These easy peanut butter buckeye balls are perfectly smooth and gooey on the inside with a chocolatey crunch on the outside. with only 5 simple ingredients, this buckeye recipe is Not only gluten-free and vegan but can be made paleo and keto as well.
This Healthy Peanut Butter Buckeye Recipe is another one of my favorite snacks that I always keep a batch of in the freezer.
They are so easy to make and healthy enough to make the perfect pre or post-workout snack.
And it is the best workout motivation ever!
Buckeye Balls are one of those classic Christmas recipes that are just so good. And well, these come pretty close to the original.
Even better?
They are way healthier and can be enjoyed all year round without any of the guilt.
ingredients for my Healthy Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls
These Healthy Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls are so simple to make.
All you need is your favorite nut butter, date paste (blended Medjool dates), coconut flour, sea salt, and your favorite chocolate.
Nut Butter
For this paleo recipe, I’m using almond butter. However, if you want the classic Buckeye Ball option, go ahead and use peanut butter instead.
Sunbutter (ground sunflower seeds) and tahini (ground sesame seeds) would also work well in this recipe if you need nut-free options.
When choosing your nut butter, your best option would be a smooth and drizzly one. I like to go to Whole Foods and ground fresh almonds to get my almond butter, it makes the perfect consistency for this.
I love using half peanut butter and half almond butter. You can also replace the almond butter completely with peanut butter. What can beat peanut butter and chocolate after all?
Medjool Dates
Instead of using refined sugar, I’m using date paste to sweeten this recipe.
Medjool dates make a great alternative to refined sugar because they are naturally very sweet and are loaded with essential nutrients.
They also have some pretty great health benefits like lowering cholesterol, bone health support, bowel regularity, and they are great for your skin too.
To make date paste you simply remove the pits from the dates and blend the dates in a blender or food processor.
Note: Fresh and large dates are the best to make date paste. However, if the dates you have are only forming little pieces, don’t worry, they will be blended in once you add the nut butter in.
coconut Flour
I’m using coconut flour to keep this Healthy Buckeye Ball recipe gluten-free, paleo, and Keto-friendly. I also love the flavor.
Oat Flour: You can also supercharge these buckeye balls by adding gluten-free oat flour to turn them into a perfect energy snack!
The gluten-free flour adds complex carbs and fiber that will provide steady energy along with the healthy fat and protein from the nut butter.
Why I Love These healthy peanut butter Buckeye Balls
Aside from these gluten-free Healthy Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls being so delicious and addictive, they are so simple and easy to make.
It’s a great way to get the kids involved in the holiday baking and they don’t require any bake time.
They are also very easily modified to meet any dietary requirements or food preferences, which means that it’s easy to make these enjoyable for everyone.
You won’t even have to feel guilty about eating too many! Trust me, you’ll eat more than you planned.
How to Store These Healthy Peanut Butter Buckeyes
These Healthy Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls are freezer-friendly!
I like to store these in the freezer. They don’t need long to defrost since the center is so gooey and soft and they keep longer than if you put them in the fridge (if you don’t eat them all before that!)
What are your favorite snacks at this time of the year? Leave a comment below!
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN USE “TRIED IT” ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING #SHUANGYSEATS
Healthy Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls (Paleo, Vegan, Keto)
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw cashews soaked
- 1/2 cup peanut butter * smooth, unsweetened
- 8 – 10 medjool dates pits removed **
- 2 – 3 tbsp coconut flour ***
- 2 cups dark chocolate bars/chips melted
- 1/2 tsp sea salt optional
Instructions
- Soak raw cashews in hot water and a pinch of salt for a couple hours to soften or room temperature water overnight. Drain and rinse.
- In a food processor, blend raw cashews and medjool dates, until smooth.
- Add in peanut butter and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth. add in 2 tbsp coconut flour and blend again. If the dough appears to be too runny, add additional coconut flour, one table spoon at a time.
- Once all the ingredients are incorporated and blended to a smooth texture, transfer the dough to the fridge to chill before rolling.
- Remove from the refrigerator and use a cookie dough scoop or your hands to form preferred sized balls. Place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Stick a toothpick in each of the peanut balls then place them in the freezer to set for at least half an hour. (If it’s too sticky to roll, wet your hands or leave the batter in the freezer for a little bit longer).
- Melt your favorite chocolate bars or chocolate chips with a scoop of peanut butter in the microwave or using a double pot melting method.
- Once the balls are completed chilled (or frozen), remove the cookie sheet from the freezer. Hold the toothpick and dip each ball into the chocolate just enough to leave a hole on top. Return to the cookie sheet and remove the toothpick.
- Use the pads of your fingers to smooth over the toothpick marks.
- Place the buckeyes back in the freezer to set for at least 30 minutes. They are best kept in the freezer. Enjoy!
Notes
- * You can also use almond butter if following the Paleo diet. My favorite is to use half almond butter and half peanut butter.
- ** For a keto-friendly option, you can use Keto Powdered Sugar like this one. Sub 1:1
- *** Add additional coconut flour, 1 tablespoon at a time if the batter is too wet.
Recommended Products
Nutrition
The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This does not result in any extra cost for you, but it does mean that I make a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
These are delicious!!!! A sneaky way to eat healthier food but as dessert
Hi Emily!
You are so right, a great way to eat healthier food! We are glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Happy Baking,
Constance
Looks wonderful!
They are so good 🙂 Thank you!