• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Pinch Me Good

  • Home
  • All Recipes
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Quick and Easy Salads
    • Healthy Side Dishes
    • Healthy Snacks and Appetizers
    • Dressings And Sauces
    • Healthy Desserts
  • Meal Prep
  • How To’s
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • All Recipes
  • Meal Prep
  • Breakfast
  • Main Dishes
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • Gluten-Free
  • Healthy Desserts
  • How To’s
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    • Hand lifting spoon out of jar of dijon dressing with a bowl of cut lemons, bowl of salt and pepper, and a kitchen towel around it.
      Easy 5 Minute Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
    • Plate of large pieces of cookie dough bark on a plate with more bark around it.
      Healthy Cookie Dough Bark – Gluten Free
    • Simple Avocado Cream Sauce – 5 Minutes
    • Cooked egg and bacon pizzas on a lined baking sheet.
      Healthy Breakfast Pizza – With 2 Ingredient Dough
    • Cooked meatloaf with salad on a with plate with a fork.
      Easy Healthy Ground Chicken Meatloaf
    • Bowl filled with cooked rice and unbranded air fryer chicken bites with parsley on them, with another bowl of it behind it.
      Easy Air Fryer Chicken Bites – 4 Ingredients
    • Slice of cottage cheese egg bake with veggies in it on a plate with a fork on the plate with it.
      Easy High-Protein Cottage Cheese Egg Bake
    • Layered bark bars with strawberries on a white plate with brown specks with more behind it.
      Viral Chocolate Strawberry Bark – 4 Ingredients
    • Plate filled with rice and green beans topped with air fryer salmon with more behind it.
      Easy Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon – 6 Ingredients
    • Mixed chicken salad in a white bowl with wooden serving spoons in the bowl.
      15-Minute Rotisserie Chicken Salad – Easy Recipe
    • Cut scores bars on top of parchment paper with a knife in front of them.
      Easy Frozen Protein S’mores Bars – 5 Ingredients
    • Cheesy cottage cheese Mac and cheese in a white pan with a wood spoon in it and a blue and white towel in front of it.
      Easy Protein Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
    Pinch Me Good! » Healthy Desserts » Easy Buckeye Balls – 6 Ingredients

    Easy Buckeye Balls – 6 Ingredients

    December 19, 2020 by Amy Estes Leave a Comment

    787 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Please note that some of the links are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links.

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    No-bake, chocolate-dipped buckeye balls make the best holiday treat that everyone will love! These peanut butter balls are so easy to make for holiday parties or gifts and this version is gluten-free! They are chocolatey, creamy, nutty, and so good!

    The holidays are here, which means lots of delicious treats, hot cocoa, and holiday movies! I have already made these peanut butter buckeye balls a few times. Everyone loved them and nobody could tell they were slightly healthier.

    My kids helped me make them and it was a fun little project that they really enjoyed!

    Chocolate-covered anything is always a hit like these chocolate energy bites or these chocolate-covered strawberries. The best part is that there is no baking required and you can make them ahead, which makes them the perfect sweet treat for homemade gifts.

    What are buckeye balls?

    Buckeye balls are bite-sized peanut butter balls that are dipped about ⅔ of the way in some silky melted chocolate. They taste a lot like Reese’s peanut butter cups which makes them super delicious and the perfect treat for the holidays! This version is made with creamy peanut butter, almond flour, maple syrup, vanilla, and chocolate chips.

    Why are they called buckeye balls?

    Buckeyes got their name from their resemblance to the nut that is grown from an Ohio buckeye tree, making it a very popular dessert in the Midwest.

    Pile of peanut butter buckeye balls on a plate with a bowl of peanut butter in front of them.

    Why you’ll love this recipe

    • Quick and easy -It takes only 10 minutes of active time to make, the rest is chilling time.
    • Simple – Only requires a few ingredients that you likely already have.
    • No-bake dessert – It is an easy dessert that requires no baking!
    • Healthy – a lighter, more nutritious treat that is both vegan and gluten-free that kids and adults love!

    Ingredients you will need

    • Creamy peanut butter – make sure to use creamy and not chunky peanut butter.
    • Almond flour – fine-blanched almond flour.
    • Dark chocolate – you can also use semi-sweet chocolate. If you need to keep this recipe vegan then use vegan chocolate.
    • Maple syrup – real maple syrup to add some sweetness.
    • Vanilla extract – pure vanilla extract.
    • Coconut oil – or butter to help melt the chocolate and make it looser for easier dipping.
    • Salt – used to enhance all of the flavors.

    How to make peanut butter buckeye balls

    *Be sure to check out the complete list of recipe ingredients and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    1. Mix the peanut butter dough – In a medium size mixing bowl, mix together the peanut butter, almond flour, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until it forms a slightly thick but still soft dough.
    2. Roll into balls – use your hands to roll the dough into even size balls. I used a teaspoon and measured out 2 teaspoons per ball to keep them all the same size. This recipe will yield about 20-25 balls. Insert a toothpick in the center of each ball for easy dipping.
    3. Chill – place the rolled peanut butter balls into the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.
    4. Melt the chocolate. Pour the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval. This takes about 60-90 seconds. Once 90% of the chocolate is melted, stir the chocolate to melt the rest of it. Let it cool for 2-3 minutes and stir it.
    5. Coat – Dip each peanut butter ball ⅔ of the way into the chocolate, leaving a little bit of the peanut butter exposed. That is the “buckeye” part of the recipe. Shake them a little bit to let some of the excess chocolate drip off and place them onto the baking sheet as you dip them. Per the recipe card below.
    6. Chill again – place the dipped buckeye balls into the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
    7. Serve and enjoy – Remove them from the refrigerator and enjoy!

    These are just the best cute little dessert you can make and have all week long, take to a party, or even keep in your freezer. I kept them bite-size so you can have more but you could also make them larger if you prefer.

    Close p shot of a plate of peanut butter chocolate balls with more behind it.

    Recipe tips for making buckeye balls

    • Use creamy peanut butter and not chunky peanut butter. You can also use almond butter but you may need to add a little more flour.
    • Make them larger. If you prefer to roll the balls a little bit bigger then go ahead, I just recommend that you measure them so they are all similar in size for the look and to allow the chilling time to be the same.
    • Use coconut oil or butter to melt the chocolate. This helps the chocolate get nice and glossy and makes it easier for dipping.
    • Use standard-size toothpicks and not larger ones. If one of the balls falls off of the toothpick when you are dipping it, then just fish it out carefully with a fork or spoon. It will be fine.
    • You can leave a hole in the center or close it up. Many people leave the hole left from the toothpick in the buckeye balls and don’t bother closing it up. So it is up to you. To easily close up the holes, just lightly pinch and smooth the top of each ball after you are done dipping them in the chocolate.

    How long do buckeye balls last?

    • They will last up to about 7 days if you store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
    • To freeze buckeye balls: they freeze really well in a freezer-friendly container for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, just leave them on the counter or in the refrigerator to defrost and soften.
    A plate filled with chocolate dipper peanut butter balls with more on a plate behind it and a bowl of melted chocolate behind it.

    Other no-bake desserts

    • Protein cookie Dough Balls
    • Monster Cookie Energy Balls
    • Healthy Chocolate Protein Shake
    • Vegan Chocolate Mousse
    • Healthy Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs
    Peanut butter chocolate buckeyes close ups shot with a bite taken out of one.

    I hope you try this buckeye balls recipe. If you do then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how yours turned out.

    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

    Easy Buckeye Balls


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    No reviews

    • Author: Amy Estes
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 20–25 balls 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    These healthier buckeye balls are so simple and easy to make and they are a great healthy treat that everyone will love! They store great, making them a wonderful holiday gift or dessert for parties. These are gluten-free!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 cup creamy peanut butter – I used Skippy’s Natural Peanut butter
    • 1 + ⅓ cup blanched almond flour – I used Bob’s Red Mill brand
    • ¼ cup real maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 cups dark chocolate chips
    • 1 teaspoon solid coconut oil

    Instructions

    1. Line a medium size baking sheet with parchment paper.  In a medium size mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, almond flour, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt.  Mix with a hand mixer or stand mixer until it forms a slightly thick but still soft dough.  Add a little bit more almond flour if the mixture is too sticky or wet to roll. 
    2. Use a teaspoon to measure out 2 teaspoons of dough and roll it into a smooth ball between your hands and place it onto the lined baking sheet. Continue until you have rolled all of the dough into 20-25 balls. Insert a toothpick into the center of each ball and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. 
    3. When the balls are ready, it’s time to melt the chocolate.  To melt the chocolate, place the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl with the coconut oil. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals stirring in between each interval until most of the chocolate chips are melted.  This took about 90 seconds in my microwave.  You do not want all of the chocolate chips to melt since they could burn.  Once 90% of them are melted, remove the bowl and stir to melt the rest of the chocolate chips. 
    4. Carefully dip each ball into the chocolate about ⅔ of the way leaving a little bit of the peanut butter ball exposed.  This is what gives it the “buckeye” name.  Let some of the excess chocolate drips off of the balls then place each one carefully back onto the baking sheet. 
    5. Once you have dipped all of the balls, remove the toothpicks and pinch and smooth the top of each ball to close up the holes if you choose to do so.  Chill the buckeyes for at least 30 minutes to harden the chocolate. 
    6. Remove and serve cold or at room temperature. 

    Equipment

    Image of baking sheet

    baking sheet

    Buy Now →
    Image of ice cream scoop

    ice cream scoop

    Buy Now →
    Image of mixing bowls

    mixing bowls

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    • Add extra almond flour if the mixture is too sticky or wet to roll. I like to add an extra tablespoon if needed. 
    • Use a small ice cream scoop to roll the peanut butter mixture into balls so they are all the same size. 
    • To store – store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. 
    • Prep Time: 10
    • Category: Healthy Desserts
    • Method: Chilled
    • Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @pinchmegoodfood on Instagram and hashtag it #pinchmegoodfood

    « Quick and Easy Taco Stuffed Peppers – With Ground Turkey
    10-Minute Mediterranean Chickpea Salad »

    Filed Under: Dairy Free, Favorite Winter Recipes, Gluten-Free, Healthy Desserts, Kid-Friendly, Vegan

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

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

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there,
    I'm Amy and I'm so excited to share my best healthy recipes and tips with you. I hope I can inspire you to eat better, feel better, and get back in the kitchen. Read More…

    Amy Estes: View My Blog Posts

    Search recipes:

    Most Popular

    Mixe kale salad in a white salad bowl with wooden serving spoons in the bowl.

    Easy Kale Salad With Lemon Dressing

    Best Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl – with black beans

    Eggplant Meatballs with mushrooms and garlic

    The Best Healthy Turkey Meatloaf – Gluten Free

    Best Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins – Healthy

    two grey plates filled with arugula salad topped with crispy breaded chicken breast

    Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Breast – 15 Minutes

    Round, white salad bowl filled with roasted butternut squash salad with beets, nuts and cheese with wood salad serving spoons in the bowl and a green linen in front of it.

    BEST Butternut Squash Salad – With Roasted Beets

    Best Healthy Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

    Healthy Fall Favorites

    Easy Vegetarian Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

    Simple Fennel Slaw – with yogurt dill dressing

    To stuffed squash halves on a white baking sheet with a wooden bowl of parmesan cheese behind it.

    The Best Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash

    Best Healthy Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

    Round bowl filled with yogurt and topped with gluten free granola.

    Best Gluten Free Granola – With Pumpkin

    Easy Air Fryer Baked Apples – 15 Minutes

    Sliced turkey meatloaf on top of white parchment paper in an air fryer basket.

    Best Air Fryer Meatloaf – Quick and Easy

    Golden breaded chicken on a plate with Caesar salad next to it and another plate and some forks behind it.

    Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets – Golden and Delicious

    Search more Recipes

    Search more recipes!

    Footer

    As Seen On

    As Seen On

    CONTACT | PRIVACY POLICY