1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Easy Peanut Butter Oat Cups

Easy Peanut Butter Oat Cups

Featured in: Desserts for Every Sweet Craving

Bite into these easy Peanut Butter Oat Cups for a sweet treat that's both creamy and chewy thanks to peanut butter and oats. They're a breeze to throw together with just five main things you probably already have. Dunk in a chocolate topping or mix things up with extras like nuts or a little pumpkin if you want. Great for prepping ahead, quick snacking, or just something delicious to satisfy your sweet tooth and get a protein bump without feeling like it's just dessert. Bonus—they hold up well in the fridge and you can make them small or regular, whatever fits your vibe.
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
A woman with blonde hair and a white shirt smiles at the camera.
Updated on Tue, 27 May 2025 17:39:51 GMT
Chocolate covered peanut butter cups on a wooden table. Pin it
Chocolate covered peanut butter cups on a wooden table. | tastefullyrecipe.com

Take your cupboard basics and turn them into amazing no-bake peanut butter oat cups. They hit the spot when you're after something sweet but want to keep things on the healthier side. You get the chew from oats, the creamy peanut butter, and a thick chocolate top—these taste like a treat, but you’re actually fueling up on protein, fiber, and good fats. Skip store-bought candy full of preservatives and sugar—these homemade bites are the real deal.

First time I made these, it was blazing hot outside and I couldn't even imagine turning on the oven. My sweet tooth didn't care though! That first batch vanished from my fridge in under two days. Now I almost always make a pan every weekend for grab-and-go treats all week.

Tasty Building Blocks

  • Coconut oil: Makes the chocolate topping nice and shiny and helps it spread easily.
  • Chocolate chips: Melt down for a thick, sweet top layer.
  • Maple syrup: Brings in a gentle sweetness with some depth that goes awesome with peanut butter.
  • Peanut butter: Acts as the main flavor and holds everything together, adding protein and healthy oils.
  • Oat flour: Packs in fiber and gives structure—think chewy base, not just filler.

Simple Step-By-Step

Chill Time:
Let everything hang out in the fridge a few hours until set and firm.
Chocolate Magic:
Stir coconut oil into chocolate chips and melt till glossy and smooth.
Layer and Finish:
Top each oat cup base with melted chocolate, making sure to smooth the tops.
Base Creation:
Plop the mixture into lined muffin tins, pressing down until you get a nice firm bottom layer.
Mixing It Up:
Add oat flour a bit at a time, stirring as you go, until you hit a soft, doughy texture.
Get Melty:
Blend peanut butter with maple syrup and gently heat until you’ve got one smooth, creamy blend.

Fun Flavor Switch-Ups

Swap peanut butter for hazelnut for that chocolate-hazelnut vibe. Sprinkle in pumpkin pie spice to make cozy fall cups. Try almond butter and finish with toasted coconut flakes on top—it’s basically a candy bar makeover.

A stack of chocolate covered peanut butter cups. Pin it
A stack of chocolate covered peanut butter cups. | tastefullyrecipe.com

Supercharge Your Snacks

Kick things up a notch by mixing in chia seeds or ground flax for healthy fats and extra fiber. Want more protein? Add a scoop of plain protein powder or some collagen. Chopped dried cherries or blueberries bring a pop of flavor (and antioxidants, too).

Serving Ideas

Team up with fresh berries for a sweet, balanced bite. Break them up and toss over frozen yogurt when you want something special. They’re perfect in lunchboxes or piled on a snack board next to fruit, cheese, and more treats.

Top Storage Secrets

Stash them in an airtight container in the fridge and they’ll stay great for about five days. You can wrap them individually with parchment and freeze for up to a month. Just wait ten minutes after pulling from the freezer so they’re not rock-hard.

One cooking class with kids really taught me a lesson about melting chocolate. A young chef got it too hot, and the whole thing seized up. Rather than toss it out, we tossed the chunks into the oat dough and made a new spin. Turns out, kitchen slip-ups can lead to something really tasty.

Chocolate covered peanut butter cups on a table. Pin it
Chocolate covered peanut butter cups on a table. | tastefullyrecipe.com

Final Takeaways

No-bake peanut butter oat cups are super simple to whip up and they’re actually good for you. Great as a snack, a little dessert, or even after hitting the gym. You get all the yum and none of the guilt.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use natural peanut butter for these oat cups?
You sure can use natural peanut butter, but keep in mind the mix might feel a bit different. Make sure you mix it up well to blend any oil back in. If your mix feels a little dry, add a splash more maple syrup till it sticks together right.
→ Can I make these peanut butter oat cups gluten free?
For sure! Just grab oats marked gluten free or oat flour that's certified. Chocolate chips are usually fine but check the label to be safe. Everything else normally doesn't have gluten.
→ What can I substitute for maple syrup?
Swap in honey one-for-one if you want, but it'll taste a little different. Agave nectar works too. If you wanna cut the sugar, try mixing monk fruit sweetener with a splash of water, though the mix might not stick quite the same.
→ How do I know if my peanut butter oat mixture has the right consistency?
You want the mix thick enough that you can squeeze it together and it holds but isn't too sticky. Roll some in your hand—if it makes a nice ball and doesn't fall apart, you're good. Too crumbly? Mix in more syrup or peanut butter just a little at a time. Too sticky? Sprinkle in a bit more oat flour.
→ Can I make these without chocolate on top?
Totally! They're tasty even plain. You can toss mini chocolate chips right in with the peanut butter oats, or just add a touch of melted peanut butter or dust with cinnamon sugar if you feel like mixing it up.
→ Can I freeze these peanut butter oat cups?
Oh yeah, stash them in the freezer (use parchment between layers if piling 'em up). They'll last a couple months. When you're ready, let them chill in the fridge or just eat them cold for a firmer bite—they thaw pretty quick.

Easy Peanut Butter Oat Cups

Grab these chewy peanut butter oat cups with silky chocolate on top, made right in your kitchen—no oven, hassle-free snack time.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
10 Minutes
By: Patricia


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 cups)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Base Layer

01 1/4 cup maple syrup
02 1.5 cups oat flour (blend rolled oats in a food processor until fine)
03 1.5 cups peanut butter

→ Chocolate Topping

04 1 tsp coconut oil (optional)
05 1 cup chocolate chips

→ Optional Toppings

06 Mini chocolate chips
07 Sprinkles
08 Flaky salt

Instructions

Step 01

Take a medium microwave-safe bowl and add the peanut butter along with maple syrup. Microwave for about 40-60 seconds until it’s softened enough to mix. Stir it well until the two combine smoothly and look uniform.

Step 02

Slowly mix the oat flour into the warm peanut butter blend. Stir thoroughly, even though it’ll feel quite heavy. If needed, switch to using a stand mixer for less effort. Dough should be thick but pliable. Add a bit more peanut butter or maple syrup by the teaspoon if it’s too crumbly. Optionally, stir in some pumpkin puree (around 1/4-1/3 cup) to make it softer.

Step 03

Use cupcake liners to prep a standard muffin pan or opt for silicone versions to avoid sticking. If you want bite-sized treats, go for mini muffin tins instead. Without liners, it'll be hard to take them out of a regular pan after chilling.

Step 04

Spoon the thick peanut butter dough into the prepped muffin cups, making sure to divide it evenly between them. Press the mix down with your fingers so it forms a smooth, firm base with just a small dip in the center for the chocolate layer.

Step 05

Place chocolate chips in another microwave-safe bowl. If you'd like, add a touch of coconut oil. Microwave in short bursts of 30 seconds, stirring after each round, until the chocolate melts fully and becomes glossy.

Step 06

Spread the melted chocolate over the peanut butter base in the cups. Smooth the chocolate’s surface with the back of a spoon. While the chocolate’s still soft, sprinkle on extras like flaky salt, sprinkles, or mini chocolate chips if you want.

Step 07

Pop the filled trays into the fridge for 2-3 hours, or until they’re completely set. Once firm, carefully remove them from the pans. To keep them fresh, store in a sealed container in the fridge and eat within 5 days.

Notes

  1. Chewy oats, creamy peanut butter, and sweet chocolate come together in these no-bake bites for a quick snack or dessert.
  2. Since fresh ingredients like maple syrup are used, make sure these treats are kept chilled and not left out at room temp.
  3. Rolled oats are steamed as part of their processing and are safe to eat raw, unlike flour made from wheat.
  4. If you can’t find oat flour, make your own by grinding regular rolled oats until smooth in a food processor.

Tools You'll Need

  • Silicone muffin pan or regular muffin tray
  • Cupcake liners if not using silicone pan
  • Microwave-safe bowls
  • Food processor for homemade oat flour
  • Stand mixer (optional, to mix dough)

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes peanuts
  • Has oats, which might not be gluten-free unless specifically labeled
  • Could have dairy (read the label on the chocolate chips)
  • Might contain soy (check the labels on chocolate chips and peanut butter)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 27 g
  • Protein: 10 g