Homemade Protein Peanut Butter Cups (Gluten Free)

These are the most delicious homemade protein peanut butter cups. They taste like your favorite chocolate peanut butter treat, but they’re made with real food ingredients and protein. Just 4 simple ingredients. Chocolate on the outside and a creamy protein peanut butter filling in the middle!

They’re the perfect little healthier Halloween treat. More protein than the candy aisle, and you know exactly what ingredients are going into them.

A fun one to make together

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You asked for this one on Instagram, so here it is.

These are little and take a few steps, so I think they’re more fun with a helper. When my daughter was home from college, we made them together. We melted the chocolate, each took a tray, did the chocolate bottoms, filled in the peanut butter, and then topped them off with more chocolate. Then they all went in the fridge overnight.

What you need

• Peanut butter.
• Protein powder. I use Just Ingredients French Vanilla Protein Powder. The vanilla blends right into the peanut butter and tastes like dessert, not a protein shake. Use my code GARDENSPOT to save on your order. Shop Just Ingredients French Vanilla Protein Powder
• Enjoy Life chocolate chips.
• Coconut oil. It helps the chocolate melt smooth and set with a nice snap.
• A silicone mold. These are the little silicone trays I use. Each tray makes 15 bite-size cups, and this recipe fills 6 trays, so you get about 90. The cups pop right out once they’re set, with no paper liners to peel. Shop the silicone trays

Is it gluten free? Yes, as long as your ingredients are labeled gluten free. I have celiac, so I check every label: the chocolate chips, the peanut butter and the protein powder. If you’re making these for someone who can’t have gluten, check yours too.

How I make them

1. Melt the chocolate in small batches. Melt 1/2 cup of chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil until smooth.
2. Make the chocolate bottoms. Spoon melted chocolate into the bottom of each silicone mold. I tried coating the sides too, and it was more trouble than it was worth. Just make sure the bottoms are covered. It usually takes me two batches, so melt another 1/2 cup of chips with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil if you need it. Pop the tray in the fridge for about 15 minutes, until the chocolate is firm.
3. Mix the filling. Stir the peanut butter and protein powder together until it’s fully combined.
4. Add the peanut butter. Spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of the peanut butter mixture into each mold and press it into an even layer.
5. Chill again. Back in the fridge or freezer for another 10 to 15 minutes so the peanut butter layer firms up.
6. Top with chocolate. Melt another 1/2 to 1 cup of chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, and cover each one.
7. Let them set. Refrigerate or freeze for 20 to 30 minutes, until they’re completely set, or leave them in the fridge overnight like we do. Then push them out from the bottom of the mold.

• Let each layer set before the next one. It keeps the layers clean.
• Skip coating the sides. Covering the bottoms is enough. The top layer of chocolate seals the peanut butter in.
• Melt the chocolate in small batches. Half a cup at a time stays smooth and doesn’t set up in the bowl before you use it.
• Tap the tray on the counter after the top layer goes on to smooth it out.

How to store them

Once they’re out of the molds, keep them in a container in the fridge, or in the freezer. We love them from the freezer. You just grab one and pop it in your mouth, and they’re so delicious. Coconut oil chocolate softens at room temperature, so keep them cold.

Save this recipe for your next sweet craving!

Protein peanut butter cup questions

Can I use a different protein powder?
You can, but the texture and sweetness will change. I use Just Ingredients French Vanilla because it mixes smoothly and tastes good in desserts.

Do I have to use silicone molds?
No. A mini muffin tin with paper liners works too. Silicone just makes them easier to pop out. Plus extra cute!

Are these gluten free?
They are when your chocolate chips, peanut butter and protein powder are labeled gluten free.

Fridge or freezer?
Either one works. We set ours in the fridge overnight and keep them in the freezer.

I know it sounds like this recipe makes a lot, but they are small and trust me! You’ll want a stash in your freezer!

Homemade Protein Peanut Butter Cups (Gluten Free)

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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup Just Ingredients French Vanilla Protein Powder
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups Enjoy Life chocolate chips divided
• 3 tbsp coconut oil divided (1 tbsp for every 1/2 cup of chips)

Method

 

1. Melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips with 1 tbsp coconut oil until smooth.
2. Spoon melted chocolate into the bottom of each silicone mold until the bottoms are covered. Melt a second batch (1/2 cup chips and 1 tbsp coconut oil) if you need more to cover the bottoms. Refrigerate about 15 minutes until firm.
3. Mix the peanut butter and protein powder until fully combined.
4. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of the peanut butter mixture to each mold, pressing it into an even layer.
5. Refrigerate or freeze for another 10 to 15 minutes to let the peanut butter layer firm up.
6. Melt 1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips with 1 tbsp coconut oil. Cover each cup with the chocolate.
7. Refrigerate or freeze for 20 to 30 minutes until completely set, or refrigerate overnight. Pop them out of the molds and store in a container in the fridge or freezer.

Notes

Notes
Use code GARDENSPOT on Just Ingredients.
Check that your chocolate chips, peanut butter and protein powder are labeled gluten free.
Store in the fridge or freezer.

Save this recipe for your next sweet craving!

Notes

• Use code GARDENSPOT on Just Ingredients.
• Check that your chocolate chips, peanut butter and protein powder are labeled gluten free.
• Store in the fridge or freezer.

Enjoy!

XO, Carly