I believe in eating healthy and eating well, but there’s no enjoyment in a boring diet. Nutrition is the guidepost in which we make our decisions, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a ton of fun in the process.

I love sweets. You love sweets. We all love sweets!

And here’s a secret … sweets don’t have to be bad for you! In fact, if you get a little creative, follow some sound advice (hello!), and open the door to trying something new, you’ll find there are plenty of opportunities to treat your tastebuds and support your wellbeing!

With that said, let me introduce you to your new favorite dessert: Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Did I say chickpeas? You betcha!

No flour, no eggs, no milk, no sugar — all you need is five ingredients, a food processor, and a dozen minutes in the oven to bake these delicious, gooey, sweet, and healthy treats!

Ingredients

1/2 cup almond butter (or alternative nut butter)
1 can of organic chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
1/3 cup maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla
Dark chocolate chips
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Naturally Sweet

Refined sugars are broken down quickly by the body, leading to increased appetite and spiked blood sugar levels. These processed sugars are taken from their natural state and turned into concentrated sweetness, costing them almost all of their nutritional value. They include many of your go-to sweeteners like white sugar and brown sugar. Including them regularly in your diet can lead to weight gain, diabetes, and other health concerns.

Instead, when it comes to making something sweet, do it as naturally as possible. In this recipe, we’re using maple syrup, which packs a ton of essential nutrients like zinc and manganese. It’s antioxidants also mean that maple syrup can help support brain function and lower cholesterol. And while you shouldn’t use this as an excuse to overindulge, natural sweeteners are always the way to go when making a tasty treat.

Power of Chickpeas

First and foremost, for anyone who struggles with gluten sensitivities, using chickpeas as the centerpiece of your cookie dough is an absolute game changer. It’s a perfect alternative that still creates that gooey texture.

But it’s more than just a gluten substitute, chickpeas are an excellent source of plant-based protein, providing far more nutritional benefits than flour. They’re also richer in fiber content, which can help with digestion and creating the sense of fullness that keeps you from overeating.

Make sure, though, that you purchase them organic. Chickpeas are one of the crops that is most often sprayed with glyphosate. In fact, an EWG study found that over 80 percent of non-organic hummus and chickpea products contained glyphosate.

chickpea chocolate chip cookies ingredients in food processor

Put It in the Food Processor

Outside of a few measuring spoons and your oven, all you’ll need to make these chickpea chocolate chip cookies is your handy dandy food processor. It couldn’t be simpler! Just make sure you keep blending the ingredients as you go, not stopping until the dough is creamy and smooth.

Step 1: Add in the almond butter and chickpeas to the food processor and blend until smooth.
Step 2: Add in the maple syrup and vanilla — blend.
Step 3: Add in the baking soda, baking powder, and salt — blend.
Step 4: Remove the cookie dough from the food processor, allow to cool momentarily, and then add in the chocolate chip cookies by hand.
Step 5: Bake in the oven for 12 minutes at 350 degrees and enjoy!