How To: Chickpea Blondies Are Vegan, Delicious & Packed with Protein

We've seen these bean-filled blondies trending on social media for a while and, with some inspiration from The Kitchn, we finally decided to grab some chickpeas and give them a go.

We opted for coconut oil in lieu of butter and carob chips instead of regular chocolate chips to make our bars vegan, but you don't have to. While we're not vegan, we have friends who are, and we like to share the baked-good love with them.

These blonde brownies could not be easier to make. Essentially, most of the ingredients get thrown into the food processor, some flour and the chips are added, then the bars are popped in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. What emerges is a gooey, moist, protein- and nutrient-packed treat that tastes unbelievable.

You can catch us chewing on them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert.

What You Need

• 1 (15-oz.) can garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas)
• ½ c. coconut oil
• ¾ c. packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¾ c. unbleached, all-purpose flour
• ½ c. carob chips

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F and get ready to embark on your vegan baking extravaganza.

Step 2: Add the Chickpeas

Separate the chickpeas from the liquid and place them in a food processor. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the liquid (otherwise known as aquafaba) for later. One of the main reasons this recipe works so well is because the chickpea liquid actually acts as an egg replacement. So, tempted though you may be, do not rinse the chickpeas and do not throw out that liquid!

Step 3: Add More Ingredients & Blend

Add the coconut oil, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, and vanilla extract to your chickpeas in the food processor. Process until the chickpeas are smooth and the entire mixture is combined. It will still be a bit grainy, but that's okay.

Step 4: Mix in the Flour & Carob Chips

Remove the mixture from the food processor and place into a large bowl, then gently mix in the flour and the carob chips.

Step 5: Prepare Your Baking Dish

Coat your baking dish with coconut oil, and smooth the batter into it. You want a nice even surface so that your blondies come out looking beautiful.

Step 6: Bake Those Blondies!

Put your blondies in your preheated 350ºF oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Once removed, allow them to cool a bit before cutting and diving in.

Vegan blondies are simple to create, protein-packed, and nutritious without compromising that iconic chew and characteristic cookie-like texture we do so love. May your venture into the world of vegan blondies be a fulfilling one!

A Few More Vegan Wonders

Minimalist Baker makes a mean vegan salted bourbon caramel ice cream if you've got a hankering for ice cream (or, you know, bourbon) but don't do standard dairy.

Vegan Family Recipes does what vegan families do best: bake delicious vegan treats! You won't need much encouragement to make this truly epic-sounding vegan blueberry lime cheesecake.

And, if you're all about those chickpeas, check out these vegan chickpea thumbprint cookies from The Colorful Kitchen.

Have you branched into the realm of vegan baking? If so, share your favorite treats with us in the comments below!

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More Vegan Cooking & Baking Tips:

• Make Vegan Mayonnaise by Using Aquafaba Instead of Egg Yolks
• 12 Tofu Hacks That Even Tofu-Hates Can Appreciate
• How & Why to Use Avocados in Desserts Instead of Dairy