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Chickpea Buckeyes

December 2, 2022 by Lindsay 53 Comments

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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. 

These Chickpea Buckeyes are a healthier 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

Chickpea Buckeyes

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 I originally made these using oat flour which is what you see in the photos.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

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Chickpea Buckeyes

These Chickpea Buckeyes are a healthier twist on a classic dessert! They're full of flavor with an extra boost of fiber as well. 
Print Recipe

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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

  1. In a food processor, blend the chickpeas.
  2. Add peanut butter and vanilla and blend again.
  3. Add powdered sugar and blend. If it looks too dry, you can add 1 Tbsp milk.
  4. Roll into balls. The dough may be a little sticky so using damp hands can help.
  5. Put the balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to overnight. You can also freeze them for 30 minutes.
  6. 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.
  7. Stick a toothpick into center of balls and dip in chocolate.
  8. Place back onto cookie sheet, remove the toothpick and pat hole closed.
  9. 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.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

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

These Chickpea Buckeyes are a healthier twist on a classic dessert! They're full of flavor with an extra boost of fiber as well. 

Want more ways to eat chickpeas?

  • Peanut Butter Chickpea Bars
  • How To Roast Chickpeas
  • Easy Recipes Using Chickpeas
  • Mediterranean Chopped Salad

And if you want an original buckeye recipe without chickpeas, try:

  • Buckeye Recipe
  • Easy Buckeye Recipe

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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Filed Under: Dessert Tagged With: Chickpea, Chocolate Chips, Coconut Oil, Honey, Oat Flour, Peanut Butter

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

  1. GiselleR says

    March 13, 2014 at 1:13 AM

    You 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

      March 13, 2014 at 7:28 AM

      Let us know what you think. Happy RD day!

      Reply
  2. Kim @ FITsique says

    March 13, 2014 at 6:28 AM

    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

      March 13, 2014 at 7:30 AM

      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
  3. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    March 13, 2014 at 6:29 AM

    oh my gosh AMAZING!!!!!! would love to trick the hubby with these haha

    Reply
    • Francesca says

      March 13, 2014 at 7:31 AM

      I tricked mine. Now he calls them “hummus buckeyes”. LOL

      Reply
  4. Danielle @ It's a Harleyyy Life says

    March 13, 2014 at 6:30 AM

    OMG I LOVEEEE CHICKPEAS! This is perfect! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Francesca says

      March 13, 2014 at 7:34 AM

      Let us know if you try! Enjoy 🙂

      Reply
  5. Tina Muir says

    March 13, 2014 at 6:51 AM

    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

      March 13, 2014 at 7:33 AM

      🙂 You would be missing out if you didn’t get introduced!

      Reply
  6. LOLZ says

    March 13, 2014 at 6:57 AM

    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

      March 13, 2014 at 7:32 AM

      Let us know if you do. Enjoy!

      Reply
  7. Carla says

    March 13, 2014 at 7:32 AM

    ooh yay!
    this is actually one I make.
    it’s the OHIO GURL in me 🙂

    Reply
    • Francesca says

      March 13, 2014 at 12:17 PM

      O-H…Enjoy!

      Reply
  8. Jojo @ RunFastEatLots says

    March 13, 2014 at 7:52 AM

    Chocolate, peanut butter, AND they’re healthy?! I’m totally making these! Let’s see if I have chickpeas…

    Reply
    • Francesca says

      March 13, 2014 at 12:18 PM

      Let us know how they turn out.

      Reply
  9. Dietitian Jess says

    March 13, 2014 at 8:31 AM

    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

      March 13, 2014 at 12:19 PM

      Happy RD day! Will definitely be checking out your blog.

      Reply
  10. Sara @ LovingOnTheRun says

    March 13, 2014 at 9:13 AM

    Love buckeyes – a healthier way to make them!? EVEN better!!

    Reply
    • Francesca says

      March 13, 2014 at 12:20 PM

      Just be careful with fiber overload 😉

      Reply
  11. Krysten Siba Bishop (@darwinianfail) says

    March 13, 2014 at 10:22 AM

    Well I am intrigued! I would not have thought to add chickpeas!

    Reply
    • Francesca says

      March 13, 2014 at 12:23 PM

      That’s what we are here for…sparking new ideas 😉

      Reply
  12. Jaime @ Zest & Zeal says

    March 13, 2014 at 10:42 AM

    Thank you for compiling this wonderful list! Thank you for including Zest & Zeal! 🙂
    In Health,
    Jaime

    Reply
  13. Emily @ Zen & Spice says

    March 13, 2014 at 11:31 AM

    Thanks for the shout out! 🙂

    These looks awesome. I love chocolate and peanut butter together, way to make it healthier!

    Reply
    • Francesca says

      March 13, 2014 at 12:22 PM

      Thanks, Emily! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says

    March 13, 2014 at 11:36 AM

    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

      March 13, 2014 at 12:21 PM

      Let us know if they can even tell the difference? 🙂

      Reply
  15. jobo says

    March 13, 2014 at 1:08 PM

    YUM! MUST make these!

    Reply
  16. Cori @olivetorun says

    March 13, 2014 at 1:56 PM

    Can I change the name to Bucky the Badger’s eyes? 🙂

    Reply
    • Francesca says

      March 13, 2014 at 9:21 PM

      You can, but they probably won’t taste as good 😉

      Reply
  17. Helen says

    March 13, 2014 at 4:26 PM

    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

      March 13, 2014 at 9:22 PM

      Enjoy!!

      Reply
  18. Marcia says

    March 13, 2014 at 4:51 PM

    Oh wow these sound amazing! Need to try!

    Reply
    • Francesca says

      March 13, 2014 at 9:23 PM

      Enjoy!!

      Reply
  19. Emily @SinfulNutrition says

    March 13, 2014 at 8:12 PM

    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

      March 13, 2014 at 9:23 PM

      “health” ier food? Enjoy!

      Reply
  20. Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says

    March 13, 2014 at 8:37 PM

    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

      March 13, 2014 at 9:25 PM

      I was a skeptic at first too. After making a “cookie dough” with them I was hooked. Enjoy!

      Reply
  21. Thea Rudland says

    March 13, 2014 at 9:02 PM

    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

      March 15, 2014 at 8:38 AM

      Be careful of fiber overload with this version! Enjoy 🙂

      Reply
    • Lindsay says

      March 21, 2014 at 10:34 AM

      yay! love finding other Columbus friends! Hope you like this version!

      Reply
  22. Katie says

    March 13, 2014 at 9:33 PM

    I’m not going to lie, I have never heard of buckeyes! But they sound and look delicious!

    Reply
    • Francesca says

      March 15, 2014 at 8:35 AM

      Enjoy!

      Reply
  23. Matt @ Runner Savvy says

    March 14, 2014 at 8:01 PM

    These look delicious!

    Reply
    • Francesca says

      March 15, 2014 at 8:36 AM

      Enjoy!

      Reply
  24. Holly says

    March 15, 2014 at 6:09 PM

    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

      March 16, 2014 at 9:08 PM

      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

        March 16, 2014 at 9:19 PM

        Thank you for responding so quickly! I’m bookmarking this recipe.

        Reply
  25. Toni says

    March 16, 2014 at 12:57 PM

    These look awesome! Nice work, Francesca 🙂

    Reply
    • francesca says

      March 16, 2014 at 9:04 PM

      Thanks, Enjoy!

      Reply
  26. Peg Wiederholt says

    February 27, 2015 at 4:17 PM

    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

      February 27, 2015 at 8:54 PM

      yep! go for it!

      Reply
  27. Jennifer M. Bell says

    January 8, 2023 at 5:51 AM

    They are really delicious! eager to taste it. Today, I’ll definitely give it a try.

    Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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