Healthy Peanut Butter Buckeyes (No-Bake, 7 Ingredients)

Name: Healthy Peanut Butter Buckeyes
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup natural peanut butter; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/4 cup coconut flour; 1/4 cup almond flour; pinch of salt; 1/2 cup 70% dark chocolate chips, melted

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These Healthy Peanut Butter Buckeyes are made with natural peanut butter, maple syrup and a little almond and coconut flour, then dipped in dark chocolate. They only need 7 simple ingredients, there’s no baking, and they come together in about 20 minutes.

peanut butter balls drizzled with dark chocolate

Notes From My Kitchen

Classic buckeyes are peanut butter balls made with butter and lots of powdered sugar, then dipped in chocolate so they look like the nut from a buckeye tree. My healthy peanut butter buckeyes use natural peanut butter and maple syrup instead, with just a little almond and coconut flour to hold them together.

They’re really similar to my Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls, just with a little chocolate on top, so they make a nourishing little snack any time of day. I love making a batch for meal prep to keep in the fridge, and I like bringing them to family and friends over the holidays.

Recipe Highlights

Tastes like a peanut butter cup: creamy peanut butter and dark chocolate in every bite. Love this combo? Try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Pudding.
No-bake: just mix, roll, dip and chill.
Vegan, gluten-free and grain-free: a holiday treat that works for lots of different diets.
Great for gifting: they look so festive on a holiday cookie tray.

Key Ingredients And Substitutions

Natural peanut butter: stir it well first, since natural peanut butter tends to separate. Want them peanut-free? Any other nut butter works really well. Use up the rest of the jar in my Peanut Butter Chia Pudding.
Maple syrup: you can swap it for honey if you prefer, but the buckeyes won’t be vegan.
Almond and coconut flour: these thicken the peanut butter into a dough you can roll. Peanut butter brands vary a lot in thickness, so you may need a little more or less.

How To Make Healthy Peanut Butter Buckeyes

*This is a recipe overview. The full recipe with measurements and instructions can be found below in the recipe card.

Step 1

Add the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl.

A clear mixing bowl with peanut butter in it

Step 2

Add the coconut flour, almond flour and salt.

peanut butter and coconut flour in a clear mixing bowl

Step 3

Mix everything together until it forms a dough that’s soft enough to roll but holds its shape.

a clear mixing bowl with a wooden spatula and peanut butter dough in it

Step 4

Roll the dough into 1 tablespoon balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 5

Melt the chocolate, then dip each ball three-quarters of the way in. Drizzle any leftover chocolate on top and chill until set.

peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate on a baking sheet

How To Store

Store the buckeyes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They also freeze well for up to 3 months. Let them thaw on the counter for about 10 minutes before eating.

Jess’s Tips

Adjust the dough: if it’s too sticky, add a little more almond or coconut flour. If it’s too thick, add a bit more peanut butter.
Chill if it’s hard to roll: pop the dough in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes to firm it up.
Use a tablespoon: measuring the dough keeps all the buckeyes the same size.
Dip with a toothpick: stick one into each ball to dip it, then gently smooth over the little hole with a small knife.
Make a holiday treat box: pack them with my Marbled Peppermint Bark and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies for an easy homemade gift.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe nut-free?

Yes. Use a seed butter like sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter, and replace the almond flour with more coconut flour or oat flour.

Why are my peanut butter balls soft?

They likely need a little more flour, or they’ve been out of the fridge too long. Add a couple of extra tablespoons of almond flour to the dough, and keep the buckeyes chilled until you’re ready to serve them.

A healthy peanut butter buckeye drizzled with dark chocolate

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