In honor of my recent move to Columbus, Ohio, I find it only fitting to share my super easy recipe for vegan Buckeyes! I came up with the idea to make a healthier version of the traditional recipe for a health coaching client of mine. He expressed to me buckeyes were his weakness and during the holidays he was having a hard time resisting them. As a health coach, I always suggest finding a healthier way to enjoy your favorite foods instead of depriving yourself of what you actually enjoy. Deprivation = Binging!!! Besides, peanut butter and chocolate is pretty much the most perfect combination ever, so why should anyone have to give it up?! With just a few substitutions (Medjool dates for sugar) and omissions (vegetable shortening..yuck) I gave the old unhealthy Buckeye a complete make-over!
Make a batch of these on a Sunday to have on stand by during the week; they make a great pre work out snack or a little treat to enjoy after dinner! They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. Hope you enjoy!
Ingredients:
6 Medjool dates (pits removed)
1 C of Natural Peanut butter
½ C Almond Flour
½ C vegan chocolate chips
Instructions:
- In a food processor pulse the medjool dates until smooth and a ball forms.
- Add the natural peanut butter and almond flour and continue to process together until well combined.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll one-inch balls of the peanut butter mixture in your hands and place on baking sheet. You will roll approximately 24 balls. Place baking sheet in the freezer for about 4 hours.
- After peanut butter balls have set, melt the vegan chocolate chips over a double boiler. One by one, take a toothpick and pick up a peanut ball from the center and dip ¾ of the way in the melted chocolate. Return to the baking tray. Continue for remaining peanut butter balls.
- Optional –if you’re a neat freak like me, take your thumb and index finger and pinch the hole from the toothpick closed.
- Place the baking tray with Buckeyes into the fridge to allow chocolate to set. Approximately 1 hour. Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
