Vegan Chocolate Chip Chickpea Blondies! Sink your teeth into these good for you, decadent, gooey, protein packed, chocolatey treats. Vegan + Gluten Free + Low Calorie
Last week I spent half my days deleting food pictures. Way too many food pictures. When you’re a food photographer, you end up with a random assortment of food pics. Sometimes a food looks amazing in the moment then later I look at a picture of lettuce and think to myself, really? What was thinking I was gonna do with this?
What’s even more troublesome, I have issues hitting the delete button. Like maybe, just maybe one day I’ll need that random picture of lettuce. Can we say obsessed? But we’re not here to talk lettuce. We’re here to talk blondies! As in, Chocolate Chip Chickpea Blondies! Chewy, gooey, decadent, nutty blondies, oozing with chocolate that melt in your mouth. Hungry yet? Oh you wait!
The original version of the recipe was published in 2014. The pictures were in serious need of a facelift though. I couldn’t let them live on the way there were any longer. The recipes is just too delicious! Made with a base of chickpeas, these goodies are a real nutritional powerhouse. As in, real garbanzo beans packed with protein, fiber and 10% the daily value of iron in a single serving, and I’ll gladly take all the iron I can get.
For those of you who’ve been around awhile, you know I’ve been mysteriously iron deficient for years. My recent labs showed it being in the tank again. Then last week I left the gym feeling weak, short of breath and disoriented. I knew from past episodes it was low iron, but it was the worst I’ve had in well over a year. Even the guy was worried and stopped to check in on me during the day. Wasn’t that nice?
So…I’m back to taking iron supplements regularly, but it’s not my favorite thing because it messes with my stomach. I’d rather get it from food so I guess that means I’ll have to sacrifice by eating more Chocolate Chip Chickpea Blondies. Good thing I’m only sharing the recipe with you today ‘cuz I’m not sure I’d be willing to give one of these babies to you in real life.
For real, they taste like a chocolate chip brownie only with cleaner ingredients. Maple syrup, nut butter, almond extract and of course, the mighty chickpea. Plus they’re only 113 calories each. WOOT! Hand me two or three. These are perfect for the person who needs to satisfy their sweet tooth but in a healthier way. Okay, I’m not sharing so you better run to the kitchen and get baking!
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Chocolate Chickpea Brownies
Ingredients
- 15 ounce garbanzo beans rinsed & drained well*
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or any nut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips dairy free
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350 F. Prepare an 8x8 baking pan by spraying it with nonstick cocking spray.
- To a blender or food processor, add all ingredients except chocolate chips. Process on high until creamy and smooth.
- Fold chocolate chips into the batter by hand.
- Bake at 350 F 20-25 minutes until a toothpick can be inserted clean.
- Cool the blondies in the pan 30 minutes prior to slicing into 16 bars.
- Optionally drizzle the tops of he bars with melted chocolate and extra nut butter.**
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to one week.
Recipe Notes
- I do not recommend substituting garbanzo bean flour for the chickpeas as the flavor is very bean-y.
- To make the drizzle, melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon coconut oil. You can also drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of melted nut butter over the chocolate drizzle. Drizzle not included in the nutritional value.
- My Amazon shop has more products similar to those used for this recipe and that I recommend to my nutrition clients.
Custom Meal Plans
Work with Megan to develop a custom macro or standard meal plan to reach your goals.
What I Used For The Recipe
Yup the food pictures are out of control in my phone! Going through them is ridiculous but at least most of them are easily deleted. Last three pictures are my breakfast, another picture of my breakfast, and a picture of scallions growing on my windowsill!
The brownies look yummy!
The pics are easy to delete, but mine replicate on my MAC because I have iCloud sharing. If I delete from the phone, they do not automatically delete from my computer and then they come back on my phone. It’s really annoying! You have breakfast pictures on your phone? Never! I swear breakfast is what you’re known for!
YES PLEASE
That is all.
Come on over!
Hey Megan! I have been reading (and enjoying) your blog for a while. My heart goes out to you with your recent health struggles. After years of being iron deficient, amennorheic, and being able to stay very thin despite eating gobs of candy/sugar daily, I found out at age 32 (six years ago) that I have Celiac disease. Your comment in this post about iron deficiency struck me. Also, low bone density and low estrogen can be very common with Celiac. Have you been tested? Of course, you have to be eating gluten when you are tested for the results to be accurate.
I have really struggled with body image these past few years as I have gained 30-35 pounds since going gluten free. I know I am more muscular and have stronger bones, but I also have more body fat than I would like. I eat gluten free and dairy free, weight train and train for triathlons, so the weight is hard! After being so thin for most of my life, I would like to find a happy medium. I ramble….
The brownies look great! Will make them this weekend!
Take care,
Carrie
Hi Carrie, I am so glad you commented and thank you for being a loyal reader! Five years ago I was tested for Celiac when I became iron deficient and it came back negative. I will email you further details as new things have happened which I have not discussed yet on the blog.
Mmmmm because beans and chocolate are NEVER something to be skeptical about 😉 Delish!
Thanks lovely!
it’s too hot to turn on oven too, ya know? rest up, our time will come.. BRING ON FALL! and i will make these. YUM!
Haha…I made them in the crockpot KIDDING! I made these in June in the early morning.
Yum! I think I might have to make these today 🙂
You will love them!
Yummy! I’ve only made black bean brownies before, but these sound absolutely delicious!
These taste just like chocolate chip cookies. You will love them!
Chick peas are my favorite bean (pea?) hands down! These look delicious and I would certainly rather get my iron by eating these!
Me too! I love roasting them as a snack, but they are addicting!
Look yummy! The recipe says to use a muffin tin then cut them into squares. Can you explain that part? Excited to try these!!
It’s corrected now. I obviously meant a baking pan. I’m not surprised I wrote muffin tin because I make a lot of muffins!
Just wanted to make sure that I got the pan size correct! I made these yesterday — they are SO good and were kid-approved by my three daughters. Of course, I didn’t disclose the “secret” ingredient. 😉 These are going to go into the lunchbox rotation this school year. Nice to have a little treat that gives them protein and iron during the school day. Great recipe.
Yeah!!! So glad you and your girls loved them. They’re perfect take-a-long snack! Thanks for letting me know too. That made my day!
I need these brownies! Megan, they looks delicious. I have a bazillion bake with beans recipes pinned on pinterest but I’ve never actually tried one. You’ve inspired me!
Have a fantastic brownie lovin’ weekend!
Hi Jill! You must get around to trying one. I actually like baking more with beans than flour.
Loving this recipe! I don’t eat brownies often, but they are always a tasty treat! Definitely saving this recipe to try!
You will love them Jannalle!
Wow I would never think of putting chickpeas in a brownie recipe. Very creative! Last pictures in my phone are of my dogs and of my running views from yesterday.
Hi Daisy! Yes, I am the queen of weird things that taste good & are good for you. I’m jealous of your running view. That is something I have missed a lot. I hope you’re doing well sweet lady!
Um. yes. I’ll take a batch, please! YUM!
Haha thanks Nicole, you will love them!
It’s been way too long since I’ve made chickpea anything. I love these healthier, protein-filled desserts!
I agree & they’re so much more nutritious than flour based ones.
Oh crutches are SO not fun!! I’m sorry. But on a side note, these brownies look decadent and I LOVE that they are healthy and paleo!! Can’t wait to try them!
Hi Chrissa! Glad you love the brownies. They’re delicious. In full disclosure, they are gluten free but not paleo.
I just love your Brownies just perfect for fall! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you are having a great day and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Can you use peanut butter instead of almond butter and if so will it still be ok to use almond extract xx
I’ve never tried, but I’m guessing you could.
How many cups/ grams equal a can? Different brands have different measurements 😛 thanks!
1/3 cup is standard for most
chickpeas are my fav plant based iron. So yes, sign me up! Girl, loving all the updated recipes. Helps me remember which ones I need to make!!! Like these!
p.s have you tried floradix?
I haven’t, but someone else mentioned it to me so now I definitely need to check it out!
These look delicious! Since I have to watch sugar, I will sub Lily’s dark chocolate chips and light Agave for the maple syrup.
Hello do you think you could substitute maple syrup for honey?
Thanks!
I haven’t tried, but probably you could.
Hi! Could I substitute the maple syrup for applesauce?
It will probably be too wet and not sticky enough if you do. You might want to sub 1/4 of the maple syrup with applesauce and see how it does. I’ve never tried it.
Regarding your iron deficiency- have you been tested for parietal cell antibodies?
Yes.
I’m allergic to most Nuts, could I just use butter?
I haven’t tried, but I doubt butter would work and the taste would be weird too. Sunflower butter would work, but they will turn green from the baking soda. Otherwise coconut butter could work, but not sure of the taste. Report back and let me know!
I also have hashimotos, desiccated thyroid has been my saving grace. Is that what you take?
No. I talk about what I take in this post: https://skinnyfitalicious.com/living-hashimotos-disease/
I made these for my kids (aged 2 and 5) and they LOVED them! Like begging for more! I had to make a few substitutions based on my pantry (white beans instead of chickpeas, vanilla instead of almond extract and cashew butter) and they were still so delicious. These will definitely be on my baking rotation Thanks!
Hi Megan! I really wanted to try this out but can I use regular white sugar instead of maple syrup and wil the texture be the same? Also isn’t peanut butter high in fats so when we eat this, wouldn’t this be a high fat food…? Just curious!! Thanks!
Hi Ashley! I haven’t tried regular white sugar. I don’t bake with it because it’s really bad for you so I can’t say how it would turn out. As for the peanut butter, this is a healthy fat and should be incorporated in the diet. I don’t know why, but many people still believe high fat foods are bad but they are not.
Thank you for the response! I think I’ll try with regular sugar. as for fat, it’s just that I already get my fats from meat that I feel like adding more healthy fats is not good.. 😀
Meat is not a healthy omega-3 rich fat like nuts and nut butters. Your cells need these kind of fats to stay healthy and they are good for your heart. Sugar is actually shown to increase your risk for disease development and cause weight gain so this is something I highly recommend against. Eating more fat is shown to reduce weight and improve health status.
My favorite dessert at the moment. It’s so healthy and it tastes delicious. Sometimes after the recipe is done I cut a slice and I add some extra peanut butter and chocolate and then I put it in the microwave for a minute. It’s amazing.
That sounds amazing! Thanks for letting me know how much you love it. It’s one of my favorite desserts on the blog.