Chickpea Blondies Vegan Gluten Free

Chickpeas? In blondies? She made no attempt to disguise her skepticism. When I dropped off some of the finished chewy blondies in all their delectable glory a few hours later as a thank-you, my neighbor was clearly still dubious…but no level of apprehension can override the alluring scent of a freshly baked treat. Two minutes later, I had a text: “THESE ARE AMAZING!!! If there’s any left by the time my husband and daughter get home, I can’t wait for him to try them too. I’m not going to them about the chickpeas!” Two hours later, this text: “They loved them! No one would believe me about the chickpeas! Can we get the recipe?” Stealthy healthy for the unanimous win! It might sound odd to bake with chickpeas. Even my husband Ben, who has eaten every dessert I’ve baked since the day Zucchini Brownies came to life and thus is attuned to my healthy tricks (Sweet Potato Brownies, Avocado Brownies, etc.) expressed his shock at the secret reveal. Ben was originally a brownie purist, theorizing that a dessert could not possibly contain an ingredient as overtly healthy as chickpeas and taste delish AT THE SAME TIME. Too bad I’m a pro at debunking his “theories”! Chickpea blondies are low calorie since no butter is required. Once blended, the chickpeas provide the necessary moisture and bind the bars. Another case in point: this great big, marvelously-melty skillet Healthy Peanut Butter Cookie is basically a giant blondie and is made with chickpeas and has become a reader favorite amongst favorites. In addition to chickpeas, these blondies are loaded with other healthy ingredients. In fact, they are both flourless (only oats are used) and are refined sugar free (pure maple syrup is the sweetener).

A Healthy Dessert for the Holidays (or Any Day!)

I’m never one to skip dessert, which is why I like having healthy alternatives like these blondies.

Indulge. As we enter the heart of the holiday baking season, chickpea blondies are a perfect way to indulge a little more wholesomely without missing a morsel.Easy Alternative. I also love the idea of bringing a pan of these chewy chickpea blondies to a Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving celebration. They are magnificently easier to make than a pie yet still display that from-scratch caring and comfort that we all seek in our holiday meals.Diet Friendly for All. Need a dessert that’s vegan, gluten free, AND dairy free, yet still tastes great to everyone, regardless of their diet? These blondies are all of the above!Game Time. You can play a round of “guess the secret ingredient” at the table. (I never tire of doing this every time I bake these, and most of the time, my friends are stumped!).

How to Make Chickpea Blondies

This is an ultra-chewy blondie recipe that’s rich and densely chewy (just like a traditional blondie), and maple syrup gives it extra flair. These blondies taste incredibly rich, yet are naturally sweetened, vegan, and gluten free if you need.

The Ingredients

Chickpeas. Our sneaky, wholesome addition that helps make the blondies supremely moist. Chickpeas are packed with protein and fiber, which also makes these blondies extra satisfying.

Oats. Rolled oats act like flour in this flourless recipe, giving the blondies structure. Peanut Butter. If you prefer to make chickpea blondies without peanut butter, you can swap in almond butter or a nut butter of your choice. To make these completely nut-free, use sun butter.Coconut Oil. Thanks to the moisture and structure the chickpeas provide, just two tablespoons of coconut oil are all you need to make these blondies taste as decadent as if they were made with butter. If you do not need the recipe to be vegan, you can swap melted unsalted butter.Vanilla + Cinnamon. These blondies wouldn’t be complete without the warmth and coziness that both vanilla and cinnamon provide. Maple Syrup + Extract. To keep these blondies naturally sweetened, I used a touch of maple syrup. Plus, adding a bit of maple extract helps boost the maple flavor and makes these blondies bewitching. Mix-ins. See the “Mix-ins” section below for great ideas!

The Directions

The Best Mix-ins for Chickpea Blondies

One of my absolute favorite aspects of blondies is the number of options for mix-ins. They’re like a choose-your-own-adventure book! You can try one combination this week, and a different combination for alternative flavors next week. Try any of these possibilities to make your chickpea blondies a special treat:

Chocolate Chips. Can’t go wrong at all there!Peanut Butter Chips. For extra peanut butter-licious flavor.Toasted Nuts. Diced pecans or walnuts for more crunch.Dried Cranberries. Enjoy some fruity sweetness.White Chocolate. Chickpea blondies with white chocolate is one of my favorite inclusions! In the photos, you can see a mix of dark chocolate, white chocolate, and pecans.

Recommended Tools to Make Chickpea Blondies

Baking Pan. Perfect for blondies, brownies, and many other baking recipes. Rubber Spatula. My ideal tool for stirring and smoothing the tops of baked goods. Food Processor. Helps to create a perfectly smooth batter.

Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.