You don’t have to be from Ohio to love Peanut Butter Buckeyes. These homemade buckeye candies have a soft peanut butter filling surrounded by rich chocolate. They’re simple to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser!
After you make these peanut butter balls, try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge or peanut butter brownies next!
The Best Buckeye Candy Recipe
If you’re not from Ohio or the Midwest, you’ve been missing out on Buckeyes! Thanks to my short life in Ohio, we found the BEST recipe. The ONLY way you should be making these candies.
They’re similar to a Reese’s peanut butter cup. A soft peanut butter mixture is rolled into balls then covered in melted chocolate.
- This peanut butter ball recipe only takes a few ingredients and no special equipment!
- The candies are soft and tender in the middle with a crunch of chocolate coating.
Everyone raves over this recipe for peanut butter balls when I bring them to a party or potluck! They keep well for a couple of weeks so Buckeyes make great gifts too.
You don’t need any excuse to whip up a batch of these chocolate covered peanut butter balls. Buckeyes are ALWAYS a good idea.
If you love today’s candy, be sure to try my chocolate peanut butter pie recipe next! So easy, and no bake too. Add a delicious buckeye to my easy buckeye brownie cookies!
Ingredients for Buckeyes
- Creamy peanut butter. You need regular shelf stable peanut butter for this Buckeye recipe. Do not use natural style peanut butters.
- Powdered sugar. the superfine texture of powdered sugar keeps these buckeyes soft and not grainy. Sometimes people call it confectioners sugar.
- Melted Butter. I use unsalted in my recipes, unless specified differently (like in our rice krispie treats).
- Vanilla Extract– choose pure vanilla extract or use my homemade vanilla extract in baking.
- Chocolate melting wafers. These are the trick to candies with a perfectly smooth chocolate coating. I use the Ghirardelli brand. You can also use melting wafers called “chocolate bark” or “candyquik”!
Aimee’s Secret
What you don’t see in my recipe? Graham cracker crumbs. I’m not sure why some recipes use them, but for the most authentic buckeye, you’ll love my simple version.
How to Make Peanut Butter Balls
- Make peanut butter filling: Blend together the peanut butter ball ingredients to combine.
- Roll into balls. Roll the filling into evenly sized balls with your hands. Place on a baking sheet. Chill for about 1 hour in the refrigerator.
- Dip in chocolate coating: Melt the chocolate wafers according to package directions. Use a toothpick to dip the buckeye balls into melted chocolate.
- Allow to set. Leave the top of the peanut butter ball exposed for a classic Buckeye appearance! Pinch the toothpick marks on the peanut butter balls closed and smooth with your finger.
Tips and Tricks
- Line the pan with parchment paper. This keeps the peanut butter balls from sticking and helps catch the mess of dripping chocolate.
- Let an excess chocolate drip off the peanut butter balls over the bowl before placing them on the cookie sheet to set.
- No need to refrigerate the Buckeyes after dipping them in chocolate. The chocolate will harden quickly at room temperature.
- If you prefer the look of Buckeyes with the toothpick hole in the center, you can skip the step of pinching the holes closed.
- For an even easier dessert, make buckeye bars instead! No rolling and dipping.
Recipe FAQs
Once the chocolate has hardened, place the peanut butter balls in a Ziploc freezer bag or airtight container. Make sure they are in a single layer. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Store these in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep well for about 1 week. While they don’t need chilling, they do taste good cold as well! So feel free to pop them in the fridge if you prefer.
You can use either one! Milk Chocolate is more common but dark chocolate tastes great with the peanut butter center too.
I don’t recommend using melted chocolate chips for the coating. They aren’t designed for melting so they create a harder coating when the chocolate sets.
Easy Homemade Candy Recipes
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Peanut Butter Buckeyes Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
- 3 ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 ounce chocolate candy coating Ghirardelli melting wafers, chocolate
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, blend melted butter, powdered sugar, peanut butter and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Scoop balls and roll them into your hands, making about a 1-1/2 inch sized ball. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and repeat until all filling is used.
- Refrigerate for about one hour.
- Melt chocolate according to package directions. Using a toothpick, dip bottoms into melted chocolate (leaving some of the peanut butter tops exposed). Place on parchment paper and allow to set.
- If desired, when chocolate has set, pinch the toothpick marks closed and pat until smooth. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. ENJOY.
Notes
- Line the pan with parchment paper. This keeps the peanut butter balls from sticking and helps catch the mess of dripping chocolate.
- Let an excess chocolate drip off the peanut butter balls over the bowl before placing them on the cookie sheet to set.
- No need to refrigerate the Buckeyes after dipping them in chocolate. The chocolate will harden quickly at room temperature.
- If you prefer the look of Buckeyes with the toothpick hole in the center, you can skip the step of pinching the holes closed. It’s up to you!
- Make buckeye bars instead! No rolling and dipping.
Video
Nutrition
Peanut Butter Balls (Ohio Buckeyes) are a holiday treat that is easy to make. Even the kids can help you create this classic no bake dessert that even the kids can help you create!
My favorite to make during the holidays. I need to make them throughout the year too. Yum
These are my favorite holiday treat! This recipe is just like my nana used to make and I make this by the baker’s dozen
I LOVE these!! They are the perfect little treat!!
Can’t go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter! It’s a family favorite!
I’ve made these for years, but as one person commented, I also use the semi chocolate chips & Gulf Wax. I live in Kentucky, about 30 miles from Ohio, so we know about these 🙂 I make a Transparent Pie or Tarts that are easy to make but many here have never heard of that either! 🙂 Love the buckeyes!