These chocolate peanut butter oat cups make a great healthier dessert or snack in between meals. An oaty cup filled with a simple 2-ingredient homemade chocolate peanut butter. They’re also so easy to make!
These chocolate peanut butter oat cups were inspired by the peanut butter chocolate oat cups I made a couple of years ago. They’re one of the most popular recipes on my blog, and for good reason. They’re easy to make, require only a handful of ingredients and they’re good for you. Not bad for a satisfying sweet treat!
This version is a little different. I decided to bake the oat base, then I filled it with a simple chocolate peanut butter that I made myself by mixing melted dark chocolate with some smooth peanut butter. Topped it with a sprinkle of pistachios and that’s about all there is to it.
Why I love making these chocolate peanut butter oat cups:
I think simple desserts will always be my favourite kind of recipes to test and create. I love how easy recipes like this one come together and how you can create something so delicious with minimal ingredients and very little effort. Long winded, complicated and time consuming desserts have never and will never appeal to me. The simpler a dessert is the better as far as I’m concerned.
I also love that these chocolate peanut butter oat cups are bite sized, so I can have just the one if I’m looking for a small snack, or I can grab another if I’m feeling particularly peckish. They’re really easy to transport too if you need a treat for on-the-go that’s not messy.
Like many home cooks, I like to know exactly what goes into my food and will always prefer to make my snacks and desserts at home, even if it is slightly less convenient than grabbing a pack of ready made snacks like flapjacks or nut bars. Recipes like this one keep really well too, so you can make a big batch ahead of time and enjoy them over the course of a couple of weeks. So it’s not like you need to be in the kitchen on the daily whipping up fresh snacks.
What makes these chocolate peanut butter oat cups good for you?
The base is made of a simple mixture of rolled oats, peanut butter, coconut oil and maple syrup.
Oats are rich in nutrients like vitamins (especially B vitamins), minerals (such as manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc), and antioxidants. They’re also particularly high in a type of soluble fibre called beta-glucan. This type of fibre can help reduce cholesterol levels, stabilise blood sugar levels, and promote healthy digestion.
Peanut butter is also packed with vitamins (such as vitamin E, niacin, and folate), and minerals (like magnesium, potassium, and zinc). It’s also a great source of healthy fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated), which are heart-healthy fats that can help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. It’s a great source of plant protein and fibre, making it a great energy-boosting food that can keep you fuelled and provide long-lasting energy.
Dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids and above) is packed with antioxidants, that’s why I love using it in so many of my recipes (that as well as the taste, of course!). It’s a great source of flavonoids and polyphenols, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. It contains compounds like phenylethylamine (PEA) and serotonin precursors, which can promote feelings of pleasure and elevate mood. So as well as feeding your soul, these chocolate peanut butter oat cups may also help alleviate stress and boost overall mood.
Oats, peanut butter and dark chocolate all have a low glycemic index, meaning they are digested and absorbed slowly, which helps maintain stable blood sugar levels. Making these chocolate peanut butter oat cups a great snack for those who struggle with blood sugar control. It means they provide a slow release of energy that will keep you satisfied for longer.
What you need to make these chocolate peanut butter oat cups:
Oats – One of my favourite ingredients to use in healthy desserts! Rolled porridge oats work best. I tried using jumbo oats, but I couldn’t get the cups to hold together and they looked very messy.
Peanut butter – I use this in both the base and the filling. Smooth peanut butter is fairly inexpensive as well as good for you. You can of course use any nut butter you prefer. Or you can substitute with a seed butter if you need a nut-free recipe.
Coconut oil – I only use a little bit in the base to help the cups hold together since we’re using minimal ingredients. You can use butter instead if you prefer.
Maple syrup – A little goes a long way to add a hint of sweetness without making these cups overly sweet and indulgent. It also lends a helping hand in making the base mixture hold together.
Dark chocolate – I like using anything from 70%-85% dark chocolate. It adds such a rich chocolaty taste as well as packs in the antioxidants.
How to make these chocolate peanut butter oat cups:
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Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan/ 350F.
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To make the cups, mix together the peanut butter, coconut oil and maple syrup in a large bowl.
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Fold in the oats and a pinch of salt, then divide into 24 equal portions and press into a mini cupcake tin.
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Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown, then leave to cool completely.
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Add the dark chocolate to a heat-proof bowl and microwave until melted. Check every few seconds to make sure it doesn’t burn.
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Add the peanut butter and mix until smooth.
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Fill the cups with the chocolate peanut butter and top with an optional sprinkle of chopped pistachios.
How to store your chocolate peanut butter oat cups:
Store in an air-tight container in the fridge or at room temperature for over a week.
These chocolate peanut butter oat cups are:
- Vegan
- Healthy
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Can be made nut-free
- Made with only 6 ingredients
- Really easy to make
- A good source of healthy fats & protein
- Packed with antioxidants
- A great grab-and-go snack
- A great healthier dessert
- So tasty!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Cups
Ingredients
For the base
- 160g porridge oats*
- 200g peanut butter
- 1-2 tbsp coconut oil melted
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- A pinch of salt
For the chocolate peanut butter filling
- 40g dark chocolate
- 100g peanut butter
- Chopped pistachios for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan/ 350F.
- To make the cups, mix together the peanut butter, coconut oil and maple syrup in a large bowl.
- Fold in the oats and a pinch of salt, then divide into 24 equal portions and press into a mini cupcake tin.
- Use a small measuring spoon (I used a 1/2 tsp) to gently press an indent in the centre to create the cup shape.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown, then leave to cool completely.
- Add the dark chocolate to a heat-proof bowl and microwave until melted. Check every few seconds to make sure it doesn't burn.
- Add the peanut butter and mix until smooth.
- Fill the cups with the chocolate peanut butter and top with an optional sprinkle of chopped pistachios.
Notes
Nutrition
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