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    Home » Dessert » Keto Peanut Butter Cups

    Keto Peanut Butter Cups

    Published: May 14, 2019 by Wendy Polisi Modified: Mar 31, 2020 · 1183 words. · About 6 minutes to read this article.

    • 224
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Close up photo of a keto peanut butter cup with a bite out of it and whole peanut butter cups behind it with a text overlay of the recipe title.

    These Keto Peanut Butter Cups are pretty spectacular. In fact, the first time I tasted them I actually squealed with excitement. Try letting them sit out of the fridge for about 10 minutes before eating them. (Unless you are having a chocolate emergency and need to go in right away! I won't judge.) This lets the peanut butter soften up and makes them so much more like the "real" thing. I like to add a touch a Maldon sea salt on top - but feel free to leave that off if sweet and salty is not your thing. This is one I could never get tired of.

    Close up photo of a Keto Peanut Butter Cup with a bite out of it with two peanut butter cups beside it and three stacked behind.

    Keto Peanut Butter Cups are Snacking Bliss!

    Although I prefer salt to sweet, like most of you ladies, there are times when only chocolate will do. My go-to craving is these Sugar-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.

    They are rich and decadent while remaining a totally guilt-free indulgence on my keto diet. Does it get any better than that?

    Since they keep in the freezer so beautifully, I almost always have them on hand. I can't tell you how many times these babies have prevented me from making a bad decision when I was crampy, stressed, or just cranky.

    Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.

    How to Make Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

    Prep the Muffin Pan - Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Spray with oil and set aside.

    Make the Peanut Butter Filling - Combine the peanut butter and Swerve in a bowl and refrigerate to allow to harden. If you have extremely liquid peanut butter, you may need to freeze. Ideally, you want to be able to form the nut butter into a ball.

    Melt the Chocolate - Melt the chocolate and coconut oil together. (See the FAQ section for the different options on how you can do this.)

    Photo of chocolate and coconut oil in a small glass bowl.

    Make the Bottom Chocolate Layer - Cover the bottom of each muffin liner with the chocolate mixture. Use just enough to cover the bottom. Freeze. (While the chocolate is hardening, you will want to keep the remaining chocolate melted using the lowest heat possible.)

    Form the Peanut Butter Balls - Form the peanut butter into 12 balls and place on top of the hardened chocolate. Gently press down.

    Photo of peanut butter on top of chocolate in a muffin pan.

    Top with Chocolate - Top the peanut butter with the remaining chocolate. Sprinkle on nuts and Maldon sea salt if desired.

    Photo of Keto Peanut Butter Cups topped with sea salt and pecans in a muffin tin.

    Freeze - Freeze until solid, about 20 minutes. Remove from the muffin tin, and store in a zip top bag in the freezer for up to three months.

    Variations for Keto Peanut Butter Cup Fat Bombs

    • Swap the peanut butter for any nut butter that fits in with your health goals. Good options include Almond Butter and Macadamia Nut Butter.
    • Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the melted chocolate mixture for an extra kick.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Chocolate Keto Friendly?

    Most chocolate contains sugar which makes it not keto or low-carb friendly. Thanks to the keto craze, however, there are some great brands that are sweetened with stevia or other keto-friendly sweeteners that are popping up on the market. My favorite is Lily's, and that is what I have used here. I get it from Whole Foods or Publix, but you can order it online if you are not able to find it locally.

    Should I Use Milk Chocolate or Dark Chocolate for This Recipe?

    That really depends on your personal preference. Most chocolate - including Lily’s - is measured by the percentage of cacao. The high the percentage, the darker and less sweet it will be. Choose whatever chocolate you enjoy eating. (And since Lily’s is stevia sweetened, unlike regular chocolate, choosing sweeter chocolate will not have a tremendous impact on the number of net carbs.). I wouldn’t recommend unsweetened chocolate or baking chocolate here.

    Are There Any Benefits Of Chocolate?

    Yes! In a report that analyzes 14 studies on chocolate that was published in Frontiers of Nutrition, it was found that brain function may be improved tanks to the antioxidant compounds in cocoa. One study showed an uptick in working memory for two hours after consuming cocoa flavanols. In another study, the antioxidant compounds were reported to counteract cognitive impairment from a poor nights sleep.

    What is The Best Way to Melt Chocolate?

    Melting chocolate is a fairly easy process, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The good news is that when you are melting it with this much coconut oil, it won’t burn easily. To melt, I prefer to use a double boiler, or a glass or metal container over a pot of water. Stir well until the chocolate is melted. Another option is to place a small pot over the lowest possible heat and stir until melted. Lastly, if you use your microwave, this is another option. You can read about how to melt chocolate in the microwave here.

    Another thing to keep in mind is that you want to make sure that water does not touch the chocolate mixture. If it does, this can cause the mixture to seize up.

    Photo of six Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups on a white background.

    Tools Needed to Make This Recipe

    • Muffin Pan
    • Muffin Pan Liners - Paper or Silicone
    • Oil Sprayer
    • Mixing Bowls
    • Spoons
    • Double Boiler or a Glass Dish Over a Small Pot

    If You Like This Recipe You May Also Like:

    • Keto Chia Pudding
    • Low Carb Chocolate Pudding
    • Keto Lemon Bars
    • Keto Truffles
    Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.

    Close up photo of a Keto Peanut Butter Cup with a bite out of it with two peanut butter cups beside it and three stacked behind.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 7 votes

    Keto Peanut Butter Cups

    These Keto Peanut Butter Cups are pretty spectacular. In fact, the first time I tasted them I actually squealed with excitement. Try letting them sit out of the fridge for about 10 minutes before eating them. (Unless you are having a chocolate emergency and need to go in right away! I won't judge.) This lets the peanut butter soften up and makes them so much more like the "real" thing. I like to add a touch a Maldon sea salt on top - but feel free to leave that off if sweet and salty is not your thing. This is one I could never get tired of.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time3 mins
    Freezing Time30 mins
    Total Time43 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: chocolate, sweet
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 169.66kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified sales.

    Ingredients

    Peanut Butter

    • ½ cup sugar-free natural peanut butter
    • 2 tablespoons Swerve or sweetener of choice

    Chocolate

    • 12 ounces Lily's Chocolate
    • ⅓ cup coconut oil

    For topping, optional

    • ¼ cup pecans toasted and chopped
    • Flaky Sea Salt

    Instructions

    • Line a 12-cup muffin tine with cupcake liners. Spray with oil and set aside
    • Combine peanut butter and Swerve in a medium bowl. Refrigerate.
    • In a double broiler or a glass dish on top of a pot of boiling water, melt coconut oil and chocolate. (Be careful not to get any water into the chocolate as it will cause it to seize up.)
    • Cover the bottom of each liner with the chocolate mixture, using a spoon to spread. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes.
    • Scoop 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter mixture into your hands and roll into a ball. Place the ball on top of the chocolate and press down to flatten.
    • Top with chocolate to fill the cups.
    • Place in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes, until solid.
    • Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months

    Nutrition

    Calories: 169.66kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.72g | Protein: 3.89g | Fat: 17.62g | Saturated Fat: 6.5g | Sodium: 49.34mg | Potassium: 78.22mg | Fiber: 0.84g | Sugar: 1.07g | Calcium: 6.07mg | Iron: 0.25mg

    Other Low Carb Dessert Recipes to Try:

    • Keto Fat Bombs from Chocolate Covered Katie
    • No Bake Keto Crunch Bars from Big Man's World
    « Keto Chicken Wings
    Keto Grilled Chicken »
    • 224

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Audrey

      May 15, 2019 at 5:49 pm

      5 stars
      You answered some of the questions I've always had about keto. These peanut-butter cups look amazing, and this is great for people doing keto to not have to sacrifice their sweet tooth!

      Reply
    2. Danielle

      May 15, 2019 at 5:52 pm

      5 stars
      I've heard a lot of great things about keto, but was confused some on the science. I read "macros-this, macros-that, etc" that I feel like I need to have my hand held if I were to do keto! I love these peanut-butter cups, and they're perfect for people doing keto so that they don't have to give up sweets entirely!

      Reply
    3. Mijia Eggers

      May 15, 2019 at 9:29 pm

      The peanut butter is welcomed by kids. The recipe is interesting and it attracts me to try.

      Reply
    4. artchee

      May 16, 2019 at 6:47 am

      5 stars
      These peanut butter cups look very delicious. I may not stop eating them when I get started. :0)

      Reply
    5. Lia Mae

      May 16, 2019 at 6:59 am

      5 stars
      Mm sounds yum, I love peanut butter cups but now I know there is a healthier way to make them. I’m interested in how they might taste, I need to make these.

      Reply
    6. Annemarie LeBlanc

      May 16, 2019 at 5:47 pm

      5 stars
      These peanut butter cups look so delicious! I would not care if it is keto or not, I just want to make these just to enjoy the peanut butter and chocolate combination.

      Reply
    7. Tiffany La Forge-Grau

      May 16, 2019 at 11:56 pm

      5 stars
      Oh m,y goodness I want a piece! This looks so perfect for a snack.

      Reply
    8. Lauren Ash

      May 17, 2019 at 3:38 am

      5 stars
      This is amazng! The hardest part of starting a diet is giving up things like peanut butter cups!

      Reply
    9. Emman Damian

      May 17, 2019 at 4:19 am

      Keto butter cups sounds so delicious! I should get this done on weekends! Yum!

      Reply
    10. Lavern Moore

      May 17, 2019 at 2:10 pm

      Oh these look delicious. Would love to try this recipe with a modification of more peanut butter and less chocolate like a Reese’s cup!

      Reply
    11. Corrina

      December 15, 2020 at 9:43 pm

      I'm allergic to coconut. Would the recipe still work if I replace the coconut with butter instead?

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 17, 2020 at 12:37 pm

        I haven't tried it that way, but my guess is that it would.

        Reply

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    I'm Wendy and I'm here to show you just how delicious a low carb, gluten free and keto diet can be! You are just as likely to find me obsessing over all things cheesy as you are getting excited by a full produce drawer. I'm a mom to three, obsessive planner and roller coasters are my happy place. Let's dig deeper →

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