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Home By Meal Dessert

Chickpea Brownies

★★★★★ 203 Reviews Recipe Print
gf df v
By: Erin5/12/20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Step aside, boxed mix, because Chickpea Brownies are in town! These gluten- and dairy-free brownies are the perfect vegan treat. They’re a healthy alternative to regular brownies and are so quick to make!

chickpea brownies on tray

Watch this video to see how I make chickpea brownies!

The most delicious vegan homemade brownies

If you’re an avid baker I’m sure you’ve tried your hand at Internet trends like black bean brownies, sweet potato brownies, or even avocado brownies. But have you tried chickpea brownies?

In my opinion, these are the best of the alternative brownie options. They’re filled with ooey gooey deliciousness and are so easy to make. Plus, they’re perfect for customizing with your favorite toppings. After making my signature chickpea blondies, I knew I had to make a chocolate version!

For me, a daily sweet treat is a must, so I love to keep something chocolate in my pantry at all times. When I realized I could make these just a little bit fudgier and a little bit more chocolate-y, I was in.

Along with my favorite cake, cookies, and muffins, chickpea brownies are on a very frequent rotation in my kitchen.

holding a chickpea brownie

Ingredients used in this brownie recipe

For this recipe we’re sticking to gluten-free, vegan ingredients while also keeping things as natural as possible. Along with the chickpeas we’ll be using a blend of nut butter, almond flour, and of course lots of chocolate chips!

  • Chickpeas
  • Nut butter (I like almond or peanut)
  • Maple syrup
  • Coconut oil
  • Vanilla
  • Almond flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Chocolate chips

Kitchen tools that you’ll need

This recipe is a quite simple one. You’ll need only a handful of tools including a food processor (or blender), a spatula, and a baking dish. That’s it!

For measuring ingredients, you’ll need these sizes: 1/4 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/4 cup, and 1/2 cup.

chickpea brownies on a tray

How to make brownies with chickpeas

Chickpea brownies are so simple to whip together! Everything just needs to be mixed, and then you toss the batter in the oven for a little over 20 minutes. If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a blender.

First, preheat the oven to 350F.

In a food processor, blend the chickpeas, nut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla.

Once blended, add the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Continue to process, scraping down the sides as necessary until smooth.

Once creamy and smooth, take off the lid (I also remove the blade) and stir in the chocolate chips. Do not process.

Next, pour the batter into a greased 8×8 pan and sprinkle the top with extra chocolate chips.

Bake for 21-23 minutes, and tada! Your brownies are ready to devour.

Tip: If you’d like, you can bake these in a loaf pan for extra thick brownies. This method will require about 30-35 minutes in the oven.

Tasty add-on options

There are few recipes as versatile as brownies. No matter how they’re made, whether it’s with a box mix or from scratch, brownies can be transformed into anything you’d like. Here are some of the ways that I like to make my brownies extra special.

  • Switch up the chips: In addition to chocolate (or instead of), you can add white chocolate, peanut butter, or even butterscotch chips.
  • Sprinkles: Add your favorite type of sprinkles for a touch of color!
  • Fruit: Like a little fruit with your chocolate? Any type of berry, especially strawberries and blueberries, would taste great in these brownies.
  • Pretzels: Salty and sweet go together like peanut butter and jelly! Add crushed pretzels to the top of your brownies for the perfect flavor.
  • Oreos: Love Oreos? Mash ’em up and sprinkle them on top! And yes, your brownies will still be vegan!
  • Candy: Add your favorite candies like M&Ms or KitKats!
  • Drizzle: Finally, take your presentation up a notch by coating your brownies with a tasty chocolate, peanut butter, or caramel drizzle.

Bonus: Serve up warm alongside your favorite vanilla ice cream for an extra satisfying treat!

chickpea brownie on a tray with bite

Optional substitutions

You know how it goes. You read through a recipe, feel a craving coming on, and immediately head to your kitchen to give it a go, only to discover that you’re missing a key ingredient!

Well, in the case of these brownies, there are a number of swaps that will work. So before you head to the store, check this list for substitution options!

  • Nut butter: I mentioned that I like to use almond or peanut butter, but any nut butter will work!
  • Maple syrup: In place of maple syrup you can use molasses or honey. Start with a smaller measurement and add more as needed.
  • Coconut oil: Missing coconut oil? That’s okay! You can use any similar baking oil.
  • Cocoa powder: It may sound obvious, but you can actually use chocolate in place of cocoa powder. You’ll want to use 1 1/3 ounces of unsweetened chocolate for this recipe.

A healthier brownie treat

I always aim to make recipes as whole and healthy as possible, which is why I used a number of ingredient alternatives in these brownies.

First up, I used chickpeas! This ingredient serves as the base of this recipe and is a great way to fill the brownies with protein. They contribute to the texture and fudginess too. Plus, it tastes great.

I used coconut oil rather than vegetable or canola oil because it has a better nutritional makeup and is a slightly healthier option.

Next, I used almond flour in place of white all-purpose flour because it provides more nutrients and works so well in baked goods.

Finally, I used maple syrup to sweeten this recipe because it’s an all-natural option that tastes fantastic and doesn’t add any harsh chemicals or preservatives to the recipe!

holding chickpea brownie

How to store chickpea brownies

These chickpea treats can be kept in either the refrigerator or at room temperature. Just place them in a securely sealed container to prevent air from drying them out.

More chocolate desserts to ease your sweet tooth

There’s more chocolate where these brownies came from! And lots of it, to be honest. Here are some more of my favorite sweet recipes that do wonders for smashing those cravings!

  • Healthy Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
  • Walnut Stuffed Chocolate Covered Dates
  • Healthy Chocolate Granola Recipe
  • Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes (Gluten-Free)
pinterest chickpea brownies

chickpea brownie on a tray
★★★★★ 4.9 from 203 reviews

Chocolate Chickpea Brownies

Step aside, boxed mix, because Chickpea Brownies are in town! These gluten- and dairy-free brownies are the perfect vegan treat. They’re a healthy alternative to regular brownies and are so quick to make!

Prep: 5Cook: 20Total: 25 minutes
Yield 9–12 brownies 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

  • 1 – 15oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed.
  • 1/2 cup nut butter (I like almond or peanut)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp melted coconut oil
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips and more for sprinkling on top!

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. In a food processor, blend chickpeas, nut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla,
  3. Once blended, add in almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Continue to process, scraping down sides as necessary until smooth.
  5. Once creamy and smooth, take off lid (I also remove blade) and stir in chocolate chips.
  6. Do not process the chips.
  7. Pour into greased 8×8 pan and sprinkle with extra chocolate chips if desired. ** see note for extra thickness
  8. Bake for 21-23 minutes.

Notes

I’ve also baked them in a loaf pan for extra thick brownies. This took about 30-35 minutes to bake, but they were really good this way!

Author: Erin MorrisseyCategory: Dessert, vegan, gluten-free
chickpea brownie on a tray

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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  1. Julie Aramburu says

    Posted on 8/31 at 6:53 pm

    Hi Erin! Can these be made oil free?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/4 at 9:09 am

      Hi Julie, it’s best if you leave the oil in.

      Reply
  2. Carolyn says

    Posted on 8/9 at 5:26 pm

    These are so delicious. Everyone loves them, vegans and non-vegans,lol. If I’m making them for non-vegans I’ll use regular chocolate chips because they are so much less expensive. It’s hard to tell if chocolate chips contain milk, ingredients are vague. If I’m making for vegans I use the Enjoy Life brand.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/14 at 11:39 am

      Hi Carolyn, so happy you loved them!!

      Reply
  3. Kalie Chapman says

    Posted on 8/5 at 8:51 pm

    Can I substitute almond flour for regular flour?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/7 at 1:44 pm

      Hi Kalie, so sorry, but it won’t work as well here. Please feel free to try it, just use a little less. Let me know how it comes out!

      Reply
  4. Karen Pokocky says

    Posted on 8/2 at 6:25 pm

    Hi there! I can’t use almond flour. Can I substitute chick pea flour instead?
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/7 at 3:07 pm

      Hi Karen, yep that should work! Let me know how your brownies come out!

      Reply
    • mai says

      Posted on 8/12 at 10:25 am

      do you think i can substitute the almond flour to rice or even gluten free flour

      Reply
      • Erin says

        Posted on 8/14 at 11:46 am

        Hi, another person commented below and said they subbed 1 cup almond flour and about a teaspoon coconut oil, and they came out well. You can try those subs or try your own and just check the ratio for whatever flour you use because many aren’t 1:1. Hope this helps!

  5. Helen Dolby says

    Posted on 7/27 at 6:54 am

    I made these today, but they came out really soft, as though the mixture hadn’t baked properly. Should they be very soft initially?
    Apart from that, they taste great.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/31 at 5:04 pm

      Hi Helen, so glad you loved them and try sticking them in the fridge to firm up!

      Reply
  6. Michaele says

    Posted on 7/16 at 11:44 am

    Made these for a Ladies Garden Party that had Vegan and Non Vegan attendees. I used cashew nut butter because of peanut allergies of attendees. The brownies were such a hit I was asked by both for the recipe afterwards. So thankful for this recipe.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/16 at 4:26 pm

      Hi Michaele, so happy they were such a hit!! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Jill says

    Posted on 7/7 at 8:36 am

    These are the best, fudgiest brownies I’ve made to date! So easy to throw together in the food processor so I was able to make them in between the crazy schedule I have. thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/12 at 12:53 pm

      Hi Jill, so happy you loved them so much! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Stephanie says

    Posted on 6/20 at 8:44 pm

    I’ve been GF and DF for the last 7 years, and it’s been tough finding chocolate recipes that are tasty, and even more difficult when they’re loaded with healthy ingredients. This one is a gem! Thank you for sharing this yummy treat!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/21 at 6:40 pm

      Hi Stephanie, so happy you loved them so much!! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Sonia says

    Posted on 6/15 at 11:51 pm

    Hello Erin
    I haven’t made these yet but I’d love to give them a try. If I don’t have baking soda, what other vegan ingredient could I use? Should I just use more baking powder instead?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/19 at 11:18 am

      Hi Sonia, yes that should be fine!

      Reply
  10. Linda says

    Posted on 6/5 at 2:46 pm

    Have made theses several times and they are delicious, even my non vegan friends love them and can’t believe they are made with chickpeas!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/5 at 3:11 pm

      Hi Linda, so happy they have been such a hit!! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Deb says

    Posted on 5/28 at 6:18 pm

    Erin, your recipes are some of the BEST online.
    Looking forward to trying this one!!!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 5/31 at 5:45 pm

      Hi Deb, thanks and let me know how your brownies come out!!

      Reply
  12. Karen says

    Posted on 5/18 at 3:08 pm

    Hi, I would like to make those, but with eggs. Which ingredient would I have to substitute with two eggs? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 5/24 at 2:40 pm

      Hi Karen, you could probably add one egg to the mixture and it will be okay! Let me know how they come out!

      Reply
    • Shelley Zingerella says

      Posted on 9/20 at 11:01 pm

      Hi Karen, if you made these chickpea brownies, and added an egg, how did they turn out?
      Shelley

      Reply
  13. Julie says

    Posted on 5/15 at 11:48 pm

    Made these brownies yesterday for a little something sweet after our Mother’s Day dinner and they were absolutely delicious. Everyone at our gathering really liked them. They are quick and easy to make. If you’re looking for a healthy brownie recipe look no further. This is it.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 5/17 at 5:50 pm

      Hi Julie, so happy you loved them!!

      Reply
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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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