Secretly Healthy Chickpea Brownies Recipe
These secretly healthy chickpea brownies combine the rich, fudgy texture of traditional brownies with wholesome ingredients like chickpeas, dates, and natural peanut butter. Perfect for dessert lovers seeking a nutritious twist without sacrificing flavor, these brownies are naturally sweetened, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates (packed)
- 1/4 cup water
- 15 ounce can chickpeas (drained, but liquid reserved)
- 3 tablespoons aquafaba (from the reserved chickpea liquid)
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
- 1/3 cup raw unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup walnut pieces
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (176℃). Line a square 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make it easier to lift the brownies out after baking.
- Make Date Paste: Place the pitted dates and water into a food processor. Process until a smooth paste forms, which will serve as the natural sweetener and moisture base for the brownies.
- Combine Main Batter: Add the drained chickpeas, 3 tablespoons of reserved aquafaba (the chickpea liquid), natural peanut butter, and raw unsweetened cocoa powder to the food processor with the date paste. Process again until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Add Mix-Ins: Incorporate the vegan chocolate chips and walnut pieces by pulsing a few times to evenly distribute them without overprocessing, ensuring chunks remain in the batter.
- Transfer and Bake: Scoop the thick brownie batter into the prepared baking pan. Use a silicone spatula to smooth out the surface and press down to eliminate gaps. Optionally, sprinkle additional vegan chocolate chips and walnuts on top for extra texture and flavor. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until set.
- Cool and Slice: Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then lift the brownies out using the parchment paper and transfer onto a cutting board. Allow them to cool completely for at least 20 minutes before slicing to achieve the best texture.
Notes
- Make sure to reserve the liquid from the chickpeas to extract aquafaba instead of using separate aquafaba for vegan binding.
- Use natural peanut butter without added sugar or hydrogenated oils for a healthier brownie.
- If you prefer, you can substitute walnuts with other nuts like pecans or almonds.
- Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free and vegan.
