Are SkinnyDipped Peanut Butter Cups Healthy?

November 10, 2025 •

3 min read

With only 2g of sugar per dark chocolate cup, SkinnyDipped promotes a lower-sugar indulgence than many competitors. But does less sugar automatically mean a healthier choice? We’ll break down the nutritional profile and ingredients to determine if SkinnyDipped peanut butter cups are healthy for your diet.

Quick Summary

An analysis of SkinnyDipped peanut butter cups, including a deep dive into ingredients, nutrition, and processing levels. Learn how they stack up against conventional versions and if they can fit into a healthy lifestyle as a treat.

Key Points

Lower in Sugar: SkinnyDipped peanut butter cups contain significantly less sugar than the leading traditional brands, making them a better choice for sugar-conscious individuals.
Simple Ingredients: They are made with real peanut butter, fair-trade chocolate, and natural sweeteners, avoiding sugar alcohols and artificial additives.
Not a Health Food: Despite their benefits, they are a processed treat, not a health food, and should be consumed in moderation due to moderate-to-high saturated fat and caloric density.
Moderate Processing: The EWG classifies SkinnyDipped cups as having moderate processing concerns due to their ingredients and manufacturing.
High Saturated Fat: The saturated fat content is substantial and warrants consideration, particularly for those monitoring fat intake.
May Contain Palm Oil: Some versions of SkinnyDipped cups have been noted to contain palm kernel oil, which is a consideration for environmentally-conscious consumers.
Alternative Sweeteners: SkinnyDipped uses natural sweeteners like maple sugar and cane sugar, as well as chicory root fiber for bulk.

Understanding the Nutritional Profile

When evaluating if SkinnyDipped peanut butter cups are healthy, it’s essential to move past marketing and look at the hard nutritional data. For the dark chocolate variety, a single cup contains around 70-80 calories, with 2 grams of sugar. While significantly lower in sugar than a Reese’s, the product still contains a notable amount of saturated fat, approximately 10-15% of the daily value per cup. The calories also add up quickly if multiple cups are consumed. As a high-fat, moderate-calorie treat, these cups are best consumed in moderation.

Deconstructing the Ingredients

SkinnyDipped prides itself on using 'simple' and 'premium' ingredients, which is generally a positive sign. The list typically includes peanut butter, dark chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, sugar, chicory root fiber), and maple sugar. The addition of chicory root fiber is used to boost fiber content and is a common additive in processed foods. The use of fair-trade cocoa is also a good point from a sourcing perspective.

However, it's worth noting that products classified as ultra-processed, even those without artificial ingredients, have been linked to health risks like heart disease and obesity by organizations like the EWG. While SkinnyDipped avoids sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners, its ingredient list still constitutes a moderately processed snack. The use of palm kernel oil in some versions has also been noted.

Comparison: SkinnyDipped vs. Traditional Peanut Butter Cups


Feature	SkinnyDipped Dark Chocolate PB Cups (per cup)	Traditional Reese's PB Cups (per cup)
Calories	~70-80	~105 (standard size)
Sugar	2g	~10.5g (estimated)
Added Sugar	Includes maple and cane sugar	Predominantly sugar, corn syrup
Saturated Fat	~2-3g	~2.5g
Fiber	2-3g	<1g
Protein	2g	~2.5g
Ingredients	Simple, no artificial sweeteners	Contains artificial flavors, highly processed
Processing	Moderately processed	Highly processed

Who Are SkinnyDipped Cups For?

These cups are a solid choice for those managing blood sugar, such as individuals with diabetes, or anyone simply trying to reduce their overall sugar intake. They offer a more controlled indulgence than their high-sugar counterparts. People who are sensitive to artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, which can cause digestive issues, will also appreciate the simpler formulation. The lower sugar content allows for the natural flavors of the peanut butter and dark chocolate to shine through.

Potential Downsides and Considerations

High Saturated Fat: Despite the lower sugar, the saturated fat content remains high, and some versions may contain palm oil. For those monitoring fat intake, this is an important factor to consider. The EWG has raised concerns about the high saturated fat content in some SkinnyDipped products.
Caloric Density: Even with lower sugar, the calories per serving are comparable to or even higher than some traditional versions on a gram-for-gram basis, as noted in Reddit discussions. This is due to the higher fat and peanut butter content.
Added Fiber: While fiber is beneficial, the chicory root fiber in this product is an added ingredient in a processed food. Experts caution that isolated added fibers may not offer the same benefits as naturally occurring ones from whole foods.
Still a Treat: Regardless of the cleaner label and lower sugar, these are still a confectionery item. Portion control is key to fitting them into a healthy eating pattern. Replacing nutrient-dense whole foods with these treats is not a healthy strategy.

Conclusion: A Better Indulgence, Not a Health Food

Ultimately, are SkinnyDipped peanut butter cups healthy? They are certainly a more health-conscious alternative to many traditional peanut butter cups due to their lower sugar content and lack of artificial ingredients. They are a good option for people focused on reducing sugar intake or avoiding sugar alcohols. However, they should still be viewed as a treat, not a health food. The moderate to high saturated fat and moderate processing mean they are not a substitute for whole, unprocessed snacks. For balanced nutrition, it is best to enjoy them in moderation as part of a varied diet. For more information on food product ratings, consider reviewing sources like the EWG's Food Scores.

List of ingredients for the dark chocolate version:

Peanut Butter
Unsweetened Chocolate
Cocoa Butter
Cane Sugar
Chicory Root Fiber
Cocoa Powder processed with Alkali
Peanut Flour
Maple Sugar
Nonfat Milk Powder
Sea Salt
Sunflower Lecithin
Vanilla

Frequently Asked Questions

SkinnyDipped cups are much lower in sugar, using maple and cane sugar instead of corn syrup and other additives. However, their saturated fat content is still a significant factor to consider.

No, SkinnyDipped does not use artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols. They use a blend of maple and cane sugar for sweetness.

Not necessarily. While lower in sugar, each cup contains around 70-80 calories. On a gram-for-gram basis, they can sometimes be more calorically dense than traditional peanut butter cups.

Chicory root fiber is added to increase the fiber content. However, this is an isolated fiber added to a processed food, and the health benefits may not be equivalent to fiber from whole food sources.

The EWG has classified SkinnyDipped as a moderately processed food. While they lack artificial ingredients, they are not a whole food product.

For the dark chocolate cups, each has around 3.5g net carbs, which can fit into a keto diet depending on your carb allowance. Always check the specific nutrition facts for the flavor you choose.

Yes, as they have a lower sugar content than many other confections, they are a better option for managing blood sugar levels. However, portion control is still crucial, and consulting with a healthcare provider is recommended.