Buckeye Balls
Some weeks, all I want is a snack that feels indulgent and cozy but still actually fuels me, something creamy, chocolatey, and nostalgic that takes almost zero effort. These Buckeye Balls check every single box. They taste exactly like the classic buckeye candy we all grew up sneaking from holiday tins, but made with better-for-you ingredients and a simple no-bake method.
This is one of those recipes I make on a Sunday afternoon and immediately hide half of in the freezer because they disappear way too fast. The peanut butter center stays soft and rich, the chocolate shell has that perfect snap, and the little “buckeye” peek-through on top gives them that iconic look. They’re the kind of treat that feels cozy and nostalgic but still fits into busy weeks, snack plates, lunchboxes, and grab-and-go moments.
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Why You’ll Love These Buckeye Balls
- Taste like classic holiday Buckeyes but made with real ingredients
- No-bake and ready in under 30 minutes
- Kid-approved, freezer-friendly, and mess-free
- Minimal ingredients — all pantry staples
- Perfect for lunchboxes, desserts, and afternoon cravings
Ingredients
- 1 cup natural creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder (adds thickness + stability)
- ? cup oat flour
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1–2 tbsp milk of choice (only if needed)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips (dark, milk, or semi-sweet)
- 1 tsp coconut oil (optional, for smoother melting)
Ingredient Swaps & Substitutions
- No peanut butter ? Use cashew butter or almond butter. Cashew butter gives the richest “truffle-like” texture.
- No oat flour ? Blend rolled oats into a fine flour, or use almond flour (start with ¼ cup and adjust to reach a firm dough).
- No dairy ? Choose a plant-based protein powder and dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Want lower sugar ? Swap maple syrup for sugar-free syrup or add 1 tablespoon milk + a few drops of liquid stevia.
- Want firmer balls ? Add more oat flour 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough rolls smoothly.
How to Make Buckeye Balls
Step 1: Mix the filling
Combine peanut butter, protein powder, oat flour, maple syrup, and vanilla in a bowl. Stir until a thick dough forms. Add a splash of milk only if needed.
Step 2: Roll into balls
Use a small cookie scoop to form 14–16 balls. Roll between your palms until smooth. Place on a parchment-lined tray.
Step 3: Melt the chocolate
Microwave chocolate chips + coconut oil in 20–30 second increments until smooth and glossy.
Step 4: Dip into chocolate
Dip each ball halfway or ¾ of the way into the melted chocolate, leaving the signature “buckeye” look on top.
Step 5: Chill
Freeze for 20 minutes or refrigerate for 30 minutes until the chocolate shell hardens.
Recipe Tips
- Use room-temperature peanut butter for easy mixing.
- If the dough cracks while rolling, wet your hands slightly or add ½ teaspoon milk.
- For clean buckeye tops, let any excess chocolate drip off before placing on the tray.
- Add flaky sea salt on top before chilling for a bakery-style finish.
- Use a cookie scoop for perfectly even balls.
Storage & Meal Prep
- Fridge: Up to 1 week
- Freezer: Up to 3 months
- Keep in an airtight container to maintain the creamy center + crisp chocolate shell.
These thaw in minutes, making them perfect for lunchboxes or grab-and-go snacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your dough is sticky, add extra oat flour or protein powder 1 tablespoon at a time until it firms up. Natural peanut butter varies in thickness, so you may need slightly more dry ingredients. Chill the dough for 10–15 minutes if needed before rolling.
Buckeye Balls get their name from the nut of the Ohio Buckeye tree. When dipped in chocolate and left partially exposed on top, the peanut butter center looks just like a buckeye nut. It’s the classic Midwestern holiday treat, soft peanut butter center with a chocolate shell.
Cracking usually happens when the dough is too dry. Mix in ½–1 teaspoon of milk until the texture becomes smooth and pliable. Rolling with slightly damp hands also helps prevent cracks.
Yes. Because they contain nut butter and chocolate, they should be stored in the fridge to stay firm. They also freeze extremely well! Just thaw for 5–10 minutes before eating.
Yes! This version uses oat flour + protein powder instead of powdered sugar. They taste the same but with a better-for-you ingredient list and a softer, creamier center.
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Buckeye Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder whey or plant-based
- 1/3 cup oat flour
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 –2 tbsp milk of choice as needed
- ¼ tsp salt omit if PB is salted
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil for melting chocolate
Instructions
- Mix PB, protein powder, oat flour, syrup, and salt. Add milk if needed for dough.
- Roll into balls and freeze 15–20 mins.
- Melt chocolate + coconut oil.
- Dip each ball halfway in chocolate.
- Chill again to set.
Notes
- Consistency Tip: If the dough feels sticky, add 1 tablespoon oat flour or protein powder at a time until firm enough to roll. If it feels dry or cracks when rolling, add ½–1 teaspoon milk.
- For Smooth Dipping: Chill the rolled balls for 10–15 minutes before dipping. This helps the chocolate set quickly and gives you that perfect “buckeye” look.
- Chocolate Options: You can use dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate chips. Adding 1 teaspoon coconut oil helps melt the chocolate smoother.
- Nut Butter Swaps: Almond or cashew butter both work well. Cashew butter will taste closest to traditional buckeyes.
- Make It Dairy-Free: Use a plant-based protein powder and dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Freezer Friendly: These freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Let thaw 5–10 minutes before eating for the best texture.
- Meal Prep Tip: Double the batch and store half in the freezer for grab-and-go snacks all week.
- Oat Flour Note: If you don’t have oat flour, blended rolled oats work perfectly — just blend until very fine.
- Salted Peanut Butter: If using salted peanut butter, taste before adding any additional salt.
- Holiday Tip: These make amazing homemade gifts — place them in mini paper cups and box them like truffles.
What protein powder do you like to use in these?
I used Just Ingredients vanilla protein powder! code MorganHancock works for a discount!
Very easy to make and delicious!!
How much oat flour?
1/3 cup! Thanks for pointing that out 🙂