When you need a fast no-bake snack that little hands can help with, these MYO Peanut Butter Balls get the job done with almost no fuss. You stir together peanut butter and crushed cereal, roll the mixture into bite-size balls, then finish them with powdered sugar or graham cracker crumbs.
Here is an easy snack that the kids will have a blast making.
They’re sweet, chewy, a little crunchy, and easy to scale up for lunch boxes, after-school snacks, or a quick homemade treat when the pantry looks a bit too honest.
Ingredients Needed
You only need two base ingredients, plus an optional coating if you want a sweeter or tidier finish.
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup crushed cereal, either Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies
- Powdered sugar, for rolling
- Crushed graham crackers, for rolling
How to Make Peanut Butter Balls
- Measure the peanut butter into a medium bowl.
- Add the crushed cereal and stir until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Shape the mixture into small balls with clean hands.
- Roll each ball in powdered sugar or crushed graham crackers, if desired.
- Serve right away or chill briefly to firm them up before storing.
Helpful Tips
If the mixture feels too sticky to roll, chill it for 10 to 15 minutes first. Peanut butter softens quickly at room temperature, so a short rest in the fridge makes shaping much less messy.
Crush the cereal fairly fine so the balls hold together better. Big flakes and large crisped rice pieces can make the mixture crack instead of roll.
For the best texture, keep the finished balls in an airtight container. If you need a refresher on safe leftover storage times, the USDA’s leftovers and food safety guidance is a solid reference.
Easy Variations
Use Rice Krispies for a lighter, crisp texture, or Corn Flakes for a slightly heartier bite. Both work, so this is not the place for kitchen drama.
If you want a sweeter finish, roll the balls in powdered sugar. For a little more crunch and a mellow honey flavor, crushed graham crackers work well too.
If you like easy peanut butter treats, you might also enjoy Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls or Chocolate Peanut Butter Ramen Krispies.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store the peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. That’s a conservative estimate for a prepared no-bake snack with a sticky, ready-to-eat surface.
You can also freeze them for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or bag. Separate layers with wax paper or parchment so they don’t freeze into one cheerful peanut butter boulder.
If you’re making them ahead, refrigerate the finished balls within 2 hours. For best texture, let frozen balls sit in the refrigerator until thawed rather than leaving them out on the counter all afternoon.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these as a quick snack, lunch box treat, or easy make-with-kids project. They’re small, portable, and don’t require an oven, which already puts them ahead of half the pantry.
For a simple dessert plate, pair them with apple slices, banana coins, or a glass of cold milk. They also fit right in beside other homemade peanut butter favorites like Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: MYO Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Peanut butter |
$3.98 |
1/2 C. |
$0.45 |
|
Crushed cereal |
$3.98 |
1/2 C. |
$0.44 |
|
Powdered sugar |
$2.24 |
1 ≈ a light dusting |
$0.01 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost |
$0.90 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$0.09 |
📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!
🛒 Walmart Grocery List
- Creamy Peanut Butter, 16 oz
- Rice Krispies Cereal, 12 oz Box
- Powdered Sugar, 32 oz
- Honey Graham Crackers, 14.4 oz
Not sure exactly what this batch costs you per serving? Here’s how to break down the real cost of any recipe so you know before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions about MYO Peanut Butter Balls
You’ll get about 10 to 12 small peanut butter balls, depending on how large you roll them. If you make them about 1 tablespoon each, 10 pieces is a safe estimate and keeps the portion size realistic for snacking.
Absolutely. Corn Flakes give you a slightly denser texture, while Rice Krispies stay lighter and crispier, so use whichever you have on hand and crush it fairly fine before mixing.
Regular creamy peanut butter is the easiest choice because it holds together well without extra fuss. If you use natural peanut butter, stir it very well first since separated oil can make the mixture too loose to roll cleanly.
The usual culprit is cereal that wasn’t crushed enough or peanut butter that’s too soft. Crush the cereal finer, mix thoroughly, and chill the bowl for 10 to 15 minutes before rolling if the mixture feels sticky or slack.
Yes, and they actually handle a bit better once chilled. Roll them, coat them if you like, then store them in a covered container in the refrigerator so they stay firm and less tacky.
Yes, freeze them for up to 3 months in a well-sealed container or freezer bag. If you stack them, place parchment or wax paper between layers so you can grab a few without chiseling through the whole batch.
Nope. The coating is optional, so you can leave them plain if you want less sweetness or less mess. The powdered sugar gives a soft sweet finish, while graham cracker crumbs add a little crunch.
Let the balls chill first, then roll them lightly instead of packing the sugar on thick. Warm peanut butter pulls in moisture fast, and that’s when the coating starts looking past its prime in a hurry.
They are, because there’s no baking or stovetop step involved. Just have kids wash hands well before rolling, and keep in mind that peanut butter is a major allergen if you’re serving them outside your own kitchen.
They pair well with simple snacks that balance the sweetness, like apple slices, banana chunks, or cold milk. If you’re setting out a dessert tray, keep them small so they work as an easy two-bite treat instead of a heavy one.
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🖨️ Print-Friendly MYO Peanut Butter Balls
MYO Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredients
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup crushed cereal Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies
- Powdered sugar for rolling (optional)
- Crushed graham crackers for rolling (optional)
Equipment
Instructions
- Place the peanut butter in a medium mixing bowl.
- Stir in the crushed cereal until evenly combined.
- Shape the mixture into small balls with clean hands.
- Roll the balls in powdered sugar or crushed graham crackers, if desired.
- Serve immediately or chill briefly before storing.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
Prep time is an estimate based on mixing, shaping, and optional coating.
Estimated ingredient pricing used for costing: 1/2 cup peanut butter from a 16 oz jar at an estimated $2.68 equals $0.67; 1/2 cup crushed rice cereal from a 12 oz box at $2.02 equals about $0.09; 1 tablespoon powdered sugar from a 32 oz bag at $1.98 equals about $0.02; 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs from a 14.4 oz box at an estimated $2.39 equals about $0.48 when using a modest optional coating allowance split across the batch. Actual prices vary by store and date.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
For a healthy punch- add 1/4 c. raisins or other chopped dried fruit!