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This chickpea cookie dough is a delicious way to get protein and an ideal treat for vegan and vegetarian diets. The taste and the nutrients of these cookies will have everyone smiling.
6 minute read
Last Updated September 12, 2023
If you are unfamiliar with chickpea cookie dough, this is the perfect introduction. Putting your health first doesn’t mean you have to avoid sweet treats. When you replace some of the traditional animal products with animal-free alternatives, you can enjoy delicious cookies that are yummy and great for your health.
Ingredients:
1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground chia seeds
1/3 cup 60% cacao chocolate chips or cocoa nibs
Directions:
Drain and rinse chickpeas, then place in a paper towel and dry off. If some of the skins start to come off, peel them off and discard, as this will help the cookie dough not be as gritty.
Add the chickpeas, baking soda, peanut butter, vanilla extract, maple syrup or honey, and cinnamon to a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Add the ground chia seeds to the food processor. To grind the chia seeds, add them to a coffee bean grinder or a mortar and pestle beforehand. Blend until everything is combined.
Add chickpea cookie dough mixture to a small bowl. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Bake and serve immediately. This dough can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Using chickpeas to create cookie dough removes the need for flour and eggs. Gluten is associated with digestive issues for many, and with vegans not being able to eat eggs, this is the perfect solution.
Your dough is the right consistency, and the other flavors you add are all you will taste. In addition to replacing ingredients that can work against your health goals, using chickpeas promotes overall health in a number of ways.
For such a small legume, there is a lot of nutritional benefit to this bean. Plant-based proteins are of higher quality to their animal-based cousins. Chickpeas in particular contain protein made of all the amino acids your body needs. Along with fiber and powerful plant proteins, you also get phosphorus, iron, zinc, folate, copper, magnesium, and manganese. Each of these support metabolic health and other systemic processes.
The high fiber content of chickpeas helps to promote healthy digestion. The fiber is mostly soluble, which means it blends with water to form a gel in your digestive tract, thus promoting regular bowel movements. This soluble fiber also helps to support your gut microbiome health.
Chickpeas contain important minerals, like magnesium and phosphorus, that work to support heart health. These two minerals in particular help promote healthy heartbeat and blood flow. The fiber in chickpeas also helps to maintain healthy triglyceride and normal cholesterol levels.
Chickpea cookie dough is a great way to promote healthy blood sugar levels and metabolic health. The fiber content of chickpeas slows digestion and allows for healthy blood sugar absorption. The low glycemic index of chickpeas makes them ideal for anyone looking to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
The fiber and protein content in chickpeas helps keep you feeling full for longer. This can help you avoid the temptation of grabbing processed snacks between meals. Protein and fiber both work to slow the digestive system, which can help reduce your overall daily caloric intake.
Cookies are a treat we can all enjoy. We often feel that to meet our health goals, we have to give up the treats we love, but this is not the case. By making some ingredient changes to your favorite recipes, you can treat yourself to the snacks you love. Try this chickpea cookie dough today, and then enjoy them without the guilt.
