These 4 ingredients Peanut Butter Banana Cups are a lighter alternative to more traditional versions and are literally melt in your mouth delicious. Eat from the freezer for an ice-creamy, fudgy type filling, or leave to defrost for a few minutes and they will become super creamy, smooth and oozy!
Peanut butter cups have got to be one of the most delicious foods out there. The peanut butter chocolate combo is just incredible and when a craving for them hit a few weekends ago I knew I had to make some. I melted some chocolate then went to the fridge to retrieve the peanut butter. When I opened the jar it was nearly empty. Don't you just hate it when that happens?
With the chocolate already melted I had to improvise. I hadn't been grocery shopping for a while and had one overripe banana left that I was saving to make Chester's Peanut Butter & Banana Dog Cookies.
Poor Chester. I had to steal his banana.
Don't feel too bad for him though as he's got to be the most spoilt dog ever. He ended up having Sweet Potato Cookies baked for him instead.
So I ended up adding the stolen banana to the peanut butter to make it go further and when I tasted the mixture straight from the food processor bowl I couldn't believe how delicious it was. I used it to fill my cups and then put them in the freezer to set.
Then came the fun part. Taste testing!
I was surprised to find that they were edible straight from the freezer. They were hard but not too hard to bite and the filling was almost like a cross between ice-cream and fudge. So good!
I left a couple to defrost for a while and after about three minutes they started to become beautifully soft, creamy and oozy.
At all stages these Peanut Butter Banana Cups are amazingly delicious. The addition of banana is lovely and it not only gives them a little flavour twist, it also makes them cheaper to make because let's face it, good quality peanut butter does tend to be expensive, it lowers the fat content, lowers the calorie content, and adds some healthy fruit.
I can't decide whether I prefer these Peanut Butter Banana Cups straight from the freezer, or defrosted, soft and oozy. My way around this dilemma is to eat two. One straight away and one a few minutes later. I suggest you do too, at least the first time, then you'll know which you prefer. If you still can't decide you will just have to eat two every-time like me.
The struggle is real......
If peanut butter isn't your thing, these Peanut Butter Banana Cups would also be great made with almond butter.
As always I would love to see your creations! You can share them with me on Instagram by tagging me #avirtualvegan. Leave your comments below too if you can. It's so helpful for me to get your feedback and it helps other readers when choosing what recipes to try.
If you want more peanut butter deliciousness then check out this recipe collection I put together for Parade's Community Table!
Peanut Butter Banana Cups
Ingredients
- 190g | 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 4 tablespoons | 1/4 cup natural peanut butter , ( you can sub this for almond butter if you prefer)
- 1 medium ripe banana
- 1 tablespoon sugar (I used coconut sugar)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional but really works with the flavour)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Have a peanut butter cup mold ready (see recipe notes).
- Start by melting the chocolate very gently. You can do this in a microwave or in a small bowl placed over a pan of simmering water.
- Drop a dollop of chocolate into each case.
- Spread out with a spoon and work up the sides with the back of the spoon, making sure it goes into all the nooks and crannies.
- Put into the freezer just for a few minutes while you make the filling.
- Blend until smooth.
- Remove the molds from the freezer and fill with the peanut butter mixture, leaving enough room to add a top layer of chocolate. Flatten out the peanut butter mixture with a knife or spatula as best you can.
- If you want your peanut butter cups to look really good, pop them back into the freezer now so that the peanut butter mixture sets up a bit. It won't take long. 10 - 15 minutes max. If you aren't in this for the looks then you can skip this step.
- Remove from the freezer if you put them in there and add a layer of chocolate to the top. Smooth with the back of a knife or a spatula and return to the freezer until completely set. They really don't take too long.
NOTES
NUTRITION
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Long time vegan, creator of A Virtual Vegan & author of the book 
Lisa says
Omg life changing! I used PB2 instead of peanut butter and carob chips instead of chocolate, I didn’t add sugar and they are still delicious. I must add these to my daily diet.
patti ray says
OMG.....gave these a test run with the family.....got wiped out in a matter of minutes....want to make all of them a batch for Christmas....I have no freezer space left.....anyone have an idea what the shelf life of these would be if at room temperature?
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm so pleased everyone enjoyed them! I wouldn't store them for more than a day or two out of the freezer. Pureed banana doesn't stay good for long.
kimmythevegan says
Oh wow - I LOVE pb cups! They are my all time favourite dessert. The addition of a banana sounds good. I'm not sure I could decide if I'd like one straight out of the freezer or slightly melted... I suppose I'll have to try 2 each time to keep checking haha ;p
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you! Keep eating 2 at time and you never have to decide.....That's my plan...forever..... ;O)
Vegan Heaven says
Yummy! These look like such a great treat, Mel!! :-)
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Sina :O)
Ceara says
These would make the perfect desser or snack!!! Yumm!!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Ceara!
Alisa Fleming says
Now this is a yummy idea. I could see having a big stash of these in the freezer.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Alisa. They are great to have on hand for when you have a craving for something sweet!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says
I love these Mel! And so would my kids. Such a great twist on regular PB cups. And so easy!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Sophia. They are a real hit with kids...if the grown ups don't eat them all first......
Linda @ Veganosity says
This is such a great idea! They look so good. Haha! You have a very lucky dog. :)
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Linda! He is a lucky dog. Not sure he realizes it though :O)
Manju says
Amazing! So tasty.
A Virtual Vegan says
Right!?
Evi @ greenevi says
I have to admit I've never never ever tried peanut cups, but after seeing these beauties I feel like I have to make some right now! I really love this banana version, it's such a great idea :)
Pinned of course!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks so much Evi. I can't believe you have never tried a peanut butter cup. You need to change that! ;o)
The Food Hunter says
Oh i love the idea of these. I could easily eat 100 :)
A Virtual Vegan says
Ha ha! Unfortunately it's all too easy but the fact they are kept in the freezer helps :O)
Aimee | Wallflower Kitchen says
Aw Chester! I'm glad he got a treat too in the end :-) These look so delicious - peanut butter and chocolate can't be beat!
A Virtual Vegan says
He never goes without! Thanks Aimee :O)
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
This pin caught my eye the other day. I can't wait to make these chocolates!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Amy. If you are a peanut butter and banana fan you will love them!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
Moral of the story: procrastinate on grocery shopping, steal from your dog, wait for a chocolate craving, and bam you end up with an amazing new dessert creation! hahaha :D This is brilliant Mel, totally my sorta sweet treat!
A Virtual Vegan says
Ha ha ha! Exactly. Thanks Natalie!
Nicole Dawson says
I love how you can't decide which way you prefer to eat them. Guess you'll have to keep testing until you really know :).
A Virtual Vegan says
Oh I fully intend to. I have to be totally sure ;o)
Jenn says
I like your idea to eat two...one of each variety. Smart!! These sound delicious, Mel! They wouldn't last very long in our house!
A Virtual Vegan says
It's good that they are kept in the freezer. Out of sight out of mind.....sometimes....Thanks Jenn!
Becky says
What a brilliant idea!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Becky :O)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Straight from the freezer would be exactly how I'd eat them <3 Love the banana power in there ;)
A Virtual Vegan says
I still can't decide which way I prefer them! I will need to keep eating them to help make up my mind.......