Chickpea Blondies

Blondies are chocolate brownies’ favorite snackable cousin. Instead of a decadent, fudgy treat, you get a chewy, buttery, vanilla-scented dessert you can pack with chocolate chips, nuts or even dried fruit. Plus, these chickpea blondies turn everything upside down by bringing a punch of protein and fiber to the table.

Chickpeas add moisture and structure to traditional blondies without imparting any bean-y flavor. Blending them until smooth before adding them to the batter helps create an incredible chewy, fudgy texture. Taste of Home recipe editor Margaret Knoebel adds a hint of maple syrup, vanilla and a healthy amount of chocolate chips to make them even more enticing.

Whether you’re looking for a smarter bake sale option or just a new way to use a can of chickpeas, this crowd-pleasing blondies recipe proves that a little pantry creativity can go a long way.

Ingredients for Chickpea Blondies

• Chickpeas: Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, serve as the key ingredient in the blondie batter. They provide moisture, structure and protein in these baked treats.
• Maple syrup: Instead of sugar, use maple syrup to sweeten the chickpea blondie batter. Use pure maple syrup here for the best blondies.
• Almond butter: Almond butter adds flavor and helps bind the ingredients in this recipe.
• Almond milk: Since these blondies are vegan, using almond milk is essential. Vanilla almond milk adds great flavor, but you can use regular almond milk, soy milk or oat milk if needed.
• Vanilla extract: Enhance the flavor of these easy chickpea blondies with a touch of vanilla extract.
• All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour provides structure to the blondie batter.
• Baking powder and baking soda: You’ll need a bit of baking powder and baking soda to help the blondies rise while baking, resulting in a fluffy-meets-chewy texture.
• Salt: A pinch of salt goes a long way in balancing the sweetness and flavor of these blondies.
• Chocolate chips: Stir semisweet chocolate chips into the batter for these chickpea blondies. If you want the blondies to be completely vegan, be sure to read the ingredients label on the chocolate chips. While many brands are vegan, some do contain dairy.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven and prep the pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch square baking pan.

Step 2: Combine the chickpeas and wet ingredients

Place the chickpeas, maple syrup, almond butter, almond milk and vanilla in a food processor or high-powered blender, and process until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.

Step 3: Add the dry ingredients

In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda.

Add the dry ingredients to the chickpea mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Step 4: Bake the blondies

Spread the mixture into the greased baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Editor’s Tip: If spreading the batter into the baking pan is tricky, use your hands instead. With washed hands, press the dough down until even and smooth.

Chickpea Blondie Variations

• Add nuts or seeds: Pair chocolate chips with additional mix-ins for crunch. Add chopped walnuts, pecans or pistachios to the batter, or sprinkle the blondies with pepitas.
• Top with chocolate: Dress up the top of this chickpea blondies recipe with a drizzle of melted chocolate.
• Make them salty: Immediately elevate these chickpea blondies with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right when you pull them out of the oven.
• Go for rainbow: Add a splash of color with rainbow sprinkles. Stir 1/2 cup into the blondie batter before baking.
• Mix in dried fruit: Incorporate crushed freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries for a fruity twist.

How to Store Chickpea Blondies

Keep these blondies soft and moist by storing them in an airtight container or zip-top storage bag. You can store them at room temperature for up to three days or refrigerate them for up to five days.

How can you freeze chickpea blondies?

This chickpea blondies recipe freezes wonderfully! Store the bars in an airtight container, freezer bag, or wrap them individually in a layer of storage wrap and then aluminum foil. Keep blondies in the freezer for up to two months and let them thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Chickpea Blondie Tips

Can you use a stand mixer to make chickpea blondies?

While you can make many blondie and brownie recipes with a stand mixer or hand mixer, this chickpea blondie recipe requires either a food processor or blender to create a smooth batter.

Can you make these chickpea blondies gluten-free?

All-purpose flour adds gluten for structure in these chickpea blondies, but this can easily be adjusted. Use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour for an easy swap.

How should you serve chickpea blondies?

Chickpea blondies are excellent on their own, whether served at room temperature, warmed up or cold. You can also use them as the base of an elaborate dessert. Instead of brownies, use chickpea blondies in this peanut butter brownie trifle or as the base for an ice cream sundae.