Healthy Peanut Butter Cups
Healthy Peanut Butter Cups are a nutritious twist on the classic treat, made with wholesome ingredients like almond butter, dark chocolate, graham cracker crumbs, and pure maple syrup. They offer a delicious balance of rich flavors and a boost of protein, making them a guilt-free indulgence.
Peanut Butter Cups
Who can resist a chocolate peanut butter treat? Not me! This version of peanut butter cups are nutrient dense and just as good as the regular ones. Trust me!
While these work great for any season, we particularly enjoy them over the holidays for balance. A little bit of indulgence and some healthier treats too. For some others, try our Chocolate Bliss Balls, Date Nut Balls, or Grain Free Granola Bars!
Why This Recipe Works:
- SIMPLE RECIPE – This is a simple, no-bake recipe that requires only five ingredients. You’ll find these simple ingredients in your local grocery store.
- HEALTHIER TREATS – We’re using a healthier nut butter, pure maple syrup, and dark chocolate to up the nutrients in these treats.
- CUSTOMIZABLE – You can make these peanut butter cups your own and use your favorite substitutions. Try cashew butter or an all-natural peanut butter. Add another type of chocolate instead of dark chocolate. Add in some nuts (like almonds, pistachios, pecans, or peanuts) for even more protein.
What You’ll Need:
- Graham Crackers – We use crushed graham crackers in our No Bake Peanut Butter Balls and so I wanted to include them in these for extra flavor and sweetness.
- Almond Butter – Use any creamy almond butter you prefer. Or try another nut butter or even regular peanut butter. Your choice!
- Pure Maple Syrup – The maple syrup adds sweetness to these peanut butter cups. You can add more for extra sweetness (depending on your sweet tooth)!
- Vanilla Extract – We use Watkin’s vanilla extract – so delish!
- Bittersweet Chocolate – We love Ghirardelli dark chocolate but use whatever you prefer. Likewise, you can try milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate.
NOTE: Top these peanut butter cups with flaky sea salt, mini m&ms, mini chocolate chips, or any kind of sprinkles. You can adjust the toppings for any holiday too!
How to make Healthy Peanut Butter Cups:
Step 1
Prep. Add paper liners to a 12-cup muffin pan.
Step 2
Crush graham crackers. Use a food processor to crush the graham crackers. You want the crackers to be finely processed.
Step 3
Combine ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, 3/4 cup of almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer to combine everything until very well mixed.
Step 4
Form balls. Use your hands to form 12 round balls out of the peanut butter mixture. Press down slightly to flatten. Chill for 20-30 minutes.
Step 5
Melt chocolate. Combine the chopped chocolate and 1/4 cup of the almond butter in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat and stir constantly until melted and creamy. Add to a pourable measuring cup.
Step 6
Add chocolate mixture to paper liners. Pour half of the chocolate into the paper liners (and try to evenly distribute – it won’t be perfect). Let sit for 15 minutes.
Step 7
Add peanut butter and remaining chocolate. Then add one peanut butter disk on top of the chocolate. Finally, pour the remaining chocolate on top of the peanut butter, covering it well. You may need a spoon to help spread it out over the tops of the peanut butter.
Step 8
Chill. Place the muffin pan in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to set.
Step 9
Store. Store the healthier peanut butter cups in the freezer. We keep them in the liners and stack them in a disposable tin covered in a freezer bag.
Step 10
Enjoy. When you’re ready to enjoy them, take one (or more!) out of the freezer and let sit for a few minutes. Then eat them up!
Other No Bake Treats:
We love a delicious no-bake treat and have many more for you to choose from!
Recipe FAQs:
Yes, you can use other nut butters like cashew butter or sunflower seed butter for a different flavor profile. You can also use regular or crunchy peanut butter.
Make sure the chocolate layers cool slightly before adding the peanut butter filling, and gently tap the tray to release any air bubbles.
Store the peanut butter cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for longer storage (our preferred method).
Yes, you can sprinkle sea salt, crushed nuts, candies, sprinkles, or coconut flakes on top before the chocolate sets for added texture and flavor.
xoxo ~Sue
Healthy Peanut Butter Cups Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup almond butter – divided
- 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup – or more if needed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 8 oz. bittersweet chocolate – chopped
- toppings like flaky sea salt, coconut flakes, mini m&ms, sprinkles, chopped nuts, etc.
Instructions
- Prep. Add paper liners to a 12-cup muffin pan.
- Crush graham crackers. Use a food processor to crush the graham crackers. You want the crackers to be finely processed.
- Combine ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, 3/4 cup of almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer to combine everything until very well mixed.
- Form balls. Use your hands to form 12 round balls out of the peanut butter mixture. Press down slightly to flatten. Chill for 20-30 minutes.
- Melt chocolate. Combine the chopped chocolate and 1/4 cup of the almond butter in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat and stir constantly until melted and creamy. Add to a pourable measuring cup.
- Add chocolate mixture to paper liners. Pour half of the chocolate into the paper liners (and try to evenly distribute – it won't be perfect). Let sit for 15 minutes.
- Add peanut butter and remaining chocolate. Then add one peanut butter disk on top of the chocolate. Finally, pour the remaining chocolate on top of the peanut butter, covering it well. You may need a spoon to help spread it out over the tops of the peanut butter.
- NOTE: Add desired toppings before the chocolate sets. You can use anything you like – flaky sea salt, coconut flakes, mini m&ms, chopped nuts, sprinkles, etc.
- Chill. Place the muffin pan in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to set.
- Store. Store the healthier peanut butter cups in the freezer. We keep them in the liners and stack them in a disposable tin covered in a freezer bag.
- Enjoy. When you're ready to enjoy them, take one (or more!) out of the freezer and let sit for a few minutes. Then eat them up!
Notes
- You can use other nut butters like cashew butter or sunflower seed butter for a different flavor profile. You can also use regular or crunchy peanut butter.
- Store the peanut butter cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for longer storage (our preferred method).
- Add toppings that you like! You can add sea salt, crushed nuts, candies, sprinkles, or coconut flakes on top before the chocolate sets for added texture and flavor.