Flourless chickpea brownies are fudgy and packed full of delicious chocolate flavor. These protein packed brownies make a healthy dessert or snack anytime of the day!
I guess I've been on a chickpea kick lately. Last week I shared cookie dough dip made with chickpeas, and now I'm feeding you gluten free brownies made with chickpeas. Yep, flourless brownies made from chickpeas. I can't help it that I want you to be healthy and still indulge. It is extremely thoughtful of me, don't you think?
What do Chickpea Brownies Taste Like?
So, do chickpea brownies tastes like...beans?!? Nope. Not at all.
Chickpeas are a fairly neutral flavored bean and once combined with all the other ingredients there isn't a hint of bean anywhere. These brownies are dense and fudgy, with the perfect amount of sweetness from the maple syrup and dark chocolate.
I was a little concerned the first time I made these that my daughters would immediately call my bluff, throw the brownies in the garbage and start a mutiny. But, they didn't. They asked for more. Win.
How to make Flourless Chickpea Brownies
These vegan and gluten-free brownies are also refined-sugar free and extremely easy to make. All you need is a food processor, an 8x8" pan and an oven. And, of course, all the ingredients. The ingredients in these chickpea brownies are (obviously) chickpeas, seed or nut butter, pure maple syrup, vanilla, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt and dark chocolate.
The video below will show you just how quick and easy these brownies are to make. You just throw all the ingredients, except the dark chocolate chocolate, in a food processor and let it go. Stir in the chocolate chips, spread the batter in a pan and bake it. The brownies bake at 375F for 22-26 minutes and are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few crumbs attached.
The brownies need to be cooled completely before cutting. If you just can't wait and decide to dig in, they'll still taste delicious, but they will be pretty crumbly. Once they are cooled completely they will hold their shape and be much easier to eat. I know it's hard to wait, and I don't blame you if you dig in early, but now I can say at least that I've warned you.
Substitutions in Gluten Free Brownies
- Substitute the chickpeas for the same amount of black beans or white cannellini beans.
- Use any liquid sweetener in place of the maple syrup.
- Vanilla is expensive and completely optional. I often make these without and they're still delicious!
- Add chopped nuts in place of, or in addition to, the chocolate chips.
What is your favorite healthy dessert? If you liked these brownies you may also like my chocolate chip cookie dough dip made with chickpeas, and this aquafaba chocolate mousse made with chickpea water, also called aquafaba.
If you make these brownies please leave me a rating and review in the comments below. I would love to know what you think of them!
Flourless Chickpea Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 15-ounce can chickpeas
- ½ cup nut or seed butter
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup (about 3 ounces) chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Spray an 8X8" baking pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a food processor, add all ingredients except for the chocolate. Process for 3-5 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl down once or twice, until the batter is very smooth.
- Set aside 2 tablespoons of the chocolate. Stir the remaining chocolate into the brownie batter.
- Scrape the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and use a spatula to smooth the top into an even layer. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate on top.
- Bake for 22-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with just a few crumbs attached. Allow to cool to room temperature before cutting. Enjoy!
If you liked this recipe, you may also like these healthy dessert recipes Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip and Maple Pecan Roasted Pears.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love or think my readers will find useful.
Kimbra Wellnitz
Everything you would expect from a Brownie!
Maggie
Awesome! So happy you liked them Kim!
Stephanie
What type of nut or seed butter? Is real butter or are you talking about like peanut butter? Thanks
Maggie
Hi Stephanie, You can use peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter or any other kind of nut or seed butter. Sorry for the confusion, and I’ll make sure to update the recipe to be more clear.
Jane
These are fantastic! Can you update the recipe to state that the chickpeas should be drained? It makes a big difference if you don't drain them.
Maggie
Hi Jane, I am so glad you loved the recipe! Thank you for the input on draining the beans. I will update that right away!