Patriotic Peanut Butter Bon-Bons
These bite-sized, no bake Peanut Butter Bon-Bons are simple, delicious, and bursting with patriotic flair. They are perfect for summer gatherings or a fun Fourth of July dessert!
Why You’ll Love This Bon-Bon Recipe
With a sweet, crispy peanut butter interior, chocolate coating and M&M candy topping, these little guys are basically a party show stopper that get gobbled down by kids and grown-ups alike.
Make them the day of your gathering, or make ahead, stash them in the freezer, and pull them out when you are ready to serve.
- Quick & easy: ready to roll in under 20 minutes.
- Kid-approved: peanut butter, chocolate and candy in one bite!
- Patriotic dessert: dip and coat with red and blue decorations.
- Freezer-friendly: make ahead and pull out when needed.
- Minimal ingredients: no baking, no fuss—just pantry staples.
Ingredients
- Creamy peanut butter (I like this brand or this brand)
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
- Crispy rice cereal (like this one or this one)
- Chocolate bark (like this)
- Red, White and Blue M&Ms
How to Make Patriotic Peanut Butter Bon-Bons
Combine Peanut Butter & Butter – In a medium saucepan over low heat (or microwave in 20-second intervals), melt together 2 cups of creamy peanut butter and 1/2 butter until smooth. Remove from heat.
Prep Cookie Sheet – While peanut butter melts, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients – Crush 3 cups of crispy rice cereal either in a food processor, or by pouring it into a ziplock baggie and pounding with bottom of a heavy drinking glass (be sure to seal bag first). Note: You want cereal to be crushed to smaller pieces, but not into dust. In a large bowl, stir together the crushed cereal and 2 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar.
Form the Bon-Bons – Pour the peanut butter mixture over the sugar-cereal blend. Use your hands to mix thoroughly. Roll into tablespoon-sized balls and place on your prepared baking sheet. Place in freezer to quick freeze for 15 minutes.
Prep the Topping– While balls are chilling, pour 1/2 cup of red, white, and blue M&M’s into a baggie, seal, and crush them into smaller pieces with the bottom of drinking glass.
Dip in Chocolate – Melt 16 oz of chocolate bark or melting chocolate pellets in a microwave-safe bowl (30-second bursts, stirring between). Using a fork, dip each chilled ball into the chocolate, covering completely. Let excess drip off between prongs of fork and return to the cookie sheet. Immediately sprinkle with crushed red, white, and blue M&M’s while chocolate is still melted.
Optional Decor – Order these American Flag toothpicks to stick in bon-bons for another layer of patriotic fun.
Set and Serve – Let bon-bons cool until the chocolate is firm. Use a pairing knife to trim of any extra drips to tidy them up (optional). Transfer to platter and serve.
Pro Tips
- Stop and wash your hands a few times while rolling out balls if the warm peanut butter is sticking to your hands. The balls will roll out easier and be smoother and prettier once dipped.
- Dip only a 3-4 balls at a time and then pause to sprinkle crushes M&Ms on top before chocolate starts to harden.
- Keep the bon-bons small. 1″ balls (or even a bit smaller) are ideal for holding and eating in a bite or two.
Alternate Ingredients
To cut the richness of the bon-bons, substitute red, white and blue sprinkles for the crushed M&Ms.
For another layer of decor, melt white chocolate almond bark as well. Dip bon-bons in chocolate and let them harden per the recipe, then drizzle white chocolate over top before decorating with crushed M&Ms or sprinkles. Use natural red food coloring like this one to dye the white chocolate red for another fun twist.
Storage and Freezing
Fridge:
Store in refrigerator for up to 7 days, in an airtight container to keep bon-bons fresh.
Freezer:
Freeze in freezer-safe container. Store up to 3 months. Thaw on counter before reheating.
Thaw instructions:
Let sit in the fridge or on the counter for a bit before serving.
More Patriotic No-Bake Dessert Recipes to Try
Patriotic Peanut Butter Bon-Bons
Equipment
- sauce pan
- cookie sheet
- parchment paper
- fork
- pairing knife
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over low heat (or microwave in 20-second intervals), melt together 2 cups of creamy peanut butter and 1/2 butter until smooth. Stir and remove from heat.
- While peanut butter melts, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Crush 3 cups of crispy rice cereal either in a food processor, or by pouring it into a ziplock baggie and pounding with bottom of a heavy drinking glass (be sure to seal bag first). Note: You want cereal to be crushed to smaller pieces, but not into dust. In a large bowl, stir together the crushed cereal and 2 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the sugar-cereal blend. Use your hands to mix thoroughly. Roll into 1" sized balls and place on your prepared baking sheet. Place in freezer to quick freeze for 15 minutes.
- While balls are chilling, pour 1/2 cup of red, white, and blue M&M's into a baggie, seal, and crush them into smaller pieces with the bottom of drinking glass.
- Melt 16 oz of chocolate bark or melting chocolate pellets in a microwave-safe bowl (30-second bursts, stirring between). Using a fork, dip each chilled ball into the chocolate, covering completely. Let excess drip off between prongs of fork and return to the cookie sheet. Immediately sprinkle with crushed red, white, and blue M&M's while chocolate is still melted. TIP: Dip only a 3-4 balls at a time and then pause to sprinkle crushes m&ms on top before chocolate starts to harden.
- Optional Decor – Order these American Flag toothpicks to stick in bon-bons for another layer of patriotic fun.
- Let bon-bons cool until the chocolate is firm. Use a pairing knife to trim of any extra drips to tidy them up (optional). Transfer to platter and serve.
