Strawberry-Almond Butter Energy Cups

These Strawberry–Almond Butter Energy Cups are the perfect two-bite pick-me-up when you’re wanting something sweet. Fiber-rich oats and flaxseed meal combine with heart-healthy creamy almond butter and almond milk, while a touch of strawberry jam and freeze-dried strawberries add sweet and tart flavor. Together, they form the base of these cups, which are then topped with a layer of dark chocolate and a sprinkling of flaky salt to balance the sweetness. Keep reading for our expert tips, including what ingredients can be substituted.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• Adding coconut oil to the chocolate mixture helps achieve a satisfying snap and also prevents the chocolate from blooming (developing white spots) in the refrigerator.
• Use the back of a teaspoon to spread the melted chocolate over the oat layer.
• Feel free to make substitutions to change the flavor profile: Use peanut butter instead of almond butter, freeze-dried raspberries and raspberry jam in place of strawberries, and white chocolate instead of dark chocolate.

Nutrition Notes

• Oats bring their cholesterol-lowering ability to these energy cups thanks to their fiber. With their complex carbohydrates, they’re also one of the energy-providing ingredients in these cups. While oats are gluten free, they may be processed on equipment that handles gluten. If you are following a gluten-free diet, look for oats labeled "gluten-free" to avoid cross contamination.
• Strawberries are loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants and fiber. The fiber in strawberries will help stabilize your blood sugar and make the energy from these cups last longer. Eating more berries in general has also been linked with better brain health. 
• Almond butter is simply ground-up almonds (some versions may include salt). Try to find almond butter with no added sugar (ditto for the freeze-dried strawberries). Almond butter adds vitamin E to these cups, which is great for your skin. Plus it’s loaded with healthy fats, plant protein and fiber—all of which work together to slow digestion and stabilize blood sugar, producing a steady stream of energy.
• Dark chocolate tops these cups with rich antioxidants. Eating a little bit of dark chocolate regularly has been associated with a healthier brain.