This recipe for Skinny Buckeyes was originally published in December 2011. I’ve updated and pictures and wanted to re-share this post so you can make them this football or holiday season! You don’t want to miss this healthy candy recipe.Ā 
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For everyone else, all you need to know is that it’s a peanut butter ball dipped in chocolate. Ā And they are insanely good.
One of the first Christmas holidays that Tim spent with my family he was given a box of Buckeyes. Ā It wasn’t a small box. Ā He tried one and was hooked. Ā Every time I looked at him, he was grabbing another little candy from the box.
Everyone was astounded when he ate the entire box in one day. Ā He’s like a legend in my family for being able to down that entire box so quickly. Ā See? Ā Buckeyes are addicting.
Because Tim loves them so much, I want to make him Buckeyes. Ā But you can see why at the same time, I don’t want to make him Buckeyes. Ā He really can’t restrain himself when he gets around these tasty treats.
So, here is my compromise. Ā Healthier Buckeyes. Ā A traditional Buckeye recipe calls for peanut butter, lots of butter, lots of powdered sugar, and shortening to go with the dipping chocolate. Ā I knew I could do better.
My inspiration were my High Protein Energy Balls I made earlier this year. Ā As soon as I tasted those, I knew I could make Buckeyes with chickpeas in them.
Whhaaaaat? Ā Buckeyes with chickpeas? Ā Don’t stop reading. Ā You can’t taste the chickpeas. Ā I promise. Ā I also cut out the butter all together, used (a much smaller amount of) honey instead of powdered sugar, and substituted much healthier coconut oil for the shortening. What you get is a healthy, but still really delicious, Buckeye!
Here are some step-by-step pictures showing you how easy this is in your food processor. I have this food processor and absolutely love it. I couldn’t imagine trying to live this healthy lifestyle without it!
First, add your chickpeas:
Blend them until they are as smooth as they will get:
Add the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and salt.
Give it another whirl in the food processor until the mixture forms a ball.
Now you’re ready to form the mixture into balls.
Let them firm in the freezer for a least 15 minutes, and then you’re ready to dip them in the chocolate!
Now you’ve got a healthy Buckeye, or as we call them at this house, peanut butter ball, that everyone will love!
Whether you have a long-standing tradition of making Buckeyes at Christmas time or you’ve never heard of this delectable candy, I urge you to try this recipe.
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Skinny Buckeyes
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 48 1x
Description
These healthier Skinny Buckeyes are made with chickpeas that add extra fiber and protein, but you can’t taste them! Sweetened naturally with honey, these make a healthy treat!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas (or 1–15 ounce can, rinsed and drained)
- 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- In a food processor, process the chickpeas until they are completely broken down.
- Add the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and salt and process until everything is well combined and forming a ball, about one minute.
- Scoop the mixture with a rounded spoon (I used a 2 teaspoon size), roll into a ball, and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper, parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat.
- Continue until you use all of the mixture; you should get approximately 48 balls.
- Place in the freezer until firm, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place your chocolate chips and coconut oil in a medium, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and then stir the mixture. Microwave another 30 seconds and stir again. If the chips are not completely melted yet, microwave in 5-10 second increments until totally smooth. {Alternatively, you can use the double boiler method to melt your chocolate. I always just use the microwave.}
- When your peanut butter balls are firm enough, take them out of the freezer. Using a toothpick as a handle, dip each ball into the chocolate. Leave a little circle open at the top to make traditional Buckeyes.
- Return the dipped balls to the tray. When finished dipping all of the balls, refrigerate until the chocolate is firm.
- Store in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: dessert
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 88
- Sugar: 5g
- Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
Want to see that nutritional information I was talking about up there? Ā Here are the stats for my Skinny Buckeye recipe:
Serving size: Ā 1 ball
Calories: Ā 88
Fat: Ā 6 grams
Fiber: Ā 1 gram
Protein: Ā 3 grams
Sugar: Ā 5 grams
Now, here is what you get when you eat one regular Buckeye (based on this traditional recipe):
Serving Size: Ā 1 ball
Calories: Ā 169
Fat: Ā 9 grams
Fiber: Ā 1 gram
Protein: Ā 2 grams
Sugar: Ā 18 grams
That’s a lot less calories and sugar! I feel much better about Tim eating a large amount of these in one day, not to mention this little one:
Meghan is a lot like her dad in her love of sweets. Ā I feel much better about letting her eat a treat with 5 grams of sugar as opposed to 18! Ā She doesn’t care that they are made with chickpeas. Ā When something tastes good, she eats it. Your family will feel the same way, I’m sure of it.
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I made these with maple syrup (Iām vegan, so no honey) and they were awesome! Thanks!!
Thanks for the feedback!
Super yummy. I added a smidge more salt, crunchy pb and some crushed up rice krispies to get the texture I am used to.
These are awesome for kids who don’t get enough fiber and I bring them to friends who have had surgery. A yummy semi healthy treat to help the healing process.
Oooh I like the idea of adding rice cereal for texture–I’m going to try that!
Just made these as a holiday treat and they are delicious!! They taste just like the real thing but even better! Thanks for a wonderful recipe!
Wow! Such a great compliment. š Thanks so much for letting me know!
The sunbutter turned out great and YUMMY! The only issue I had was with the chocolate. I used a nondairy chocolate without the parafin and it never really stiffened up. They had to be kept in the fridge unless serving them immediately. The middle mixture was softer than I had experienced with the peanut butter, but with the outside chocolate being so funny I am not sure how they will last. Any suggestions? Would parafin make a difference in keeping the chocolate on better?Some of the buckeyes the choclate surrounding the nut mixture had pulled away. Any help would be appreciated. I plan on making these next week again,
maybe with soy butter this time, for a cookie exchange.
I’ve never tried it with the parafin so I can’t say. Did you use the coconut oil with it? I think that helps, but I guess it isn’t exactly the same as traditional buckeyes.
What about ground flaxseed to stiffen the seed butter?
That might work well!
I just made these with sunbutter. Has anyone tried this before? I need to use a dairy free chocolate so I was wondering if the parafin would mix well with that.
How did it turn out with the sunbutter? I’m not sure about how the parafin would work with dairy-free chocolate, but would guess it would work fine.
I’m an Ohio native and Registered Dietitian in Atlanta, Ga who teaches cooking classes to cancer survivors. My colleague and I are doing a class this week on “Healthy Holiday Dessert Makeovers” and both being from Ohio, wanted to do a healthy version of a buckeye. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your Skinny Buckeye recipe. It never crossed my mind to try it w/ beans. I modified it a bit for our classes, but it’s hands down fantastic. It has passed the test of numerous friends, and most importantly, two foodies who are dietitians who promote whole foods like yourself. I wrote about my experience (will post later this week) @ http://www.gacancer.com/wellness. Thanks again!
You are welcome! I’m so glad you found my recipe to use. My mom is also a cancer survivor (almost 5 years now! Stage IV lung cancer!) and is the one who inspires me to continue to create healthier versions of our favorite recipes.