Homemade Healthy Protein Peanut Butter Cups

These Healthy Homemade Peanut Butter Cups are going to be your new favorite treat! Made with wholesome, simple ingredients and a hint of protein they're an excellent way to satisfy your sweet tooth while nourishing your body. The best part is, they're not just any old peanut butter cups, they have canned pumpkin for extra fiber (or a festive fall twist!) and gluten free puffed rice cereal for a crunch that compliments the creamy peanut butter filling!

Making homemade healthy peanut butter cups is not only super easy but it's a great way to enjoy a better for you version of reese's peanut butter cups at home made with real food ingredients. My personal favorite candy is a peanut butter cup, but I also love crunch bars so I decided to combine both of my favorites in one with this recipe.

If you're a fan of making your own candies at home, you might enjoy making this Protein Buncha Crunch or this 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cup Recipe.

If you're looking for other healthy dessert recipes, you should try this Edible Protein Cookie Dough, Protein Chocolate Mousse, Protein Monster Cookies, or this Dairy Free Ninja Creami Protein Vanilla Ice Cream. If you're looking for other pumpkin recipes, these Pumpkin Protein Muffins or these Pumpkin Protein Donuts are delicious!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• It's easy. You need only a handful of ingredients & a few minutes of active time to make this sweet treat.
• It is better for you. Made with wholesome, real food ingredients this recipe is not only tastier but it is better for you than the store-bought version.
• It is unique. Adding pumpkin & puffed rice cereal is the perfect way to level up homemade chocolate peanut butter cups!

Healthy Protein Peanut Butter Cup Ingredients & Tested Substitutions

Chocolate Chips. I personally prefer using Hu Kitchen dark chocolate gems, which are refined sugar free dairy-free chocolate chips. They also melt really nicely in the microwave. You can also use your favorite brand of dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips.

Chocolate Protein Powder. I find the best protein powder to use is the Prime Protein from Equip Foods, however you may use whatever protein powder you prefer as long as it will mix well into the chocolate without clumping & you enjoy the flavor of it.

Peanut Butter. Creamy natural peanut butter works best. The best kind of peanut butter is one that is simply made from peanuts & salt with no other added ingredients. You may also use almond butter or cashew butter if you prefer.

Maple Syrup. Adding maple syrup is a healthy way to add a touch of sweetness. You could also use honey if that's what you've got on hand.

Pumpkin Puree. Adding pumpkin puree to the peanut butter mixture not only provides additional fiber but also gives the peanut butter cups a festive twist to the classic peanut butter flavor.

Pumpkin Pie Spice. To really up the fall ante! You could also simply use cinnamon.

Gluten Free Puffed Rice Cereal. This is added in to the chocolate mixture for some extra crunch. You could also use gluten free puffed quinoa.

Sea Salt. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt is recommended. 

Healthier Peanut Butter Cups Step by Step Instructions

1. Prepare the muffin tin. Line the muffin tin with parchment paper liners or whatever muffin liners you have available.

2. Make the peanut butter filling. Add peanut butter, pumpkin puree, maple syrup & pumpkin pie spice to a medium bowl & mix with a fork until all of the ingredients are fully combined. Set aside.

3. Melt the chocolate. Add chocolate chips to a small microwave-safe bowl & microwave in 15 second increments until chocolate is just melted. If you have a double boiler you can also use this method to melt the chocolate instead.

4. Add protein. Add a scoop of chocolate protein powder to the melted chocolate & whisk with a fork until no clumps remain.

5. Make the pb cups. Drizzle a think chocolate layer on the bottom of each liner, just enough to cover the bottom. Next add about 1-2 tablespoon of the peanut butter filling to each muffin liner until the filling is used up.

6. Add the puffed rice cereal. Add the rice cereal to the melted chocolate and top each of the peanut butter layer with a layer of chocolate coated cereal. 

7. Chill. Bang the tray gently on the counter top to evenly spread out the peanut butter cups, sprinkle with flakey salt and place in the fridge for at least 2 hours to allow the candy to set.

Expert Tips & Tricks

• Add vanilla protein powder to the peanut butter filling for extra added protein

• Use a mini muffin pan to make mini peanut butter cups

• Use white chocolate instead of dark chocolate or melt some white chocolate to drizzle on top of the dark chocolate peanut butter cups

• Leave out the pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice and puffed rice cereal to make a healthier version of a classic peanut butter cup that's packed with healthy fats

• Don't have a muffin tin? Use a small paper cup that you can cut away after chilling!

How to store Healthier Peanut Butter Cups

Store your peanut butter cups in an airtight container in the fridge to avoid the chocolate melting. They will keep fresh for 1-2 weeks. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container, but be sure to leave out at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to thaw before enjoying.

Did you have a chance to make this recipe? If so, please leave me a 5 star rating and review below. I always love and appreciate hearing from you!