Buckeyes will be your new favorite indulgence during the holidays and every time your sweet tooth strikes! These creamy peanut butter balls, covered in a snappy chocolate coating, are no-bake treats that are easy to make and perfect made ahead.
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For all you Reese’s fans, this buckeyes recipe speaks your love language. Buckeyes are basically homemade peanut butter cups, but with an elevated, homemade touch. With a smooth peanut butter filling and a semisweet chocolate shell, they’re bite-sized little pieces of heaven that are sinfully small enough to have a couple too many at a time.
For the love of peanut butter, you must also try my no-bake Peanut Butter Bars, super easy Peanut Butter Fudge, and old-fashioned Peanut Butter Pie. You won’t regret it!
Why You’ll Love This Buckeye Recipe
- No-bake: no oven, no problem.
- Quick and easy: less than 30 minutes of active time needed!
- Make them way ahead: these are great stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.
- Deep PB flavor: we aren’t skimping on the peanut butter here!
[Most importantly] who doesn’t love peanut butter and chocolate?
Ingredients
You only need a few ingredients to make these super easy buckeyes! Here they are:
- Powdered sugar – powdered sugar helps the peanut butter balls hold their texture, while sweetening without grittiness.
- Semisweet chocolate chips – I find semisweet chocolate makes the best chocolate shell that’s not too sweet yet not too bitter. But you can also use bittersweet, milk, or even white chocolate instead!
- Smooth peanut butter – look for smooth, regular peanut butter like Jif or Skippy, not the natural stuff that tends to separate.
- Salted butter – salted butter creates silky smooth, creamy peanut butter balls with a touch of saltiness.
- Vanilla extract – vanilla seems to make all sweets better!
- Coconut oil – coconut oil thins the chocolate slightly, while creating a snappy chocolate shell that’s a bit shiny, just like you see in candy shops! Refined coconut oil is the best option, because of its neutral taste.
How to Make Buckeyes
Here are the super easy steps to make the best buckeyes at home. The full instructions are in the recipe card below!
Step 1: Beat peanut butter, butter, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand or hand mixer until smooth and fluffy.
Step 2: Mix in powdered sugar until well-combined.
Step 3: Roll mixture into 1 tablespoon-sized balls and place in a single layer on a large parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 4: Let balls chill for 30 minutes in the fridge.
Step 5: Microwave chocolate chips, in increments of 30 seconds until melted, stirring every increment.
Step 6: Stir in coconut oil, and microwave for 10 more seconds.
Step 7: Use a toothpick to dip peanut butter balls in melted chocolate, leaving a small circle of peanut butter visible at the top.
Step 8: Place dipped buckeyes back on lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 15 minutes!
My Pro Tip
Grace’s Pro Tips
- Use regular peanut butter: natural peanut butter separates and can make the filling greasy or too soft. Classic Skippy or Jif works best!
- Don’t dip the whole thing: dip only about ¾ of the way, leaving a clean circle of peanut butter on top (what makes them true buckeyes)!
- Serve slightly chilled: they taste best when the centers are cool and fudgy but not rock-hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Buckeyes are bite-sized peanut butter candies dipped in chocolate, leaving a small circle of peanut butter showing on top. They’re named after the Ohio buckeye tree’s nuts. They’re sweet, creamy with a snappy chocolate shell, and slightly salty, a holiday staple especially in the Midwest!
Semisweet chocolate is sweet but not too sweet, making it great for the chocolate shells, mixed with a bit of coconut oil for easier dipping and a slightly glossy finish. Melting chocolate wafers (like Ghirardelli’s) melt even more evenly and set shinier than chocolate chips, if preferred!
Try coating buckeyes in bittersweet or white chocolate, finish them with a sprinkle of instant espresso powder, flaky sea salt, or holiday sprinkles, or even stir in some crushed pretzels, Rice Krispies, or crushed peanuts for extra crunch!
Store buckeyes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They taste best when slightly chilled (firm chocolate shell, creamy peanut butter center)!
Store in a freezer-safe container or bag with parchment between layers. They’ll keep well in the freezer for 3 months!
More Bite-Sized Treats You’ll Love!
Desserts
Fantasy Fudge Recipe (Easy!)
Desserts
Easy Dark Chocolate Truffles
Desserts
Easy Cake Pop Recipe
If you’ve tried this Buckeyes Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you are here!
Easy Buckeyes Recipe
Equipment
- Stand or hand mixer
- Toothpick
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips, 12 ounces
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter, regular not natural
- ¾ cup salted butter, softened (1 ½ sticks)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil, refined coconut oil is recommended (neutral taste)
Instructions
- Beat peanut butter, butter, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand or hand mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy (1-2 minutes).
- Mix in powdered sugar, in 2 batches, over medium-low speed until well-combined. Mixture will look somewhat crumbly.
- Roll mixture into 1 tablespoon-sized balls and place in a single layer on a large parchment-lined baking sheet. If too soft/sticky to roll, pop in the freezer for 5-10 minutes.
- Let balls chill for 30 minutes in the fridge.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips, in increments of 30 seconds until melted, stirring every increment.
- Stir in coconut oil, and microwave for 10 more seconds.
- Working quickly, use a toothpick to dip peanut butter balls in melted chocolate, leaving a small circle of peanut butter visible at the top. The exposed spots are their “eyes.” Microwave chocolate again for 10-15 seconds as needed, if it firms up.
- Place dipped buckeyes back on lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 15 minutes or until ready to enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If the peanut butter mixture is still too sticky to roll even after freezing for a few minutes, add a tablespoon or two extra of powdered sugar to firm it up.
- Feel free to use bittersweet or milk chocolate if preferred! Melting chocolate wafers (like Ghirardelli’s) melt even more evenly and set shinier than chocolate chips, if you’d like to use them.
- You can gently smooth over the toothpick hole with your finger if you want an extra polished look!
- Keep buckeyes in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to enjoy them.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Help! I cannot stop eating these crazy good Buckeyes! How can something be this good…
Like seriously!!
Grace
The only Buckeyes I knew prior to this recipe was The Ohio State football team. As good as that team is, this recipe is even better. And no bake to boot!
Iโm leaving the Reeseโs for trick or treaters and making Buckeyes to munch on college football Saturdays.
That’s what I like to hear! Great idea!
Grace
Ummm these are like Reese’s on steroids!!! Thanks for sharing
HA! Totally agree!!
Grace