| | | | | | | | | |

Easy Peanut Butter Buckeyes (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

5 from 1 review
ByFelicia Lim on
Jump to Recipe

These easy peanut butter buckeyes are the perfect bite-sized treat: creamy peanut butter fudge coated with chocolate in one single bite. These no-bake peanut butter balls make an amazing dessert for Thanksgiving and the holidays. Make a batch of these buckeye balls to indulge in today! Gluten-free and vegan.

Hand reaching for a gluten-free peanut butter ball in a plate.

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

Jump to:

What are Buckeye Balls?

Buckeye balls (also known as buckeye candy or peanut butter balls), are a very popular candy in the United States and is often enjoyed during the year-end holiday season.

Buckeyes are a no-bake dessert made with a creamy peanut butter center (approximately the size of a golf ball) that is then coated in a layer of chocolate.

The most characteristic part of the appearance of buckeye balls is a small round circle at the top that is often left uncoated, making it resemble the buckeye nuts from the state tree of Ohio – the buckeye tree (hence the name).

Essentially, these are sweet peanut butter balls with a slight coating of chocolate for the perfect sweet treat!

Peanut Butter + Chocolate = The Perfect Combination

As you know, we’re big fans of the combination of peanut butter and chocolate (check out these 4-ingredient peanut butter cups to see why)!

In this case, this peanut butter buckeyes recipe is another fantastic sweet treat for serving at your Thanksgiving and holiday parties because they’re the perfect homemade candy and bite-sized dessert, and have an amazingly creamy peanut butter fudge filling with a rich chocolate coating.

I know your guests are going to be asking for seconds or thirds, and they will probably even be begging you for this easy buckeye recipe (so make sure you keep this handy)!

A half-eaten peanut butter buckeye showing the creamy peanut butter filling.

Why This Recipe Works:

  • Simple Ingredients: You only need 5 simple ingredients to make these gluten-free peanut butter balls, and these are easily accessible at the local grocery store (in fact you might even already have them on hand)!
  • Super Easy to Make: Preparing these peanut butter buckeyes are a piece of cake! Just mix the dough ingredients together, let it chill before shaping the dough into balls, and then dip the balls in melted chocolate. This no bake treat is just the perfect no-fuss candy for the holidays, and it’s sure to be a family favorite!
  • Adaptable: While traditional buckeye balls use peanut butter, you can just as easily make these buckeye candies with different nut butters or seed butters too!
  • Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Vegan: The best part is that these chocolate peanut butter balls recipe is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, which means that even those with Celiac disease, or gluten or lactose intolerances, or those simply on a gluten-free or vegan diet can enjoy this easy recipe without issues!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this easy peanut butter buckeyes recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Ingredients for peanut butter buckeyes recipe laid out on a marble board.

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

  • Peanut Butter: I like to use natural peanut butter because it doesn’t contain additives or preservatives that normal peanut butter has (or make your own homemade peanut butter in 10 minutes). However, using normal peanut butter is fine as well. If you are allergic to peanuts, you can substitute the peanut butter with equal quantities of almond butter, cashew butter, or other nut butters or seed butters of your preference. 
  • Coconut Oil: I prefer using refined coconut oil in this buckeyes recipe because it has a neutral flavor (as opposed to extra virgin coconut oil that has a strong coconut taste). You may also use vegan butter instead. If you are not lactose-intolerant, you may use butter instead, but I would not recommend that you substitute the coconut oil with other vegetable oils in this peanut butter buckeyes recipe because you need an oil that solidifies at low temperatures to keep the dough firm and easily shapeable.
  • Powdered Sugar: I prefer using powdered sugar as opposed to normal caster sugar to make these buckeye balls because normal sugar may result in a gritty texture (and you can actually feel the sugar crystals). NOTE: If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using powdered monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 powdered sugar substitute that has zero glycemic index).
  • Coconut Flour: I use coconut flour because it is lower in carbohydrates and because of its ability to soak up moisture, but you can also substitute it with gluten-free flour (I would add a little bit more flour than the amount of coconut flour specified, but it depends on your blend. Add a bit of flour at a time until the dough is easily shapable). 
  • Chocolate Chips: I used vegan dark chocolate chips for these chocolate buckeyes, but if you are not vegan or lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use normal semi-sweet chocolate chips instead.

How to Make No-Bake Peanut Butter Buckeyes:

1. Prepare Peanut Butter Dough

In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, melted coconut oil, powdered sugar, and coconut flour. Mix the ingredients very well until you get a homogeneous peanut butter mixture.

2. Chill the Dough

Let the mixture chill it the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes until the dough is relatively hardened and easy to shape and mold.

Mixing a peanut butter dough in a glass bowl.

3. Shape the Peanut Butter Balls

Scoop 1 heaping teaspoon of dough and roll it into 1-inch balls with the palms of your hands.

Place the peanut butter balls on a plate lined with parchment paper or wax paper and chill in the freezer for at least 30 minutes until hardened. 

Hand holding a plate full of no-bake gluten-free peanut butter balls.

4. Prepare the Chocolate Coating

In a small deep microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil and heat in the microwave for 30-second intervals, mixing well after each interval until you get a smooth and glossy mixture (it took me 2 intervals in total – 60 seconds) to get the chocolate to melt and become smooth.

(Alternatively, if you don’t have a microwave, you may use a double boiler to melt the chocolate instead.)

Using a spoon to stir melted chocolate in a small white bowl.

5. Dip Peanut Butter Balls in Chocolate

Here’s the best dipping process to coat the chilled peanut butter balls in chocolate.

I like using a toothpick or wooden skewer to poke each peanut butter ball and dip it in the chocolate mixture, rotating the ball to cover most of it (letting excess chocolate drip back into the bowl), leaving a small circle uncoated at the top.

Alternatively, if you don’t have toothpicks or wooden skewers on hand, you can use a small fork too.

Using a stick to dip a peanut butter ball in melted chocolate.

6. Chill Until Set

Place the coated buckeye balls on a parchment-lined plate and let them chill in the freezer for at least 15 minutes, and then use your finger to cover the toothpick hole by spreading out the dough at the top of the buckeye balls before serving or eating.

Holding a plate of chocolate-coated peanut butter balls.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

  • Be Patient: It is important that you allow the peanut butter dough to set and harden sufficiently so you can easily shape the dough into small balls. If you remove it from the freezer before it properly hardens, the dough will be sticky and is will be difficult for you to shape the balls and for them to hold their shape.
  • Additional Toppings: If you want to jazz these chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls up a notch, you can also coat the buckeyes in chopped peanuts (or chopped cashews, walnuts, pistachios or almonds) after dipping them in chocolate for a slightly more festive touch.
  • Chocolate Coating: Feel free to use white chocolate instead of dark chocolate for the coating, or leave out the chocolate completely if you’re not a fan!
A plate of buckeye balls and a bowl of melted chocolate.

Recipe FAQs:

How do I store These Buckeye Balls?

If not eating these immediately, you can also place these peanut butter protein balls in an airtight container and store buckeyes in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Can I Freeze these Peanut Butter Balls?

Yes of course you can freeze these no bake energy balls. Simply place buckeye balls in a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to 3 months. Before serving or eating, let them thaw for a few minutes at room temperature to soften up a little bit.

Hand reaching for a peanut butter buckeye ball on a plate.

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Treats You’ll Love:

Holding up a half eaten peanut butter ball and showing the closeup of the inside.

Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes to Indulge In:

Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes You’ll Enjoy:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Peanut Butter Buckeyes Recipe (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

  • Author: Felicia Lim
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 16 peanut butter buckeyes 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

These easy peanut butter buckeyes are the perfect bite-sized treat: creamy peanut butter fudge coated with chocolate in one single bite. These no-bake peanut butter balls make an amazing dessert for Thanksgiving and the holidays. Make a batch of these buckeye balls to indulge in today! Gluten-free and vegan.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Peanut Butter Dough Filling:

For the Chocolate Coating:

Instructions

  1. Prepare Peanut Butter Dough: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, melted coconut oil, powdered sugar, and coconut flour. Mix very well until you get a homogeneous dough.
  2. Chill the Dough: Let the dough chill it the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes until it is relatively hardened and easy to shape and mold.
  3. Shape the Peanut Butter Balls: Scoop 1 heaping teaspoon of dough and roll it into a ball with the palms of your hands. Place the balls on a parchment-lined plate and chill in the freezer for at least 30 minutes until hardened. 
  4. Prepare Chocolate Coating: In a small deep bowl, combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil and heat in the microwave for 30-seconds intervals, mixing well after each interval until you get a smooth and glossy mixture (it took me 2 intervals in total – 60 seconds) to get the chocolate to melt and become smooth.
  5. Dip the Peanut Butter Balls in Chocolate: Use a toothpick to poke each peanut butter ball and dip it in the chocolate mixture, rotating the ball to cover most of it, leaving a small circle uncoated at the top. Place the coated buckeye balls on a parchment-lined plate and let them chill in the freezer for at least 15 minutes, and then use your finger to spread out the dough at the top to cover up the hole made from the toothpick before serving or eating.

Notes

Peanut Butter: I like to use natural peanut butter because it doesn’t contain additives or preservatives that normal peanut butter has (or make your own homemade peanut butter in 10 minutes). However, using normal peanut butter is fine as well. If you are allergic to peanuts, you can substitute the peanut butter with equal quantities of almond butter, cashew butter, or other nut butters or seed butters of your preference. 

Coconut Oil: I prefer using refined coconut oil in this buckeyes recipe because it has a neutral flavor (as opposed to extra virgin coconut oil that has a strong coconut taste). You may also use vegan butter instead. If you are not lactose-intolerant, you may use butter instead, but I would not recommend that you substitute the coconut oil with other vegetable oils in this peanut butter buckeyes recipe because you need an oil that solidifies at low temperatures to keep the dough firm and easily shapeable.

Powdered Sugar: I prefer using powdered sugar as opposed to normal caster sugar to make these buckeye balls because normal sugar may result in a gritty texture (and you can actually feel the sugar crystals). NOTE: If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using powdered monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 powdered sugar substitute that has zero glycemic index).

Coconut Flour: I use coconut flour because it is lower in carbohydrates and because of its ability to soak up moisture, but you can also substitute it with gluten-free flour (I would add a little bit more flour than the amount of coconut flour specified, but it depends on your blend. Add a bit of flour at a time until the dough is easily shapable). 

Chocolate Chips: I used vegan dark chocolate chips, but if you are not vegan or lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use normal semi-sweet chocolate chips instead.

Storing: To store, place the peanut butter buckeyes in an airtight container in a single layer and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. To freeze, place the buckeye balls in a freezer-safe container in a single layer and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let the peanut butter balls thaw completely overnight in the fridge before enjoying.

  • Prep Time: 1 hour 45 mins
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Microwave
  • Cuisine: American

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

2 Comments

  1. Good morning Felicia,

    Thank you for another interesting and amazingly simple to make recipe for this peanut/chocolate treat.

    I really like your additional toppings tips to flavor these treats with nutty texture as I bite into each one – hmmm, it is so heavenly 🙂
    “Additional Toppings: If you want to jazz these buckeye balls up a notch, you can also coat the buckeyes in chopped peanuts (or pistachios or almonds) after dipping them in chocolate for a slightly more festive touch.”

    I strongly recommend these treats to be served during the upcoming Christmas festive season ! Actually, I like them any time of the year 🙂

    I love and bless you darling,
    Mum

    Reply

    1. Hi mummy! Yes these buckeye balls make a very fun snack for Christmas and the holiday season 🙂
      Love you too!!

      Reply