High Protein Almond Butter Cups (dairy + gluten-free)

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Super rich and made with easy ingredients these almond butter protein cups make a wicked protein dessert! Naturally dairy-free and gluten-free these little bites are protein-packed and require no baking!

Whip them up to have on hand when you want a chocolate fix or use them as an indulgent snack for an afternoon pick-me-up. Either way, you get the best of both worlds: chocolate + fuel!

Fingers holding a chocolate almond butter protein cup on top of another.

Is there anything better than a chocolate almond butter combination? Yes: that combination with a hint of extra protein!

Made with collagen powder (one of the cleanest sources of protein) these dark chocolate almond butter cups come together quickly and will leave you licking your fingers for more, just like these other secretly healthy treats.

And since collagen powder is one of the cleanest sources of protein, this protein dessert isn’t just for you! Kiddos absolutely love these almond butter cups too. Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and why you want to amp it up!

You’ll fall in love with them because they are:

A high-protein snack (9 grams of protein)
Chocolate-y goodness
A no-bake recipe
Dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo, vegan

Ingredients You’ll Need

If you keep a stocked gluten-free pantry, you’ll already be set to make these!

Creamy almond butter: make sure to use a new-ish jar of almond butter so that it’s really runny. This makes it easier to mix with the collagen powder and drizzle on top. Know that you can use cashew butter ( or any nut butter) in its place though and it's a delicious swap!

Collagen powder: collagen and bone broth often get confused even though they have slight differences (learn about the difference between collagen and bone broth). Know that c ollagen powder is amazing for your gut health and a great protein source.

Maple syrup: keeping the almond butter cups sweet but not too sweet. The maple syrup also helps the collagen mix into the creamy almond butter.

Mini chocolate chips: make sure that the chocolate chips you use are certified gluten and dairy-free if you need that!

Cacao butter: this is going to help the chocolate coating hold together and give the almond butter cups a much more rich texture than just chocolate chips.

Multiple ingredients to make chocolate almond butter cups in measuring cups with text labels over top.

How To Make Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups

Melt the coconut oil, cacao butter, and chocolate chips.
Whisk together the maple syrup, collagen, and almond butter.
Portion some of the melted chocolate into silicone molds, top it with the almond butter mixture, and finish with the remaining melted chocolate.
Freeze to set.

Step By Step Photos

Steel bowl with chocolate chips, cacao butter and coconut oil in it.

Tan bowl with collagen powder, almond butter, and maple syrup in it.

Res silicone muffin cups with melted chocolate and almond butter on a wooden cutting board.

Red silicone molds on a wooden cutting board with melted chocolate being poured over almond butter.

Important Teaching Tips

If you don’t use runny almond butter, the inside of the homemade almond butter cups will be thicker. You need a bit of the oil from a fresh almond butter container.

The high-protein almond butter cups do stay pretty solid at room temperature however, in warm weather they will give you sticky chocolate hands.

They can be stored in the fridge or freezer though.

Chocolate almond butter protein cups on a cutting board with one facing up with a bite out of it.

Choosing Collagen Powder

It’s no surprise that these almond butter cups are made with collagen powder!

All the protein without the bloat.

I use collagen powder for amping up protein and boosting gut health.

Learn more about collagen vs bone broth as well as how to increase protein intake.

Honestly, as a busy mom collagen powder just makes it easy to eat more protein and not feel like I’m living off chicken and eggs.

And more protein means more energy, more natural beauty, and feeling your BEST.

The Best Product

The CLEANEST Collagen Powder To Thrive

Easy to mix, this collagen powder adds a protein punch to anything you pair it with. Made from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows there are no pesticides, hormones, or filler agents. Just put collagen protein. Use code mamabear10 to save money on your next order.

Best Rated Collagen Powder

Plus, in recipes like this, you can sneak protein into your kids as it’s one of the purest sources.

I grab my collagen from Perfect Supplemen ts because they source their collagen from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows. So, I trust it.

Grab some c ollagen powder and use code mamabear10 to save some money.

Two almond butter protein cups stacked with the top having a bite out of it on a wooden cutting board.

Frequently Asked Questions About Almond Butter Cups

Can I use regular chocolate chips?

Yep! Regular dairy-based chocolate chips work to make these protein cups too. Know that dark chocolate chips give them a richer flavor.

Can I use protein powder instead of collagen in the almond butter cups?

Though you can make the switch, each protein powder will absorb differently. Know that whey absorbs less liquid than vegan protein powder so using either protein powder will alter the texture a bit.

How long do the almond butter cups last?

I’ve never actually had them last that long because we gobble them up! However, they should last 3-4 months in the freezer if stored properly and 6-8 weeks in the fridge.

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