Theses Vegan Buckeyes are what I deem to be truly the best version of my home town’s classic treat. With added peanut flour rich in plant-based protein, these healthy buckeyes take under 20 minutes to make and 5 active ingredients!
Enjoyable fact, Ohio’s state tree is a buckeye and buckeyes (the real nut-like seed on the tree) are not editable, in fact, they’re poisonous. As a way to commemorate the Ohio state tree and in fact enjoy the buckeye, it was changed into a treat.
I have some of the fondest memories making buckeyes not just around the holiday, however year-round with my mom. It was such a fun procedure rolling the peanut butter into balls then carefully dipping them in chocolate to appear like a buckeye while she told me stories of why we make them and not eat the genuine thing found in the backyard.
Fast forward to my undergrad and graduate years at Ohio State wearing tee shirts, pendants, and keychains with the buckeye on them, it was a right of passage to honor this nut-like seed.
Protein Enhanced Vegan Buckeyes
Traditionally the buckeyes are made with quite direct ingredients. For the filling, it consists of peanut butter, powdered sugar, butter, and milk chocolate as the finishing. To offer this a Nutrition Stripped spin, I wished to boost the protein simply a bit to balance out the macronutrients so we add in a satiety aspect with the protein also and the included benefit of supporting blood sugars a bit more than we would if we didn’t have as much protein present. All without sacrificing the taste!
In addition, instead of powdered sugar, I use maple syrup and a little goes a long method so you can adapt to your particular tastes. The real curveball in my recipe is utilizing peanut flour, which is generally a process of removing the fat from the protein in peanut butter and you’re entrusted something that looked like a protein powder other than rich in peanut taste while retaining the protein.
If you don’t have peanut flour, which I found at Trader Joes and Whole Foods, you can order some natural peanut flour online or just use your favorite vanilla plant-based protein powder. Delight in these vegan Buckeyes!
Stripped Peanut allergy?
Peanut allergies are believed to affect approximately 8% of children and 2% of grownups. While it is normally a long-lasting condition, 15-22% of kids outgrow their allergic reaction before they reach their teenage years.
Signs can vary in severity however can trigger dangerous issues like anaphylaxis in some cases. Furthermore, although peanuts are not considered tree nuts, around 30% of those who dislike peanuts might also dislike tree nuts too.
If you have a peanut allergy, instead of using peanut butter you can use cashew butter or sunflower seed butter. Instead of the peanut flour, you can use your preferred vanilla plant-based protein powder and you might need to adjust the texture by including a little water depending on how much wetness the protein powder takes in. Start slow and build up one teaspoon of water at a time.
These vegan buckeyes have just 6 ingredients, take less than 20 minutes to make and loaded with protein! They’ll become your go-to dessert!
