These low sugar Chickpea Cookies are high in fibre, packed with goodness and are egg, dairy and nut-free.
You may think making cookies from chickpeas is a little on the crazy side but don't dismiss these before you try them!
5 Reasons to Love Chickpea Cookies
- NUTRITION: If you are craving something sweet and indulgent then these aren't for you. However, if you are looking for a healthier cookie then these fit the bill. Low in sugar, high in fibre and filled with goodness.
- DIET / ALLERGY FRIENDLY: Great for those following a vegan diet or who have allergies. These chickpea cookies are free from wheat (but not gluten-free due to oats), dairy, eggs, and nuts.
- EASY TO MAKE: A great recipe for little ones to make in the kitchen. Fantastic for showing different ways chickpeas can be used and it is egg-free, meaning they can try as much of the mixture as they like!
- LUNCHBOX FRIENDLY: These chickpea cookies are nut-free, low-sugar and high-fibre making them a fantastic lunchbox addition.
- FREEZABLE - Store them in the freezer to take out for the lunch box/snacks as needed.
Ingredient Information
- Canned chickpeas: Canned chickpeas are used to keep it simple (look for no added salt). You can use dried chickpeas but just factor in the soaking time.
- Oats: The oats are blended in a food processor so you can use rolled oats or quick oats. Do not use steel cut oats.
- Bananas: Use ripe bananas as the sweetness is needed.
- Medjool Dates: You can use any dates but make sure they are soft or they will not blend properly. If your dates are a little dry soak them in boiling water for a couple of minutes before blending.
Process Shots and Cooking Tips
- Blend Oats until you achieve a course flour consistency. Add the baking powder, stir and set aside.
- Blend dates, banana, chickpeas and vanilla to form a sticky sweet paste. This make take a minute or too depending on how well your dates break down. (dates should be soft before blending)
- Combine wet and dry ingredients - add the chickpea mixture to a mixing bowl and stir through the oats until just combined.
- Stir through berries breaking up any larger berries.
- Form Cookies: Roll tablespoons of the mixture into balls and flatten to form a cookie shape. Top tip - the mixture is moist and sticky, it really helps to wet your hands when forming the cookies.
- Bake for 15 mins.
Storage Instructions
These cookies have a higher water content than traditional cookies. For this reason they will not store at room temperature for long. The cookies are best stored in the freezer.
- Room Temperature: Allow to cool, transfer to an airtight container and store for up to a day.
- Freezer: Allow to cool, transfer to an airtight container (seperate each layer with baking paper) and freeze for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
If making for a baby I would recommend reducing the amount of dates used, to reduce the sugar content.
I don't believe you can. The raspberries and blueberries give great flavour bursts and the sweetness of the banana and dates mask the chickpea flavour. If you are worried you can add more sweetness by adding extra dates or some sugar /sweetener.
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Chickpea Cookies
Equipment
- Food Processor
- Baking Tray (sheet)
Ingredients
- 70g (¾ cup) Rolled Oats
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 400g (15oz) Can Chickpeas Rinsed, drained and patted dry. (Drained weight 240g)
- 1 Ripe Banana
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 6 Medjool Dates Dates should be soft, see notes.
- 55g (½ cup) Frozen raspberries
- 30g (¼ cup) Frozen blueberries
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 180c /350 F / Gas 4 and prepare two baking trays with baking paper
- Add the oats to a food processor and blend until a course flour consistency is achieved. Add to a mixing bowl and stir through the baking powder.
- Add the chickpeas, banana, vanilla and dates to the food processor and blend until the dates are broken down and a smooth paste is achieved.
- Add the paste to a mixing bowl and stir through the oats until combined. Add the berries and gently stir through. Break down any larger berries into the mixture.
- Scoop out 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll into a ball, place on the prepared baking sheet and press down to form a cookie shape. Repeat (makes approx. 17)
- Bake for 15 mins.
Recipe Notes
Nutritional facts
*This post was previously published Feb 2017. It has been updated to provide more information and process shots. The recipe has also been tweaked due to reader feedback. If you would like the original recipe please email me and I can send you it.
Katie says
Help! What am I doing wrong. I have followed it to the letter but the mixture is very wet indeed. The first test two I put in came out soggy still after 15 minutes and even after another five. I've added about another 40g of oats and baking for 20 mins but still coming it soggy in the middle. Any tips?
Amy says
Hi Katie, Sorry you aren't having much success with these. Are you rinsing the chickpeas? I usually pat them dry too. The mixture is quite soft but I wouldn't say soggy.
Brasta says
I've made these twice now! Great recipe! Even my older kids eat them!
Amy says
Brilliant! I love to hear feedback like this, thanks for taking the time to tell me ??
Amy says
The little guy loves these. Thanks Amy!
Amy says
Yeah! So pleased! Thanks for taking the time to tell me x
Noellia says
RE:chickpea cookies
Hi there,
These look great. My only question is, do they keep well and for how long? I have two boys under two and prior to my second I had a lot of time on my hands to cook him nutritious food all the time. Now I am so time poor I can barely keep two good meals a day for my toddler. I have scoured the internet for healthy snacks to make in advance that can be either frozen and then microwaved as needed, or stored for four or five days in an airtight container.
Your recipes look amazing and are exactly what I've been looking for, however they don't really state how to keep leftovers or whether or not some CAN actually be kept for longer than a day.
Thanks for your website!
Amy says
Hi Noellia, thanks for your feedback. These freeze really well (in fact I have been know to eat them straight from the freezer when I am looking for something sweeter!) I usually make a batch and then freeze on a tray and once frozen pop them in a zip line bag. I pop them into my eldest son's lunch box often.
Sylvia says
Just made these. Substituted mango for the banana, and added some sugar as I didn't have any dates. They are a little bit squidgy in the middle so giving them a little bit longer. However, the one I sampled tasted gorgeous. Perfect for my coeliac daughter. ?
Amy says
Hi Sylvia, I love the sound of the mango - I must try that next time. So glad you liked them ?
Nadia says
These look amazing! (I've made similar cookies with peanut butter and chocolate chips, not quite so baby friendly!) Is there anything from my store cupboard I could use instead of chia seeds? Thank you!
Amy says
Hi Nadia, Thank you! The peanut butter and choc chip version sounds good but not quite as healthy ? You could replace the chia seed with flax seed or an egg. I've not tried either so can't guarantee it will work but that is where I'd start!
Mhairi says
Thanks for this recipe - looking forward to making these. It's a constant challenge to have healthy snacks for school which are nut and sesame seed free - and which freeze well!
Amy says
Hi Mhairi, It is, isn't it! I hope these are a success for you. ?