Peanut butter protein buckeye balls!!! Pure peanut butter flavor covered in a delicious, 3-ingredient homemade chocolate shell. AKA a healthier, homemade Reese’s peanut butter cup!
Buckeye History
So, tell me: are buckeyes purely just a Midwestern dessert? Like, have you ever heard/eaten them before? (Serious question; I’d love to know). They are pretty much a homemade Reese’s peanut butter cup that look like the buckeyes from buckeye trees that are common in Ohio and surrounding states in the Midwest.
Growing up and living in Indiana, they are pretty much a staple dessert at Christmas time. And let me assure you, I most certainly am NOT wishing the last bit of summer away or the fall season for that matter. Summer is hands down my favorite season (everyone else seems obsessed with fall!). But fall/autumn reminds me that winter is coming…with every day getting colder and shorter with less daylight. Just a disclaimer so you didn’t think I skipped an entire season of recipes haha. In fact, the reason why I am bringing you this recipe now is because I have quite the summer dessert coming at you this Thursday that may or may not include these buckeyes in the recipe. So, just a heads up. 😉 You should probably make these buckeyes now so you are all ready for later this week!
Favorite Recipe
Just so you know how delicious these are, I have made them 3 times since originally creating this recipe several months ago. I honestly meant to post these forever ago, but then got caught up in zucchini season and the plethora of garden tomatoes that this recipe just got a little left behind!
As a testament to how delicious they are, literally just tonight as I was looking through these photos, I had to go and make another batch. Which honestly is saying a lot, because I rarely make the same recipe twice since I am constantly testing new recipes for my blog as well as trying recipes from my other favorite bloggers! I mean, how could you not want to go immediately make these looking at those photos!! Or maybe I’m just feeling deprived of chocolate since I made this blueberry crisp for dessert last night when I had family over. (Pro-tip: I tripled the recipe and baked it in a 9×13 pan, which made 6 HUGE servings…which we had no problem polishing off the entire pan with only 6 people). Going one day without chocolate is about the most I can do!
Peanut Butter Ball Ingredients
The peanut butter ball literally only uses TWO ingredients: peanut butter and protein powder! The traditional recipe uses pounds and pounds of butter and powdered sugar with the peanut butter, and honestly I daresay this version tastes just as good if not better than the original. I love how the protein powder mimics the powdered sugar in two ways: by adding sweetness as well as thickening the peanut butter to achieve the proper consistency and texture. I’ve tested this recipe using both a plant based protein powder (Vega Sport or Orgain are my go-to brands), as well as whey protein (try with Quest vanilla or peanut butter flavors!) and they both work well.
Chocolate Coating Ingredients
Just like with the peanut butter ball ingredients, you have two options for the chocolate shell! Traditionally growing up, we would melt chocolate chips to dip the peanut butter balls in. However, I have been LOVING this 3-ingredient chocolate sauce that can easily be adjusted to your desired sweetness level, and it’s naturally dairy-free and vegan! Just simple melt coconut oil and maple syrup together and whisk in the cocoa powder until a smooth chocolate sauce forms. That’s it! SO simple and SO delicious. But, by all means you can also dip these in melted chocolate chips/chocolate bar of your choice.
Goodness I wrote a book on these protein buckeyes…I’m just so excited to share this recipe with you! Hope you all have an amazing Labor Day relaxing and spending time with family! And maybe whip up a batch of these too…I’m sure they will be a huge hit! 😊
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- 1-1.5 servings vanilla protein powder (I used about ½ cup or ~45 grams)*
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- ¼ cup cocoa (or cacao) powder
- 2-4 tablespoons maple syrup (I used 2 tablespoons)
- OR melted chocolate chips/bar of your choice
- In a small bowl, stir together the peanut butter and protein powder until smooth. Place bowl of dough in fridge for about 10-15 minutes to slightly firm up.
- Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt the coconut oil and maple syrup together until smooth. Whisk in the cocoa powder.
- Roll the peanut butter dough until about 15 uniform balls. Place on plate or small cookie sheet and put in freezer for about 10-15 minutes to firm up.
- Dip the hardened peanut butter balls in the homemade chocolate sauce/melted chocolate using a toothpick. Place on lined/greased cookie sheet or plate and place back in freezer so chocolate firms up.
- These buckeyes need to stay refrigerated, or the chocolate will melt! They also keep store really well in the freezer too.
These look so deliciously simple and heavenly – can never get enough chocolate and peanut butter!!
Thank you! And yes agreed 😊
Ohmygoodness. I need these in my life. Wish I had a couple for an afternoon pick-me-up today!
YES…they are great any time of day! 🙂
This looks absolutely delicious! Bye-bye Reese’s peanut butter cups!
Thank you! Hope you love them too! Seriously so much better than store bought 😊