Easy to make with just eight ingredients, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Bites are a quick and satisfying way to curb a chocolate craving.

After a brief holiday pause, I’m excited to share a treat from Brandi Doming’s cookbook, The Vegan 8. Brandi, creator of the popular blog The Vegan 8, focuses on simple recipes with eight ingredients or fewer (not counting salt, pepper, or water). Her cookbook carries that same straightforward philosophy into approachable, plant-based dishes — and the dessert chapter is especially tempting.

I was immediately drawn to the dessert section and landed on these Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Bites. They’re perfect for seasonal gift bags, cookie platters, or kept in the fridge for whenever you need a sweet bite. The combination of a creamy peanut butter filling and a crisp chocolate shell makes them a crowd-pleaser.

The filling blends peanut butter, cocoa, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt into a rich, smooth center. Each bite is dipped in dark chocolate and rolled in a crunchy coating of salted peanuts and coconut sugar for texture and sweetness. They’re indulgent without being fussy.

For readers who prefer savory or main-dish options, Brandi’s collection includes recipes like Vegan Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Hungarian Red Lentil Soup, and One-Pan Red Curry. But if chocolate is what you want, these bites are a great choice. Below is a clear, SEO-friendly version of the recipe so you can make them at home.

Yield: 8 bites

Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Bites

“My favorite candy bar growing up was Butterfinger. I swear, I could eat those back to back. These bites have the same flavors of the classic candy bar but are so much better. Instead of the outside being the chocolate coating with the crunchy sweet interior, I reversed them and also made them into bites. Man, they are delicious and a favorite among my taste testers! If you can’t find salted peanuts, then add a pinch of salt.” Recipe reprinted with permission of Oxmoor House, Copyright 2018 Brandi Doming of The Vegan 8

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cooling time
20 minutes

Total Time
40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (128g) smooth peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons (18g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons (60g) pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon (5g) vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon (2g) fine salt
• 1/2 cup (80g) roasted, salted peanuts
• 1/4 cup (40g) coconut sugar
• 3.5 ounces (100g) 70–72% dark chocolate, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
2. In a bowl, mix the peanut butter, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until a thick, smooth batter forms. Scoop about a heaping tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat to make eight balls and place them on the prepared pan.
3. To make the coating, pulse the roasted peanuts and coconut sugar in a food processor until the nuts are in small pieces but not ground to a flour. Transfer the mixture to a wide, shallow bowl and set aside.
4. Place the chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and melt gently: heat 30 seconds on HIGH, stir, then continue in 10–15 second bursts until mostly melted. Alternatively, melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Stir until completely smooth, taking care not to burn it.
5. Using a fork, dip each peanut-butter ball into the melted chocolate, turning to coat evenly. Tap the fork on the bowl to let excess chocolate drip off, then immediately roll the chocolate-covered ball in the peanut–coconut-sugar coating until well coated. Return to the pan and repeat with the remaining balls.
6. Chill the pan in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to set. Store the bites in the fridge to keep their shape; they can be left at room temperature for serving, but will soften over time.

Notes

• Nutrition per ball: 260 calories | 23.2g fat | 8.7g saturated fat | 26.3g carbs | 4g fiber | 19g sugar | 209mg sodium.
• Use a peanut butter without added oil or sugar for the best texture. To make a nut-free version, substitute sunflower seed butter, which will alter the flavor and may require chilling the batter for about 15 minutes before coating if it seems wetter.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1 grams

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 260Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

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If you want other easy chocolate desserts, try the following recipes from the site:

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Truffles
• White Chocolate Pumpkin Peanut Butter Cups
• One-Bowl Vegan Chocolate Chai Cookies

This book was provided by the publisher; I chose to feature this recipe. All words and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.