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    Home » Recipes » Healthy Snack Recipes

    Protein Peanut Butter Cups [No Dairy]

    Modified: Aug 11, 2025 · by Shelby Stover · This post may contain affiliate links · 84 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Four chocolate peanut butter cups stacked together with fingers placing the last one with a bite out of it on top and text on the image
    Four chocolate peanut butter cups stacked together with the last one with a bite out of it on top and text on the image
    Pin image with text and two images, the top image of chocolate being drizzled onto peanut butter cups and the bottom of fingers palcing the peanut butter cups on top each other
    Four chocolate peanut butter cups stacked together with the last one with a bite out of it on top and text on the image

    A creamy, peanut butter filling coated in rich, dark chocolate and with 9 grams of protein per serving, these protein peanut butter cups are the perfect dessert to indulge in. Made with minimal ingredients these peanut butter protein cups whip up in just a few minutes and are a delicious treat to grab from the freezer.

    As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I love helping you find foods you LOVE to eat all while bumping up your protein. Which makes this protein snack a staple in your weekly diet.

    "Wowww were these good! I actually prefer them to the traditional candy - perfect amount of sweetness for me. I’ll be making these again ASAP." - Marie

    Four chocolate peanut butter cups stacked together with the last one with a bite out of it on top

    Indulge in your favorite dessert more often. Made with natural peanut butter and vanilla protein powder the creamy filling whips up really easily and is encompassed by a hard outer shell of melted chocolate chips. it's the perfect treat for peanut butter lovers.

    These peanut butter protein cups blend a classic indulgence into a healthy variation (also how I came up with brownie protein balls and recipes like high protein rice krispie treats!), all while giving you a delicious bump in protein. Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and why you want to amp it up!

    Recipe Highlights

    I know you'll fall in love with these chocolate peanut butter protein cups because they're:

    Easy to make: Minimal ingredients and no major kitchen skills. Just melt, pour, and freeze. You'll have them ready in about 30 minutes.

    Allergy-friendly: The protein peanut butter cups are naturally dairy-free and gluten-free and can easily be paleo depending on your protein powder.

    Versatile: You can also transform these into a full-on dessert like dairy-free protein buckeyes or keep them as is for a snack. They're a hit with kids and adults alike.

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    If you have a well-stocked gluten-free pantry you'll probably already have the ingredients you need to make the recipe (and these high protein almond butter cups).

    Peanut butter: Make sure to use natural peanut butter and you want it to be a bit on the runnier side and not thick. This is going to help make the middle of the desert creamier.

    Vanilla protein powder; This recipe uses a vegan vanilla protein powder but know that not all protein powders are created equal so the one you choose will affect both the flavor and the texture of the peanut butter cups.

    Vanilla extract; You really want that creamy filling to have the most potent flavor possible so don't skip out on the vanilla extract. Learn more about the best types of vanilla.

    Mini chocolate chips; make sure that your chocolate chips are both dairy-free and gluten-free. I use enjoy life chocolate chips for this reason because they come out perfect every time and it's a brand that I trust.

    Coconut oi: This is used to thin out the chocolate mixture however there's not enough of it that the outer shell won't hold together when sitting at room temperature.

    Hot Tip: I recently made the switch to beef protein powder for health benefits. You can use Equip Protein in this recipe in a 1:1 ratio.

    Multiple ingredients like chocolate chips, protein powder, coconut oil and more in measuring cups with text labels over top

    Important Teaching Tips

    Protein powder is slightly unique in its breakdown which means that the kind you choose is going to affect the texture of the filling. Make sure to really mix your filling ingredients so that the peanut butter mixture is smooth and not grainy.

    Vegan protein powder absorbs more than other blends, so if your mixture is TOO thick and nothing is stirring, add a splash of almond milk or maple syrup.

    Heat the chocolate chips over very low heat,t and you want to remove them once they are just starting to melt. Otherwise, you're going to burn your chocolate chips, and then they will become too thick to use.

    How To Make Protein Peanut Butter Cups

    Protein powder being added into a blue bowl with peanut butter in it.
    A spoon being pulled out of a small pot with melted chocolate

    Step 1: In a bowl mix together the peanut butter, protein powder, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.

    Step 2: In a small pot over low heat melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil until just melted. Mix until smooth.

    Red silicone mold with peanut butter mixture pressed down and protein powder behind it.
    Melted chocolate being drizzled from a spoon into peanut butter cups in a red mold

    Step 3: Portion half the chocolate mixture into silicone muffin cups followed by a spoonful of peanut butter.

    Step 4: Portion the remaining melted chocolate overtop and smooth it out. Freeze for 30 minutes.

    How To Store Them

    You can store these chocolate protein peanut butter cups in the freezer or the fridge after they have set.

    Freezer: After you let the peanut butter cups set, pop them out of the mold and place them in an airtight container. They'll last in the freezer for 3 months.

    Fridge: Store the protein cups in an airtight container in the fridge for 7 days.

    Though you can eat them right out of the freezer they taste best chilled or at room temperature when they've had time to sit for a few minutes. This is when will be the most creamy.

    If frozen, let the protein cups thaw in the fridge overnight.

    Choosing A Protein Powder

    These protein peanut butter cups are made with fermented vegan protein powder. Knowing this, keep in mind that not all protein powder is created the same. Each brand will alter the texture, how much liquid is absorbed, and the flavor of the peanut butter cups.

    Learn more about choosing a protein for your goals and my go-to protein powders to have on hand. You can make the peanut butter protein cups with any vegan protein powder, you may just need to adjust the liquid (reduce it) to get a thick but creamy texture.

    Four chocolate peanut butter cups stacked together with fingers placing the last one with a bite out of it on top

    Flavor Variations

    You can adjust these peanut butter protein cups to be exactly what you need them to be. Below are a few flavor variations we've tried in the house and enjoyed.

    Nut butter: Peanut butter is a life staple but almond hazelnut butter is a delicious switch-up.

    Texture: Opting for the crunchy peanut butter is a wonderful texture swap.

    Toppings: Sprinkle flakey sea salt on top, drizzle with dairy-free caramel sauce, or even pop some sprinkles on top for a special occasion.

    Chocolate: You can make this dessert with white chocolate in place of dark chocolate chips. However. dairy-free white chocolate chips don't melt as well as regular so you may need some adjustments there.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Protein Peanut Butter Cups

    Can you mix protein powder in peanut butter?

     You can but you want to make sure that you add a little bit of liquid so that the powder actually blends into the peanut butter period otherwise you'll be left with a little bit of a gritty texture in the middle period

    How do you store the protein peanut butter cups?

    If you know you'll be eating the peanut butter cups relatively soon you can store these chocolate peanut butter cups in the refrigerator. However, they also make a great recipe to have on hand in the freezer for when a chocolate craving strikes

    Can I make peanut butter cups with white chocolate chips?

    You can make peanut butter cups with white chocolate chips for a bit of a flavor twist. Likewise, you can also opt for keto sugar-free chocolate chips if you want to take the carb content down a little bit.

    Can I use whey protein in place of vegan?

    Though you may be able to swap in whey protein for this recipe, it will alter the texture of the peanut butter cups. This is because whey protein doesn't absorb as much liquid as a vegan powder does.

    Other Protein Powder Recipes You'll Love

    • Collagen protein donuts
    • Double chocolate baked protein oats
    • Flourless protein brownies
    • Overnight cookie dough protein oats
    • Cookies and cream protein shake
    • Peanut butter and jam protein balls
    • Chocolate chip protein powder muffins
    • High protein pancakes
    • Yogurt protein pancakes
    • Chocolate protein fluff
    • Easy, no-bake vanilla protein bar
    • High protein snack recipes

    Tired of snacking and still feeling hungry? These high-protein treats are made in minutes!

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    Four chocolate peanut butter cups stacked together with the last one with a bite out of it on top

    Protein Peanut Butter Cups (dairy-free)

    Shelby Stover
    Skip the Reese's cups and opt for these protein peanut butter cups instead! Thick peanut butter topped with melted chocolate and totally dairy-free to make the perfect healthy indulgence.
    5 from 107 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Chilling Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 232 kcal

    Video

    Equipment

    • 1 Silicone Muffin Molds

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tbs Almond milk
    • ½ cup Natural peanut butter
    • ¼ cup Vanilla vegan protein powder
    • ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
    • ½ cup Mini chocolate chips dairy-free as needed
    • 2 teaspoon Coconut oil

    Instructions
     

    • Over low heat melt together the coconut oil and chocolate chips. Remove from heat before the chips are fully melted.
    • In the meantime, mix together the peanut butter, protein powder, vanilla, and almond milk.
    • Press the peanut butter mixture into mini silicone muffin molds. Make sure to press down hard so that they stick together.
    • When chocolate is melted, divide and pour on top of the peanut butter cup mixture. Pop in the freezer to set.

    Notes

    Protein powder is slightly unique in its breakdown which means that the kind you choose is going to affect the texture of the filling. Make sure to really mix your filling ingredients so that the peanut butter mixture is smooth and not grainy.
    Hot Tip: I recently made the switch to beef protein powder for health benefits. You can use beef protein in this recipe in a 1:1 ratio.
    Heat the chocolate chips over very low heat and you want to remove them once they are just starting to melt. Otherwise, you're going to burn your chocolate chips and then they will become too thick to use.
    You can store these protein peanut butter cups in the freezer or the fridge after they have set. Though you can eat them right out of the freezer they taste best at room temperature when they've had time to sit for a few minutes and get. This is when will be the most creamy.
    Recipe makes 6 large (muffin cup size) peanut butter cups or 12 mini, bite-sized cups. The nutrition is based on 2 mini cups per serving.
    Disclaimer:

    Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"

    Nutrition

    Calories: 232kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 9gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 151mgPotassium: 122mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 34IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword high protein snack, high-protein
    Have You Tried This Recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment below. Mention @fitasamamabear or tag #fitasamamabear!

    More Healthy Snack Recipes

    • Peanut butter chocolate buckeyes on top of a parchment paper.
      Protein Buckeyes [Dairy-Free]
    • Squares of coffee fudge on a cutting board.
      Protein Coffee Fudge [Dairy-Free]
    • A stack of frozen yogurt bars.
      Frozen Yogurt Protein Bars [5 ingredients]
    • A bowl of baked banana bread with chocolate chips and sliced bananas on top.
      Single Serve Banana Bread (High Protein)

    Comments

    1. Audra says

      July 02, 2024 at 9:18 am

      5 stars
      Yum! So so good, and without the guilt!

      Reply
    2. Lorraine says

      July 02, 2024 at 8:42 am

      5 stars
      This worked exactly as written, thanks! So tasty too!

      Reply
    3. Sage says

      July 02, 2024 at 6:33 am

      5 stars
      This was so good!

      Reply
    4. Giangi Townsend says

      July 02, 2024 at 4:16 am

      5 stars
      It's so good. My son loves Reese. Now he loves your recipe more.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        July 03, 2024 at 9:26 am

        Literally the best snack.

        Reply
    5. jane says

      July 02, 2024 at 3:15 am

      5 stars
      So yum and very easy to make!

      Reply
    6. chhavi says

      June 27, 2024 at 11:59 pm

      5 stars
      I made these to snack on after my workout, and they are so so addictive! So so good.

      Reply
    7. Vladka says

      June 27, 2024 at 1:45 pm

      5 stars
      These peanut butter cups are just irresistible. Every time I make them, they disappear in no time.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        July 03, 2024 at 11:46 am

        They're the best possible snack!

        Reply
    8. Melanie says

      June 27, 2024 at 10:57 am

      5 stars
      This has been my family's treats since last year! Been making these cups. It's allergy friendly and so so easy! Always grateful for your recipes.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        July 03, 2024 at 11:47 am

        So happy to hear you love them. Thanks for coming back over and over!

        Reply
    9. Sydney says

      May 13, 2024 at 3:19 pm

      5 stars
      These cups were so easy and tasty! My son just adored them and wanted to make another batch right away. Thanks!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        May 16, 2024 at 1:19 pm

        Always a hit when kids like them!

        Reply
    10. Jisel says

      May 13, 2024 at 11:17 am

      5 stars
      I can satisfy sweet cravings but guilt-free! So delicious!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        May 16, 2024 at 1:19 pm

        Life win.

        Reply
    11. Gwen says

      May 13, 2024 at 10:21 am

      5 stars
      Chocolate and almond butter are a match made in heaven! These are so much healthier than the store bought!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        May 16, 2024 at 1:19 pm

        It's the best flavor combo!

        Reply
    12. Radwa says

      May 13, 2024 at 6:00 am

      5 stars
      These peanut butter protein cups are irresistible! Plus, they're easy to make at home with just a few ingredients. I love them.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        May 16, 2024 at 1:18 pm

        Haha they're a hit with everyone!

        Reply
    13. Saskia says

      May 12, 2024 at 5:01 pm

      5 stars
      Yum times ten!!! These turned out really well. I never knew that vegan protein powder absorbed more, so that would explain why other recipes haven't worked for me. Thanks for the tip!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        May 16, 2024 at 1:18 pm

        Happy I could help!

        Reply
    14. Dixie says

      March 25, 2024 at 12:10 pm

      5 stars
      Tried making these with my kids, and they had so much fun! Such an exciting and easy recipe to make together as a family. And oh! They ate it all too! So safe to say that they really loved them.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        March 27, 2024 at 7:43 am

        I love that you got the kiddos involved!

        Reply
    « Older Comments
    5 from 107 votes (65 ratings without comment)

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    Welcome!

    I'm Shelby, a Certified Strength & Nutrition Coach who has spent the last 10 years helping women feel more comfortable in their skin though home strength training and healthy food- no diets, no shortcuts

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