Vegan Buckeyes
These peanut butter and chocolate treats are an easy and delicious vegan dessert! I love making a batch of these candies for a party or event!
What is a buckeye?
Did you know that buckeyes are the state tree of Ohio? The nuts of the tree were named after the eye of a deer. That might not sound that interesting, but my favorite peanut butter and chocolate candy is named after those buckeye nuts. If you’re from the Midwest, you’ve probably had these candies. It wasn’t until I moved to Virginia that I realized lots of people here in Virginia hadn’t tried them before! Thankfully, people from any state can agree that peanut butter + chocolate are a match made in heaven. These little vegan buckeyes are easy to make, but they’re so delicious! 
Are buckeyes vegan?
Traditionally, no. Buckeyes are often made with butter, along with peanut butter, powdered sugar, and chocolate. But this recipe is 100% vegan! Buckeye candies are also naturally gluten-free. 
How to make vegan buckeyes
This recipe comes together easily with no baking required! keyeWith the help of the microwave (and a bit of time in the freezer), this dessert is simple to make. Begin by melting the vegan butter in the microwave, then mix it with the peanut butter. I recommend using smooth, creamy peanut butter. 
Once the butter and peanut butter are combined, carefully stir in the powdered sugar. You can use a stand mixer or mix by hand. Add one cup at a time to make it easier to stir! 
Eventually, you’ll have a thick dough. It should be easy to roll into balls and shouldn’t be sticky. Roll into small balls, about one tablespoon of dough per ball. 
Place them in the freezer for 30 minutes, until firm. Then, melt the chocolate in the microwave, and dip each ball into the chocolate until about 3/4th of the ball is coated in chocolate. Place on parchment paper and put them back in the freezer for at least 15 minutes until the chocolate hardens. 
The toothpick will leave a small hole, but once the buckeyes are set, you can gently press the dough until the hole disappears. Store the buckeyes in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy! 
Vegan Buckeyes!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (Plus 30 min to chill)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 48 pieces 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: Dessert
Description
If you love peanut butter and chocolate, you’ll love buckeye candy! These buckeyes are vegan and gluten free so everyone can enjoy them!
Ingredients
- 1 cup vegan butter (I use Earth Balance or Smart Balance)
- 1 1/2 cups creamy salted peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 cups powdered sugar (see note)
- 2 cups dairy free chocolate chips
Instructions
- Soften the vegan butter by microwaving on 50% power for 30 seconds at a time. You don’t want to melt it, just soften it.
- Once the butter is soft, whip it with the peanut butter and vanilla. You can use a mixer or simply mix with a spoon.
- Once the peanut butter and powdered sugar are combined, slowly stir in your powdered sugar.
- Scoop the peanut butter mixture into rounded tablespoons and roll into little balls. Stick a toothpick in each of the balls
- Freeze the balls for at least 30 minutes
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring frequently so the chocolate doesn’t burn.
- Take the peanut butter balls out of the fridge and dip into the chocolate, leaving a little bit exposed, so it looks like a Buckeye!
- Put the Buckeyes back in the freezer until the chocolate has hardened. Store in the fridge.
Notes
You can use additional powdered sugar if you like your buckeyes sweeter. 4 cups is the minimum amount you’ll need in order to form solid balls. The amount of sugar may also depend on the type of peanut butter you’re using, the consistency, and if your peanut butter contains sweetner. You can use anywhere between 4-6 cups of powdered sugar.
You can use any sort of margarine but I prefer Earth Balance.
Make sure to use dairy free chocolate chips. The Enjoy Life brand are great!
You can easily half this recipe to make a smaller batch.
Keywords: vegan buckeyes
We always enjoy buckeyes around the holidays, so they have a special place in my heart! These are one of my favorite treats because you can’t beat the peanut butter and chocolate combination! Have you ever had a buckeye candy?
This post was originally published September 2011. Updated September 2019.
Love how simple these are to make and how yummy they turn out! I found them really sweet using the minimal amount of sugar. They are sticky but formed into a ball and held well when dipped in chocolate.
★★★★★
Yay! I’m so thrilled you liked them, Justine!
Liked how simple and easy the recipe was especially for a vegan candy! Loved all about them except I did need to use much more sugar– I started with the 4 cups, and then added a half cup, and then another half cup– and thought that was enough — and froze them — but I was wrong. They came out way too soft. Needed at least a cup more– was anyone able to get by with only 4 cups? I think you should state right in the main ingredient section 4-6 cups sugar. And not slip it in at the end as a post note.
Thanks!
★★★★