Irresistible Butterfinger Balls (No-Bake)

ANNONCE

I still remember the first time I made Butterfinger Balls with my aunt. It was one of those quiet winter afternoons when the kitchen smelled like vanilla, peanut butter, and chocolate. She had a bowl in one hand and a wooden spoon in the other, showing me how to mix everything together by feel—no oven, just love and a few pantry staples. It was simple, fun, and absolutely delicious.

These no-bake, bite-sized treats are made with creamy peanut butter, crushed Butterfinger candy bars, graham cracker crumbs, and coated in smooth chocolate. The result? A crunchy, creamy, sweet delight that everyone—from kids to grandparents—can fall in love with. I make them during the holidays, for potlucks, or sometimes just because.

Table of Contents

Ingredients Needed for Butterfinger Balls

Here’s what I use every time I make them:

1 cup creamy peanut butter (not the natural kind)
4 tablespoons softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar
¾ cup graham cracker crumbs
½ cup crushed Butterfinger candy bars
8 oz chocolate bark or melting wafers

Optional toppings: extra crushed Butterfingers, flaked sea salt, or sprinkles for a festive finish.

How to Make Butterfinger Balls Recipe

These are the steps I follow every single time, and they never fail:

Mix the base: In a large bowl, I blend the peanut butter and softened butter until smooth. Then I stir in the vanilla extract.
Add the dry ingredients: Slowly, I add the powdered sugar and mix well. Once fully incorporated, I fold in the graham cracker crumbs and crushed Butterfinger pieces.
Form the balls: Using a small scoop or spoon, I roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined tray.
Freeze briefly: I freeze the tray for about 30 minutes so the balls firm up and dip easily.
Dip in chocolate: I melt the chocolate bark in the microwave in 30-second bursts. Then I dip each ball into the chocolate using a toothpick or fork, letting the excess drip off.
Decorate: While the chocolate is still soft, I top them with extra Butterfinger crumbs or a sprinkle of sea salt.
Set and serve: I let them sit until the chocolate sets completely—usually 10–15 minutes in the fridge.

ANNONCE

Mixing ingredients for Butterfinger Balls — Start by blending peanut butter, graham crumbs, and Butterfingers.

Tips and Variations

Over the years, I’ve played with the recipe. Here are some ways I switch it up:

Add crunch: A handful of Rice Krispies makes the texture pop.
Change the chocolate: Sometimes I use white chocolate for a sweeter contrast.
Make them gluten-free: Just swap in gluten-free graham crackers.
Vegan version? Use dairy-free chocolate and a nut butter like almond or sunflower seed spread.

Storing and Sharing

I keep my Butterfinger Balls in an airtight container in the fridge where they stay fresh for about a week. For longer storage, I freeze them—just make sure to layer them with parchment paper so they don’t stick. They thaw quickly and taste just as good.

And when I give them as gifts, I put them in little cupcake liners inside a festive box. They look like fancy chocolates but feel homemade and thoughtful.

Butterfinger Balls packaged for gifting — Package your Butterfinger Balls in a festive tin for the perfect homemade gift.

Final Thoughts

Butterfinger Balls are more than just a treat. For me, they bring back memories of family, laughter, and those cozy afternoons spent in the kitchen with people I love. They’re quick, affordable, and always a hit.

If you’ve never made them before, I hope you’ll give it a try. Maybe they’ll become a favorite in your home too—just like they did in mine.

FAQs: How To Make Butterfinger Balls recipe

Do Butterfingers still exist?

Yes, Butterfingers definitely still exist! Although some people think they were discontinued, that is not the case. The confusion started after a major recipe update in 2019, when Ferrero (the company that now owns Butterfinger) reformulated the candy to use simpler, more natural ingredients. This caused a noticeable change in flavor and texture that longtime fans picked up on. Despite the mixed reactions to the change, Butterfinger remains widely available across the United States. It continues to be used in many dessert creations, including the popular Butterfinger Balls recipe, which blends the candy with peanut butter and chocolate into a delicious no-bake treat.

Why don’t Butterfingers taste the same?

The reason Butterfingers no longer taste the same is due to the reformulation of the original recipe. After Ferrero acquired the brand from Nestlé, they aimed to improve the quality by removing artificial flavors and preservatives. As a result, the texture became slightly less flaky, and the flavor more focused on natural peanut butter and cocoa. This change affects both the standalone candy and any Butterfinger recipe that uses the candy as a base. So if you’re making grandma’s old fashioned Butterfinger Balls, you might notice a slightly different flavor compared to batches made with older Butterfinger bars.

What is the crunchy stuff in Butterfingers?

The signature crunch in Butterfingers comes from a unique layered candy made by heating and aerating a mixture of sugar and corn syrup, then blending it with peanut butter. The mixture is folded to create a brittle-like structure that shatters when bitten. This crunchy base is what makes Butterfinger truffles and other desserts using the candy so special. When crushed into pieces and mixed with peanut butter and cream cheese, it creates the rich texture found in variations like Butterfinger Balls with cream cheese.

Are Butterfingers halal?

The answer depends on the ingredients used and regional certifications. In the U.S., standard Butterfinger bars do not contain pork or alcohol-based ingredients, but they also do not carry an official halal certification. For those following halal dietary guidelines, it’s best to check the packaging or contact the manufacturer directly. However, if you’re making keto Butterfinger Balls or any healthy Butterfinger Balls recipe at home, you can substitute halal-certified candy bars and other compliant ingredients to suit your needs.

Why are Butterfingers popular?

Butterfingers have been popular for generations because of their unique combination of flavors and textures. The crispy peanut butter layers covered in smooth chocolate give it a distinct crunch that no other candy replicates quite the same way. This popularity carried over into desserts, making them a star ingredient in no-bake treats like the Butterfinger ball recipe and even seasonal twists like Butterfinger balls with candy corn. The brand’s long-standing advertising campaigns—especially those featuring Bart Simpson—also helped cement its place in candy culture.

Is Butterfinger healthy?

Butterfingers, like most candy bars, are considered a treat and not a health food. They contain high levels of sugar, fat, and processed ingredients. However, when you make your own healthy Butterfinger Balls recipe at home, you can control the ingredients. For example, you can reduce the sugar, use organic peanut butter, and choose dark chocolate with a higher cocoa content. Some recipes even create keto Butterfinger Balls that are low in carbs and sugar. So while the original bar may not be healthy, homemade versions can definitely be adjusted for better nutrition.