Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

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

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 small ball of peanut butter fudge (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 nuts from the Ohio buckeye tree (hence the name).

Why This Recipe Works:

As you know, we’re big fans of the peanut butter-chocolate combination (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 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 bugging you for this buckeye balls recipe (so make sure you keep this handy)!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Ingredient Notes/Substitutes:

• Peanut Butter: I like to use natural peanut butter because it doesn’t contain additives or preservatives that normal peanut butter has (you can also make your own homemade peanut butter in 10 minutes). However, using normal peanut butter in this buckeye balls recipe 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 to make this peanut butter buckeyes recipe using refined coconut oil in my cooking because it has a neutral flavor (as opposed to extra virgin coconut oil that has a strong coconut taste). 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 because this is a no-bake recipe and 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 no-bake peanut butter 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 Lakanto 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.

How to Make No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls:

1. Prepare Peanut Butter Dough

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, melted coconut oil, powdered sugar, and coconut flour. Mix the ingredients 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 peanut butter balls on a parchment-lined plate and chill in the freezer for at least 30 minutes until hardened. 

4. Prepare the 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 Peanut Butter Balls in Chocolate

Here’s the best way to dip the buckeye balls in chocolate. I like using 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. Alternatively, if you don’t have toothpicks on hand, you can use a small fork too.

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 small hole made with the toothpick by spreading out the dough at the top of the buckeye balls before serving or eating.

Expert 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 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.

Recipe FAQs:

Other Peanut Butter/Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love

• 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups (Gluten-free, Vegan)
• Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• 10-Minute Creamy Peanut Butter (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Easy Homemade Chocolate (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• 5-Minute Chocolate Pudding (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Sweet Treats & Desserts to Indulge In:

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!

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