This wholesome edible chickpea cookie dough offers a guilt-free way to enjoy a sweet craving. It features a naturally sweet, rich flavor profile, proving treats can also nourish. This recipe prepares swiftly in a blender or food processor, making it a perfect dessert or snack. Enjoy this vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free delight anytime.
Why You’ll Love This Chickpea Cookie Dough
You will appreciate this chickpea cookie dough for several compelling reasons:
- It satisfies sweet cravings naturally with its balanced flavor profile.
- This dessert provides fiber and plant-based protein from chickpeas. Learn more about the health benefits of incorporating chickpeas into your diet.
- You can eat it raw without concern, as it contains no eggs or dairy. For those wondering about the safety of such treats, egg-free cookie dough is generally safe for raw consumption.
- Preparation takes moments in a blender or food processor.
- Customize it endlessly with your preferred mix-ins and toppings.
Ingredients
Gather these fundamental ingredients to craft your wholesome chickpea cookie dough:
- 1 ½ cups cooked Chickpeas* (canned or homemade)
- ¼ cup Nut or Seed Butter* (cashew, peanut, almond, or sunflower)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 3 tbsp Oat Flour or ¼ cup Almond Flour
- 2 tbsp Maple Syrup*, plus more to taste
- ¼ cup Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips (or other add-ins of choice)
- ½ tsp Salt
Notes & Substitutions
- Chickpeas: For a milder flavor, prepare chickpeas from scratch. If using canned, rinse and drain them thoroughly. Removing the thin skins from canned chickpeas further reduces any residual “beany” taste.
- Nut/Seed Butter: Cashew butter provides a neutral flavor, allowing other ingredients to shine. Peanut butter offers a distinct, nutty undertone. Almond butter falls between these two in flavor intensity.
- Flour: Oat flour gives the dough a traditional cookie-like texture. Almond flour results in a creamier consistency and suits grain-free diets. Measure carefully.
- Sweetener: Maple syrup offers a balanced sweetness. For an alternative, consider blending soaked Medjool dates with the chickpeas. You may also dissolve granulated sugar in a small amount of hot water before adding.
- Chocolate Chips: Consider swapping for white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, dried fruit, or sprinkles to alter the flavor.
Equipment
Prepare these essential tools for making your chickpea cookie dough:
- High-speed blender or food processor
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
How to Make Chickpea Cookie Dough: Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these clear steps to create your delightful chickpea cookie dough:
- Prepare Chickpeas: If using canned chickpeas, rinse them extensively under cold water. Drain them well. Ensure your chickpeas are cooked until very soft, whether canned or homemade.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the prepared chickpeas, nut or seed butter, vanilla extract, oat flour (or almond flour), maple syrup, and salt to your high-speed blender or food processor. Hold off on adding the chocolate chips at this stage.
- Process Until Smooth: Begin blending or processing the ingredients. Continue until the mixture transforms into a completely smooth, creamy dough. This might take a few minutes, depending on your appliance.
- Scrape Down Sides: Periodically stop the machine and use a rubber spatula to scrape down any ingredients clinging to the sides. This ensures all components blend evenly and thoroughly.
- Achieve Consistency: Continue processing until the mixture reaches a thick, uniform, dough-like consistency. The texture will resemble traditional cookie dough. Remember the dough will firm up further after chilling.
- Taste and Adjust: Pause and taste a small amount of the dough. Adjust the sweetness by adding more maple syrup if preferred. You may also add a pinch more salt or a dash of vanilla for enhanced flavor.
- Transfer Dough: Carefully spoon the smooth chickpea cookie dough from the blender or food processor into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Add the dairy-free chocolate chips to the dough in the bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold them in until they distribute throughout the dough. Alternatively, you can pulse the chocolate chips briefly into the dough in the blender if you want smaller pieces.
- Serve or Chill: Enjoy your chickpea cookie dough immediately by the spoonful. For a firmer, more set texture and enhanced flavor, cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for the Best Chickpea Cookie Dough
Achieve optimal results with these expert tips:
- Smooth Texture: Ensure chickpeas are exceedingly soft before blending. Process for a longer duration than you think necessary to eliminate any grittiness.
- Minimize “Beany” Flavor: Double rinse canned chickpeas under running water. For the most neutral flavor, peel the thin skins from each chickpea.
- Sweetness Balance: Begin with the minimum amount of sweetener suggested. Add more maple syrup gradually, tasting as you go, until you reach your preferred sweetness level.
- Chill Time: Refrigerating the dough allows the flavors to meld and the oat flour to fully hydrate. This results in a firmer, more developed texture.
- Flavor Boost: Elevate the taste by adding a pinch of cinnamon or a small amount of espresso powder to the mixture. Both enhance the chocolate flavor.
Serving Suggestions, Storage, and Variations
This versatile chickpea cookie dough offers many possibilities.
- Serving: Enjoy this by the spoonful directly from the bowl. Spread it on apple slices or banana coins for a healthful snack. It also tastes delightful on toast or as a topping for oatmeal and yogurt.
- Storage: Store any leftover chickpea cookie dough in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to one week. It also freezes well for up to one month.
- Variations:
- Nut-Free: Substitute sunflower seed butter for nut butters to accommodate allergies.
- Sugar-Free: Rely on soaked Medjool dates for sweetness, or use your preferred sugar substitutes.
- Chocolate: Introduce white chocolate chips for a different flavor. Blend in unsweetened cocoa powder to create a rich chocolate chickpea cookie dough.
- Add-ins: Fold in crushed pretzels for salty crunch. Include chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or sprinkles for visual appeal and varied textures. Shredded coconut flakes also add a tropical note.
- Spices: Customize for seasons with pumpkin spice or gingerbread spice blends.
- Protein Boost: Incorporate a scoop of vanilla protein powder. Adjust the liquid amount slightly if the dough becomes too thick.
Nutrition Information
This chickpea cookie dough provides beneficial nutrients. Chickpeas contribute fiber and plant-based protein, while nut or seed butter offers healthy fats. The exact nutritional values depend on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you use. This recipe prioritizes wholesome components.
| Nutrient | Amount (per serving) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Protein | 9g |
| Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Fiber | 7g |
| Sugars | 11g |
| Sodium | 210mg |
Please note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why chickpeas in cookie dough? Chickpeas provide a surprisingly neutral base when blended well. They contribute a smooth, dough-like texture along with essential protein and fiber, making this chickpea cookie dough nutritious.
- Is chickpea cookie dough safe to eat raw? Absolutely, yes. This recipe contains no raw eggs or dairy. The chickpeas are already cooked, eliminating concerns typically associated with traditional raw cookie dough.
- Can I bake this into cookies? This specific recipe is designed for raw consumption. It lacks leavening agents and the proper fat ratios for baking. For baked chickpea cookies, seek a dedicated cookie recipe.
- How long does chickpea cookie dough last? Store the dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. It retains its freshness and texture well.
- Why does my chickpea cookie dough taste like beans? Inadequate rinsing of canned chickpeas or not removing the skins causes a beany flavor. Add extra vanilla extract, a pinch of espresso powder, or more sweetener to mask any residual taste.
- Can I make this entirely oil-free? Yes, you can achieve an oil-free chickpea cookie dough by ensuring your chosen nut or seed butter contains no added oils. Many brands offer natural varieties.
Conclusion
This wholesome chickpea cookie dough offers a delightful solution for satisfying your sweet tooth healthfully. Its preparation is swift, the ingredients are straightforward, and the resulting treat is incredibly satisfying. Embrace the simplicity of this vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free dessert. Try this guilt-free indulgence today. Share your wonderful creations with us!