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Delicious, high protein, healthy, sweet recipes featuring the versatile legume – chickpeas! Trust me – you will love these Vegan Dessert Recipes!
What are Chickpeas?
Chickpeas, also called Garbanzo Beans, are a versatile legume. They’re small in size, but big in nutrition. Full of protein, fiber, folate, and iron, chickpeas are an inexpensive ingredient you should always have in your pantry.
Whether precooked from a can or dry beans cooked from scratch, their nutty flavor and creamy texture lend them well to not only savory hummus, but sweet dessert recipes as well! Learn more in this article All about Chickpeas.
Aquafaba
Although I love using chickpeas in savory recipes to bulk up the protein, we’re talking all things sweet today! I’ve asked some of my favorite blogging buddies for their best sweet vegan dessert recipes using the humble chickpea. You’re gonna love these!
Don’t forget to save the liquid from a can of chickpeas (or the liquid from cooking the beans from scratch) – this bean liquid is called aquafaba and can be used in place of eggs in many recipes, like my Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars, Chai Spiced Layer Cake, and my Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Bread. Learn more about aquafaba here.
Are desserts vegan?
The majority of store-bought or bakery desserts are not vegan. Animal based eggs, dairy, and milk are generally used in these items. The ones that are vegan are generally more expensive to purchase. The solution is to make your own!
Is sugar vegan?
While all sugar is technically plant based and doesn’t contain any animal products in the finished product, not all sugar is vegan. Typical sugar is filtered through animal bone char to turn the color white. Brown sugar is no different as it is simply white cane sugar with added molasses.
Organic sugar, beet sugar, and coconut sugar are never processed with bone char, so you can rest easy using those items. For more information, see this article.
Are vegan desserts healthy?
Desserts, whether vegan or not, should be eaten in moderation. While whole food plant based desserts may provide more nutrients than your average sweet treat, they may be high in fat and generally still contain a sweetener of some kind. Even unrefined sweeteners should be limited.
Having said that, everyone needs to quiet their sweet tooth every now and then and reaching for a vegan version definitely makes me feel better about my choices overall.
More vegan dessert recipes
- Strawberry Glazed Chocolate Donuts
- Vegan Carrot Cake
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
- No Churn Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream
- Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
- Rice Crispy Treats (No Marshmallows!)
- Vegan Toffee Bars
Vegan Dessert Recipes featuring Chickpeas
Sweet Chickpea Recipes – delicious, high protein, healthy, vegan dessert recipes featuring the versatile and humble legume – chickpeas!
Truffles and Small Bites
Keep them in the freezer and these tiny truffles taste like cinnamon cheesecake bites.
Roasted chickpeas are typically a savory snack, but this cinnamon sugar version is crunchy and sweet!
These cute little cookie dough balls look like cake pops with the optional pretzel sticks.
Thick luscious squares of peanut butter fudge are velvety smooth thanks to chickpeas!
Brownies/Blondies/Bars
With tender, fudgy centers, crackly tops and big cinnamon flavor, these these delicious gluten free blondies are a reader favorite!
These Pumpkin Fudge Brownies are super moist and fudgy with the perfect balance of chocolate and pumpkin. They also happen to be vegan, nut free and gluten free!
Sugar free and gluten free, these healthy bars are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert!
Bust out your blender and whip up these easy blondies. And don’t forget the chocolate chips!
Chocolate Chickpea Bark (Gluten-Free, Vegan / Plant-Based, Refined Sugar-Free)
Sweet, salty, soft, and crunchy, this chocolate bark recipe is super creative!
Cookies
Roasted chickpeas make these peanut butter cookies from even nuttier.
Crispy on the edges, gooey in the center, this cookie pie can also be made into bars and comes with a nut-free option.
With no added sugar in these fruity treats, consider it acceptable to eat cookies for breakfast!
Cakes
Cashews and chickpeas combine to create the perfectly creamy and smooth texture in this baked cheesecake.
Just 15 minutes of prep time and a handful of ingredients is all you need to create this easy cake. The hardest part is waiting for it to chill before taking a bite!
Is it a cookie? Is it a cake? Either way, I want a slice of this deliciousness and you should have one, too.
Dessert Hummus
As a dip, spread onto toast or graham crackers, or eaten straight from the spoon, this sweet dessert hummus is kid friendly, adult approved!
Nut free and gluten free options are included for this dreamy dessert so everyone can enjoy!
Just 6 ingredients and so easy to make. Grab some fresh fruit or pretzels to dip for a healthy snack.
A creamy fall-inspired treat that's as healthy as it is delicious!
This yummy smoothie bowl recipe doesn’t just use regular chickpeas...it uses frozen chickpeas. What?! Genius!
Aquafaba
This s’mores pudding bowl utilizes the ever fascinating Aquafaba (the brine drained from a can of chickpeas), crushed grahams, and a rich avocado-based chocolate pudding.
Sarah De la Cruz says
Is there anything the humble chickpea can’t do? Love these ideas!!!
Jenn S. says
I really don’t think so. 🙂 Thanks, Sarah!
Jordan says
Awesome roundup! I love using chickpeas in unexpected ways – especially desserts. Thanks for including our cookie dough. 🙂
Jenn S. says
Thank you for your delicious recipe!
Sarah McMinn says
What a great roundup! These all look so incredible.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Sarah!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Lorie! I hope you get a chance to try some.
Kristina @ Love & Zest says
It amazes what you can do with chickpeas! These are some fantastic recipes!
Maria says
You had me at the first recipe! There are so many here I need to try!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Maria. Let me know if you try any of them. Enjoy!
Alisa Fleming says
I am seriously intrigued by that chocolate chickpea bark!! What a fun round-up. Who knew chickpeas were so versatile?
Jenn S. says
I know, right? So creative!
Taylor Kiser says
I love how versatile chickpeas are! What a great roundup of chickpea recipes! Everything looks so delicious!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Taylor! They are perfect in so many things!
Laura says
I LOVE baking with beans! Especially chickpeas! Thank you for including my blondies! Yum!
Jenn S. says
You are so welcome, Laura! Loving those blondies! Chickpeas are just the best!
amanda -runtothefinish says
I was sooooo obsessed with making dessert hummus for awhile, I had to stop because I was eating it all the time, ha!! Great reminder to get back to some of these fun, healthy desserts.
Jenn S. says
HaHa! It’s a good thing to be obsessed with! Now you can turn your dessert hummus into fudge or brownies. 🙂
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
Who knew there are so many ways to use chickpeas in desserts? Talk about a super food!
Jenn S. says
Totally! And you can’t beat easy and inexpensive too! 🙂
Becky Striepe says
Oh my gosh – these all look so good! I’m pretty sure there’s nothing chickpeas CAN’T do!
Jenn S. says
I think you’re right. They’re so versatile and so delicious! Thanks, Becky!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition says
Every one of these looks delicious! I’m now craving your cinnamon truffles!
Jenn S. says
Thanks so much, Mary Ellen! Those cinnamon truffles are so super easy! It’s going to be chickpeas all-the-things in my house for the next week! 🙂
Mel says
Great round up and great subject! I adore chickpeas! Thanks so much for including my recipes.
Jenn S. says
Thanks for your yummy recipes! I love how versatile chickpeas are! And so inexpensive too. Win-win!
Jana@Nutritionicity.com says
Great roundup Jenn!! Thanks so much for including my Chocolate Chickpea Bark 🙂 I am definitely going to try your Cinnamon Chickpea Blondies first. They look amazing!!
Jenn S. says
You’re so welcome, Jana! Thanks for creating such deliciousness! I would have never thought to use roasted chickpeas like that and I LOVE the idea!