Easy Healthy 5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups Recipe
This is the easiest healthy 5-ingredient Peanut Butter Cups recipe. They’re gluten-free and vegan, with chocolate chips, natural peanut butter, almond flour, maple syrup, and coconut oil. These are the perfect way to satisfy your candy bar craving and feel great!
This is the easiest recipe for healthy chocolate peanut butter cups that taste even better than Reeses cups. They’re made gluten-free and vegan with only 5 ingredients, including your choice of chocolate chips, natural peanut butter, almond flour, maple syrup, and coconut oil. All you need is a mini muffin tray and/or mini cupcake liners, and you are all set! These are the perfect way to satisfy your candy bar craving and sweet tooth and support clean eating! Look no further for healthy sweet snacks or gluten-free desserts for a chocolate craving.
What can I use to replace the chocolate and peanut butter in this Oreo cookie recipe if I have allergies or follow a stricter vegan diet?
If peanut butter or chocolate is off-limits, you’ve still got options for delicious vegan and allergy-friendly Reese’s cups! For the “peanut butter” center, try sunflower seed butter, tahini, or even mashed bananas with a bit of nut-free chocolate for richness. Dairy-free chocolate chips or melted vegan chocolate can replace the usual coat. Get creative and have fun!
Why You’ll Love my Healthier Peanut Butter Cup Recipe
- You only need a few simple ingredients.
- It is super easy to make for an impressive result.
- The flavor-rich ingredients make it taste amazing!
- All the ingredients are easily digestible for a gentle tummy.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best-tasting homemade Reeses Peanut Butter Cups:
Chocolate Chips:You can semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or dairy-free vegan chocolate chips if you want to keep the recipe vegan. You can make dark chocolate peanut butter cups with dark chocolate chips for a richer, less sweet flavor. If you’re looking for a caffeine-free alternative, carob chips can be used as a substitute. In my opinion, semi-sweet give the best flavor. You can make them white chocolate peanut butter cups by melting white chocolate chips.
Coconut Oil: You can use coconut butter as a substitute for coconut oil. It will add a slightly different texture and coconut flavor to the recipe. For a non-coconut flavor option, use a vegan butter substitute.*
Natural Unsweetened Peanut Butter: Substitute with your favorite nut butter. If you have a peanut allergy or prefer almond flavor, almond butter can be used as a substitute. Cashew butter is another nut butter option with a milder flavor.
Almond Flour: Oat flour can be used as a gluten-free alternative to almond flour. If you have nut allergies, ground sunflower seeds can replace almond flour.
Maple Syrup: Agave nectar is a vegan-friendly and lower glycemic index alternative to maple syrup. If you’re not vegan and prefer honey, you can use it as a sweetener.
Flaky Sea Salt: Use Himalayan pink salt or any other type of salt you prefer for the salt sprinkle. Or you can omit it.
*I have not tested this substitution.
How to Make My Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for the best way to make homemade chocolate peanut butter cups. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Prep the Chocolate
Pour the chocolate chips and coconut oil into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals. Remove the bowl and gently stir with a spatula between intervals until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Step 2: Pour into the Muffin Liners
Line your mini muffin pan with mini muffin liners. Pour about 1 teaspoon of melted chocolate into the bottom of each cup. Tap the tray on the counter repeatedly to spread the chocolate in the cups. Place the tray in the freezer while you prepare the peanut butter mixture.
Step 3: Prep the Peanut Butter Filling
Add the natural unsweetened creamy peanut butter, almond flour, maple syrup, and coconut oil to a mixing bowl. Stir with a spatula until the peanut butter mixture is smooth and creamy.
Remove the muffin pan from the freezer. Using a spoon or small cookie batter scoop, add about 1 teaspoon of peanut butter filling to each cup on top of the chocolate layer.
Option 1: If you prefer to not see the peanut butter layer from the outside of your peanut butter cup, then leave the peanut butter filling in the middle of the cup so it is not touching any of the sides of the muffin liner.
Option 2: If you like seeing the peanut butter layer from the outside of your peanut butter cup, then gently tap the tray on the counter to spread the peanut butter filling evenly in your cups.
Step 4: Add the Final Layer of Chocolate
Pour another layer of melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter layer. Fill the cups almost to the top. Gently tap the tray on the counter to spread the chocolate inside the cup. Then sprinkle with a dash of flaky sea salt. Return the tray to the freezer for about 30 minutes or until set.
5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups Recipe Notes
Chocolate Melting Tips: When melting the chocolate chips and coconut oil, use a microwave-safe bowl and heat them in short 30-second intervals to prevent overheating and burning the chocolate. Stir between intervals to ensure even melting.
Mini Muffin Liners: Mini muffin liners make it easier to remove the peanut butter cups from the mini muffin tin without sticking. If you don’t have liners, you can lightly grease the mini muffin pan with coconut oil or cooking spray, but be careful when removing the cups.
Adjusting Peanut Butter Layer Placement: As mentioned in the recipe, you have two options for placing the peanut butter layer. Choose the one that suits your preference. Option 1 keeps the peanut butter filling in the middle, while option 2 spreads it to the sides for a more visible peanut butter layer.
Freezing Time: Ensure that you freeze the peanut butter cups for at least 30 minutes or until they are completely set. This step is crucial for achieving the right texture and keeping the layers intact.
Sea Salt: The flaky sea salt adds a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the peanut butter and chocolate. Adjust the amount to your taste, but be cautious not to overdo it, as sea salt can be quite potent.
Customization: Feel free to customize these peanut butter cups with additional toppings or mix-ins. Chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or a drizzle of melted chocolate on top can add extra flavor and texture.
Serving Suggestions:
These healthy peanut butter cups would make a sweet treat with ice cream, cookie dough, or even greek yogurt.
Do you love chocolate snacks? Check out more of my easy and healthier chocolate recipes:
- Gluten-Free Oreo Peanut Butter Cup Bats
- Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Chip Cottage Cheese Cookies
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Almond Flour Recipe
- Gluten-Free Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Easy Chocolate Chip Gluten Free Vegan Pumpkin Cookies
- Gluten-Free Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Copycat
Easy Healthy 5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups Recipe
Ingredients
Chocolate:
- 1-1/2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Peanut Butter Filling:
- 1/3 cup natural unsweetened creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 3 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- dash flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Pour the chocolate chips and coconut oil into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals. Remove the bowl and gently stir with a spatula between intervals until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Line your mini muffin pan with mini muffin liners. Pour about 1 teaspoon of melted chocolate into the bottom of each cup. Tap the tray on the counter repeatedly to spread the chocolate in the cups. Place the tray in the freezer while you prepare the peanut butter mixture.
- Add the natural unsweetened creamy peanut butter, almond flour, maple syrup, and coconut oil to a mixing bowl. Stir with a spatula until the peanut butter mixture is smooth and creamy. Remove the muffin pan from the freezer. Using a spoon or small cookie batter scoop, add about 1 teaspoon of peanut butter filling to each cup on top of the chocolate layer.Option 1: If you prefer to not see the peanut butter layer from the outside of your peanut butter cup, then leave the peanut butter filling in the middle of the cup so it is not touching any of the sides of the muffin liner. Option 2: If you like seeing the peanut butter layer from the outside of your peanut butter cup, then gently tap the tray on the counter to spread the peanut butter filling evenly in your cups.
- Pour another layer of melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter layer. Fill the cups almost to the top. Gently tap the tray on the counter to spread the chocolate inside the cup. Then sprinkle with a dash of flaky sea salt. Return the tray to the freezer for about 30 minutes or until set.
Video
I love peanut butter, and these did not dissapoint, I made a batch for my neighbor, they loved them, too
Awe…you’re such a good neighbor, Britt!! Thank you for sharing 🙂
These are to die for!! I have made them for friends and family and they are definitely a fan favorite!
Thank you, Jane! They are a favorite in my household, too!! 🙂
Wow the taste is exactly like reeses
Thank you so much for the review, Rick! I appreciate it 🙂
Fun to make!! They went fast! I’ll need to make more next time 🙂
I’m so glad your family loved them! We have the same problem in my house when I make these 🙂
THESE TASTE AMAZING 🤩 just like a reese’s peanut butter cup. I highly recommend trying this, you’ll never go back to store bought reese’s again!
Thank you for the review, Shelley! We love these better than storebought Reese’s cups too 🙂