by Lindsay 53 Comments
These Chickpea Buckeyes are a healthier buckeye recipe – a twist on a classic dessert! They’re full of flavor with an extra boost of fiber as well.
*Originally published 2014. Updated 2017 & 2022*
Hi Friends!
Let’s talk dessert today, shall we? If you’re from Ohio, or even if you’re not, you’ve probably heard of the classic dessert called Buckeyes. They’re basically sweet balls of peanut butter mixed with butter and powdered sugar, dipped in chocolate to resemble the buckeye nut.
A few years ago, I shared a twist on this classic and this year I remade the recipe and decided to give it a little photo upgrade! Have you tried the healthier peanut butter cookie dough dip made with chickpeas? That’s the basic premise of these Buckeyes.
Chickpea Buckeye Recipe
Instead of peanut butter, butter and powdered sugar, we’re replacing the butter with chickpeas! I originally made these using oat flour which is what you see in the photos. I’ve updated and improved the recipe as noted below and it no longer requires oats.
Please note I have nothing against regular Buckeyes. If you’re looking for a treat, go enjoy a few. This recipe is designed for people who are specifically looking for a version with a few more nutrients.
I even gave one to my daughter the other night as part of her dinner! Healthy fats and fiber for the win!
Here’s how you make them:
Easy Chickpea Buckeye Recipe
Chickpea Buckeyes
A healthy twist on traditional Buckeyes.
- Author: Lindsay L
- Yield: 20 buckeyes 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinse
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 1– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp milk, if needed
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips, melted
Instructions
- In a food processor, blend the chickpeas.
- Add peanut butter and vanilla and blend again.
- Add powdered sugar and blend. If it looks too dry, you can add 1 Tbsp milk.
- Roll into balls. The dough may be a little sticky so using damp hands can help.
- Put the balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to overnight. You can also freeze them for 30 minutes.
- Place chocolate chips in a bowl and microwave until melted. (If you want you can mix in a little coconut oil for a thinner and harder shell but it also adds some coconut flavor which not everyone likes.
- Stick a toothpick into center of balls and dip in chocolate.
- Place back onto cookie sheet, remove the toothpick and pat hole closed.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
This recipe has been updated and improved. The original recipe is as follows in case you’re interested -2 cups chickpeas, 1 cup natural peanut butter, 3 tablespoons agave nectar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract & ⅓ cup oat flour. Mix in a bowl and dip in melted chocolate.
Super simple! Do they taste exactly like the original? No. But they’re a pretty darn good substitute if you’re looking for one!
Chickpea Buckeye Balls Recipe
Want more ways to eat chickpeas?
- Peanut Butter Chickpea Bars
- How To Roast Chickpeas
- Easy Recipes Using Chickpeas
And if you want an original buckeye recipe without chickpeas, try:
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
LEARN HOW FOOD AFFECTS YOUR BODY.
Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!
About Lindsay
Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!
Reader Interactions
Comments
GiselleR saysYou had me at amaze-balls lol. These look so amazing…definitely gonna give it a try 🙂
Oh and happy belated Registered Dietitians Day to you both! 😀Reply
- Francesca says
Let us know what you think. Happy RD day!
Reply
- Kim @ FITsique says
When I first made Chick-pea based cookie bars a few years ago, I didn’t tell anybody what was in them because I didn’t want to scare them off. Within minutes they were being gobbled up and I was being asked for the recipe. I love how versatile chickpeas can be! This recipe looks great!
Reply
- Francesca says
None of my friends noticed. They taste slightly different than traditional Buckeyes-but in a good day 🙂 Let me know if you give them a try.
Reply
- Linz @ Itz Linz says
oh my gosh AMAZING!!!!!! would love to trick the hubby with these haha
Reply
- Francesca says
I tricked mine. Now he calls them “hummus buckeyes”. LOL
Reply
OMG I LOVEEEE CHICKPEAS! This is perfect! Thank you!
Reply
- Francesca says
Let us know if you try! Enjoy 🙂
Reply
- Tina Muir says
Thats so cool! I love buckeyes! I cant believe I am saying that, I didnt even know what a buckeye was when I moved to America, and now I am all in with the lingo and weird names for things! Yummm!
Reply
- Francesca says
🙂 You would be missing out if you didn’t get introduced!
Reply
- LOLZ says
I never would have guessed there were chickpeas in these. I might have to give them a try. thank you for sharing!
Reply
- Francesca says
Let us know if you do. Enjoy!
Reply
- Carla says
ooh yay!
this is actually one I make.
it’s the OHIO GURL in me 🙂Reply
- Francesca says
O-H…Enjoy!
Reply
Chocolate, peanut butter, AND they’re healthy?! I’m totally making these! Let’s see if I have chickpeas…
Reply
- Francesca says
Let us know how they turn out.
Reply
- Dietitian Jess says
These are definitely one of my favorite desserts, I’m digging the chickpea addition! Happy belated RD, loved your post yesterday introducing everyone to awesome RD blogs, I didn’t get a chance to ask you to add mine to the list, maybe next year! You definitely listed some of my favorites and I can’t wait to check out the others 🙂
Reply
- Francesca says
Happy RD day! Will definitely be checking out your blog.
Reply
Love buckeyes – a healthier way to make them!? EVEN better!!
Reply
- Francesca says
Just be careful with fiber overload 😉
Reply
Well I am intrigued! I would not have thought to add chickpeas!
Reply
- Francesca says
That’s what we are here for…sparking new ideas 😉
Reply
- Jaime @ Zest & Zeal says
Thank you for compiling this wonderful list! Thank you for including Zest & Zeal! 🙂
In Health,
JaimeReply
- Emily @ Zen & Spice says
Thanks for the shout out! 🙂
These looks awesome. I love chocolate and peanut butter together, way to make it healthier!
Reply
- Francesca says
Thanks, Emily! 🙂
Reply
OMG! I am a HUGE buckeye fan and that is always a Christmas -time favorite in my family. I am going to have to try these out to give my family a healthier option. Can’t wait!
Reply
- Francesca says
Let us know if they can even tell the difference? 🙂
Reply
- jobo says
YUM! MUST make these!
Reply
- Cori @olivetorun says
Can I change the name to Bucky the Badger’s eyes? 🙂
Reply
- Francesca says
You can, but they probably won’t taste as good 😉
Reply
- Helen says
This looks delicious! I’ve never eaten buckeyes before and this makes me want to make it and try it. =) Thanks for sharing.
By the way, thanks for the link-up!Reply
- Francesca says
Enjoy!!
Reply
- Marcia says
Oh wow these sound amazing! Need to try!
Reply
- Francesca says
Enjoy!!
Reply
Thanks for the love Lindsay! Can’t wait to give these bad boys a try. Is it safe to call them a health food 😉
Reply
- Francesca says
“health” ier food? Enjoy!
Reply
Oh my goodness! We grew up with these too- I had almost forgotten about them! I would probably cringe at the chickpea substitution except that I’ve tried it in other desserts and found it really does work! Yum!!
Reply
- Francesca says
I was a skeptic at first too. After making a “cookie dough” with them I was hooked. Enjoy!
Reply
- Thea Rudland says
I just started following your blog yesterday after seeing/hearing about you on Twitter and I didn’t realize you were from Columbus! I’ve lived in Maryland for 5 years now, but up until then I was in Columbus, born and raised. How fitting that the 2nd post I read is about my all time favorite dessert. Only if you’ve had a homemade buckeye do you know the joy that it is. Those prepackaged store bought ones hold no candle to the homemade deliciousness. I can do some damage with a plate of buckeyes. My stomach hates me the next day, though. I can’t wait to try this version!
Reply
- Francesca says
Be careful of fiber overload with this version! Enjoy 🙂
Reply
- Lindsay says
yay! love finding other Columbus friends! Hope you like this version!
Reply
- Katie says
I’m not going to lie, I have never heard of buckeyes! But they sound and look delicious!
Reply
- Francesca says
Enjoy!
Reply
- Matt @ Runner Savvy says
These look delicious!
Reply
- Francesca says
Enjoy!
Reply
- Holly says
My son has FPIEs and will throw up within 40 minutes of eating oats. Is there something that would make a good substitute for the oat flour?
Reply
- Francesca says
Really the oat flour was an after thought ingredient when I noticed the mixture was a bit too wet to roll. Any flour will do the trick- if he can tolerate rice flour try that. You can also try PB2 powdered peanut butter. Enjoy 🙂
Reply
- Holly says
Thank you for responding so quickly! I’m bookmarking this recipe.
Reply
- Toni says
These look awesome! Nice work, Francesca 🙂
Reply
- francesca says
Thanks, Enjoy!
Reply
- Peg Wiederholt says
I’m doing the Fast Metabolism Diet. No peanut butter allowed. Could I substitute almond or cashew butter? These sound amazing. Thanks
Reply
- Lindsay says
yep! go for it!
Reply
- Jennifer M. Bell says
They are really delicious! eager to taste it. Today, I’ll definitely give it a try.
Reply
