Quick and easy plant based protein peanut butter cups
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this Quick and Easy Plant-Based Protein Peanut Butter Cup, perfect for a healthy snack or dessert.
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These plant-based protein peanut butter cups are my go to lately, combining my favorite flavor combo: chocolate and peanut butter, sweet and salty. They are not just any dessert, they are a nutrient dense alternative to the well known Reese’s. Combining protein powder with seeds and quinoa to give you a better option when craving that sweet treat.
A Healthy Twist on a Classic Treat
Traditional peanut butter cups are often full of sugar and unhealthy fats. This plant-based version not only reduces the sugar content but also incorporates wholesome ingredients, making it a healthier alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor.
Essential Ingredients for Plant-Based Protein Peanut Butter Cups
Plant-based protein powder
I like to use either vanilla or chocolate flavored but you can get creative!
Natural drippy peanut butter
Opt for a variety with no added sugars or oils.
Depending on how sweet you like it.
To your liking.
You can choose any other nuts or seeds you wish such as chia, walnuts, almonds, cashews, flaxseeds.
Use dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, I usually stick with 72% and higher.
*Natural peanut butter, which contains only peanuts and possibly a pinch of salt, is the best choice. It avoids the added sugars and hydrogenated oils found in many processed peanut butters, ensuring a healthier end product.
*Incorporating superfoods like hemp, pumpkin seeds and quinoa can boost the nutritional profile of your peanut butter cups. These seeds add fiber, magnesium, zinc, protein and extra crunch because you can't have too much crunch in my opinion! Adding the quinoa to the chocolate is reminiscent of a Crunch bar.
Tools and Equipment You’ll Need
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
A microwave-safe bowl or double boiler for melting chocolate
A pan for toasting quinoa over stove
A spatula for mixing
Step-by-Step Recipe Guide
6 TBS plant based protein powder
1 cup natural drippy peanut butter
1-3 TBS maple syrup
1 TBS vanilla extract
2-3 TBS hemp seeds
2-3 TBS chopped pumpkin seeds
1/2-3/4 bag dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup quinoa
In a mixing bowl combine:
6 TBS plant-based protein powder
1 cup natural peanut butter
1-3 TBS maple syrup
1 TBS vanilla extract
Mix until the ingredients form a smooth paste.
Mix in:
2-3 TBS hemps seeds
2-3 TBS chopped pumpkin seeds.
If the mixture is too thick, add a bit more peanut butter.
Over the stove top on medium heat, toast 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa by tossing every once in a while for about 5-10 minutes or until quinoa is darker in color. Careful not to walk away from it or it will burn.
In a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler, melt 1/2 to 3/4 bag of dark chocolate. Stir until the mixture is silky and smooth, ensuring no lumps remain.
Mix in toasted quinoa to melted chocolate.
Assembling Your Peanut Butter Cups
Scoop a tablespoon sized amount of peanut butter mixture into the silicone muffin pan holders, then press down to flatten and fill out the cup with your fingers. I like to use a cookie dough scooper to ensure they are all the same size roughly and for easy release.
Spoon some of the melted chocolate and quinoa mixture onto each peanut butter cup and level out so there is no peanut butter showing, this layer can be as thick or thin as you'd like.
Top with maldon flake sea salt while chocolate is still wet and pop in the freezer!
If I have more peanut butter left after filling the muffin pan, which I always do, I just just scoop out and flatten egg shaped balls on a tray then pour melted chocolate over the top until it coats the sides and put those in the freezer as well. If you don't have a muffin pan you can do this from the start.
Storing Your Plant-Based Protein Peanut Butter Cups
For longer storage, place the cups in the freezer, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to three months but I doubt they will last that long!
I have a major sweet tooth and over the years have found creative ways to satisfy it without compromising my fitness and nutrition goals. These peanut butter cups have become my new obsession. I snack on them during the day if I need a pick me up, enjoy them after dinner for dessert, or I chop them up and mix them into protein yogurt for a more indulgent treat.
With natural sweeteners and dark chocolate, these cups are lower in sugar than traditional candy, making them a healthier option without sacrificing taste!
