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Blueberry Chickpea Donuts are baked for a healthier donut that is low calorie, low in sugar, naturally gluten free and delicious! No one will ever guess these donuts are made with chickpeas! Gluten free + Low Calorie + Vegan option
You are lucky today because I have an awesome healthy treat for you! Healthy Blueberry Chickpea Donuts! They're baked in the oven instead of fried and made with oats and chickpeas for a low calorie treat that's packed with the right balance of nutrition and flavor!
My chocolate chip chickpea blondes and chickpea muffins are two of my most popular dessert recipes so I know you will enjoy these as much as you enjoy those goodies! P.S. if you have not tried the chickpea blondes and muffins, you need to do that too!
Healthy Chickpea Donuts
Canned chickpeas make the BEST donuts and are incredible for baking healthy desserts and treats. They make your goodies thick and creamy without adding significant calories, not to mention they're a healthy plant-based food packed with nutrition!
Don't worry either. Chickpeas have a very mild flavor so you can pretty much transform them into anything you want. Here's a few more reason why these baked chickpea donuts are healthier for you!
- Low Calorie -
Ingredients for Chickpea Donuts with Blueberries
Here's what you need to make these yummy chickpea donuts with blueberries! You will also need a donut pan (I recommend this one) as well as a food processor or blender.
- Chickpeas, canned
- Blueberries, frozen
- Gluten Free Oat Flour
- Gluten Free Oats
- Baking Powder
- Maple Syrup
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Egg Whites
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Salt
How To Make Chickpea Donuts Baked in the Oven
You won't believe how easy it is to make donuts with canned chickpeas! To get started, preheat the oven and prepare your donut pan by lightly spraying with cooking spray. I have this bottle that I refill with olive oil so I never have to buy cooking spray.
Next add the ingredients except the blueberries to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. You may need to scrape the sides down a few times and repeat blending. Stir the blueberries in by hand then bake.
When you remove them from the oven, allow it to cool in the pan a few minutes before GENTLY turning the donut pan over a wire baking rack to remove. Cool the donuts completely on the wire baking rack before enjoying!
I didn't glaze the donuts, but if you would like to glaze your donuts then I recommend using this cinnamon glaze. It goes well with everything!
How Do You Store Healthy Donuts
When baking donuts at home in the oven, whether it's this recipe or another recipe, you will want to store them in the refrigerator or they will go bad quickly. These cannot sit out at room temperature like fried donuts can. I have not tried freezing these donuts; however, I suspect they could be frozen. I recommend no longer than 30 days. To enjoy, remove from the oven and place in the refrigerator the night before to thaw.
Substitutions For Healthy Donuts Made With Chickpeas
Here are the substitutions I recommend for this chickpea donut recipe. As always, remember that when you do substitute, omit or change something that it does change the nutrition values you see in the recipe card below.
- Chickpeas - Garbanzo flour cannot be substituted for the chickpeas and I would not recommend garbanzo flour as it has a stinky taste. You can, however, replace the garbanzo beans in this recipe with another legume like white or great northern beans would work well.
- Oats / Oat Flour - I have not tested other flours with this recipe so I cannot guarantee they will work. I do know coconut flour will not work as it can never be replaced in recipes one to one.
- Blueberries - You can use frozen or fresh blueberries for this recipe. I recommend using frozen if possible. You can also substitute another berry in place of the blueberries.
- Maple Syrup - I do not recommend substituting with brown sugar, coconut sugar etc. This recipe does need the liquid to hold the flours and chickpeas together. If you want a lower calorie sugar substitute, I recommend a maple syrup made with monkfruit like this one.
- Egg Whites - You can substitute 1 whole egg for the 2 egg whites, but keep in mind that this approach will reduce the protein content and increase the calories. For a vegan option, you can replace the egg whites with 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons of flaxmeal mixed with 6 tablespoons of water).
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Avocado oil or coconut oil are the substitutes I recommend.
- Spices - Cinnamon is really the only spicy required for this recipe. I find the nutmeg and cardamom make the flavor extra special.
Blueberry Chickpea Donuts
Ingredients
- 15 oz chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1 cup blueberries frozen and drained
- 1/2 cup Gluten Free oat flour
- 1/4 cup Gluten Free oats
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 egg whites
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven 325 F. Prepare a donut baking pan with cooking spray.
- To a blender or food processor, add all ingredients layering the dry ingredients first, then the chickpeas, then the liquid.
- Blend on high until a smooth batter appears. Add blueberries to blender and fold by hand. Fill the donut cavities with the batter, filling until flush.
- Bake 12-13 minutes until donuts are slightly browned around the edges. Remove from the oven and cool 2-3 minutes before flipping the donut tin upside down onto a cooking rack. The donuts should easily slide out. Cool donuts another 15 minutes on the wire rack prior to enjoying.
- Keep donuts in refrigerator to maintain freshness up to 7 days.
Notes
- My Amazon shop has more products similar to those used for this recipe and that I recommend to my nutrition clients.
- If you enjoy this recipe, check out my cookbook for more delicious recipes.
Nikki Alpert says
Hi! These look yummy! But, I'm looking for a low-carb, dairy-free suggestion. Any ideas? I'm a T1 diabetic and I can't eat dairy! I used to love the lactose free yogurt, dairy protein powder, blueberries, and a little bit of grain-free low-carb cereal mixed in. But I can't eat it anymore. The dairy-free yogurts have too much fat and slow down the glycemic index too much which messes up my blood sugar 2 hours after I eat.
Megan says
I'm not sure I understand your question in relation to this recipe because there is no dairy or yogurt in this recipe. If you need individualized nutrition support which is sounds like you do, I recommend you work with someone one-on-one vs. asking someone on the internet. There is a lot of factors to consider when answering these questions and I cannot provide someone with a safe answer without knowing a lot more things. Typically those with diabetes can work with a nutritionist through their insurance. That would be my recommendation to ensure you are getting the best quality of care.
Andreas says
Love the recipe! How did you get these donuts to look so smooth? I have a similar donut pan but the tops always come out looking a little rough.
Megan says
You can smooth the batter with a spatula or your fingers before baking.
Emily says
I tried these and they didn't really turn out so I'm not sure what I did wrong. They looked great but wouldn't come out of my pan. Finally my husband got one out and they were so soft they were just falling apart. They tasted good but were not edible as a donut. Maybe hotter temp?
Megan says
Did you use nonstick cooking spray? They should pop right out when you flip the pan. If they fell apart, they're not done enough. So probably need to let them cook a little longer (it always varies a bit by oven). Also, let them sit in the pan 5-10 minutes after baking to let them harden a bit.
Cassie says
Did you use a medium sized 9 donut pan? I'm trying to plan calorie/nutrition. These look great and can't wait to try!
Megan says
I think so. It's just a regular donut size.
Dyan says
Now this is one donut I will let my daughter eat! And me too! No digestive or bloating issues with this one as I would with a a high fat deep fried version . Can't wait to try.... off to get a donut pan!
Megan says
Hope you love it! I'm obsessed with these.
jill conyers says
I'm not much of a donut person but this recipe makes me want one. I'm going to make them this weekend. Or even better, do you take orders and deliver 🙂
Megan says
Haha, wouldn't that be fun! These will definitely be going on my dream cafe breakfast menu. 🙂
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says
These look so good and magical right now. I want the whole tray please.
Megan says
I still have some in the fridge if you want to come over. 🙂
Kaila @ Healthy Helper Blog says
I just posted a recipe today using chickpeas in donuts!!! Great minds think a like!!! 😉 These look awesome!
Megan says
How funny is that! I haven't seen any so far so I think we are starting a new trend!
Sarah-A Whisk and Two Wands says
These look so good! Never thought about chickpeas in donuts, and we love our donuts (healthy and not so healthy)! Thank you for linking up with us for Meatless Monday!
Megan says
Haha...don't we all?
michele @ paleorunningmomma says
Donuts are always just fun! I'm actually curious how I'd tolerate chickpeas now. I used to love them!
Megan says
I hadn't had any in months but chickpeas are working out well for me now. Maybe just try not to do too much at once!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
I really need to get myself a donut pan - these look so good!
Megan says
Yes you do! I'm sure you would do amazing things with it too.
rachel @ athleticavocado says
love the idea of using chickpeas in donuts! These look amazing!
Megan says
Thank you!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yay beaniness <3 Beans and blubs 😉 A great combo, haha!
Megan says
Next time I made something chickpea and blueberries that's what I'm calling it. Haha!
Janell says
Is there something we can use in place of apple cider vinegar? My LO can’t have anything apples.
Megan says
White vinegar or lemon juice.
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
And I am now going to need a donut pan asap! Thanks for linking up with us today for meatless Monday
Megan says
Yes you do!
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
SIGN ME UP.
I don't have great ideas while working out. I usually have cyclical stupid thoughts. THAT JUST WON'T STOP
Megan says
I would never have guessed that about you.