The classic combo of chocolate and peanut butter has been winning hearts for decades.
I’ve been a chocolate peanut butter cups fan for my whole life. There was only a short period of years where I went into a health craze and didn’t eat any chocolate bars or treats whatsoever.
After I realized that life wasn’t worth it if I couldn’t have chocolate peanut butter treats anymore, I started making my own (and yes, eating them out of the orange package once in a while because – life’s too short).
Since I enjoy turning any thing and everything into a higher protein version of itself, I’ve created a protein peanut butter cups recipe for an added health boost.
Turns out that adding vanilla protein powder to rich, smooth, nutritious natural peanut butter creates the perfect texture for peanut butter cup filling while adding a touch of sweetness to offset the semi-sweet or dark chocolate covering. Yum!
Other healthy treats:
- Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- How to Make High Protein Oatmeal to Keep You Feeling Full
- Cherry Almond Baked Protein Oatmeal
- 5 Ingredient Banana Chocolate Chip Protein Waffles
- Caramelized Banana Protein French Toast with Cinnamon & Ginger
- Healthy Protein Pancake Mix
- Dirty Chai Latte with Probiotics
- Red Velvet Beetroot Brownies
- Red Velvet Cheesecake Energy Shake
- Zesty Orange Banana Bread with Vanilla Citrus Glaze
- Spiced Nectarine Blueberry Crumble
- 25 Quick + Easy 2 Ingredient Snacks
Ready to make this delicious, healthy peanut butter cups recipe?
This peanut butter cups recipe is so easy, you’ll make it over and over again!
All you need to do is mix natural peanut butter with a scoop of vanilla protein powder (vegan or whey), melt some semi sweet or dark chocolate with coconut oil, and you have your ingredients prepped!
For this recipe of 18 peanut butter cups, made in a mini muffin tin, use the following amounts:
- 1/2 cup natural, smooth peanut butter
- 1/4 cup (approx. 1 scoop) vanilla protein powder
- 2 cups semi sweet or dark chocolate chips (choose dairy free, gluten free if you need to)
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
First mix the peanut butter and protein powder
The consistency should be like a thick paste that is still spreadable. Add your protein powder slowly, until you reach the desired result. It will depend on your protein powder.
Next, melt your chocolate
In 30-60 second intervals, melt your chocolate in the microwave with the coconut oil.
Alternatively, use a double boiler to melt the chocolate.
Use either semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips and if you need dairy or gluten free, check your product labels. Another healthful option would be cacao nibs.
Tip: You can also use sugar free chocolate chips for a low-carb option. Try stevia sweetened or allulose sweetened chocolate chips.
Prep your peanut butter cups
Spoon a couple of tablespoons of your melted chocolate and coconut oil mixture in to the bottom of your greased muffin cups.
This part is naturally quite messy… okay, the whole process is messy for me. Maybe you are a neater individual but I don’t stress the mess 😉.
After you’ve got your chocolate base, place the muffin tray in the freezer for five to 10 minutes or until solid.
After the chocolate has solidified, add approximately one teaspoon of the peanut butter and protein powder mixture to the cups.
Flatten with the back of your spoon and pour another 1-2 tablespoons of melted chocolate over top to cover.
Place your completed cups in the freezer once more to solidify. This will take another 5-10 minutes but then, I promise, you can eat them!
Be sure to store these in the fridge so they don’t melt!
Just try to stop at just one! I bet you can’t (or, is that just me). 😋😉😅
Enjoy! (try pairing with a Vietnamese Egg Coffee!)
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Better Than Reese's Healthy Peanut Butter Cups
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder 1 scoop
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips try Enjoy Life
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Fill a mini muffin tin with silicone or foil liners and grease with coconut oil.
- Mix peanut butter with protein powder a little at a time until you reach a thick consistency that is still spreadable. This will depend on your protein powder. Approximately 1/4 cup for most types.
- Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave, 30-60 seconds at a time, stirring in between until melted.
- Fill the bottom of each muffin well with approximately 2 tbsp of the melted chocolate. Place in the freezer for 5-10 minutes until solid.
- Spoon 1 tsp of the peanut butter and protein mixture on top of each muffin well and press down with the back of the spoon, leaving space around the edges
- Add another 2 tbsp of melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter, spreading to cover if necessary. Place back in the freezer for 5-10 minutes until set.
- Store in the fridge to prevent them from melting
Nutrition
Thanks for these wonderful recipes. It’s so easy to make.
I love the idea of adding protein powder to this recipe. I have a Chai flavored and a Chocolate/Vanilla. I bet both would be a nice addition.
Chai and chocolate vanilla both sound heavenly!
My kids love Reese (we do, too!) but this is way better! And my kids will enjoy helping me in the kitchen.. 🙂
You’re right! This is a perfect recipe for kids to help with.
I always intrigued by the recipes which are tasty at the same time healthy too. Can’t wait to try this one.
Wow, so easy, and so delicious, this is a great option for us.
Crazy how easy this is to make! So easy, in fact, that I think I will give this recipe a try this weekend!
You definitely should! ❤
These literally made my mouth drool!!! I dan’t wait to try your recipe, will let you know how it goes.
Thanks so much! Hope you love ’em!
What a great idea! Over the holidays, we like to make home made candy…fantastic alternative! Thanks for sharing~!
They look very easy to make as well as tasty while remaining healthy.
These sound and look so good. I love dark chocolate pecan bark. This looks like a treat in the same category.
Chocolate pecan sounds amazing! I should make that as well. I have made homemade turtles with caramel and pecans and they were great.
Oh wow, I never thought of putting protein powder in these, that’s a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
Thank you!
I don’t know if I will try the recipe because I hate being in the kitchen but chocolate and peanut butter is one of my favorite combinations.
Make them in your living room then 😂. They are no-cook at least! But if you only eat store-bought, then yes, recipes wouldn’t be for you! Justin’s is a great alternative.
Holy deliciousness… 1. those are my candy 2. now I can call them healthy 3. I love your silicon cupcake cups (I have some too, SUPER eco friendly)
Yes! My candy too :D. The cups are fantastic. Love them! Thanks so much for commenting.
Better than Reese’s you say? I’m intrigued now. I’ll have to try these and see because I do love my Reese’s.
If you prefer the darker, richer flavour of semi-sweet chocolate and real peanut butter, you’ll love these!
Not a big peanut butter and icing sugar fan so making my own with pure peanut butter is the only way! These are great and easy to make.
Yes! Much higher quality ingredients that will keep you satiated and adds extra protein! Still a treat, but a better one 🙂
These are so more-ish… it requires considerable willpower to not devour half the batch in one sitting, they’re so tasty! Melt-in-your-mouth goodness 😁
I totally agree! Thanks for your review 🙂