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!
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.
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: ¼ tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, ¼ cup, and ½ cup.
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 8x8 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!
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 ⅓ 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!
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)
Chocolate Chickpea Brownies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- In a food processor, blend chickpeas, nut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla,
- Once blended, add in almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Continue to process, scraping down sides as necessary until smooth.
- Once creamy and smooth, take off lid (I also remove blade) and stir in chocolate chips.
- Do not process the chips.
- Pour into greased 8x8 pan and sprinkle with extra chocolate chips if desired. ** see note for extra thickness
- Bake for 21-23 minutes.
Amanda says
I’m addicted! I saw your tv clip where you mentioned this was one of your recipes that really built your following - and now I understand why. I have made them each week sense!
Erin says
Hi Amanda, I am thrilled you love them and thank you so much for your kind words!! 🙂
Marija says
How much ml is in cup? I live in Europe and we use grams and mllitres.
Erin says
Hi Marjia! One cup is equal to: 236.588 ml. Let me know how your brownies came out!
Todd says
I want to thank you for this recipe. My wife is currently pregnant and this recipe has been extremely helpful. I have already made it three times since she has become pregnant and will be making it again tomorrow. It satisfies her cravings while actually helping her feel full.
Erin says
Love this comment! And so happy that your wife is enjoying them! 🙂
Diana says
Can I use coconut flour instead?
Erin says
I would use half the amount.
Julie says
These brownies are totally awesome!!!! Super fudgey!!! Thanks!!!!
Erin says
Hi Julie, thanks for your kind words! I am so happy you like them!!
Kate says
These have become my go-to dessert! I've brought them to parties and had people really like them!!
Erin says
Love to hear that Kate! Thanks for sharing!
Kristen Darmiento says
Either your satan's mistress or just a plain ole genius. Pretty sure I prayed to god to take my earthly body after the first bite. I don't know how you did it, but girlllll. Hallelujah!
Erin says
This comment made my day. So glad you like them.
Amanda says
These were soooooo good!!! And I love that you can eat the dough from the bowl and not have to worry about raw egg. I served with a big scoop of ice cream!
Erin says
I'm so happy that you liked these! Thank you for sharing with me!
Diana says
I wanna make these for my sons birthday while we are on vacation but I was wondering if I could use a Nutribullet or Vitamix instead? I wont be bringing my food processor with us. Cant wAit to try them!
Erin says
You may be able to, just need to stop and scrape down the sides a couple of times.
Amanda says
How do you typically store these? And for how long? Thanks!
Erin says
Fridge for up to one week!
Lauren says
I am looking to make this recipe for someone with nut allergies, what would be the best alternative for peanut butter?
Erin says
Any seed butter or tahini!
Leigh says
Thank you for this recipe. I have yet to try it. I was curious if I can sub the maple syrup for apple sauce? If so, is it 1:1 and then reduce the oil/nut butter?
I’d like to make these for my 18 month old to get more calories in him, but with out the sugar ( even if it’s a healthier sugar).
Also, have you tried a wand blender? My food processor is a bit small for all those ingredients.
Thank you for any suggestions.
Erin says
Hi Leigh! Thanks for your kind words! I have not tried applesauce or a hand blender but let me know if you do!
Goulddaddy says
It's unbelievable how great these are. I have this overwhelming feeling of turning this into an icecream by skipping some of the thickening ingredients like less chickpeas and instead of coconut oil use cocunut cream and more milk; however, if I want brownies then these are going to be my goto. Thank you sooo much!!
Erin says
Wow that sounds like an amazing idea!!! I'm into it!
Roxann says
I doubled the recipe to fit a 9x13 pan. Instead of 1 cup maple syrup, I used 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1 cup dates and 1/2 cup boiling water. I also found my batter too thick at the end, so I added 4 oz. of applesauce, along with 1 cup each of chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. I baked this for 35 minutes. The result was spectacular!!
Erin says
I love to hear that!! Thanks for sharing!!
Selina says
I never leave feedback on recipes but HAD to on this one. I was ready to bite into a brownie that would have that 'healthy' taste....like some brownies that I could not swallow years ago made by my mother in law....haha. But these....OMGoodness! Cannot taste the chickpeas...every so chocolatey!!!! My only issue is they did not 'bake' right....they are still VERY soft/raw....which I am not complaining...I ate anyway....lol. Will definately make again!
Erin says
Thank you so much for this wonderful comment! I'm so glad that you like them 🙂
laurel says
Can I use stevia instead of maple syrup and apple sauce instead of oil?
Erin says
You can definitely try! I haven't had any experience with either but let us know!
Samantha says
Had to comment and say these are soooooo good! So impressed!! They taste like a real brownie. I used peanut butter and followed the recipe to the T b
Erin says
Aw, thank you for sharing!! So glad you liked them!
Daydreamer says
Thanks Erin for THE BEST allergy friendly, vegn, dairy free and gluten free chocolate brownie recipe I have EVER tasted!! I was soo bad, "tasting" the mixture as I was making it. I had to stop myself or there would have been nothing left to bake ??? I used Macadamia nut butter and my dairy free choc chips were marked "bittersweet" and worked perfectly. I was worried that because my chickpeas were not 100% smooth in the batter they would be a problem (texturally) once baked, but they were undetectable. You'd never know there was even a chickpea in it ?❤?❤???
Erin says
YAY! So glad that you liked them!!
Barb says
I have been using stuff like this to get the good stuff in my teens. They are not as eager to drink my green smoothies so I have to go a little more stealth. These seem perfect!
Erin says
Hi Barb, glad you enjoyed them!
Jenny says
One word... "Amazing!" I have to be honest I didn't really expect these to be that nice but I was sooo wrong, they are scrummy, just like the real thing if not better!!
Thank you Erin xxx
Erin says
Aw, I am so happy that you like them, they are seriously one of my favorites too!!