OH-IO! No matter if you’re a The Ohio State University Buckeye fan or not, if you enjoy peanut butter and chocolate, you will adore this dessert.
These Vegan Buckeyes are, in my opinion, the ultimate version of my hometown’s classic treat. These healthy buckeyes, enhanced with peanut flour abundant in plant-based protein, require less than 20 minutes to prepare and just 5 ingredients!
Interestlingly, Ohio’s state tree is a buckeye, and the actual nut-like seeds of the tree are not edible; in fact, they are toxic. It was transformed into a treat to honor the Ohio state tree and allow people to enjoy the essence of the buckeye.
I have created delightful memories of making buckeyes not only during the holiday season but throughout the year with my mother. It was a delightful process shaping the peanut butter into balls and delicately dipping them in chocolate to resemble a buckeye, all the while she shared stories about why we make them and do not consume the real nuts found in the backyard. Fast forward to my undergraduate and graduate years at Ohio State, wearing t-shirts, necklaces, and keychains adorned with the buckeye, it was a tradition to pay tribute to this nut-like seed.
Vegan Buckeyes with Added Protein
Typically, buckeyes are prepared using fairly basic ingredients. The filling comprises peanut butter, powdered sugar, butter, and milk chocolate for coating. I aimed to enhance the protein slightly to balance out the macronutrients and introduce a satiety factor and the additional advantage of stabilizing blood sugars, without compromising on flavor.
Furthermore, I utilize maple syrup in place of powdered sugar, and a small amount goes a long way, allowing for adjustment according to individual preferences. The surprising element in my recipe is the use of peanut flour, a product obtained by extracting the fat from the protein in peanut butter, resulting in a substance resembling protein powder rich in peanut flavor while retaining protein content.
If peanut flour is unavailable, which can be found at Trader Joes and Whole Foods, you can purchase organic peanut flour online or use your preferred vanilla plant-based protein powder. Enjoy these vegan Buckeyes!
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Are you allergic to peanuts?
Peanut allergies are estimated to impact up to 8% of children and 2% of adults. Although it is generally a persistent condition, 15-22% of children may outgrow their allergy before reaching their teenage years (1).
Symptoms of varying severity may arise, potentially leading to life-threatening complications such as anaphylaxis in certain cases. Additionally, despite peanuts not being classified as tree nuts, around 30% of individuals allergic to peanuts may also have an allergy to tree nuts (2).
If you have a peanut allergy, you can substitute peanut butter with cashew butter or sunflower seed butter. Instead of peanut flour, you can use your preferred vanilla plant-based protein powder and may need to modify the consistency by gradually adding a small amount of water, based on how much moisture the protein powder absorbs. Begin with a small quantity and gradually increase by one teaspoon of water at a time.
Discover more about food allergies here.
