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.
Krista says
If it were possible to give 6 stars I would. Incredibly delicious. Wow!
Erin says
Hi Krista, thank you so much for the kind words! So glad you enjoyed them! 🙂
Anne says
I made these and they are AMAZING. I want to make them again - but didn’t know if I could substitute black beans? They are just what I have on hand. Didn’t know if you had been successful or ever tried it with black beans? Regardless, this was the first chickpea brownie recipe I ever made, and I am so glad I did. I just can’t believe how awesome they are..and SO much better for you. Thank you.
Anne says
Nevermind - just found your black bean brownie recipe. 🙌🏻
Erin says
Hi Anne! Thank you so much for your kind words!! I am so happy you enjoyed these and hope you enjoyed the black bean brownies too! 🙂
Anne says
I can not believe how good these turned out. I hate chickpeas though I follow a very plant based diet, but I had all the ingredients and decided to give it a go. They taste SO indulgent. You don’t taste the chickpeas. You don’t even taste the almond butter. You taste a super fudgy brownie. Definitely let them cool completely before cutting - they will seem underdone when you take them out, but will firm up. I made these for game night, didn’t tell the neighbors what they were made of. They couldn’t believe it after they were digging into their second brownie. Thank you for such a great recipe. I am now converted.
Erin says
Hi Anne, I am so happy you and your neighbors all enjoyed the brownies!! 🙂
Anne says
How do you recommend storing these and how long will they keep? TIA!
Erin says
Fridge for up to one week!
Ericka says
Hi, I don't want to add chocolate chips to my recipe. Can I add more coco powder or something? I read one of your replies to another individual and you said the brownies might not be sweet without the chocolate chips.
Erin says
Yes! You could omit. They just may be more plain.
Kerreena says
We didn’t think this tasted that good. I cooked everything the way you mentioned it.
Erin says
Hi Kerreena, I'm sorry that you didn't like it! This recipe is a hit for so many so I'm bummed to hear that.
Priya says
I cannot express how long I've been looking for a vegan gluten free brownie recipe that actually works! I changed this up slightly be putting it in a mini muffin tin and baked for 15 minutes. They are moist, and perfect. Thank you!!
I got this recipe in a quarantine recipe exchange and am so grateful!
Erin says
Hi Priya, I am so happy you found and love the brownies!! 🙂
Lovie says
I had to simply thank you for this recipe; and others I have found on your site. A month and a half ago I went in acute liver failure, I never believed that I would be able to enjoy some of the foods I did before again. Thanks to you and people like yourself I am now able to do so without compromising my health or lack of flavor. I couldn’t thank you enough really. Btw my non vegetarian husband loved these as well.
Erin says
Hi Lovie, you're very welcome! Wishing you all the best and so happy you and your husband enjoy them!
Marie says
Thank you so much for this recipe! It turned out fantastic. My kids loved these brownies, and they’re picky eaters! I’m so glad to have found this healthy and delicious alternative to regular brownies, so much better for their little bodies. We’ve already made them 2 days in a row 😁. This is now my go-to recipe. Can’t thank you enough ❤️
Erin says
Hi Marie, you're very welcome! I am so happy your family enjoyed them too!!
Kelly Sherman says
I've tried some healthier versions of baked goods before that came out just... blah (not from Erin Lives Whole!!) so I was nervous I would still taste the chickpeas in these. But they are the most chocolatey delicious thing I've eaten in quarantine. Obsessed!!
Erin says
Hi Kelly! Thank you so much for your kind words!! I am so happy you love the brownies! 🙂
Nil says
Would adding eggs taste better?
Shelley says
Ok these taste amazing...but seem to crumble in my hand just trying to get them out of the pan...what did I do wrong? (No substitutions) help!
Erin says
Hi Shelley, thank you for the kind words!! I would let them cool longer or in the fridge. Let me know if that helps next time!
Emily says
I made your vegan banana bread yesterday morning and it turned out soooo well that I had to try these brownies too. I have never made chickpea brownies before so I was a bit skeptical about it but they taste absolutely AMAZING !! 🤩 Super chocolaty and fudgy! Thanks for sharing your truly amazing recipes with us!
Erin says
Hi Emily! Thank you so much for you kind words!! I am so happy you enjoyed them and for your support!!
Deepa Daya says
Is there a replacement for almond butter?
Erin says
Hi Deepa, yes, you can choose whatever butter you like, peanut, cashew, cookie, etc. Let me know which you choose and they come out!
Brooke says
WOW. These are AMAZING! The first time I ever made them I tried the batter and was blown away that it literally tasted better than normal brownie batter. My (anti-health) husband had no idea I was making healthy brownies and complimented how they are "really good."
Erin says
Hi Brooke! I am so thrilled you and your husband enjoyed the brownies!! 🙂
H says
I don’t know what happened with mine because I followed everything exactly as written (except used all purpose flour instead of almond flour) but they were totally inedible. My batter looked exactly like the video prior to baking. I had to throw the whole tray straight into the trash which is upsetting since I used a high quality chocolate and expensive maple syrup. I like chickpeas and everything else in the recipe but it came out tasting like really bland mushed beans. I’m stumped because the reviews for this are so high it’s making me second guess myself.
Erin says
Hi, it sounds like you must have missed a step! Sorry to hear that.
Brooke says
These were excellent!!! I’m always looking for a good dairy free recipe. You absolutely don’t taste the chickpeas. I used regular whole wheat flour instead of almond flour (I didn’t have any and we don’t have a gluten allergy here) and my mixture was a little on the thicker side - I’m thinking maybe I needed to reduce the amount of flour since not almond? The top of the brownies were a little crumbly but the inside was perfect. I also didn’t have any chocolate chips that were my dairy free ones so I omitted - maybe that was another reason it was dry on top. Either way, can’t wait to make these again once I get some more chocolate chips! Thanks for sharing!
Erin says
Hi Brooke! I am so happy you enjoyed the brownies and yes, not all flour ratios are 1:1, so always check the ratio before baking so the consistency is right. Let me know how your next batch comes out!
Jenna says
Just how long do you have to blend this before it is smooth? Because I blended it for a ridiculously long time and it is everything except smooth.....
Nancy Atkins says
Great recipe! But I can't really use your site at all, which is a big shame. I'd love to try more of your recipes, but all the popups and heaviness crash my browser so badly that it takes minutes to load, and then all the text disappears again.
Karen says
Holy smokes!! I was so surprised how these turned out. I had to adjust this recipe bc I didn’t have a few things it called for. I added 1 tsp of baking soda instead of adding baking powder. I also added organic sugar instead of honey or maple syrup. And added flour instead of almond flour. My child is so picky and ate these thinking they were just regular brownies. These are delicious!! I will double this recipe next time for sure bc the entire pan is almost gone 😋
Erin says
Hi Karen, thank you so much for your kind words!! I am so happy you enjoyed it and made it your own! 🙂