Healthy buckeyes are a sweet treat you can make with 5 main ingredients. These sweet peanut butter balls are made with almond butter, maple syrup, and almond flour, and are partially covered in a snappy chocolate shell for the best no bake dessert.
I’m from Ohio and we do buckeyes right! I’ve been eating buckeyes for as long as I can remember and these healthy buckeyes stand up against some of the best.
I love a classic peanut butter cup, but Buckeyes are the best because the peanut butter to chocolate ratio can’t be beat. They feature a sweet peanut butter center, reminiscent to peanut butter fudge, inside of a rich dark chocolate shell.
This healthy buckeye recipe is refined sugar free and lighter than regular buckeye candies, but they taste just as good! I love them because they’re super simple to make with only a few simple ingredients. And no baking required!
Love chocolate and peanut butter? Try buckeye dip, oatmeal peanut butter protein balls, or chocolate peanut butter fat bombs.
Ingredients You Need
Here are the simple ingredients for this healthy buckeye recipe. Jump to recipe for exact measurements.
- Peanut butter: the drippy kind with no sugar added. I’ve also tested these with creamy almond butter!
- Maple syrup: to add natural sweetness. Swap 1/4 cup of your favorite keto sugar to make the low carb.
- Coconut oil: grab refined coconut oil for minimal coconut flavor. It makes the peanut butter filling extra rich.
- Almond flour: blanched is best—it means the almonds were peeled before being ground into flour.
- Salt and vanilla: for balance and flavor.
- Chocolate chips: semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate work. I like to use Lily’s for a low-sugar option.
How to Make Healthy Buckeyes
These are the step-by-step instructions for these healthy buckeye balls. Jump to recipe card for the printable instructions.
- Peanut butter mixture: combine peanut butter (or almond butter), maple syrup and coconut oil using an electric hand mixer until very smooth. Stir in the almond flour, salt and vanilla until a dough forms.
- Roll into balls: use a small cookie scoop to roll them into peanut butter balls about 1-inch in diameter. You should have 22-25 balls.
- Chill: place the peanut butter balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Melt chocolate: While they’re freezing, melt the chocolate in a microwave safe container in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
- Dip: use a fork to lower the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate, covering 2/3 of the ball. Transfer back to the parchment lined cookie sheet and repeat with all of the buckeyes. Chill 15 minutes before eating.
How Do You Dip Buckeye Balls?
Once you have your frozen peanut butter or almond butter rolled into balls, it’s time to dip them. Use a fork to lower them into the melted chocolate, stopping just before they’re fully submerged.
You want to leave a small oval shape without chocolate on the top. Shake some of the excess chocolate back into the bowl before placing it back down on the pan. You could also use a spiral dipping tool.
Success tip: I like to use a taller glass to melt the chocolate for easier dipping.
Quick Tips and FAQs
Keto friendly peanut butter is a drippy peanut butter that doesn’t have any added sugar. It’s a natural peanut butter that’s made with only peanuts. This kind of peanut butter only has 3.5 net carbs for 2 tablespoons so it’s a great keto option. Which is why it’s so great to use in the keto version of these healthy buckeyes.
Use dark chocolate chips for this recipe and you have vegan buckeyes! Everything else is vegan already.
These chocolate-dipped peanut butter candies resemble the buckeye nut from the American Buckeye tree. It’s native to Ohio (where I live!) and Ohio State even named our football team after them.
Storing Buckeyes
Store buckeyes in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks (my preference).
Healthy buckeyes can be frozen for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
More Chocolate Peanut Butter Desserts
Healthy Buckeyes Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter or almond butter no sugar added
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or 1/4 cup favorite keto sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut oil room temperature
- 1/3 cup blanched almond flour
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate (Note 1 Keto Chocolate)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the almond butter, maple syrup and coconut oil using an electric hand mixer until very smooth.1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter or almond butter, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup coconut oil
- Stir in the almond flour, salt and vanilla and mix well until a dough forms.1/3 cup blanched almond flour, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Use a small cookie scoop or Tablespoon to roll into 1- inch balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. You should have 22-25 peanut butter balls. Transfer them to the freezer to chill for 30 minutes.
- While they're freezing, make the dipping chocolate. Place the chocolate in a microwavable bowl and melt in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.2 cups dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
- Once balls are firm, remove them from freezer and carefully dip each one in the chocolate and coat about 2/3, leaving a small round peanut butter top. Place back on the baking sheet and repeat with all of the healthy buckeyes. Refrigerate or freezer for another 15 minutes to set.
- Enoy right away or store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks (my preference). Healthy buckeyes can be frozen for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Notes
Equipment
- Baking Sheet with parchment paper
- Microwave-safe bowl preferably taller
- Fork for dipping
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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My choc coating is sticky what should I do? Tastes good though
Hey Martina! What type of chocolate did you use? I’ve never experienced melted chocolate being sticky.