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The Recipe · No.561 · Buckeyes

Buckeyes, and where to source it

Buckeyes — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Buckeyes American 5best2buy.com

A buckeye is peanut butter and chocolate, full stop, so both have to be good. The trick is chilling the peanut butter balls until firm before dipping, and leaving the toothpick hole on top uncovered so it looks like the nut it is named for.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep30 min
Cook0 min
Makes40 pieces
CuisineAmerican
Cost$
VegetarianGluten-free
Contains  dairy · peanuts
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 40 pieces
Peanut butter
The whole center; a real peanut butter tastes far better than sweetened spread.
1 1/2 cups
Source it →
Unsalted butter
Smooths and firms the center; good softened butter.
1/2 cup, softened
Source it →
Powdered sugar
Sweetens and stiffens the filling so it holds a ball; run unrefined sugar through a grinder if needed.
3 1/2 cups
Source it →
Chocolate
The shell; real semisweet chocolate melts smooth and snaps when set.
12 oz
Source it →
Vanilla extract
Rounds the peanut butter; real extract.
1 tsp
Source it →
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat
A reasonable little indulgence.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
No-cook
The Method
  1. MixBeat peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and a pinch of salt, then work in the powdered sugar until stiff.
  2. RollRoll into 1-inch balls and set on a lined pan.
  3. ChillFreeze the balls 30 minutes until firm; soft centers fall apart in the chocolate.
  4. DipMelt the chocolate gently, then dip each ball on a toothpick, leaving a bare circle on top.
  5. SetSmooth over the toothpick hole and chill until the chocolate is firm, about 20 minutes.
The Toolkit

Toothpicks · Sheet pans · Parchment paper · Double boiler · Hand mixer

Straight Answers
Can you make Buckeyes in an air fryer? — Not needed

No cooking needed here — this one comes together without heat, so the air fryer sits it out.

Can you freeze Buckeyes? — Yes

Yes — cool it, portion into airtight containers, and freeze; thaw in the fridge and reheat.

Can you make Buckeyes ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it needs the chill time to set, so making it ahead is the whole point.

Is Buckeyes gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Buckeyes vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.561

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