Chickpea Cookie Dough Balls

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

Quick 20-minute no-bake treat using chickpeas and oats. Ready in minutes, stores well in fridge or freezer.
Clare Greco
Updated on Sat, 08 Feb 2025 12:51:43 GMT
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Late one night, searching for a healthier way to satisfy my cookie dough cravings, I discovered these chickpea cookie dough balls. Now they're my secret weapon for those sweet tooth moments, and nobody believes me when I reveal the main ingredient. They're perfectly poppable, surprisingly delicious, and you won't feel guilty reaching for another.

Last week, I served these at a playdate, and watching the moms' faces when I revealed they were made from chickpeas was priceless. Even the pickiest kids came back for seconds.

Simple Ingredients Guide

  • Chickpeas: Make sure they're well-drained and patted dry - moisture is not your friend here
  • Whole Oats: They add the perfect cookie-like texture and heartiness
  • Maple Syrup: Real maple syrup brings natural sweetness and depth
  • Vanilla Extract: Transforms these from bean balls to cookie dough heaven
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: Because what's cookie dough without chocolate?
  • Salt: Just a pinch makes all the flavors pop
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Detailed Instructions

Bean Prep:
Give those chickpeas a good rinse and pat them super dry
Pulse Power:
Break down the chickpeas until they're nice and crumbly
Oat Integration:
Add your oats and let them join the party
Sweet Addition:
Pour in maple syrup and vanilla, blending until everything's smooth
Chocolate Time:
Fold in those mini chips by hand - resist eating them all first
Ball Formation:
Roll into bite-sized treats with slightly damp hands
Chill Out:
Pop them in the fridge to firm up

My kids have started calling these "secret cookie balls" because they love making their friends guess the mystery ingredient. It's become our favorite kitchen science experiment.

Snack Strategy

Keep a batch in the fridge for after-school snacks. They're perfect with cold milk or tucked into lunchboxes. I've even served them as dessert with a drizzle of melted chocolate on top.

Mix It Up

Try adding cinnamon and nutmeg for a snickerdoodle vibe, or swap the chocolate chips for peanut butter chips. Sometimes I roll them in crushed nuts or coconut for extra crunch.

Fresh Factor

Store these little gems in an airtight container in the fridge - they'll stay perfect for about five days. They freeze beautifully too - just thaw in the fridge overnight.

Life Savers

These have rescued me from many late-night sugar cravings. I always keep a batch in the freezer for emergencies.

Lunchbox Heroes

Pack these instead of processed snacks - they've got protein, fiber, and just enough sweetness to feel like a treat.

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Chickpea Cookie Dough Balls Homemade | recipesbyclare.com

Making these has taught me that healthy treats don't have to taste like a compromise. They're proof that sometimes the best recipes come from thinking outside the box - or in this case, the can!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can you taste the chickpeas?
When well-processed with sweetener and vanilla, the chickpea flavor is masked by cookie dough taste.
→ How long do these last?
Store in fridge for 3-5 days or freeze up to 3 months.
→ Why dry the chickpeas?
Patting chickpeas dry helps achieve better texture and prevents mixture from being too wet.
→ Can I substitute the maple syrup?
Other liquid sweeteners like honey or agave can work as substitutes.
→ Can I add other mix-ins?
Yes, try nuts, dried fruit, or different chocolate chip varieties.

No-Bake Chickpea Cookie Bites

Flourless cookie dough bites made from chickpeas, oats and maple syrup. A healthy treat that satisfies sweet cravings.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
20 Minutes

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (16 balls)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Base

01 15.5 ounces chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and dried
02 1/2 cup whole oats
03 1/4 cup maple syrup
04 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Step 01

Pulse chickpeas in food processor for 1 minute until crumbly.

Step 02

Add oats and pulse another minute.

Step 03

Add maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. Process until smooth.

Step 04

Transfer to bowl and fold in chocolate chips.

Step 05

Roll into tablespoon-sized balls.

Notes

  1. Can be eaten raw
  2. Stores well in freezer
  3. High in protein and fiber

Tools You'll Need

  • Food processor
  • Mixing bowl
  • Cookie scoop (optional)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 90
  • Total Fat: 2 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
  • Protein: 3 g