These Almond Butter Dark Chocolate Cups taste like pure bliss but are secretly packed with protein. They’re rich, creamy, naturally dairy and gluten-free, and require zero baking, which makes them dangerously easy to keep on hand. Whether you need an afternoon pick-me-up or a late-night chocolate fix, they're the perfect protein dessert.
"These were way tastier than store-bought and my family agrees. 🙂"- Kris
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 10 minutes prep time
- 👪Serves: 6
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 209 kcals and 9 grams of protein
- 📋 Main Ingredients: Almond Butter, dairy-free chocolate chips, collagen powder, coconut oil, and cacao butter.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: These chocolate-coated almond butter cups are rich, creamy, and packed with protein for a dessert that feels indulgent but fuels your day.
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Chocolate + almond butter is already magic… but adding protein takes it to another level. These dark chocolate almond butter cups use quality collagen powder for a protein-packed, finger-licking treat that comes together fast, just like these other protein desserts and dairy-free protein ice cream. I made a batch “for myself” once, and my kids ate half before they were even chilled. Now they're on a weekly rotation.
Since collagen is such a clean protein source, this dessert isn’t just for adults. Kiddos love these almond butter protein cups, and they make hitting protein goals feel effortless, especially paired with a protein latte. If you’re curious why protein matters so much, learn more about the benefits of a high-protein diet, and it’ll all make sense.
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💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
High-protein: These homemade almond butter cups have 9 grams of protein per cup!
No baking: Only 10 minutes of prep time and zero baking needed to whip up this recipe.
Versatile: Delicious as-written, these almond butter cups can be dressed up in so many different ways.
Dietary-friendly: Naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and paleo.
Ingredients and Substitutions
If you keep stocked gluten-free pantry staples, 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 just like with this cashew butter fudge.
- 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 collagen is a wonderful protein source and great for gut health. Use these collagen powder recipes to work it in more.
- Cacao butter: This is going to help the chocolate coating hold together and give the almond butter cups a much richer texture than just chocolate chips. If you don't have it, though, add 1 more tablespoon of chocolate chips instead.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Nut butter: Use almond hazelnut butter for a whole other flavor.
Drizzle: Create a more dessert-like taste by drizzling the dark chocolate almond butter cups with homemade coconut milk caramel sauce.
Toppings: Sprinkling on toasted pecans or shredded coconut is a nice added crunch.
How To Make Almond Butter Dark Chocolate Cups
Step 1: Melt the coconut oil, cacao butter, and chocolate chips.
Step 2: Whisk together the maple syrup, collagen, and almond butter.
Step 3: Portion some of the melted chocolate into silicone molds, top it with the almond butter mixture, and finish with the remaining melted chocolate.
Step 4: Freeze to set.
Expert 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.
I grab my collagen from Perfect Supplements because they source their collagen from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows. So, I trust it. Grab some collagen powder and use code mamabear10 to save some money.
The high-protein almond butter cups do stay pretty solid at room temperature; however, in warm weather, they will give you sticky chocolate hands.
Store the almond butter protein cups in the fridge or the freezer in an airtight container. If in the freezer, bring them to room temperature for 15-ish minutes before enjoying.
Almond Butter Dark Chocolate Cups FAQs
Yep! Regular dairy-based chocolate chips work to make these protein cups, too. Know that dark chocolate chips give them a richer flavor.
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. If the mixture is too dry, thin it out with a bit of almond milk.
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.
Yes. Dark chocolate and almond butter can be good for you, especially when made with simple, real ingredients. Almond butter provides healthy fats and protein, dark chocolate adds antioxidants, and the collagen powder in these almond butter cups gives an extra boost that helps keep you full and energized.
More High-Protein Snack Recipes
If you tried this High Protein Almond Butter Cups Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Almond Butter Dark Chocolate Cups (High-Protein)
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup Almond butter runny
- ¼ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ⅛ cup Collagen powder
- 1 tbs Maple syrup
- ½ cup Dairy-free chocolate chips mini, semi-sweet or dark chocolate
- 1 tbs Coconut oil
- 1 tbs Cacao butter
Instructions
- In a small pot, melt the cacao butter, mini chocolate chips, and coconut oil over low heat.
- Meanwhile, mix together the almond butter, collagen, and maple syrup.
- Once the chocolate is melted, use a tablespoon to portion just under a tablespoon into 6 muffin cups.
- Next, divide the almond mixture (it’s thick, not runny!). Then, press is down a bit.
- Finally, pour the remaining melted chocolate over the top.
- Sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt if you want.
- Pop in the freezer for 2 hours to set.
Notes
- If you don’t use runny almond butter, the inside of the almond butter cups will be thicker.
- Take care not to let the chocolate burn when melting. Remove it from the heat when just melted.
- If you don't have cacao butter, replace it with another tablespoon of chocolate chips. However, know that the almond butter cups may not stay as solid at room temperature.
- The high-protein almond butter cups do stay pretty solid at room temperature; however, in warm weather, they will give you sticky chocolate hands.
- You can replace collagen powder with beef-protein powder, but you may need to add a bit of almond milk to the mixture if it's too dry.
- Store dark chocolate almond butter cups in the fridge for up to 5 days or the freezer for up to one month.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Kate says
These butter cups were so delicious and easy to make!
fitasamamabear says
Haha yep, that's a life staple in my house lol
Kris says
These were way tastier than store-bought and my family agrees. 🙂
fitasamamabear says
Wahoo! Major win when I hook the family lol
Sonia says
I made these for my daughter, and she loved them. They are so much healthier than store-bought peanut butter cups. And they are so easy to make. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Relle says
Ooh sweets are my weakness, but this looks like an awesome one. Thank you.
fitasamamabear says
Haha mine too! Half the site is chocolate I think lol
Traci says
Delicious! They turned out perfect and had a wonderful flavor and taste!
fitasamamabear says
Happy to hear it!