By Karyl Laeving. Updated January 20, 2026. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from 214 votes.
These Healthy Chocolate Chickpea Dessert Bites are rich, fudgy, naturally sweet, and shockingly delicious. Made with simple pantry staples, they deliver brownie level indulgence with wholesome protein and fiber in every bite.
Table of Contents
About This Recipe
What It Is
Healthy Chocolate Chickpea Dessert Bites are no bake, blender friendly treats made from chickpeas, cocoa powder, and nut or seed butter. The chickpeas disappear into a smooth, truffle like base that tastes deeply chocolatey and decadent.
Why It Works
Chickpeas provide creaminess and structure while cocoa powder delivers bold chocolate flavor. Nut butter adds richness, and natural sweeteners balance everything without refined sugar overload. The result is a dessert bite that feels indulgent but fuels your body.
When To Make It
This is the recipe you make when you want something sweet right now, but still nourishing. Perfect for weeknight desserts, after school snacks, meal prep, lunchboxes, or freezer treats for busy weeks.
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Healthy Chocolate Chickpea Dessert Bites
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 bites 1x
Description
These Healthy Chocolate Chickpea Dessert Bites are rich, fudgy, and no bake, made with blended chickpeas, cocoa, and nut or seed butter. They taste like brownie truffles, store beautifully, and are perfect for meal prep snacks or a better for you dessert.
Ingredients
1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (about 240 g drained)
1/2 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter (120 g), or sunflower seed butter for nut free
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (25 g)
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey (80 ml)
1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml)
1/4 tsp fine sea salt (1 g)
2 to 4 tbsp oat flour, as needed for thickness (15 to 30 g)
1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips, optional (45 g)
Instructions
1. Drain and rinse chickpeas very well, then pat dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture.
2. Add chickpeas, nut or seed butter, cocoa powder, maple syrup or honey, vanilla, and salt to a food processor.
3. Blend 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed, until completely smooth and glossy.
4. If the mixture is too soft to roll, blend in oat flour 1 tablespoon at a time until thick and scoopable.
5. Transfer to a bowl and fold in chocolate chips, if using.
6. Scoop about 1 tablespoon each, roll into 16 bites, and place on a parchment lined plate or tray.
7. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or freeze 15 minutes) until firm, then enjoy cold.
Notes
For the smoothest texture, blend longer than you think and scrape the processor often.
Nut free option: use sunflower seed butter and dairy free chocolate chips.
Storage: refrigerate up to 6 days in an airtight container or freeze up to 2 months. Thaw 5 minutes before eating.
If you want sweeter bites, add 1 to 2 tbsp more maple syrup (15 to 30 ml) and blend again.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Healthy Desserts
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Why You’ll Love It
- No bake and ready in minutes
- Naturally gluten free and dairy free
- High in fiber and plant based protein
- Kid approved and lunchbox friendly
- Tastes like dessert, eats like a smart snack
Key Ingredients & Notes
Chickpeas
Use one standard can, drained and rinsed very well. Removing excess moisture is essential for a smooth texture. Chickpeas are rich in fiber and plant protein, which helps keep these bites satisfying. For more on why chickpeas work in sweets, Healthline explains their nutritional benefits in detail.
Nut or Seed Butter
Peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter all work beautifully. Choose a natural style with no added oils for the best texture. Sunflower seed butter is ideal for nut free households.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
This is where the chocolate magic happens. Use high quality cocoa powder for deep flavor. Dutch processed cocoa creates a darker, richer taste while natural cocoa offers a slightly sharper chocolate note. King Arthur Baking has a great guide on cocoa powder types if you want to experiment.
Maple Syrup or Honey
Maple syrup keeps the bites vegan and adds a smooth sweetness. Honey works just as well if preferred. Both help bind the mixture while balancing the cocoa.
Vanilla Extract
Just a teaspoon enhances the chocolate flavor and gives the bites that bakery style aroma.
Oat Flour
Optional, but helpful if your mixture feels too soft. Oat flour adds structure without dryness. You can make your own by blending rolled oats. BBC Good Food has a helpful overview on oat based baking swaps.
Chocolate Chips
Mini dark chocolate chips add texture and little bursts of sweetness. Dairy free chips keep the recipe fully plant based.
How To Make Healthy Chocolate Chickpea Dessert Bites
- Prepare the chickpeas
Drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly. Pat them dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture. - Blend the base
Add chickpeas, nut or seed butter, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt to a food processor. Blend for 2 to 3 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides, until completely smooth. - Adjust texture
If the mixture feels too soft, add oat flour one tablespoon at a time and blend again until thick but scoopable. - Fold in chocolate chips
Transfer the mixture to a bowl and gently fold in the chocolate chips. - Shape the bites
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of mixture and roll into balls. Place on a parchment lined plate or tray. - Chill
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or freeze for 15 minutes until firm.
Pro Tips for Success
- Always rinse chickpeas extremely well to remove any canned flavor
- Blend longer than you think for ultra smooth texture
- Taste and adjust sweetness before chilling
- Chill before serving for best fudgy texture
- Store cold for clean bites that hold their shape
- Use mini chips so they distribute evenly
- If too sticky, lightly wet your hands before rolling
Variations & Substitutions
Peanut Butter Brownie Bites
Use peanut butter and add an extra tablespoon of cocoa powder for bold brownie flavor.
Mocha Chocolate Bites
Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder to intensify the chocolate taste.
Protein Boosted Bites
Blend in 1 to 2 tablespoons vanilla or chocolate protein powder and add a splash of milk if needed.
Nut Free School Safe Bites
Use sunflower seed butter and dairy free chocolate chips.
Extra Sweet Dessert Style
Drizzle with melted dark chocolate once chilled for a truffle effect.
If you love simple healthy desserts like this, you will also enjoy No-Bake Brownie Bites (Fudgy & Healthy) and 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups (Healthy & No Bake) from Flavor & Recipes. For a frozen option, try High Protein Chocolate Yogurt Ice Cream (No Churn!).
Serving & Storage
Serving
Serve chilled straight from the fridge for the best texture. These bites pair beautifully with fruit, yogurt, or a glass of cold almond milk.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
Freezing
Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw for 5 minutes before enjoying.
Reheating
Not recommended. These are best enjoyed cold or slightly cool.
FAQs
Do chickpea dessert bites taste like beans?
No. When blended smoothly with cocoa and nut butter, chickpeas become completely neutral and creamy.
Can I make these without a food processor?
A high speed blender works, but you will need to stop and scrape frequently.
Are these good for kids?
Yes. They are soft, naturally sweet, and free from refined sugars.
Can I reduce the sugar?
Absolutely. Reduce the maple syrup slightly or use a lower sugar alternative.
Are these suitable for meal prep?
Yes. They store well and are perfect for grab and go snacks.
Conclusion
These Healthy Chocolate Chickpea Dessert Bites prove that nourishing desserts can still be deeply satisfying. If you make them, leave a rating, drop a comment, and share your creation. Do not forget to tag Flavor & Recipes. Subscribe to our newsletter for more healthy dessert inspiration delivered weekly.
