I’ll admit it: One of the things I was most excited about re-introducing into our diet as we came off our Whole30 last week, is beans and peas.
They’re such a delicious, inexpensive way to add some extra protein into our meals and snacks. Not to mention versatile.
I mean, this recipe pretty much proves you can put beans in anything – it’s a dessert!
I remember being a little shocked several years ago when black bean brownies became popular, but once I tried them, I was hooked. Beans weren’t just for dinner anymore – they’re for dessert and snacks too!
Since then, I have to tell you that chickpeas have become one of my favorite pulses to work with. They’re mild, and take on the flavor of whatever you put with them.
In this case, the addition of vanilla and maple syrup with just a tad bit of baking soda makes them taste just like cookie dough, and with the pea protein powder, they’re not just healthy cookie dough bites, they’re packed with protein!
One of my favorite things to do when I have a few minutes by myself to relax is play around with making new recipes in the kitchen – easy no-bake recipes are my favorite – and that’s exactly how this recipe came to be. Gabe had taken the kids out to the farm, and I was all alone with a can of chickpeas, and a food processor.
It was all I could do not to eat the entire batch for lunch before they got home, but I resisted, and no sooner did the kids walk through the door than they gobbled the rest of them up.
So I guess you could say, the recipe was a success.
So naturally I made another batch to photograph so you could see them – hey, we all have to take one for the team some time. 😉
Gluten-Free No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas (1 1/2 cups, cooked)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar
- 1/4 cup pea protein powder (or quick oats)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 Tablespoons coconut flour
- 1/3-1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Drain and rinse beans
- Process beans, vanilla, maple syrup, pea protein (note: pea protein can have a strong flavor, so if that’s not your thing, use oatmeal), salt, and baking soda in a food processor until smooth
- Add coconut flour one tablespoon fun at a time continuing to process until dough begins to come away from sides of bowl
- Add chocolate chips and pulse a few times to mix them in
- Form dough into small balls
- Flash freeze on a cookie sheet before sealing in containers for handy snacks
- Enjoy!
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thanks for sharing! It;s usefull!
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How could this be adjusted for using stevia instead of maple syrup?
I’m not sure how much stevia you would need to use, but the main thing would be to reduce the coconut flour – probably by half or more since it absorbs so much moisture.
Gaaah. These look so delicious! <3
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My kids love these!! Awesome snack!
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Hi!
I’m trying to find the recipe for these cookie dough bites and all I see is the youtube video -which doesn’t give measurements 🙂
Am I missing it?
Thanks!
Abbey
…nevermind! Found the recipe 😉
Made these today for my little one (and ok, myself too!). I have seen similar recipes but they called for a ton of peanut butter. I am on a low fat diet due to gallbladder issues and am pregnant so was looking for a satisfying snack that would help my sweet tooth and up my protein intake. These are so so yummy. Before I added the coconut flour, I was a little nervous that they’d taste a little too much like chickpea but the flour really brought them together. Sweetness is on point. I feel really good about these, can’t wait to get after them after they’ve spent their time in the freezer! Dessert hacks for the win!
PS am thinking of doing an aquafaba whipped “cream” to make these in to a full blown dessert after dinner!
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Yay! So glad you liked them!
We’re trying to stay away from nut butters too.
I hope your gall bladder issues resolve soon!
These look amazing! I wonder if an egg was added if they would bake up?
Thank you. Love the recipe. But we could store in containers other than plastic bags….trying to rage a war against plastic of any kind.