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Living Well Mom

I help moms with simple, natural ways to look after their families. Find recipes, fun stuff for kids, and simple DIY ideas. Plus natural solutions made easy peasy!

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The Best Paleo Buckeyes {Vegan Buckeyes}

By Erika in Christmas

chocolate Christmas Cookies Christmas recipes dairy-free gluten-free grain freeThis post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jump to Recipe

These vegan buckeyes are everything you want them to be—rich, chocolatey, and full of flavor. Plus, they also happen to be paleo buckeyes too, with no added sugar! Make these and the entire family will be clamoring for a bite.

Buckeyes, a chocolate-covered creamy peanut butter ball, are one of the most amazing dessert recipes. Like ever. Peanut butter and chocolate all wrapped up into one little ball? Yes, please!

Paleo buckeyes in a bowl and on a plate this idea now...

Delicious Paleo Buckeyes

I’m originally from Ohio, known as the “Buckeye State,” which is where these treats originated from. In fact, I’ve been making buckeyes every Christmas since I was a little girl. But I’m on the Paleo diet now, which doesn’t allow refined sugar, dairy, or peanuts.

For a while, I thought this meant saying goodbye forever to my beloved buckeyes! Thankfully, I got a fire lit under me and decided I was going to make the most delicious, tasty paleo vegan buckeyes ever. Was it going to be a challenge? Yes. But was I up for it? YES!

So, this season, I set out to create the most awesome Paleo Buckeyes recipe ever. I spent hours trying different combinations for a recipe that mimics the original version as closely as possible. Because I know what the real stuff tastes like and I have very high standards. And this, my friends, is the result.

I give you my paleo buckeyes recipe:

vegan buckeyes in a bowl and on a plate

These creamy little vegan paleo buckeyes are chocolate balls are made with almond butter, coconut butter, and a few other simple ingredients. And they are delicious. So delicious, they disappear just as quickly as the original version.

Close up of 3 vegan buckeyes on a napkin with a plate full of them in the background.

Healthier Buckeye Recipe

Paleo Buckeyes are grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined-sugar free. Even if you’re not on a paleo diet, these are a lighter healthier take on the original recipe that you can enjoy with far less guilt. And while it’s impossible to create a Paleo version that tastes exactly like the sugar-filled original version, this recipe is pretty close.

This Paleo Buckeyes recipe has been given the stamp of approval from family and friends. Even my picky kids begged for more. My husband? He has been so good about portion-control and eating healthy lately, but he couldn’t resist eating 6 of these little chocolate balls at once! {That may be the one downfall to these treats.}

Paleo Buckeyes recipe with almond butter

Paleo Buckeyes Recipe

Are you ready to get to work and make some paleo buckeyes of your own? I’ll walk you through it! Here’s all you need to know to make a batch of delicious buckeyes.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup almond butter
  • 1/4 cup coconut butter
  • 1/3 cup almond meal / flour
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the chocolate coating

A quick note here – you can make a lovely homemade version, or see my “cheat” method below.

Homemade version (cheaper):
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/3 cup cacao powder
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 5+ drops stevia, optional

OR:

Quicker version

1/2 bag of Enjoy chocolate chips (dairy-free, soy-free)
1-2 Tbsp coconut oil

If you want a lighter look and taste to your Paleo Buckeyes, I recommend using these brands (not sponsored) for this recipe:

Barney butter almond butter and almond meal for buckeye recipe

Best Almond Butter for Buckeyes

Peanut butter isn’t paleo-friendly since peanuts are actually legumes, not nuts (despite the name!). So, I wasn’t able to make this with the classic peanut butter-chocolate combo, but I honestly think this almond butter is just as good!

layout of printable recipe binder pages

I tried three different kinds of almond butter and Barney’s Almond Butter had the closest look and feel to peanut butter. I found that the others that were darker and a bit heavier tasting. That being said, you can use whatever almond butter you prefer. Same for the Bob’s Red Mill Finely Ground Almond Meal/Flour.

How to Make the Paleo Buckeyes

These Paleo Buckeyes are super easy to make. Melt the coconut butter over low heat (or in the microwave), then put all the “ball” ingredients into your food processor. (You can use a mixer or even mix by hand, but your food processor will be quickest with the smoothest results.)

Food processor with almond butter, flour meal, dairy free milk

Pulse until well blended, stopping to scrape the sides as needed.

paleo buckeyes being made in a food processor

Roll into small 1″ balls and place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. This recipe makes about 30 balls.

Woman rolling paleo buckeyes into ball shapes

Stick a toothpick into each ball for dipping into the chocolate later.

For the homemade chocolate coating:

Normally, I’d melt chocolate chips for a recipe like this, but I decided to try something a little different. I came up with a homemade chocolate coating that’s less-expensive than dairy-free, soy-free chocolate, plus it’s very easy to make.

Simply melt the coconut oil over low heat then add the cacao powder and maple syrup.

mixing together cocoa and maple syrup with coconut oilThen stir (or whisk to remove any lumps) and taste it to see if it’s sweet enough for your liking. If you want a little more sweetness, you can add a few drops of stevia. Otherwise, it’s ready to use.

The Best Paleo Buckeyes - a healthier take on the favorite chocolate covered peanut butter ball, this Paleo recipe is grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined-sugar-free, and so delicious, they’ll disappear just as quickly as the original version.

Next, dip each almond butter ball into the chocolate using the toothpicks.

Dipping paleo buckeyes in a homemade melted chocolate

Place in the refrigerator and chill for about an hour.

How to Store the Paleo Buckeyes

One note: be aware that the homemade coconut-oil based chocolate coating is more prone to melting or softening than regular chocolate. You may want to keep your Paleo Buckeyes in the refrigerator. Ours were just fine in a sealed container in the cupboard though.

paleo buckeyes on a napkin

Print

The Best Paleo Buckeyes

paleo buckeyes cookies on white plate with red place napkin
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 2 reviews

A healthy version of our favorite chocolate-and-peanut-butter-balls and so delicious, they’ll disappear just as quickly as the original!

  • Author: Erika at Living Well Mom.com
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Yield: about 30 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup almond butter
  • 1/4 cup coconut butter
  • 1/3 cup almond meal / flour
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Chocolate Coating:
  • Homemade version (cheaper):
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/3 cup cacao powder
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 5+ drops stevia, optional
  • OR:
  • 6 oz chocolate chips (dairy-free, soy-free)
  • 1 Tbsp coconut oil

Instructions

  1. Melt the coconut butter over low heat.
  2. Add all the ball ingredients, including the coconut butter, into a food processor. Pulse until combined, scraping the sides.
  3. (You can use a mixer, but the food processor is faster and results in a smoother dough.)
  4. Roll into small 1″ balls and place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Stick a toothpick into each ball.
  5. For the Chocolate Coating:
  6. Melt the coconut oil over low heat then add the cacao powder and maple syrup. Add 5+ drops of stevia if you’d like a sweeter chocolate.
  7. Dip each almond butter ball into the chocolate using the toothpicks. Place in the refrigerator and chill for about an hour.

Notes

**One note: be aware that the homemade coconut-oil based chocolate coating is more prone to melting or softening than regular chocolate. You may want to keep your Paleo Buckeyes in the refrigerator. Ours were just fine in a sealed container in the cupboard though.

Copyright © Living Well Mom. All content and images are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you would like to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words. Alternatively, you may link back to this post for the recipe.

Just pin it below to find the Paleo Buckeyes recipe later!

The Best Paleo Buckeyes - a healthier take on your favorite chocolate covered peanut butter ball, this Paleo recipe is grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined-sugar-free, and so delicious, they'll disappear just as quickly as the original version.

 

 

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    Filed Under: Christmas, Desserts, Paleo, Recipes, Seasonal Tagged With: chocolate, Christmas Cookies, Christmas recipes, dairy-free, gluten-free, grain freePublished on August 21, 2020

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    About Erika

    Erika Bragdon is a flower essence practitioner and a second-generation homeschooling mom with 3 kids at home and 1 in college. She enjoys her chickens, goats, and gardening on a small farm in New Hampshire, and is passionate about sharing flower essences and more ways to renew body, mind, and soul with moms.

    Comments

    1. Ellen Christian says

      December 9, 2015 at 3:26 pm

      Those sound really good. It’s hard to find holiday treats that are Paleo.

      Reply
    2. valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says

      December 9, 2015 at 4:16 pm

      I think these are the cookies my bother was telling me he really liked. They are really cute looking.

      Reply
    3. Shelley says

      December 9, 2015 at 5:19 pm

      Oh my gosh, these look delicious! I have an almond sensitivity so I’d love to try this recipe with cashew or pecan butter!

      Reply
    4. susan says

      December 10, 2015 at 8:48 am

      I tried buck eyes in Cleveland for the first time last year, and I loved them. I would like to try this version, it looks amazing!

      Reply
    5. Jennifer says

      December 10, 2015 at 9:45 am

      Those look delicious. I love that you can make sweet treats with the paleo approach. I can’t wait to give these a try.

      Reply
    6. Tabea says

      December 21, 2015 at 3:50 am

      This looks absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe. i’ll have to try this myself sometime soon!
      I’ve written about one of my favourite cookbooks: http://paleocookbookreviews.com/review-the-paleo-recipe-book

      Reply
    7. Trisha says

      May 11, 2016 at 1:19 pm

      These look delicious! I am new to paleo so I was just wondering…why didn’t you use peanut butter? Aren’t buckeyes traditionally made with peanut? Can’t wait to try these!

      Reply
      • Erika says

        May 13, 2016 at 2:39 pm

        Hi Trisha! Great question – peanut butter is a legume which can inflammatory for many people, so that’s why it’s not “Paleo.”
        Here’s a great article that explains it: http://stupideasypaleo.com/2013/10/24/why-peanuts-make-people-go-crazy/

        Reply
    8. Amanda says

      December 16, 2018 at 4:58 am

      Quick question – I don’t have access to coconut butter, is there a substitution? I’ve read that coconut oil can’t necessarily be its substitute. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Erika says

        December 17, 2018 at 10:44 am

        Hi Amanda, do you have access to shredded coconut? I found this blog where she details how to make your own coconut butter. (I may have to try this because coconut butter is expensive) https://detoxinista.com/how-to-make-coconut-butter/

        Reply

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