Nutella Buckeyes Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Balls

Nutella Buckeyes put a hazelnut twist on the classic buckeye candy many of us remember from holiday treats.

These no-bake bites combine a creamy peanut butter filling with a chocolate-hazelnut coating for a richer, slightly nutty flavor that elevates the traditional peanut-butter-and-chocolate combination.

At our house, anything with hazelnut spread jumps straight to the top of the dessert table — and these buckeyes are no exception.

Buckeye treats on a festive platter.

Table of Contents

  • About These
  • Ingredients
  • Related recipes
  • Hazelnut Buckeyes Recipe

About These

Form follows function in the kitchen — advice I often hear from my sister, who’s a chef. When we started making buckeyes for the holidays but discovered we only had a cup or two of chocolate chips left, an unopened jar of chocolate-hazelnut spread saved the day.

Instead of trying to stretch the chocolate, we stirred a spoonful of hazelnut spread into the melted chocolate chips. The result was a smooth, slightly nutty coating that complemented the peanut butter filling without overpowering it.

Dipping peanut butter balls into melted chocolate to make buckeyes.

This recipe keeps things simple: a handful of pantry staples, no oven required, and quick assembly. It’s an easy recipe to scale for small gatherings or large holiday trays.

Ingredients

  • Peanut butter (creamy)
  • Butter (softened)
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Hazelnut spread (such as Nutella)

The filling comes together in minutes. After forming the peanut butter balls and chilling them briefly, you dip each into the warm chocolate-hazelnut mixture and let them set. We preferred leaving a little of the filling exposed at the top — it’s the traditional look and makes them instantly recognizable.

Plate of holiday treats with ornaments and hazelnuts, dusted with powedered sugar.

Adding a bit of hazelnut spread to the melted chocolate gives the coating a deeper, more complex taste without overwhelming the peanut butter center. The balance of flavors keeps each bite irresistible — perfect for a holiday cookie tray or a simple homemade gift.

If you need a last-minute addition to your dessert table, these Hazelnut Buckeyes are quick, tasty, and crowd-pleasing. From our family to yours, have a warm and happy holiday season.

A man leaning on a table

Signature of Scott from Platter Talk

Festive plate of buckeye candies with hazelnuts and ornaments dusted with powdered sugar.

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A plate of buckeyes with Christmas ornaments.
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Hazelnut Buckeyes

5 from 4 votes
Classic peanut butter buckeyes enhanced with Nutella for a subtle hazelnut note.
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Yield: 36 servings
By: Scott from Platter Talk

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 1/2 cup Softened Butter
  • 3 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 8 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • 2 TBS Hazelnut Spread (Nutella)

Instructions 

  • In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, peanut butter, and salt until smooth and well combined.
  • Stir in the vanilla.
  • Gradually add powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, until the mixture is firm enough to roll into 1-inch balls. The mixture should hold on a toothpick when pierced.
  • Chill the formed balls in the refrigerator until firm.
  • Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 30 seconds.
  • Stir and continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until fully melted.
  • Mix the hazelnut spread into the melted chocolate until smooth and combined.
  • Using a toothpick to hold each chilled peanut butter ball, dip it into the chocolate-hazelnut coating, leaving a small circle of filling visible at the top (traditional buckeye appearance).
  • Place the dipped buckeyes on a tray lined with wax or parchment paper.
  • Repeat until all balls are coated. If the chocolate begins to thicken, warm it briefly in the microwave to loosen.
  • Refrigerate the finished buckeyes until the coating is set.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 167kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 7mg, Sodium: 105mg, Potassium: 110mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 82IU, Calcium: 10mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Holidays
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Updated from the original post of December 24, 2015