Chickpeas aren’t just for savory dishes like hummus or stews—they can also be the star ingredient in delightful vegan desserts! Thanks to their creamy texture and subtle nutty flavor, chickpeas provide a fantastic base for guilt-free sweets that are both nutritious and delicious.
Whether you’re looking for a rich chocolate mousse, a sweet cookie, or an indulgent fudge, chickpeas can transform your vegan dessert game with their versatility and wholesome goodness.
In this post, we’ll explore three fabulous vegan chickpea dessert recipes that are easy to make, satisfying for your sweet tooth, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. These recipes highlight the magic of chickpeas in unexpected ways and prove that plant-based desserts can be both decadent and nourishing.
Ready to get started? Let’s dive into these chickpea dessert delights!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Using chickpeas in desserts might sound unconventional, but it comes with several benefits. First, chickpeas add natural creaminess and protein, making your treats more filling and nutritious without needing eggs or dairy.
They’re also incredibly versatile, able to absorb flavors like chocolate, vanilla, or spices, allowing you to customize your dessert to your liking.
Moreover, these chickpea-based desserts are perfect for those following a vegan lifestyle or anyone wanting to enjoy sweets that are free from common allergens like gluten and dairy. They’re easy to whip up, require minimal ingredients, and the results are truly impressive—even non-vegans will be asking for seconds!
These recipes also emphasize whole-food ingredients, helping you indulge responsibly.
Ingredients
- Chickpeas (canned or cooked, rinsed and drained) – the creamy base for all recipes
- Maple syrup or agave nectar – natural sweetener
- Cocoa powder – for rich chocolate flavor
- Vanilla extract – enhances sweetness and aroma
- Almond butter or peanut butter – adds richness and texture
- Plant-based milk (almond, oat, or soy) – to adjust consistency
- Flaxseed meal – egg replacer and binding agent
- Oats – for texture and wholesome carbs
- Baking powder – for leavening in baked desserts
- Dark chocolate chips (vegan) – optional for extra indulgence
- Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg) – for warm flavor notes
- Salt – balances sweetness and enhances flavor
- Shredded coconut – optional for garnish or texture
Equipment
- Food processor or high-speed blender
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet or loaf pan (depending on recipe)
- Parchment paper
- Spatula
- Whisk
- Oven (for baked recipes)
- Refrigerator or freezer (for chilled desserts)
Instructions
Vegan Chickpea Chocolate Mousse
- Prepare the chickpeas: Drain and rinse 1 can (about 15 oz) of chickpeas thoroughly.
- Blend ingredients: In a food processor, combine chickpeas, ⅓ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tbsp almond butter, and a pinch of salt. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
- Adjust consistency: Add 2-3 tbsp plant-based milk gradually if the mixture is too thick. Blend again until silky.
- Chill: Transfer the mousse into serving cups and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set and develop flavor.
- Serve: Garnish with vegan dark chocolate shavings or fresh berries before serving.
Chickpea Oatmeal Cookies (Vegan)
- Preheat oven: Set to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a bowl, combine 1 cup chickpeas (mashed lightly), ¼ cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp almond butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tbsp water (let it sit for 5 minutes).
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in 1 cup rolled oats, ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and ½ cup vegan chocolate chips or shredded coconut.
- Form cookies: Scoop small spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet and flatten slightly with your hand or a spatula.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, until edges are golden and cookies are set.
- Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
No-Bake Chickpea Fudge Bites
- Combine ingredients: In a food processor, blend 1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained), ¼ cup peanut butter, ¼ cup maple syrup, 3 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Add texture: Stir in ¼ cup chopped nuts or shredded coconut for crunch.
- Shape fudge: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, form small bite-sized balls and place them on a parchment-lined tray.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Serve: Enjoy as a quick energy-boosting snack or dessert.
Tips & Variations
“For an extra creamy mousse, add half an avocado to the blender—it pairs beautifully with the cocoa!”
- Preheat oven: Set to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a bowl, combine 1 cup chickpeas (mashed lightly), ¼ cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp almond butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tbsp water (let it sit for 5 minutes).
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in 1 cup rolled oats, ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and ½ cup vegan chocolate chips or shredded coconut.
- Form cookies: Scoop small spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet and flatten slightly with your hand or a spatula.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, until edges are golden and cookies are set.
- Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
No-Bake Chickpea Fudge Bites
- Combine ingredients: In a food processor, blend 1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained), ¼ cup peanut butter, ¼ cup maple syrup, 3 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Add texture: Stir in ¼ cup chopped nuts or shredded coconut for crunch.
- Shape fudge: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, form small bite-sized balls and place them on a parchment-lined tray.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Serve: Enjoy as a quick energy-boosting snack or dessert.
Tips & Variations
“For an extra creamy mousse, add half an avocado to the blender—it pairs beautifully with the cocoa!”
“For an extra creamy mousse, add half an avocado to the blender—it pairs beautifully with the cocoa!”
If you want to experiment, try swapping maple syrup for coconut sugar or date syrup for different sweetness levels and flavors. For the cookies, feel free to add dried fruits like raisins or chopped dates for a chewy texture.
You can also customize the spice profile by adding cardamom or ginger for a warm, exotic twist. When making fudge bites, rolling them in crushed cacao nibs or desiccated coconut before chilling adds a delightful finishing touch.
For baked desserts, ensure your chickpeas are well mashed or blended to avoid grainy textures. If canned chickpeas are too firm, try cooking dried chickpeas until very soft for creamier results.
Nutrition Facts
Recipe | Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbohydrates | Fiber | Sugar |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chickpea Chocolate Mousse | ½ cup | 180 | 6g | 7g | 25g | 6g | 12g |
Chickpea Oatmeal Cookies | 1 cookie | 120 | 3g | 4g | 18g | 3g | 8g |
No-Bake Chickpea Fudge Bites | 1 bite | 90 | 2g | 6g | 8g | 2g | 6g |
Serving Suggestions
These chickpea desserts pair wonderfully with a variety of beverages. Try serving the chocolate mousse alongside a hot cup of herbal tea or vegan coffee for a cozy treat.
The oatmeal cookies are perfect with plant-based milk or a refreshing iced tea.
Fudge bites make excellent on-the-go snacks or party treats. You can also add a dollop of coconut whipped cream or fresh fruit on top of the mousse or alongside the cookies to elevate the presentation.
For a festive touch, sprinkle desserts with crushed nuts, edible flowers, or a dusting of cinnamon. These simple additions make your chickpea desserts look as good as they taste!
Conclusion
Chickpeas prove to be a surprisingly versatile and nutritious ingredient in vegan desserts. From rich and creamy chocolate mousse to hearty cookies and indulgent fudge bites, these recipes showcase just how easy it is to create delicious plant-based sweets with pantry staples.
The natural protein and fiber content make these desserts not only tasty but also satisfying and nourishing.
Whether you’re vegan, health-conscious, or simply curious about new ingredient uses, incorporating chickpeas into your dessert repertoire is a wonderful choice. We hope these recipes inspire you to experiment and enjoy the delightful world of chickpea desserts.
For more creative ideas, don’t forget to check out our other recipes like Peanut Butter Gelato Recipe, Pecan Crackers Recipe, and Peda Recipe Ricotta Cheese for even more plant-powered indulgences!
📖 Recipe Card: Vegan Chickpea Chocolate Brownies
Description: Deliciously fudgy brownies made with chickpeas for a healthy vegan treat. These brownies are rich, moist, and packed with protein.
Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT25M
Total Time: PT35M
Servings: 9 servings
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp almond milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Blend chickpeas, peanut butter, maple syrup, cocoa powder, baking powder, vanilla, salt, and almond milk until smooth.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into a greased 8×8 inch baking pan.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Let cool before cutting into squares.
Nutrition: Calories: 180 | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Carbs: 20g
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