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This Protein Peanut Butter Cups recipe is a high-protein version of the classic treat that everyone loves. They are homemade, easy to make, so creamy, delicious, and only need 4 ingredients to make.
I love how easy it is to make this high-protein treat. My kids love them, and they only need 4 ingredients to make them. A cleaner alternative to peanut butter cup candy. It is also customizable and can be made vegan-friendly, and low sugar is necessary. Sometimes I use sugar-free chocolate chips to make them too!
You may also like my chocolate protein baked oats and my healthy protein brownies.
Recipe Overview
Before you get started
- You can make this even healthier by using sugar-free chocolate chips.
- To make it vegan, use dairy-free chocolate chips and plant-based
- If you do not have protein powder, use equal amounts of almond flour.
Ingredients you will need
Below is a list of ingredients you will need to make these peanut butter cups. Full measurements are listed down below in the recipe card.
- Creamy peanut butter: I love using peanut butter for this, but you can also use almond butter or any other nut butter.
- Protein powder: I use Whey Protein and vanilla flavor, but you can use any other protein powder. For a vegan option, use plant-based protein powder.
- Chocolate chips: I use Dark chocolate chips, you may use semi-sweet, dairy-free, or sugar-free.
- Coconut oil helps thin out the chocolate and prevents it from becoming too hard when it sets.
How to make protein peanut butter cups
Below is a step-by-step process on how to make these protein peanut butter cups.
1️⃣ Make the peanut butter filling
Place 6 paper liners in the wells of a muffin tin and set aside. In a small bowl, mix the protein powder and peanut butter until smooth.
✏️ Using silicone liners will make it easier to peel the peanut butter cups off the liner. Other paper liners will work, but some may stick.
2️⃣ Melt the chocolate
Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a bowl; microwave in 30-second increments until fully melted. Add approximately 1 tablespoon of melted chocolate to the bottom of each liner.
Place the muffin tin in the freezer for 10 minutes or until the chocolate is set.
3️⃣ Add the peanut butter filling
Place 2 teaspoons of the peanut butter mixture on top of the chocolate layer. Spread them out a bit.
✏️ You should make sure the chocolate at the bottom has hardened.
4️⃣ Top the filling with chocolate and cool
Add an additional tablespoon of chocolate on top of the peanut butter mixture. Chill until firm.
✏️ Once they are fully set, you can remove them from the silicone cups and place them in a container. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
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Pin ItCommon Questions
Yes. Instead of whey protein, you can use plant-based protein powder.
Yes. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to serve again, place them in the fridge to thaw.
If you do not want to use protein powder, you can replace it with almond flour or coconut flour. I suggest adding 1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup to add a bit of sweetness.
Protein Peanut Butter Cups
Video
Ingredients
- 1/3 Cup Smooth peanut butter
- 1 Scoop Whey Protein, vanilla flavor, about 1/3 cup
- 1 ½ Cups Dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon Coconut oil
Instructions
- Place 6 paper liners in the wells of a muffin tin and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together the 1 Scoop Whey Protein and 1/3 Cup Smooth peanut butter until smooth.
- Place the 1 ½ Cups Dark chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon Coconut oil in a bowl; microwave in 30-second increments until fully melted.
- Place approximately 1 tablespoon of melted chocolate in the bottom of each liner. Place the muffin tin in the freezer for 10 minutes or until the chocolate is set.
- Place 2 teaspoons of the peanut butter mixture on top of the chocolate layer.
- Add an additional tablespoon of chocolate on top of the peanut butter mixture. Chill until firm.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- Use plant-based protein powder if needed.
- Lower the calories by using sugar-free chocolate chips.
- Store them in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Fantastic! Loved it.
I made these and they are to die for. Thank you
Glad you loved it. Yay
Hi Rena
Could you please give me the chocolate chip quantity in grams?
Many thanks
Denise
Will definitely make it keto….
I am very confused..the Calorie count is definitely off. I get 1130 Calories not 352..
Per serving? Not possible. We use an automated built-in calculator that populates the nutrition facts based on the ingredients used. Also the calories can be cut down by using sugar-free chocolate chips
Making for the second time! The first batch turned out perfect. I was a little heavy on the dark chocolate but who cares! They are delish and turn out great.
Thank you so much! Glad you loved it.
For the nutrition facts, is that for 1 cup or for the full serving size that it makes?
It’s per serving.
Does anyone have any tips for when it falls apart? Not all of them did it but certain ones split like a sandwich
Is this 352kcal per butter cup?
By using 6 paper-liners, you are making 6 peanut-butter cups (coming out to 59 kcal each). If you were to concoct a peanut-buttercup monstrosity rivaling the Chernobyl disaster by combining it all into one singular peanut-butter cup, then it would be 352kcal per peanut-butter cup.
Hope this answers your question, Victoria.
The peanut butter alone is more calories than that. PB = 506, chocolate chips = 1375, scoop protein = 200ish. 2081/6 = 350ish calories per peanut butter cup.
Can you use Natural peanut butter (the one you stir) or should it be the thicker, less oily kind?
It should work. But you may have to add a bit more protein powder to get it to the consistency you see in the video
I’ve already made these twice! They are a guilt free healthier treat in our house! Rena your recipes are just amazing!
Perfect! Thanks for the feedback
Haven’t tried these yet but I would like too. I don’t normally have protien powder. How much is in a scoop?
Hi. About 1/4 cup
10/10 ohhh myyy. These taste exactly like the real deal! I used muscle tech whey. I doubled the recipe to make 12 and they turned out THICK. I won’t double it next time and will still make 12. 🙂 Sadly they’re the same if not more calorie wise….. just SLIGHTLY higher protein. Definitely recommend making them!
Glad you loved it. Yes, if you can use sugar-free chocolate chips it will make a difference
LOVED IT !!!!
I’m not a big fan of the taste of whey protein, so I was doubtful about liking this recipe. But I was so excited to have found a healthy version of this classic that I gave it a try. So glad that I did !!!
Also this recipe is so easy with simple ingredients ! What’s not to love !!! I highly recommend it !!!
Thanks for the feedback. It is indeed easy to make and so good.