These healthy peanut butter cups are nutritious, delicious and made with good-for-you ingredients. All you need are a few simple ingredients including all-natural peanut butter, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and Himalayan sea salt!
Linley and I recently gave this recipe a remake, by perfecting the creaminess and flavor. Since so many of you have flipped out with pure enjoyment over these so we thought we’d turn this easy, must-make recipe into a video! Why? Because it’s legit the best peanut butter cup recipe I’ve ever tried and better yet, they’re made with real, whole ingredients!
If you’re anything like me, it’s going to be hard to eat just one of these. I mean…peanut butter + chocolate = love and that’s just the truth. This recipe is amazing for so many reasons, but mostly because I love peanut butter cups. I’m totally the type of person that always needs something sweet after dinner and these for sure hit the spot.
These healthy peanut butter cups double as a freezer fudge because, well, they’re made with coconut oil! They live in the freezer until you need to sink your teeth into them, but don’t worry, they don’t even need to thaw in order to eat them! Here’s what you need to make these babes.
Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Essentials
- All-Natural Peanut Butter
- Coconut Oil
- Maple Syrup
- Cocoa Powder
- Himalayan Sea Salt
- Vanilla Extract
PS: if you’re allergic to peanuts, you can sub any nut butter. Feel free ot also use honey or agave in place of maple.
Healthy Peanut Butter Cups
These healthy peanut butter cups are nutritious, delicious and made with good-for-you ingredients. All you need are a few simple ingredients including all-natural peanut butter, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and Himalayan sea salt!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 cups
Ingredients
Bottom Layer (chocolate)
- 1/3 cup all-natural peanut butter, creamy*
- 2.5 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Top Layer (peanut butter)
- 1/3 cup all natural peanut butter, creamy
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Himalayan sea salt
Instructions
- Line a muffin tin with 12 muffin liners. Spray with coconut oil cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir all ingredients for the bottom layer (chocolate) together until smooth. Set aside.
- In another medium bowl, stir all ingredients for the top layer (peanut butter) together until smooth. Set aside.
- Scoop a heaping 1/2 tablespoon of the chocolate layer into each muffin cup. Repeat until you’ve filled around 12 cups. Then, pick up the entire muffin tin and shake and tap until the layer is set evenly. You should get around 12 cups.
- Repeat the same thing with the peanut butter layer, plopping around 1/2 tablespoon on top of the chocolate layer. Pick up the entire muffin tin one last time and shake and tap until your cups are even.
- Finally, sprinkle each cup with some Himalayan sea salt.
- Place muffin tin in the freezer for 30 minutes or until firm. Enjoy!
- Store healthy peanut butter cups in the freezer to enjoy for later.
Notes
- Make sure you are using an all natural, drippy peanut butter for this recipe. We recommend Smuckers All Natural, Trader Joe’s All Natural, or Fresh Thyme All Natural.
- Store healthy peanut butter cups in the freezer to enjoy for later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 157
- Sugar: 5
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Check out some more of FFF’s other healthy cup recipes
Julie says
Bread pudding! Love it so much but feel horrible after I eat it….Wonder if it could be made with almond or coconut milk..hmmm.
Lee Hersh says
o0o that is a good one and a hard one. Adding to my list!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
YUM! Those look SO delicious!!
Jody - Fit at 55 says
I would be afraid to make those!!! 🙂 YUMMY!!!!
jodye @ chocolate and chou fleur says
Somehow, the peanut butter cup never gets old. Your version sounds just delectable, and your photos are gorgeous!
Lee Hersh says
Thank you!!
Jane @ Not Plain So Jane says
Oh, those look cute! Nice ingredient list!
erin says
These would last five seconds in our house… and, I’m so making them! Also, we cook just about everything in coconut oil (it’s a good price at TJ’s). Sautéed sweet potatoes in it… yum!
Lee Hersh says
YES! Have you tried TJ’s coconut oil spray? It’s just like non-stick cooking spray, but with coconut oil!
Karey @ Nutty About Health says
O.M.G. These look & sound amazing!!!! I definitely need to try making these beauties. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
http://www.114-west.com/ says
Me dull. You smart. That’s just what I needed.
Allie says
oh my gosh!! totallllly making these this weekend!
jensmall says
this one!! delish 🙂
ok…how about a nice ice cream to put under these babies?
Lee Hersh says
Now we talkin!
@TheNatJar says
I love this, Lee! Question on the nutritional info. Is that for all 12 peanut butter cups or per cup? Thanks!
Lee Hersh says
It is per cup. That would be awesome if it was for the whole batch! #toogoodtobetrue
@TheNatJar says
Hahaha. Agreed but I’m happy with a 100 calorie dessert! 🙂
Linz @ Itz Linz says
YUM! these look so good!! i’d probably ask for anything cake batter flavored!
Sara says
now THESE look amazing! great job with these… I am for sure going to make them! 🙂
Misty says
These look great! I make a version of these that my sister in law came up with. We use equal parts honey, peanut butter, coconut oil, and coco powder, and just mix them all together and freeze using those silicone ice cube trays that you can buy. You don’t have the double layer effect of a peanut butter cup but they taste the same. 🙂
Lee Hersh says
Definitely want to try adding honey. Great idea!
Julie says
I just made these and I have to say…OMGEE!! They are amazing….I didn’t have stevia so I used about 2 tblsp of organic honey and a super lite sprinkle of sea salt on the tops (I didn’t have coconut) and wow!!! My 3 little girls are in love with them too!
Lee Hersh says
That sounds SO GOOD! I am glad your little ones liked them 🙂 So much better for them than the classic peanut butter cup 😛
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
These sound SO amazing! I had no idea that peanut butter cups could be healthy, but you have me convinced! 🙂
Lea says
OMGosh! I NEED these. Thanksssss!
Kim @ Racing Bananas says
I definitely need these in my life – YUM!!!
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
You need to make me a wheat, dairy, gluten, sugar, soy, fruit & nut free dessert. Looking at all your deliciousness makes me sad! LOL!
Taylor says
I am SO making these! They look amazing!
Dina says
you forgot the “r” in powder but other than that FANTASTIC, THANK YOU! LOVE =) especially the no calories part! 😉 I cant wait to make them. I have been looking for something like this foreva 😉
Lee Hersh says
Ahhh! Thank you for letting me know 🙂 Changing it right now!
Karey @ Nutty About Health says
I just made these tonight, but mine didn’t turn out quite as cute as yours… I only had a regular sized muffin tin, so mine were thinner. I switched mine up & played up the coconut & tropical taste a bit… used PB Crave’s Choco Choco PB in the bottom & their CoCo Bananas PB in the top. Gave it all a choc/banana/coconut kinda flavor. 🙂
Josie says
What do you think about switching out the peanut butter in the bottom layer with nutella? I was just thinking of ways to boost that chocolatey flavor in the bottom even more:)
Lee Hersh says
o0o!!!!! That is a really good idea. Sort of defeats the purpose of “sugar free,” but I bet it’s DELICIOUS 🙂
Kate says
Can’t wait to try making these! I might try swapping out the stevia in favor of just a little maple syrup.
Lee Hersh says
Maple syrup would be an excellent addition 🙂
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ice cream maker says
You actually make it seem so easy along with your presentation but
I in finding this topic to be actually something that
I feel I’d never understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely vast for me. I am looking ahead in your subsequent post, I’ll attempt to get the dangle of it!
sarah says
amazing recipe!! just tried it!! was so yummy and so rich i could only have one!!! but it satisfied my cravings without making me feel guilty!!!
thanks!!
Alexandra says
Made these in regular cupcake tray size 😉 OM to the NOM
Nhi says
Can you replace coconut oil for something else?
Jennifer Gordon says
I made these with honey in place of Stevia and added a pinch of sea salt to the top layer. To die for! Thanks so much for this, it’s going to be a regular item in my house!
abbey says
If I don’t have coconut oil on hand, what else do you suggest as a sub?
Lee Hersh says
You could always sub the coconut milk for almond milk or any kind of milk that is! It just won’t have the coconutty flavor…but still the same cooking method!
Theresa yeoell says
How many points are these on the weight watchers program?
sue leclerc says
How about a gluten-dairy free version of Sticky Toffee Pudding?
Stephanie says
I made these with chocolate protein powder instead of the cocoa, stevia and vanilla (didn’t have any) and wow…. I could nom on those all day! Thanks for the post!
jenny says
I made these his morning but i just replaced the 8 drops of liquid stevia with rice malt and added a pinch of salt in the top part. amazing.
Lee Hersh says
Yay!! So glad your modifications worked and that you loved it!
simone says
I love these! I made mine with agave nectar and instead of adding peanut butter to the top and bottom half, I made the bottom half peanut with a chocolate topping with pecanuts. It was fantastic. Thank you for the desire to try them.
Kevi says
Cheesecake!
kellie conger says
I would like a healthy version of German Chocolate cake. Thanks
Katie says
Wow I just realized I won this two years ago. I never knew. CRAZY! Well maybe the e-mail landed in my spam folder.
Beatrice says
Looks lovely! How many calories each cup? 🙂
★★★★★
Arika says
I would love a good key lime recipe
Leah says
Made these today and everyone loved them! Used honey instead of Stevia and turned out great!
★★★★★
Lee Hersh says
YAY! So glad your honey substitution worked!
Sam Martindale says
I really really really want to make these but am allergic to coconut is there anything I can use instead of coconut??
Lee Hersh says
Hey Sam! That’s a really good question, I haven’t tried anything other than coconut. What oil do you usually use instead of coconut?
Jaid says
Would powdered stevia work in the butter cups recipe? Thanks!
Lee Hersh says
I have never tried this recipe with a powdered stevia, but give it a shot! Start with a small amount.
Isabelle says
What if you don’t like stevia? Will honey work?
Lee Hersh says
Absolutely! Honey or maple syrup will work. Some people have left comments saying that they used other sweeteners and it worked just fine!
mark says
i swapped the stevia with maple syrup, for a nice boost!
Lee Hersh says
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your modification 🙂
Ryan says
crud, i used full sized muffin tin and liners, still filled them halfway, though i cut the recipe in half (the kids needs PB for sandwiches for lunch) – made as a surprise for my wife tonight while i’m at work.
easy recipe, also used honey instead of stevia.
★★★★
Kenna says
Looks yummy and greatly interested in making some! Would these be able to stay solid at room temp?
Lee Hersh says
Hey Kenna! Unfortunately you’ll have to keep these in the freezer due to the coconut oil!
Ellie says
Good recipe but way too much cocoa for my taste. Will try it again and half the cocoa next tine.
★★★
Katerina says
Do you think I can make my own peanut butter for these? Peanuts and peanut oil in a food processor? I live in a country where peanut butter is not quite easy to come by, but you can buy huge bags of peanuts very easily. I want to make these for my daughter as she loves peanut butter cups…but they are unhealthy…and they don’t exist here!
Lee Hersh says
Hi! You literally just need peanuts to make peanut butter, so don’t worry about the peanut oil! The answer is yes! Make your own peanut butter 🙂
Em says
I’m IN LOVE! These are so delicious. I’m still amazed by the pure ingredients and ease of assembly. Nice work, FFF!!
Lee Hersh says
Awwww yeah!
L Webb says
Did you add maple syrup to this recipe? I had the link saved and this recipe is different. 🙁 Can you share the old recipe without the maple syrup? It was my fave and I can’t have maple syrup. Thanks !!
Lee Hersh says
Hi! I unfortunately did not save the old recipe and I apologize! Instead of maple syrup, I used stevia. It’s a very similar recipe, just stevia instead!
Angelica says
Do you know about how much Stevia it would take to replace the maple syrup? I think these are great for Keto (with almond butter) so I was just going to try them without any sweetener but I’m guessing a little stevia would probably be better than nothing at all.
Lee Hersh says
Hi! I have no idea. I’m not really a stevia girl.
Michelle says
Someone above said 8 drops of liquid stevia. I know this is about a month out, but worth a shot. I was confused by the comments also. So glad I read about the stevia. I so prefer that over other sweeteners.
Toni says
I just made these. They’re in the freezer. I can’t wait to pull them out and try them.
Thanks for the recipe!
Tracy says
My 4 year old daughter loves to help cook in the kitchen and tonight we made these together! She calls them Buttercups 😍 So delicious and healthier than the store bought alternative! Love it!
Lee Hersh says
That is the cutest thing ever!
Shelleen says
What’s a substitute for coconut oil…allergic to coconut
Jill K. says
I kept seeing these pop up on my screen and decided I had to make them. Made them with sunbutter as we have a nut allergy in our house. They are amazing and way more satisfying than the real thing!
★★★★★
Erinn says
I seriously can’t wait to make these! Bookmarking now!
Simma says
Can anything else (such as honey) be substituted for the maple syrup in the healthy peanut butter cups?
Lee Hersh says
Hi! Yes, you can sub honey or any other liquid sweetener!
Candice says
These came out amazing! Very creamy!
Shari says
These look delicious and I wonder if anyone has tried or can I sub PB2 for peanut butter? I looked through the comments and didn’t notice any subs
Lee Hersh says
Hey Shari! Unforuntaltey this recipe will not work with PB2!
Krissy says
I can’t believe I never saw these on your site…I make tons of your recipes….just made these for the first time, wow amazing….thanks so much for sharing!
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★★★★★
mangafox says
Good recipe but way too much cocoa for my taste. Will try it again and half the cocoa next tine.
Floyd says
Why must you make me drool? These look delicious, and I’m going to try the stevia that one of your other commenters suggested in the recipe. Thanks for the inspiration!
Charlcie says
So yummmy and simple
★★★★★