Powder

Add vanilla, chocolate, or a plain flavor of powder to this recipe for an extra protein boost, as well as key vitamins and minerals for vegans. Be sure the protein you choose is in fact vegan!  Popular vegan protein powder brands include:

  • Evolve
  • Garden of Life
  • KOS
  • Orgain
  • So Clean & So Lean
  • Ripple
  • Vega

 peanut butter rice krispie balls recipes

Chocolate Chips

When it comes to chocolate, there are a few ethical components to factor in, as well. The chocolate industry is notorious for humanitarian issues like slavery and child labor – which vegans do not support. An emerging spotlight on large chocolate companies has put them under more pressure for not ethically sourcing their chocolate.

Most dark chocolates do not contain any milk, usually making them a reliable vegan option. Here are a few brands that have vegan-friendly chocolate chip options to include when you bake this recipe:

  • Artisan Kettle
  • Enjoy Life
  • Evolved
  • Simple Truth
  • Trader Joe’s

Shredded Coconut Flakes

Some vegans avoid eating coconut due to the use of animal labor to produce it. You heard that right, monkeys are often used in the coconut industry to harvest coconuts. Some brands have disclosed that they do not endorse this activity, but it is hard to check.

Additionally, watch out for added sugars in coconut flakes. Not all sugars are created equally, as discussed above.

Conclusion

No matter the occasion, this Easy Vegan Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies and Coconut recipe makes the perfect dessert. Share this sweet treat with your vegan friends and family. Don’t forget to send them the recipe, too!

 chocolate rice krispie balls

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Balls

Best Vegan Tips
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 18 balls

Equipment

  • Measuring cups
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cookie scoop (optional)
  • Kitchen scale (optional)
  • Baking sheet
  • Small bowl

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup vegan protein powder
  • ¾ cup vegan rice cereal
  • ¼ cup vegan chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
  • ¼ cup maple syrup or agave
  • ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, add the protein powder, rice cereal, and chocolate chips. Mix with a wooden spoon.
  • First, add the peanut butter and combine until halfway mixed. Then add the maple syrup and finish combining. The batter should be thoroughly mixed, with a moist cookie dough-like texture.
  • Using your hands or a cookie scoop, roll ~1” balls of dough together. Another option is to scoop and weigh each ball on a kitchen scale. Each ball should weigh 0.7 oz. Set formed balls on a baking sheet.
  • Pour shredded coconut into a small bowl. One at a time, remove each individual ball from the baking sheet and roll in the coconut. Once coated with coconut flakes, set the ball back on the baking sheet.
  • Enjoy! For a firmer texture, place the baking sheet of balls in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Measuring ingredients is important for this recipe. If the dough ends up too dry, add more peanut butter or maple syrup. If the dough is too wet, add more protein powder or rice cereal.
The recipe calls for natural peanut butter because of its texture. The runny consistency of natural peanut butter is ideal for mixing into the dry ingredients. Any nut butter works as a replacement but be sure to consider its consistency.
Keyword chocolate rice krispie balls, easy peanut butter balls with rice krispies, peanut butter balls with rice krispies and coconut, peanut butter rice krispie balls recipes

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