Rich and creamy Buckeye Balls combine peanut butter and chocolate for a sweet, bite-sized treat. These no-bake delights are perfect for parties, holidays, or satisfying your chocolate cravings.
Buckeye Balls are a classic candy featuring a creamy peanut butter center coated in smooth chocolate. They are simple to make, require no baking, and are perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth.
To prepare, the peanut butter mixture is rolled into bite-sized balls, chilled to set, and then dipped in melted chocolate. Once coated, they’re left to firm up, creating a perfect balance of rich chocolate and sweet, nutty filling.
Delicious chocolate and creamy peanut butter make this easy no bake recipe so decadent and amazing. I also have been making Buckeye Brownies Recipe and Buckeye Brownie Cookies Recipe for years. You may also love this Buckeye Pie Recipe.
What's in this post: Buckeye Balls
Why We Love This Recipe
Perfect Balance – The creamy peanut butter centers paired with rich chocolate create a classic flavor combination that’s hard to resist.
No-Bake Treat – Easy to make without turning on the oven, perfect for quick holiday or party desserts.
Customizable – You can adjust the size, chocolate type, or even add toppings like sprinkles or crushed nuts for a fun twist.
Gift-Worthy – These bite-sized candies are ideal for sharing, packaging, or gifting during holidays and special occasions.
Kid-Friendly – Fun to make with kids, letting them roll the centers and dip them in chocolate.
Ingredients
- Peanut Butter – Use creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy for the smoothest texture.
- Unsalted Butter – Softened at room temperature to mix easily with the peanut butter.
- Powdered Sugar – Sift to remove lumps for a silky, consistent fudge base.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips – Choose high-quality chocolate for the best flavor and texture.
- Coconut Oil – Helps smooth and thin the chocolate; can substitute with vegetable oil if needed.
- Vanilla Extract – Pure vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the Buckeye balls.
Scroll to the bottom and find the complete list of ingredients and instructions.
Additions
- Festive Sprinkles. Garnish the balls with sprinkles for any occasion.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Use a large mixing bowl to mix together the peanut butter, butter and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract with a mixer until fluffy. I used Jif peanut butter.
Step 2. Gradually add in the confectioners’ sugar until it’s well combined. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
Step 3. Form the cookie dough into balls with a cookie scoop. This makes it so fast and easy. You can also smooth with the palms of your hand.
Step 4. Place the cookies on a wax paper lined baking sheet. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes so it will be easier to dip into chocolate.
Step 5. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl. Continue to melt in 30 second intervals until melted. You can also use a double boiler on the stove top. Insert a toothpick into each peanut butter ball and dip in melted chocolate leaving a little bit exposed.
Step 6. Let the excess chocolate drip off and then place on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Smooth out the toothpick hole with your finger. Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Pro Tips
- Chill the Buckeyes – Refrigerate the peanut butter balls before dipping in chocolate to help them hold their shape. For quicker results, place them in the freezer for a short time.
- Coat Your Hands – Rub a little butter or nonstick spray on your hands to prevent the peanut butter mixture from sticking while rolling.
- Chocolate Choice – Use your favorite chocolate, such as dark or semi-sweet, to customize the flavor.
- Small Cookie Scoop – Ensures uniform size for all the Buckeye balls.
- Glossy Finish – For a shinier chocolate coating, add a bit of paraffin wax while melting the chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can keep them in the fridge up to 2 weeks as long as they are in an airtight container. You can also freeze buckeye balls up to 2-3 months.
This is perfect if you want to make them ahead for parties or holidays. We do this a lot at Christmas and it helps to have some things ready in advance.
Buckeye balls are named for the Ohio State buckeye tree because they look like the buckeye nut on the tree. While everyone can certainly enjoy this delicious treat, it is more regional to the Ohio area of states. Southern states tend to make traditional peanut butter balls.
They are all very similar and taste delicious. It just comes down to really how much of the peanut butter is covered in chocolate. That is the only the difference.
More Easy Chocolate Recipes
- Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
- 4 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Caramel Chocolate Microwave Fudge
- Rocky Road Fudge Recipe
- Buckeye Dip Recipe
I can’t wait for you to try this buckeye candy. Please leave a comment once you do. I love hearing from my readers!
Buckeye Balls
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups peanut butter
- ½ cup butter softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 cups chocolate chips semi-sweet
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Combine peanut butter, butter and vanilla with a mixer on medium until fluffy.
- Mix in powdered sugar a little bit at a time until incorporated. Chill mixture 30 minutes.
- Roll into balls and place on a parchment lined pan. Chill mixture 30 minutes.
- Combine chocolate chips and oil in a small bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and continue microwaving in 30 second increments just until melted.
- Place a toothpick into each peanut butter ball and dip in chocolate leaving a little bit of the peanut butter peeking out the top.
- Place on a parchment lined pan and Use your finger to smooth out the toothpick mark.
- Place in the fridge to chill until ready to serve.
I MADE THESE AND USED 1/4 CUP BUTTER AND 1/4 CUP PUMKIN PUREE-AND I AM NOT A FAN OF PUMKIN AT ALL BUT IT GIVES IT A VERY UNIQUES TASTE PLUS THE KIDS GET SOME FRUIT WHILE ENJOYING A SWEET TREAT
My husband’s favorite!
Is there something I can use besides Vegetable oil in the Chocolate?
You can use any oil – Coconut oil would be great too.
I never use any oil. Just a little bit of parafin wax.
Oh, interesting. I haven’t tried that yet. Thanks for sharing!
I left in fridge for more than 30 minutes and it has a powder texture how to i get back the texture that forms a ball.
Rhonda – Happy to help! If your mixture became dry, crumbly, or powdery after sitting in the fridge, it just needs a little added moisture or warmth to bring it back together. Here’s how to fix it:
Let it warm up slightly. Cold butter and peanut butter firm up and make the mixture crumbly. Leave the mixture at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. Then try mixing again—often this alone solves it.
If softening didn’t help, add additional moisture very slowly.
Choose one of these:
1–2 teaspoons melted butter, OR
1–2 teaspoons peanut butter, OR
1 teaspoon milk or cream
Mix well, then check the texture. Add a little more only if needed. It should start forming a dough-like consistency.
Use clean hands to gently knead the mixture. Warmth from your hands often helps bring everything together smoothly.
If it’s too sticky afterward, add 1–2 teaspoons of powdered sugar to balance it back out.
Let me know how they turn out!
These turned out delicious!