Introduction

These no-bake Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cups are a delightful treat combining rich dark chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and fresh banana slices. They offer a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and nutty flavors in easy-to-make little bites. Enjoy them straight from the freezer whenever you crave a nutrient-dense dessert!

The image shows three stacked chocolate cups with a ridged edge, placed in light brown paper liners on a white marbled surface. The top chocolate cup is bitten to reveal three clear layers inside: a smooth, creamy white layer on top, a crunchy, pale golden layer with nuts in the middle, and a dark chocolate shell surrounding all the layers. Flakes of coarse salt are sprinkled over the dark chocolate tops, adding texture. Around the stack, there are scattered roasted peanuts and similar chocolate cups in light brown paper liners. The overall look is rich and inviting, with a focus on the textures inside the chocolate cups. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 (3.5 ounce) 70% dark chocolate bar (or 2 (2 ounce) chocolate bars)*
3 tablespoons natural creamy peanut butter

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
½ tablespoon melted virgin coconut oil

1 medium banana, sliced into ¼ inch rounds
3 tablespoons finely chopped peanuts (honey roasted is great!)

Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling on top

Instructions

Step 1: Line a mini muffin pan with 9 mini liners.
Step 2: Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until melted. Spoon about 1 heaping teaspoon of chocolate into the bottom of each liner and use a spoon to spread the chocolate up the sides. Reserve the remaining chocolate for later. Freeze the pan for 5 to 10 minutes until the chocolate hardens.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, mix together peanut butter, maple syrup, and melted coconut oil until smooth and well combined. If too thick, microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until warm and pourable.
Step 4: Remove the muffin pan from the freezer. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the peanut butter mixture into each cup. Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top and press them lightly into the filling. Add a banana slice to each cup.
Step 5: Cover each cup with about 1 heaping teaspoon of the remaining melted chocolate, smoothing the tops with a spoon. Freeze the cups for 30 minutes to 1 hour until completely solid.

Step 6: Remove from the freezer, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and enjoy immediately or store for later.

Tips & Variations

Use any nut butter you like such as almond or cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version. Omit the peanuts if using sunflower seed butter.
Try different chocolates like semi-sweet, milk, or white chocolate for a unique flavor.

Substitute maple syrup with honey, brown rice syrup, or date syrup, keeping in mind that honey has a stronger flavor.
Swap banana slices with other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries for a berry twist.
For larger treats, double the recipe and use a regular muffin pan with standard liners.

To keep these dairy-free, choose a dairy-free chocolate bar.

Storage

Store the peanut butter banana cups in a freezer-safe container or bag and keep them frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, you can enjoy them straight from the freezer or let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly before eating.

How to Serve

The image shows three dark chocolate cups stacked on top of each other, each sitting in a natural beige paper cup. The top cup has a bite taken out, revealing three layers inside: a smooth, shiny dark chocolate shell, a middle layer of creamy white filling, and a bottom layer filled with crunchy golden nuts. The surface of the chocolate is sprinkled with coarse white salt flakes. Around the stack, there are more chocolate cups in beige paper cups, some whole and some partially visible, all on a white marbled texture with scattered roasted peanuts. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these cups without bananas?

Yes! You can replace the banana slices with other fruits like berries or omit the fruit altogether for a classic chocolate peanut butter cup experience.

Are these cups suitable for people with nut allergies?

If you use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter and skip the chopped peanuts, these cups can be made nut-free. Always check all ingredients for potential cross-contamination if allergies are a concern.