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healthy buckeyes

December 13, 2016 by Amanda @ .running with spoons. 24 Comments

You won’t miss the butter or sugar in these healthy buckeyes! They’re made with wholesome ingredients like coconut flour and maple syrup, and make a delicious alternative to a traditional favourite! {gluten-free, vegan, paleo}

You won't miss the butter or sugar in these healthy buckeyes! They're made with wholesome ingredients like coconut flour and maple syrup, and make a delicious alternative to a traditional favourite! {gluten-free, vegan, paleo} | runningwithspoons.com

Is a buckeye still a buckeye if it’s made without peanut butter?

Because according to the internet, buckeyes are:

  • several tree species of the genus Aesculus
  • a nickname for residents of the U.S. state of Ohio, the “buckeye state” (you weren’t kidding, Meg!)
  • a breed of chicken originating in Ohio
  • a peanut butter and chocolate candy made to resemble the nut of a buckeye tree <–

Sooo… going by that last point, I’m going to assume that the answer to my question is a resounding “NO,” but I’m going to go ahead and call these little guys buckeyes anyways because I’m a healthy food blogger and we’re notorious for our misleading names.

I mean… banana ice cream. ‘Nuff said.

You won't miss the butter or sugar in these healthy buckeyes! They're made with wholesome ingredients like coconut flour and maple syrup, and make a delicious alternative to a traditional favourite! {gluten-free, vegan, paleo} | runningwithspoons.com

So! The reason I’m asking about the peanut butter thing is because, as you guys [might] know, this girl can’t do peanuts. I’d love to, but I was blessed with a peanut allergy when I popped into this world, so I’m kind of stuck playing that card for life.

Luckily, my allergy doesn’t extend to any other nut, so I swapped the peanut butter for some almond butter* and voila! Healthy buckeyes.

You won't miss the butter or sugar in these healthy buckeyes! They're made with wholesome ingredients like coconut flour and maple syrup, and make a delicious alternative to a traditional favourite! {gluten-free, vegan, paleo} | runningwithspoons.com

Also… I should probably mention that I kind of, sort of, maybe swapped out most of the original ingredients in the process. Butter? Gone. Confectioners’ sugar? Gone. Chocolate? G… No wait, the chocolate is very much still there.

But I wanted to make a healthier version of a holiday treat, so I used things like almond butter, coconut flour*, maple syrup, and… nope, that’s pretty much it. There’s literally only 4 ingredients in the base of these buckeyes, and while I can’t claim they taste exactly like the original (mostly because I have no idea what the original tastes like), they look the part and taste fantastic, so what more can you ask for?

You won't miss the butter or sugar in these healthy buckeyes! They're made with wholesome ingredients like coconut flour and maple syrup, and make a delicious alternative to a traditional favourite! {gluten-free, vegan, paleo} | runningwithspoons.com

How about the fact that these healthy buckeyes are friendly for gluten-free, vegan, and paleo lifestyles? You can even make them nut-free by replacing the almond butter with a roasted soy nut butter.* Apparently that stuff tastes “just like peanut butter,” but again… I’m not the right person to ask. It’s good, though!

And so are these bites buckeyes. They have a soft and doughy center surrounded by a slightly crisp chocolate shell. And you know the choco-nut combo is to.die.for. They kind of make a perfect healthy alternative for a traditional favourite and I hope you love them!

Happy eating!

You won't miss the butter or sugar in these healthy buckeyes! They're made with wholesome ingredients like coconut flour and maple syrup, and make a delicious alternative to a traditional favourite! {gluten-free, vegan, paleo} | runningwithspoons.com

I’d love to know if you make this recipe! Leave a comment and rating down below to let me know what you think, and subscribe to our mailing list to receive new recipes in your inbox!

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Healthy Buckeyes


★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Amanda @ Running with Spoons
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 12 candies 1x
Print Recipe
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (128 g) almond butter
  • 6 Tbsp (42 g) coconut flour
  • 3 Tbsp (45 ml) maple syrup*
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • optional: 1/4 tsp salt**
  • 1/2 cup (85) dairy-free chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Add the almond butter, coconut flour, maple syrup, and vanilla to a medium-size mixing bowl and mix until all the ingredients are well combined and form into a dough.
  2. Using a heaping tablespoon, roll the dough between your hands to form individual balls. Set them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and repeat with the remaining dough. Transfer the baking sheet to the fridge for 20 – 30 minutes to allow the balls to set.
  3. To prepare the chocolate coating, add the chocolate to a small bowl or cup and melt it in the microwave or over a double broiler, stirring periodically to ensure no clumps remain.
  4. Using a toothpick, dip each ball into the melted chocolate, gently tapping the side of the bowl to remove any excess. Place back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat until all the buckeyes have been coated.
  5. Refrigerate for ~15 minutes, or until the chocolate has set. Store the candies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

* You can also use honey. ** If your nut butter isn’t salted, you might want to add a bit of salt to bring out the sweetness even more.

  • Prep Time: 30 mins

Keywords: buckeyes, candy, chocolate, gluten-free, healthy, paleo, vegan

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @runwithspoons on Instagram and hashtag it #runningwithspoons

You won't miss the butter or sugar in these healthy buckeyes! They're made with wholesome ingredients like coconut flour and maple syrup, and make a delicious alternative to a traditional favourite! {gluten-free, vegan, paleo} | runningwithspoons.com

Looking for more no bake snack recipes? Try one of these!

No Bake Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars
No Bake Almond Fudge Protein Bars
No Bake Brownie Batter Truffles
No Bake Chocolate Sunflower Seed Granola Bars
Healthy Chocolate Fudge Bites

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*Disclosure: Some of the links included in this post may be affiliate links, meaning I’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you so much for helping support Spoons!

Filed Under: Cookies, Balls, & Bites, Gluten Free, No-Bake Treats, Recipe, Vegan Tagged With: buckeyes, candy, chocolate, gluten-free, healthy, paleo, vegan

Previous Post: « healthy banana cake with cream cheese frosting
Next Post: 25 days of christmas, 1-12 (ToL #213) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jone

    March 9, 2023 at 9:48 am

    Chocolate covered PB balls are my all-time favorite Christmas dessert. Of course, my mom always made them with confectioners sugar and all the bad stuff, but they just taste SO good. I like your version too, though, definitely way healthier! Camping NSW

    Reply
  2. lisa

    September 9, 2021 at 10:59 am

    Love your stuff. I hope to come out and lift with you in Texas. Not sure when. I am a sophmore in high school in Arizona, a start at olb for the varsity football team at Westwood High School, hoping to make it to a Division 1 college. Keep up your posts. They are extremely helpful. Muslim Personal Trainer

    Reply
  3. Elmore Organisation

    December 12, 2017 at 9:41 am

    Well poor of those who still not tasted a healthy buckeyes yet :p

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. nasir

    December 12, 2017 at 12:31 am

    Wow ! i have seen new buckeyes and before saw your past i was know about butter buckeyes, vegetables buckeyes and milky buckeyes. Now i have decide i will prepare these buckeyes recipe on Sunday. I am so excited for making it.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Joon

    October 5, 2017 at 8:17 am

    I just made these and they are super yummy! I didn’t have any protein powder, so I used 4 tbsp. of flax seed. Also, I didn’t want to take the time to dip the balls into the chocolate (Buckeye-style), so I just threw the chocolate chips into the dough. These are really good!

    Reply
  6. saim

    May 25, 2017 at 5:46 am

    HI,
    Awesome dish ! Love that I already have all jujitsu glendora of the ingredients too! 🙂 I know what I’ll be doing today instead of studying for finals…;)

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. noor

    February 3, 2017 at 11:01 pm

    thanks for nice sharing 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  8. [email protected]

    December 18, 2016 at 1:33 pm

    Wow, I had no idea about the “breed of chicken originating in Ohio” business, but I’d say you nailed the buckeyes. They look just like the nipples we have here…er I mean candies. Also I love that they’re only four ingredients.

    Reply
  9. Runwright

    December 14, 2016 at 9:51 am

    I’ve enjoyed almond butter every time I’ve had it but I gravitate towards the peanut butter usually.

    Reply
  10. Kat

    December 14, 2016 at 7:18 am

    bahahaha I love you.
    I’ve actually never made buckeyes before, which is weird considering they are my favorite college football team AND are literally one of my all time favorite combos of chocolate and PB. Totally going to make these puppies for when my Daddy and Bro come over this weekend for football, though I think I’ll make a batch for me with almond butter and a traditional batch [just swap out the AB for PB] for my family. Then I’ll let them decide which one they prefer. They are 100% more of a PB fan than AB but I must say there are certain cases when AB is just a better fit. I’ll be sure to let you know how these beauties turn out!! <3

    Reply
  11. Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food

    December 14, 2016 at 6:29 am

    Chocolate covered PB balls are my all-time favorite Christmas dessert. Of course, my mom always made them with confectioners sugar and all the bad stuff, but they just taste SO good. I like your version too, though, definitely way healthier!

    Reply
  12. Denise

    December 13, 2016 at 11:45 pm

    I suppose I’m the only one that has never heard of these before. My mind went straight to Ohio when I read the title.

    Reply
  13. Casey the College Celiac

    December 13, 2016 at 11:27 pm

    I think you hit the bullseye when it comes to this recipe 😉 Looks delicious as usual!

    Reply
  14. Emily Swanson

    December 13, 2016 at 11:27 pm

    Looks like buckeyes, and they still have chocolate! Definitely buckeyes in my definition!

    Reply
  15. meredith @ cookie chrunicles

    December 13, 2016 at 2:25 pm

    um you know my answer 🙂

    Reply
  16. Michele @ paleorunningmomma

    December 13, 2016 at 9:20 am

    Not gonna lie – PB is delicious and I ate it in sandwiches with bananas for YEARS. But now, I honestly don’t miss it and I’m really used to almond and cashew butter it usually tastes strong to me! I really love the maple/almond butter combo and chocolate makes it perfect so I definitely LOVE these!

    Reply
  17. Jennifer @ Fit Nana

    December 13, 2016 at 8:26 am

    These are going to be what I eat for the rest of the year. With a salad, of course. Gotta be balanced, right? 😉

    Reply
  18. Jen Rawson, RD (@PrettyLilGrub)

    December 13, 2016 at 7:17 am

    Do you think you could substitute coconut flour? I’ve never worked with it? Is it similar to regular flour?

    Reply
    • Megan

      December 13, 2016 at 7:20 am

      Maybe 1/2 cup oat flour would work?

      Reply
  19. Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy

    December 13, 2016 at 6:28 am

    Buckeyes are one of my favorite things! I will definitely have to try these. Sadly, I’m almost out of almond butter at the moment!

    Reply
  20. Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It

    December 13, 2016 at 5:47 am

    Amanda these look awesome! Love that I already have all of the ingredients too! 🙂 I know what I’ll be doing today instead of studying for finals…;)

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  21. Karlie

    December 13, 2016 at 5:22 am

    Mm I love the use of coconut flour! The recipe my family uses has wax in the chocolate coating …… so yeah, definitely happy to have a new recipe. xx Happy Tuesday!

    Reply
  22. heather @Lunging Through Life

    December 13, 2016 at 4:49 am

    I don’t like pb so I’ve never made these but the fact that they are healthy may sway my decision on holiday treats. Always good to have healthy options!

    Reply
  23. Hollie

    December 13, 2016 at 4:49 am

    I haven’t had buckeyes in a while and now I’m craving them. Thanks for sharing and these look delicious!

    Reply

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Amanda

I'm Amanda - health coach, cookbook author, recipe developer, photographer, makeup junkie, and the blogger behind Running with Spoons - a blog dedicated to proving that healthy snacking doesn't have to be tasteless or boring, one delicious recipe at a time. More about Amanda →

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