15 Dessert Recipes You Won’t Believe Are Made With Chickpeas (2024)

When you think dessert, chickpea isn’t the main ingredient that usually comes to mind. Believe it or not, chickpeas are way more versatile than a salad addition or a base to hummus: They are actually a great substitute for flour in many dessert recipes. Full of protein, fiber, folic acid and manganese, chickpeas are a nutritional powerhouse. Plus, this pantry staple is low-glycemic and gluten-free! Grab a couple extra cans next time you’re at the grocery store (or better yet, make your own!) and get cooking ASAP.

1. Cookie Dough Pops: Could a sugar-free, vegan cookie dough ice cream be real? Yes! Try these pops on ice for a sweet treat on those sticky summer nights. (via Including Cake)

2. Chickpea Flour Thin Mints: It’s not Girl Scout cookie season anymore, but does anything say summer more than mint? Recreate your favorite thin mints with chickpea flour for a nut-free, grain-free vegan take on a typically not-so-healthy indulgence. (via Oatmeal With a Fork)

3. Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Chickpea Blondies: Fool everyone at the office potluck and show up traditional brownies with this healthier version. These blondies sub in bananas for sugar and chickpeas for flour in this gluten-free and just-as-delicious treat. (via Ambitious Kitchen)

4. Vegan Meringues: Save the liquid from making your own chickpeas (trust us, way tastier than the canned version) and whip up a batch of these vegan meringues. (via Slate)

5. PB Cookie Dough Dip: Tastes like cookie dough. Is actually chickpeas. Is healthy… ish. Is a major win! (via Brit + Co)

6. Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies: Make girl’s night a little healthier with this version of everyone’s favorite cookie. These bad boys are grain-free, refined-sugar-free and… you guessed it, full of fiber and protein from the chickpeas and peanut butter. (via Lucky Penny Blog)

7. Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Chickpea Blondies With Maple Glaze: You’ll be counting down the days to winter just for an excuse to make these holiday-inspired blondies. Chickpeas help lower your blood sugar, and these are free of the refined sugar that elevates it. (via Hummusapien)

8. Chickpea and Orange Cake: Are you looking for a healthier option for your go-to quick bread? This yummy version is naturally gluten-free and delicious. (via Love Thy Carbs)

9. Peanut Butter + Jelly Cookie Bars: Don’t let giving up refined flours stop you from enjoying a childhood staple. These bars make a great hiking snack that will motivate you to get outside this summer! (via The Honour System)

10. Chickpea Cookie Dough Truffles: Curb that late-night cookie dough craving with chickpeas. In less than five minutes, you can whip up a batch of healthy yet still decadent truffles with the humble legume. Keep these in the freezer for easy snacking. (via The Nutritious Kitchen)

11. Chickpea Thumbprint Cookies: This is a healthy, plant-based take on a supermarket classic. These are perfect for a picnic or snacking on after a day at the pool. (via The Colorful Kitchen)

12. Gluten-Free Coconut Cardamom Ice Box Cookies: This baker recommends them with some kaffir lime mousse. And we can’t say no to that. (via Kathy Gori on Snapguide)

13. Strawberry and White Chocolate Muffins: Be the star of your summer brunch when you bring along these muffins. They are the perfect gluten-free way to use up your summer produce. (via A Tasty Love Story)

14. Dark Chocolate Chickpea Brownies: No one will guess that these brownies are not only grain-free and vegan, but positively delicious as well. Pair these with your favorite banana ice cream or coconut-milk-based ice cream for a healthy sundae night. (via The Roasted Root)

15. Gluten-Free Indian Dessert Laddu: Start brewing the tea for these treats. Stat. (via Kathy Gori on Snapguide)

Do you ever make desserts out of chickpeas? Leave us your favorite chickpea-based treats below!

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Cassandra Pisone

Cassandra is a San Francisco-based marketer by day and blogger by night (and weekend!). You can usually find her running, surfing, hiking, eating or at the yoga studio when she's not working - or planning her next adventure.

15 Dessert Recipes You Won’t Believe Are Made With Chickpeas (2024)

FAQs

What do chickpeas replace in baking? ›

Chickpeas are a magical baking ingredient alternative loaded with fiber, protein, and folic acid, and manganese. They primarily function as a substitute for traditional all-purpose flour, as well as some binding agents (like eggs) and fat. They're great for those looking for gluten-free baked goods.

What is one of the most difficult desserts to make? ›

How to Make the World's Most Difficult Cakes
  1. Macarons. These coloured mites are the treat célèbre of the moment. ...
  2. Baked Alaska. A sponge cake base, topped with ice-cream and then coated with meringue, all of which is baked? ...
  3. Chocolate éclairs. ...
  4. Soufflé ...
  5. Croquembouche. ...
  6. Baumkuchen. ...
  7. Baklava.
Apr 18, 2024

How do you eat chickpeas from a tin? ›

Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked chickpeas. You can eat canned chickpeas straight out of the can! (Just be sure to rinse them off before chowing down to wash out excess sodium) Otherwise, you can roast them or turn them into any number of delicious dishes, like these here.

What does baking soda do to chickpeas? ›

They heat the mixture in a pot for a few minutes before adding water and cooking the chickpeas as usual. The alkaline environment created by the baking soda helps break down the pectin in the beans, softening the beans' skins so well that they disintegrate during cooking and are easily rinsed away.

What is healthier than chickpeas? ›

Since lentils have more fiber, lentils win this round. Lentils contain more protein than Chickpeas. Both chickpeas and lentils are great sources of vegetable protein. However, since lentils have more of this healthy nutrient, lentils win this round.

What is the most eaten dessert in the world? ›

  • Mar 31, 2023, 08:13 PM IST. 10 Most Popular Desserts in the World. ...
  • Apple Pie. This traditional American dessert is popular due to its flaky crust and sweet apple filling. ...
  • Tiramisu. ...
  • Baklava. ...
  • Crème Brûlée. ...
  • Panna Cotta. ...
  • Cheesecake. ...
  • Mochi.
Mar 31, 2023

Which is the purest dessert in the world? ›

Petha - The purest dessert in the world.

What is one of the oldest desserts? ›

Ashure (Noah's Pudding) is thought to be the oldest dessert in the world, first made by Noah after his fabled landfall at Mt Ararat.

What to eat chickpeas with? ›

How to Use Roasted Chickpeas in Cooking
  • Sprinkle them onto a soup as a wholesome alternative to croutons.
  • Sprinkle over a salad for a crunchy topping and protein boost.
  • Pair with your favorite grain and sauce for a quick bowl meal.
  • Add to a wrap with hummus or guacamole.
  • Snack on them!
  • Stuff them into baked sweet potatoes.
Feb 13, 2021

What is the liquid in a can of chickpeas called? ›

Aquafaba is the starchy liquid that beans — especially chickpeas — have been cooked in. It is also the liquid in a can of beans. It can be used many ways. We use it most often as an egg replacer.

Should you drain canned chickpeas? ›

Do You Need To Rinse Canned Beans? According to The Bean Institute, you can reduce up to 41 percent of the sodium in canned beans by rinsing them. "It's fine to add the bean liquid to many recipes, but if you want to reduce the amount of sodium, it's best to drain and rinse canned beans," the website states.

Can you eat chickpeas every day? ›

You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas. It's important to remember that chickpeas should not be eaten raw.

Should you peel canned chickpeas? ›

You can eat chickpeas with the skin on, but they're better without. When making hummus, removing the skins will make your hummus much creamier and rich. When it comes to roasting chickpeas, I find removing the skins gives the chickpeas more flavor.

What is the liquid in a tin of chickpeas? ›

It's called aquafaba, and it's (basically) free! When we refer to aquafaba (as we often do in our cookbook on vegan cooking, Vegan for Everybody), we're talking about the liquid in a can of chickpeas.

Why use chickpeas in baking? ›

It's also known as garbanzo flour, gram flour and besan and is used frequently in Middle Eastern & Indian cooking and baking. It's denser than regular flour, naturally gluten free and packed with protein.

Can you replace flour with chickpeas? ›

You can usually substitute half the amount of plain flour in a recipe for chickpea flour. But, be warned, it can suck up a lot of moisture, so it may not be right for every recipe – especially if you're making a cake or bread.

How do you substitute chickpeas for eggs in baking? ›

The Formula. Three tablespoons of aquafaba is equivalent to about one whole egg, while two tablespoons of aquafaba is equivalent to about one egg white. Keep in mind that a can of chickpeas yields about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of this liquid, so about eight to 12 tablespoons.

Can I replace meat with chickpeas? ›

Use Chickpeas Instead of Chicken or Turkey‍

Roughly mashed, chickpeas can stand in for poultry in your favorite sandwich salads. Blended with breadcrumbs, they can be turned into mouth watering burgers and kid-friendly nuggets. You can also just add them whole to recipes for soups and curries.

References

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