Healthy Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

Overhead view of a halved peanut butter cup on a white tray.

5 from 1 vote

Healthy Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

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.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword healthy peanut butter cups, peanut butter cups

Prep Time 30

Chil Time 30

Total Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 203kcal

Author Sue Ringsdorf

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.

Nutrition