Healthy buckeyes, is this real life? It sure is! Give the classic buckeye recipe a twist by adding protein powder and sweetening with honey, for a healthy treat!
You guys know how I feel about peanut butter and chocolate.
It’s the most perfect match made in heaven. It really is.
Some of the most popular FFF recipes involve the duo: Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie, Healthy Peanut Butter Cups, Healthy Peanut Butter Brownie Balls. I actually really think people just freakout when they see a chocolate pb recipe that’s “healthy.” That means you can eat 5, right?
So- I’ve been working on different photography techniques. When I was in Toronto a few months ago visiting Davida, I got to see how she shoots all of her recipes. I’ve always been a side lit girl with a bounce, but she inspired me to try backlit. The first time I tired it, it was a major fail. The 2nd time was a major win. I ove the background glow effect backlit gives a photo. You can totally see the difference between side lit (first photo) and back lit (second photo).
I definitely think there is a certain aura a backlit photo gives off. It has a much bigger personality and is moody.
It’s fun playing around with different photography styles. I feel like photography is like makeup. You do you makeup a certain way and you most likely won’t change things up for the next few years (that’s me at least!). Trying out different techniques really challenges me, and that’s one of the best parts about my job! It’s a clear second behind being able to call eating peanut butter and chocolate a job task.
For this recipe, I used dark chocolate chips and thinned things out with a little bit of coconut oil
. The first batch I made didnt’ turn out so well because the chocolate stayed super thick. Then, I added too much coconut oil, and it was too think slash melted.
Finally- I got it just right. By that time, I had mastered how to make these things look like balls instead of balls with a ring at the bottom. Actually- I got a really great tip from my bloggin’ pal Amanda from Heart Beet Kitchen. She said to place the ball on a fork. Dip, and tap your wrist, getting as much chocolate off as possible. Then, you finish things off with a toothpick. You slide the ball off the form with your toothpick, getting any access chocolate off the fork.
It takes some serious talent to make a buckeye.
The addition of protein powder is just perfect for my afternoon snack. It makes me feel a little less bad that I’m eating chocolate 😛
In this recipe I used Designer Whey Vanilla
. Note that if you use a plant based protein powder, the recipe will likely need to be altered.
Ingredients
- 1 cup drippy, all-natural peanut butter (I used Kirland All-Natural)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder I used Designer Whey Vanilla
- 2 tablespoons honey organic
- 1 cup dark or dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Combine peanut butter, vanilla, protein powder, and honey in a medium-size bowl. Mix until the texture is like cookie dough.
- Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a 1 tablespoon cookie dough scooper, scoop dough into your hand. Roll into a ball and place on paper. Repeat.
- Place baking sheet in freezer for about 30 minutes, or long enough for the balls to settle and firm up a bit.
- While your balls are chilling. Place 1 cup chocolate chips in a small bowl. You want it to be big enough to fit the chocolate chips, but small enough so that you can dip the balls. Microwave for about 60 seconds. Then, add in coconut oil and mix.
- Once your balls have firmed up, it's time to dip and place on a cookie drying rack to prevent any rings from forming. Place a ball on the end of a fork. Dip ball into chocolate, leaving a ring at the tip. Hold your fork with your left and and use your right hand to tap your wrist, so that any extra chocolate drips off. Finally, use a toothpick to slide the ball off the fork onto your drying rack. Repeat.
- Place cookie rack into the freezer to speed up the drying process.
- *Best eaten frozen!
Tips & Notes
- Storage: will stay good in your freezer for up to 1 month.
Nutrition facts
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I come back to this recipe every year around Christmas time! I have a Peanut Butter flavor protein powder I love, and it works great. I’ve started to add some Rice Krispies to the peanut butter mixture (for some texture), and it’s SO GOOD.
Such a fun one! Glad you love it 😀
Awesome recipe!! Add a pinch of salt to really bring out the flavors!
I would like to make these. I see you noted it would need to be altered with plant based. How so? I only have Vega protein powder. Thank you.
You should be fine subbing Vega!
Can you use agave instead of honey? If so, how much? (P.s. These look amazing!!)
Fantastic! I used whey protein from TPW, and it came out very nice.
If you’d like to try it, you can claim a free pack of whey protein by following this link:
http://www.theproteinworks.com/referral-program/OTExODdqMnQ=/
Why is there coconut oil in the chocolate? I’ve made *thousands* of buckeyes with all different kinds of chocolate. There isn’t any need for paraffin or an extra hardening agent. The ingredients in the chocolate already do the trick. It just seems like extra fat that isn’t needed.
And best eaten frozen?? What?? Have you ever had a *real* buckeye candy before??
These were really good. I took a short cut and spread the peanut butter dough into an 8×8 pan and spread the chocolate on top. I put them in the freezer and after set cut them into small bars.
GENIUS. It’s just protein peanut butter fudge. I’ve totally done this before 🙂
Hi Lee, these look fab. I have all the ingredients right now except the protein powder (which I’d have to order) – wondering what I could use as a substitute (if I need anything?) – coconut flour to thicken the dough? Thanks!
Hey Taylor! I would add a few tablespoons of flour. Not sure I’d use coconut flour because it’s so dense, but you could try oat flour or white whole wheat. You could even do almond flour! I’d add it by the tablespoon until you get the consistency you want! Hope this helps 🙂
Just to follow up, I made it with the coconut flour (I was too excited to wait for your response haha) and they were DELICIOUS – only used about 1 tbs but I imagine they had the same consistency, and a little extra coconutty flavor never hurt right?! Thanks again 🙂 (PS boyfriend LOVED these and has started trawling your site to request more delicious snacks.)
Hey Taylor! I am SOOOO sorry for the late response, but a happy your substitutions worked! Coconut flour can be a bit tricky, so I’m glad things worked out and that it’s BF approved!
OMG these are so good 😀 just made them… used a little less pb and less choice chips but AHHHH making them every week for desert/snack
Story of my life. SO GOOD, right!?
These BuckEyes sounds awesome…will definitely be trying these. I hope this isn’t a stupid question…but the recipe says to microwave the CC’s for 60 minutes. Was that supposed to be 60 seconds….60 minutes seems like a long time.
Oh my gosh yes! It’s 60 seconds. Changing now!!!!!
Microwave for 60 MINUTES?????
What is the modification you mentioned if you use plant protein?
Hi Kolleen! I actually haven’t tried this recipe with plant protein, but you may need to add more liquid or more protein powder depending on the consistency of the dough!
These look so delicious! I am trying them this week. Thanks for a great recipe!
Woooo! Hope you love it 🙂
Looking for a recipe for my 90 yo mom to get some protein – these look like just the thing – she is a picky eater now & only wants sweets – Thank You for this recipe. One thing, though…the recipe calls for melting the chocolate for 60 minutes – yikes! Thanks again, I’ll be back looking for more goodies.
Christine
OMG these look absolutely incredible! My family is from Ohio so they will really appreciate these buckeyes! <3 Thanks for taking the time to share these. I just came across your blog and am now adding you to my follow list! Beautiful recipes!
YAY. So glad you found meeee!!!
I grew up in Ohio and Buckeyes are the bomb! Yours look really great – love the healthier ingredients!
These look like drugs! 😛
Always remind me of Ohio State Uni. and driving there to visit for my brother a few years back, hahaha!
Booooooo OSU.
I love chocolate and peanut butter anything (plus, I grew up in Ohio so buckeyes are kiiind of a staple)! These look great 😀
WORRRRRRD! Choco + PB = LOVE
How do you keep the chocolate from going over the top of the buck eye? The tops look so smooth. It doesn’t seem possible. I like Reeses peanut butter cups so I will have to try this. Great recipe.
http://askmelissaanything.blogspot.com/
I explain how I do it in the recipe! It involves a fork and a toothpick!