If you’re a chocolate and peanut butter lover (and who isn’t?), but you’re trying to be healthy and/or are watching your carbs, you’re going to love this Sugar-free Buckeyes Recipe.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Having a delicious treat like Buckeyes in sugar-free form is already fantastic, but I’ve taken it a few steps farther to make this recipe even better than that. As always, I’m sharing a lot of substitutions so you can make it with any sweetener you like, and also make them adaptable for many kinds of special diets.
In addition, if you’re short on time, there’s a minimalist drizzled buckeye option and I have some money savings tips as well.
What Are Buckeyes?
Buckeyes are a classic no-bake treat named after the nut of the Ohio Buckeye tree. The candy resembles the nut because it’s a small, round ball of peanut butter coated in chocolate, with a portion of the peanut butter left uncovered to mimic the nut’s distinctive two-toned appearance.
Buckeye treats originated in Ohio and are especially popular during holidays and football season in Ohio because the Ohio State Buckeyes have adopted the nut as their mascot.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Following is a brief list of the ingredients needed for this recipe. For the amounts needed, please see the Recipe Card.
- Peanut Butter – If you’re allergic to peanuts or concerned about candida, you can substitute almond butter or sunflower seed butter. You’ll likely want to add some more sweetener because peanuts have some natural sweetness that almonds and sunflower seeds don’t have.
- Almond Flour – If you’re allergic to almonds, you could try coconut flour. I haven’t tried this but it should work, but you won’t need as much. If you add too much and the candy will be crumbly, dry, and will taste too much like coconut.
- Powdered Sweetener – You can really use any sweetener you like for this, including a liquid one. You’ll just have to play around with the almond flour, adding a bit more if need be. To save money, or just because you love DIYs, you can make your own Homemade Powdered Sweetener easily.
- Vanilla Extract – Adds a warm, sweet flavor that enhances the overall taste of the buckeyes. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor, or substitute with one of these vanilla extract substitutes. You can even make your own Alcohol-free Vanilla extracts.
- Sugar-free Chocolate Chips – You can of course use regular chocolate chips if you’re not watching your carbs. To save money, see my recipe for Homemade Chocolate Chips. They’ll work great for this recipe. I like using dark chocolate for a more rich and not so sweet treat.
- Coconut Oil – I haven’t tried it, but you could likely use butter or palm shortening instead.
- Salt – In my opinion, salt is always needed in recipes for sweets. Salt brings out the sweet taste. You can avoid this if the peanut butter is salted, or you can use it anyhow if you like a little more saltiness for these peanut butter balls.
Instructions
Following are basic step by step instructions. For the full list of directions, scroll down to the recipe card.
- In a bowl mix together peanut butter, almond flour, sweetener, vanilla, and salt. Mix well. Form into a ball.
- Put parchment on a surface. Form the mixture into small balls. Chill.
- Melt chocolate and coconut oil.
- Dip the balls covering 2/3 in chocolate. Chill or let sit.
How to Store Peanut Butter Buckeyes
Here’s how to keep your peanut butter buckeyes fresh:
- Refrigerator: Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The cool temperature helps maintain their shape and texture.
- Freezer: For longer storage, place the buckeyes in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving, or eat them frozen. So yummy when cold!
- Avoid Warm Temperatures: Since the chocolate coating can melt, keep the buckeyes out of direct sunlight and warm spots.
Recipe Variations
Feel free to customize these buckeyes to fit your preferences or dietary needs with these variations:
- Milk Chocolate Buckeye Option: I personally like dark chocolate better than milk chocolate, but these Lily’s Milk Chocolate Chips are a great choice if you prefer milk chocolate.
- For Sweeter Buckeyes: Add an extra teaspoon of powdered sweetener for a sweeter taste.
- Crunchy Add Ins: Mix in crushed nuts or sugar-free chocolate mini chips for added crunch.
- Peanut Butter Alternatives: As mentioned, you can easily swap peanut butter for almond butter or sunflower seed butter. Those two are the best alternatives, but you could also substitute with cashew butter or even pumpkin seed butter or any combination of the above. You’ll likely need to increase the sweetener some since peanut butter is a bit sweet on its own.
- Drizzle Option: Instead of dipping, drizzle melted chocolate over the peanut butter balls for a time-saving minimalist look.
- White Chocolate Variation: While they won’t be traditional buckeyes, you could definitely coat your peanut butter balls in white chocolate for a delicious and fun treat.
Serving Suggestions
These Sugar-Free Buckeyes are versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. Serve them as a delicious snack alongside your favorite coffee or tea, or bring them to a party for a keto-friendly treat that everyone can enjoy.
They also make great homemade gifts for Christmas or any occasion—just package them in a decorative tin or box for a thoughtful homemade present.
For a more elaborate dessert spread, add these buckeyes to a dessert board with fresh berries, nuts, and other keto-friendly treats. Craving a cool treat? Enjoy these straight from the freezer for a refreshing, bite-sized dessert.
More Sugar-free Candy Recipes
FAQs
Yes, peanut butter can be low carb if you choose natural or sugar-free options with no added sweeteners. A typical serving of natural peanut butter has about 4-5 grams of net carbs. However, always check the label for hidden sugars and unnecessary additives.
Peanut butter is often avoided on a candida diet because peanuts are susceptible to mold, particularly aflatoxins, which can exacerbate candida overgrowth. However, Valencia peanuts are a better option since they’re grown in a drier climate and are less likely to have mold. For some people they can eat Valencia peanuts and peanut butter for an occasional treat, but for others, opting for almond butter or sunflower seed butter is a better choice.
The chocolate chips I’ve used are dairy-free so this recipe is already dairy-free. The chips that you choose will determine if these buckeyes are dairy free or not.
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In a bowl mix together peanut butter, almond flour, sweetener, vanilla extract salt. Mix well until the ingredients are combined.
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Prepare parchment paper on cutting board or baking sheet. Form the mixture into small balls about 1 inch in diameter.
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Arrange them on the baking paper and then place in fridge for about 1 hour to chill.
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Melt the chocolate and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler or over very low heat in a small saucepan.
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Once melted, use fork or wooden skewers to lower the balls into chocolate, covering 2/3 of the ball in chocolate.
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Let sit on the parchment paper for at least 5 minutes to set, then either transfer to the fridge for at least 30 minutes or place on a cooling rack to set.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
