No-Bake Peanut Butter Truffles – Vegan

I always keep a wholesome and delicious snack on hand, and these No-Bake Peanut Butter Truffles are decadent and healthy, made with only 5 ingredients, and loved by the whole family. I like to make a big batch so the kids have something tasty and filling for an after-school snack or for their lunch boxes.

I like to make no-bake truffles; they are versatile, easy to whip up, and such a fun project to do with the kids, so I have plenty of them on our blog. Like the popular No Bake Cake Batter Truffles, White Chocolate Raspberry Truffles,s and Watermelon Truffles.

These no-sugar-added peanut butter truffles are incredibly easy to make. They are no-bake, gluten-free, filling, and satisfying. It literally takes minutes to whip these, and all you have to do is mix, shape, and refrigerate. The best part is that they are made with just 5 ingredients that I usually have on hand: gluten-free oats, a few sweet dates, creamy, ripe banana, and sugar-free dark chocolate.

The texture is unbelievable: soft, dense, and full of peanut butter flavor. I grind the oats for a finer, smoother texture, so these truffles really taste like the real deal. The banana adds enough moisture, so you don’t need to add a high-calorie liquid sweetener, like maple syrup or brown rice syrup. The few dates that I used add just enough sweetness without causing a sugar crash.

In addition, I like to use a silicone mold to make these sugar-free peanut butter truffles. However, you can totally roll them into little golf balls and dip them in chocolate. Don’t worry too much about how they look; they will taste delicious anyway.

Why you will love this recipe 

• No baking required: This is the perfect summer dessert because there is no need to turn on the oven. These are made without any baking at all!   
• Gluten- and sugar-free treats: These are actually nutritious peanut butter truffles because this recipe contains no sugar or gluten. But the kids will eat them up like candy anyway.
• The kids can help: Speaking of the kids, they can help make these or make them on their own (with a little supervision), since no baking is needed. 
• They taste similar to peanut butter cups: creamy and sweet, with chocolate and real peanut butter.
• Just 5 ingredients: These delightful treats require only 5 ingredients. I can make 20 of them for just a few dollars!

What you will need

• Produce: Mashed banana provides natural sweetness, moisture, and adds healthy fats and thickness. Mashed dates replace brown sugar, adding a rich caramel flavor and a sticky texture that holds everything together.  
• Wet ingredients: Natural peanut butter has a pure peanut flavor without added sugar, which blends well with chocolate and dates. Sugar-free chocolate chips are free of refined sugars and add a rich chocolatey taste without any of the ingredients that cause a blood sugar spike. 
• Dry ingredients: Gluten-free quick-cooking oats are pre-steamed and rolled flatter for softer,d smoother truffles that provide a melt-in-your-mouth texture while keeping the dessert gluten-free. 

How to prepare

Mix it all up: First, I grind the oats until they resemble cornmeal, then pour them into a bowl and add the dates and banana to the food processor. I grind them until creamy and add them to the bowl of oats with peanut butter, mixing it all together well. 

Roll and chill: Now I roll the mixture into small balls, place them on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and chill for at least an hour. 

Melt and dip: After, I melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 15-second bursts until fully melted, stirring in between. Then dip the balls into the chocolate, place them back on the tray, and let them chill until they harden. Should take about 30 to 60 seconds. 

Best served chilled: Peanut butter truffles are best served right out of the fridge.

Expert tip

The right kind of peanut butter

Many people have issues with this kind of recipe because of the peanut butter. Natural peanut butter can be difficult to work with if you’ve never worked with it before. The dough can be too dry or too oily, depending on the brand, which can be discouraging. But don’t let that bother you. It can always be tweaked. If it is too oily, add some flour to the mixture. If gluten is a problem, use almond or coconut flour. If it is too dry, add some coconut oil.

More tips to consider:

• Natural peanut butter can be oily when it sits. Just stir it up before using it.
• If the mixture is a little dry, add a bit of honey or agave syrup to moisten it. But only add a little at a time. Remember, this will also make it sweeter. 
• Make sure the dough comes back to room temperature before dipping it in the chocolate, or it will expand and crack the chocolate later.
• Temper the chocolate for a shiny coating. Just heat 2/3 of it to a simmer until it reaches 110 degrees F. Then stir in the rest of the chocolate gradually until it reaches 84°F. Afterward, reheat it to 88°F to lock in the temperature. 
• You can use dipping tools to dip the balls into the chocolate, but 2 forks work just fine. 

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Add nuts: Sprinkle some chopped nuts on top for a crunchy texture.
• Fruit: Sugar-free fruit preserves can make these truffles taste like PB&J truffles.
• Other flavors: Another way to give these truffles a different flavor is to add a bit of extract such as mint, vanilla, cherry, or Kahlua. 
• Mold them: I use a silicone mold to make these into different shapes for holidays and other occasions, like hearts for Valentine’s Day and trees for Christmas.
• Skip the chocolate: I sometimes leave these peanut butter truffles plain instead.  

Serving suggestions:

I like to serve these little peanut butter and chocolate bundles with my peanut butter hot chocolate, which pair perfectly. This luxuriously creamy beverage is not just for winter and only takes 15 minutes to make! To keep it sugar-free, use Stevia or another sugar substitute and sugar-free chocolate chips. They also taste wonderful with a glass of ice-cold milk or a cup of coffee. 

Salty snacks like pretzels, chips, or nuts also pair well with these peanut butter truffles. I have served them as an appetizer alongside these sweet-and-savory, crispy, candied bacon strips, and I really wish I had made a triple batch of bacon. It was gone before I knew it! Since they’re so easy to make, I will be making a lot more next time. These pretzel bites are another great appetizer that everyone loves! Soft, fluffy, and salty, they taste delicious with any dip or on their own. 

How to store leftovers:

• Refrigerate: These truffles will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 to 7 days.  
• Freezing: If I want to keep them longer, I wrap them in plastic and put them in freezer bags. They can be frozen for 2 to 3 months.
• Defrost: I thaw them overnight in the fridge before serving.

Frequently asked questions

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