Healthy Peanut Butter Balls (Buckeyes)

Healthy peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate! Healthier ingredients and less sugar. Gluten-free and vegan.

Sometimes two ingredients are a perfect match. A mashup of flavors that many of us come back to again and again.

There are easy recipes like pb cups and pb bites, dream bars, and then there are these healthy peanut butter balls.

Also known as buckeye balls, the original candy is named after the nut from the buckeye tree. Traditional buckeye candies contain pb fudge wrapped in chocolate leaving an uncoated circle on top. As a result, the uncoated fudge creates the buckeye look.

Classic buckeye fillings are made with pb, confectioner's sugar, butter, and chocolate chips. This recipe has a healthier take.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Buckeyes are easy no-bake cookies, and this adaptation is a great way to fit in other diets.
• Real food ingredients!
• These come together quickly and easily and are a perfect size!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a full list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.

Creamy natural peanut butter - The natural version has just peanuts and salt. It will change the flavor but any type of nut butter, like almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter can be substituted.

Almond flour - This helps bulk up the filling mixture in lieu of all-purpose flour, plus a great source of protein.

Arrowroot starch - Using a starch turns the fudge mixture into a creamy, almost powdery truffle filling instead of powdered sugar.

Pure maple syrup - A little bit of natural sweetener to balance the salty peanut flavor without too much added sugar.

Dairy-free chocolate chips - Transforms into the homemade chocolate coating. Semi-sweet or dark chips can be used.

Coconut oil - This helps turn the melted chips into a nice shell coating since it turns solid at room temp.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Before you start: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.

Step 1: Whisk together almond flour, arrowroot, and salt in a large bowl. Add pb, maple syrup, and vanilla and stir the mixture until dough forms.

Step 2: Scoop dough with a tablespoon cookie scoop and roll dough into balls and place on cookie sheet. Freeze for 20 minutes.

Step 3: Melt chocolate with coconut oil and stir until smooth. Use forks to carefully dip the balls in the chocolate, leaving an "eye" of pb on top.

Step 4: Refrigerate balls until the coating sets.

Tips

• Using two forks helps you achieve a clean dip. The excess chocolate will easily drip off and then you can use the forks to carefully set the dipped balls on the baking sheet.
• Don't burn the chocolate - you should still see some of the form of the chips and stirring will melt them completely.
• Make these no-bake balls ahead and store in the freezer in an airtight container.

Variations

• For an elevated flavor garnish, top each buckeye candy with flaky sea salt.
• If you'd like a little crunch to your chocolate buckeyes, use crunchy nut butter instead of smooth and creamy options.

FAQs

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