These fudgy, velvety, vegan Chickpea Blondies are smothered in luscious salted caramel and punctured with crunchy walnuts. They’re packed with protein, dates, walnuts and so many nourishing goodies that they make for a great breakfast on the go or even a post-workout bite.
When it comes to beans and pulses, chickpeas seem to get the most attention. The other beans are just left behind, pondering in limbo, not being given the credit that they quite frankly deserve. For example the butter bean: creamy, sweet, smooth no unpleasant bitterness or earthy flavours, quite simply, a blank canvas to turn into whatever dish you so please, whether it be dessert or dinner. These were inspired by my White Chocolate Blondies, which are also made with chickpeas.
Of course me being me, I went for dessert. I’m usually more into brownies but I didn’t have any cocoa powder so it gave me a chance to experiment with blondies for once and what a success that experiment turned out to be.
The beans provided that much needed gooey, stodgy base, and coupled with the syrup and peanut butter, it just made each bite smooth and sticky. And the salted caramel, well I don’t need to explain how much more amazing these blondies were with that smothered on top!
Why is this Good for Me?
- Chickpeas contain 15g of protein in just 1 cup (164g). In fact, of all 9 essential amino acids, it contains 8, which is pretty impressive. In addition to this, chickpeas are a rich source of fibre which is required to support our digestive systems, prevent constipation and make us feel fuller for longer. They also contain the water-soluble vitamin, folate (folic acid). This B vitamin is essential in promoting DNA growth as well as producing healthy red blood cells, which is particularly important during pregnancy to support the development of the growing foetus. These beans also provide iron – though as it is non-haem iron, it should be eaten alongside vitamin C-rich foods so that it can be absorbed. Also, don’t throw away the leftover water from canned chickpeas – it can be a great egg substitute which can even be used to make meringues!
- Walnuts are not only rich in protein but also the essential fatty acid, omega-3 in the form of ALA (alpha-linoleic acid). Research shows that not only can omega-3 protect the heart, but it also plays an important role in the health of brain tissues, hormone production and inhibiting inflammation (though more research is needed to establish the mechanism behind ALA as it must be converted first into another form of omega-3, DHA). Walnuts are also a good source of magnesium, a mineral that is required in a variety of processes such as nerve and muscle function, maintaining blood pressure and supporting bone health.
Questions about Chickpea Blondies
How to make Chickpea Blondies?
To make Chickpea Blondies, you will need to add chickpeas, maple syrup, protein powder, baking powder and peanut butter to a blender. Blitz until no lumps remain. Remove from the blender and fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Transfer to a tin lined with greaseproof paper and bake for 20 minutes. For the caramel, add soaked dates and plant milk to a blender and blend until smooth. Add to a saucepan with coconut sugar and salt. Heat on a simmer until sugar and salt are dissolved. Pour on top of blondies and allow to cool before cutting.
Can chickpeas be replaced with other beans?
Chickpeas can be replaced by other beans. For exampled butter beans which are more creamy, neutral and less earthy, or black beans which are more rich and nutty. The nutrient content is generally very similar amongst these beans.
Chickpea Blondies Substitutions
- The chickpeas can be replaced with other cooked beans, such as white beans or butter beans which have a more creamy texture and less earthy flavour. Other beans include black beans which are more rich and nutty.
- Walnuts can be omitted or replaced by other nuts such as roast almonds or hazelnuts.
- Protein powder can be omitted altogether if you do not feel the need to include it.
These Chickpea Blondies are…
- Gooey
- Fudgy
- Smooth
- Sweet and salty
- Dense
- Protein-rich
- Grain-free
- Gluten-free
- Simple
- Vegan
- Plant-based
Recipes to try…
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Chickpea Blondies
Ingredients
Blondies:
- 65 g peanut butter
- 85 ml maple syrup
- 50 g chocolate chips
- 50 g walnuts
- 1 can chickpeas drained
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 80 g protein powder
Caramel:
- 100 g dates
- 350 ml plant milk
- 1 tsp coarse salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C.
- For the blondies, start by heating the maple syrup and peanut butter in a saucepan until runny.
- Place with the remaining ingredients (except walnuts and chocolate chips) in a food processor and blitz to a smooth, coarse batter.
- Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips and pour into a baking dish lined with greaseproof paper.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- For the caramel, soak the dates in hot plant milk for at 1 hour.
- Pour into a food processor and blitz into a smooth cream until no bits are present.
- Pour on top of the blondies and serve.
Notes
- The chickpeas can be replaced with other cooked beans, such as white beans or butter beans which have a more creamy texture and less earthy flavour. Other beans include black beans which are more rich and nutty.
- Walnuts can be omitted or replaced by other nuts such as roast almonds or hazelnuts.
- Protein powder can be omitted altogether if you do not feel the need to include it.
Made these Chickpea Blondies?
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[…] but that was leftover brine from the freezer which I didn’t use last time when I made my Chickpea Blondies so I just defrosted it for this whipped cream – so cool right?! So next time, don’t chuck […]