We’ve rounded up the 30 best chickpea dessert recipes from around the world for you to try at home. Whether you’re looking to experiment with new flavors or are following a gluten free diet, these recipes will inspire you to get baking with chickpeas and chickpea flour.
Chickpea Flour
Chickpea flour is also known as garbanzo bean flour and erroneously as Indian gram flour or besan. Let me explain: Chickpea flour is milled from whole white chickpeas (garbanzo beans), while besan (gram flour) is milled from split brown chickpeas (chana dal). So, the flours have a similar flavor but differ slightly in texture.
This chickpea dessert collection features recipes made with chickpeas, chickpea flour, and besan (gram flour).
Health Benefits of Chickpea Flour
Chickpea flour, also called garbanzo bean flour, has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its numerous nutritional benefits. This versatile low-glycemic ingredient is not only gluten free and high in protein, but it also contains a good amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. As a result, chickpeas can help lower cholesterol. They also support blood sugar control, gut health and weight management. As a legume, however, chickpeas are not a low-carb food.
Chickpea Flour Is an Excellent Substitute for Wheat Flour
Chickpea flour provides more vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein but fewer calories and carbs than refined flour. Since it doesn’t contain wheat, it’s also appropriate for people with celiac disease, gluten intolerance or wheat allergy.
Chickpea Flour Is a Versatile Baking Product
Once you mix chickpea flour with water, it acts as an excellent binder and leavening agent. So it’s perfect for baked goods such as pie crusts, cookies and pancakes. In fact, this wonder flour is even an excellent egg replacer in omelets. In terms of flavor, chickpea flour has a mild flavor that integrates well with other flavors. So we hope this collection of chickpea dessert recipes inspires you too.
Where to Buy Chickpea Flour
You can purchase chickpea flour online or in supermarkets and also in Asian, Indian and Middle Eastern grocery stores.
30 Best Chickpea Dessert Recipes
Chickpea Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chewy and irresistibly delicious, these vegan-friendly Chickpea Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies are easy to make. Perfect for dairy free, gluten free and grain free diets, this scrumptious chickpea dessert is everything you could ever want in a chocolate chip cookie recipe!
Chickpea Cookie Dough
This no-bake Chickpea Cookie Dough Recipe is vegan and gluten free. Worry-free and delicious, this edible cookie dough recipe is made with chickpeas, peanut butter and maple syrup. Plus choose from 4 different tasty add-ins: chocolate chip, cranberry coconut, sprinkles, double chocolate.
Chickpea Flour Pie Crust
Golden yellow like a sunflower, Chickpea Flour Pie Crust is perfect for that afternoon quiche in the garden. With a tender, slightly crunchy crumb and a mild flavor, this healthy, gluten free pie crust will not overpower your filling. It’s also easy to make.
Chocolate Chickpea Brownies
Chocolate Chickpea Brownies are fudgy, gooey, super chocolaty, and easy to make! Made with chickpeas, your choice of flour, cocoa powder and chocolate chips, this mouthwatering chickpea brownie recipe is also perfect for plant-based, gluten free and dairy free diets.
Besan Ladoo (Indian Chickpea Dessert)
Besan Ladoo is one of the most popular Indian sweets. Infused with the rich aroma of cardamom, this scrumptious Indian classic only takes half an hour to make. Just head to your nearest Indian market for besan (gram flour) or order online.
3-Ingredient Chickpea Flour Banana Muffins
Sweetened with banana, this moist and delicious vegan Chickpea Flour Banana Muffin Recipe only contains 3 ingredients plus a few optional ingredients such as ground cinnamon. A quick and easy recipe for kids to help make, it’s perfect for using up ripe bananas.
Edible Chickpea Brownie Batter
This edible chickpea brownie batter is easy, delicious, and only takes 10 minutes to make! Rich & fudgy, it tastes amazing with chocolate chunks too! Plus this chickpea snack is vegan, gluten free, grain free, and totally plant-based. What more could you want!
Flourless Chickpea Brownies
Super fudgy and gluten free, these delicious, sugar free, dairy free, chocolate brownies are the ultimate vegan treat. Made with nutrient-dense chickpeas, optional toppings include chocolate-avocado frosting and chocolate chips. This flourless chickpea brownie recipe is basically plant-based to the max!
Chocolate Chickpea Flour Cake
Chocoholics, rejoice. You can make a rich, chocolaty loaf cake with chickpeas. Gluten free and plant-based, it’s the perfect way to satisfy a chocolate craving. So enjoy a chocolate chickpea dessert!
Pakistani Chickpea & Pistachio Fudge (Besan Ki Barfi)
Meltingly soft and creamy Pakistani Chickpea & Pistachio Fudge (Besan Ki Barfi) is sure to delight fans of cardamom and pistachio. Made with gram flour and ghee, this easy, delightful chickpea dessert has nothing “barfi” about it.
Chocolate Chickpeas
Why not dunk your chickpeas in chocolate? Cluten-free and dairy free, opt for sugar free chocolate chips to keep the carbs and calories down. These 3-ingredient, chocolate protein clusters are also a handy snack!
Double Chocolate Chickpea Flour Cookies
Indulge in these decadent Double Chocolate Chickpea Flour Cookies that are gluten free and deliciously satisfying. Rich in calcium and vitamin A, this 15-minute recipe is perfect anytime. Enjoy as a grain free snack or dessert.
Chickpea Flour Bagels
Who says vegans can’t enjoy delicious bagels? These Vegan Chickpea Flour Bagels are proof that plant-based eating can be tasty AND fun. So, grab your everything bagel topping and make these easy gluten free bagels that are mainly made with nondairy milk and chickpea flour.
Persian Chickpea Cookies with Pistachio (Nan-e Nokhodchi)
Indulge in mouthwatering Persian Chickpea Cookies with pistachio, rose water and cardamom (Nan-e Nokhodchi). They’re so good, you’ll forget these gluten free jewels are made from chickpea flour!
Vegan Chickpea Flour Pancakes
Pancakes without the guilt? Check out these Vegan Chickpea Flour Pancakes for a tasty twist on a classic breakfast favorite. Easy, gluten free recipe with optional cinnamon.
Super Fudgy Chickpea Brownies
These Chickpea Flour Brownies are super fudgy, healthy and easy to make. Gluten free and dairy free, you can make them vegan or nonvegan. So, if you’re craving healthier chocolate brownies with fewer carbs and calories, these secretly healthy, gooey, velvety brownies are for you.
Cinnamon Chickpeas
Indulge in the ultimate crunchy snack with these cinnamon roasted chickpeas. Made with only a few simple ingredients, this treat is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while still keeping it healthy!
Vegan meringues with aguafaba
Discover the magic of vegan meringues made with aguafaba, a surprising and delicious egg replacement. Light and easy 2-ingredient recipe.
Sweet Potato Chickpea Blondies
Who needs traditional blondies when you can have a healthier version made with sweet potatoes and chickpeas? Try these Sweet Potato Chickpea Blondies today! After all, sweet potato always adds a delicious, velvety texture to baked goods.
Chickpea Pizza Crust
Forget the dough drama and opt for a gluten free chickpea pizza crust instead! Learn how to whip up this surprisingly tasty alternative that will have you smiling all the way to the last slice. Rich in iron and calcium and seasoned with Italian herbs.
Dark Chocolate Chickpea Bark
Crunchy, chocolaty, and oh-so-satisfying – try this easy 2-ingredient recipe for Dark Chocolate Chickpea Bark and taste the magic of legumes like never before!
Chickpea Crackers with Sesame Seeds
These Chickpea Crackers with Sesame Seeds are here to shake up your snack game. Get ready for a flavor explosion that will have you saying “more please”! With chili powder, flaxseed meal and sesame seeds.
Chickpea Cookie Bars
Get your chickpea fix in cookie form with these delicious Chickpea Cookie Bars! Who knew healthy snacking could be this much fun? With chickpeas, peanut butter and maple syrup, these gluten free blondies are so chewy.
Besan ka Halwa (Chickpea Flour Dessert)
Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth with this delicious and easy-to-make Besan ka Halwa dessert recipe! Who needs a fancy restaurant when you can whip up this tasty Indian treat in the comfort of your own kitchen? Say hello to mouthwatering gluten free halwa that will have your taste buds dancing with joy! Made with besan flour, ghee and the aromatic flavors of cardamom, almonds and cashews.
Fudgy Chickpea Brownie Batter Truffles
Chocolate lovers, get ready to have your mind blown with these fudgy vegan chickpea brownie batter truffles. Healthy and ridiculously delicious, this chickpea sweet is made with nut butter and maple syrup.
Chickpea Ice Cream
Indulge in the guilt-free pleasure of cookie dough chickpea ice cream – you won’t believe it’s made from beans! Get ready to have your taste buds fooled and your cravings satisfied with this fun twist on a classic treat. Made with chickpeas, dates, vanilla protein powder and nut butter.
Mysore Pak (Traditional Indian Sweet)
Indulge in the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of Mysore Pak, a traditional Indian sweet that will have you coming back for more. A 3-ingredient recipe with besan flour, ghee an sugar, so get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth with this delicious treat!
Snickerdoodle Chickpea Blondies
Dive into guilt-free snacking with these chewy Snickerdoodle Chickpea Blondies packed with cinnamon and nutmeg. Your taste buds won’t believe they’re healthy! So get ready to be addicted to these scrumptious treats that are too good to resist.
Peanut Butter Chickpea Cookies
Looking for a guilt-free treat? These healthy chewy gluten free Peanut Butter Chickpea Cookies are the answer! Whip up a batch and indulge without the guilt – you won’t even taste the chickpeas, we promise. Get ready to have your cookie (and eat it too)!
Chickpea Blondies
Sink your teeth into these chewy vegan Chickpea Blondies that are so tasty, you won’t even realize they’re healthy! Packed with peanut butter and maple syrup, these treats will have you saying “who needs regular blondies anyway?”
Recipe Card
30 Best Chickpea Dessert Recipes Collection
Ingredients
- Chickpea Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chickpea Cookie Dough
- Chickpea Flour Pie Crust
- Chocolate Chickpea Brownies
- Besan Ladoo (Indian Chickpea Dessert)
- 3-Ingredient Chickpea Flour Banana Muffins
- Edible Chickpea Brownie Batter
- Vegan Chickpea Brownies
- Chocolate Chickpea Flour Cake
- Pakistani Chickpea & Pistachio Fudge (Besan Ki Barfi)
- Chocolate Chickpeas
- Double Chocolate Chickpea Flour Cookies
- Chickpea Flour Bagels
- Persian Chickpea Cookies with Pistachio (Nan-e Nokhodchi)
- Vegan Chickpea Flour Pancakes
- Super Fudgy Chickpea Brownies
- Cinnamon Chickpeas
- Vegan Meringues with Aguafaba
- Sweet Potato Chickpea Blondies
- Chickpea Pizza Crust
- Dark Chocolate Chickpea Bark
- Chickpea Crackers with Sesame Seeds
- Chickpea Cookie Bars
- Besan ka Halwa (Chickpea Flour Dessert)
- Fudgy Chickpea Brownie Batter Truffles
- Chickpea Ice Cream
Instructions
- Pick the chickpea dessert you want to make.
- Buy the ingredients.
- Make a delicious dessert.
Which one of these chickpea dessert recipes is your favorite? If you think we missed any, please leave a comment below – we’d love to hear!
How to Make Chickpea Flour
Use a food processor, spice grinder or coffee grinder to pulverize dried chickpeas into flour. But before you start, it’s a good idea to bear in mind that there are two ways to do it: using 1) dried chickpeas or 2) soaked and dried chickpeas. There’s a benefit to method 2, especially if you’re not using organic chickpeas, since soaking helps remove pesticides from chickpeas.
How Long Does Homemade Chickpea Flour Last?
Homemade chickpea flour has a shelf life of approximately 6 months if stored in an airtight container. To prolong this, store in refrigerator or freezer.
How to Store Chickpea Flour
In a cool spot and in an airtight container. So it lasts longer, store in refrigerator or freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference between Chickpea Flour and Indian Besan or Gram Flour?
Chickpea flour is milled from whole white chickpeas (garbanzo beans), while besan (gram flour) is milled from split brown chickpeas (chana dal). So, the flavor is similar but there is a slight difference in texture.
Can You Substitute Chickpea Flour for All-Purpose Flour on a 1:1 Basis?
Chickpea flour is not a direct 1:1 replacement for wheat flour, since it doesn’t contain gluten. In other words, it doesn’t rise or have the same texture as wheat flour. So, it’s best to use recipes that specifically call for chickpea flour.
Does Chickpea Flour Have Any Side Effects?
If you’re allergic to legumes, chickpea flour is generally not for you. It’s also high in fiber and some people experience digestive discomfort if they suddenly eat a lot of fiber.
Is Chickpea Flour Prebiotic?
Yes, chickpeas are above all rich in protein, fiber and other prebiotic substances.
Is Chickpea Flour Hard to Digest?
Chickpea flour is packed with fiber and accordingly may be hard for some people to digest.
What Is Special about Chickpea Flour?
Chickpea flour has a better nutrient profile than wheat flour, since it provides more vitamins, minerals and fiber. It’s also a beautiful, sunny yellow color that adds pep to whatever it’s used in.
Is Chickpea Flour Low Carb?
Chickpea flour is not a low-carb food, but has fewer carbs than wheat flour.
How Do You Use Chickpea Flour as an Egg Substitute?
To replace one egg, simply mix 3 tablespoons of chickpea flour with 3 tablespoons of water and stir until it’s thick and creamy.
Is Chickpea Flour Good for Losing Weight?
Chickpea flour is in fact a low-glycemic food. The fiber and protein in chickpea flour also help keep you full.
Is Chickpea Flour Keto-Friendly?
No, it is not a keto food, because it is not a low-carb food. Almond flour, on the other hand, is an excellent, low-carb, keto-friendly flour.
Is It Cheaper to Make Your Own Chickpea Flour?
Yes, it’s generally cheaper to make your own. But to be sure, compare the cost of a pound of dried chickpeas to a pound of chickpea flour in your area.
An aguafaba meringue.
What Is Aquafaba?
Aguafaba is the viscous liquid that remains after cooking chickpeas or draining a can of chickpeas. It’s also an excellent vegan egg replacement, since you can whip it into a fluffy foam. As a result, it’s used in a variety of vegan desserts and sweets ranging from meringues to marshmallows, pudding, whipped ‘cream,’ pavlova cakes and vegan ‘buttercream.’
Is Chickpea Flour Better than Refined Flour?
Yes, it has a better nutrient profile than refined flour. In other words, chickpea flour has fewer carbs and calories than wheat flour and is higher in protein, fiber and iron.
Did You Know That Chickpeas Are One of the Legumes Eaten on the Greek Island Where People Live to Be over 100?
On the Greek island of Ikaria where people live to be over 100 years old, beans and legumes including chickpeas, are among the key ingredients of the Ikarian way of eating.
Are You Looking for Dessert Recipes Made with Different Alternative Flours?
Check out my collection of healthy dessert & pastry recipes made with almond flour.
Check Out My Dessert Recipes
I was initially reluctant to bake a chickpea flour pie crust. But as soon as I tasted the crust, I was hooked. I couldn’t believe that I couldn’t at all taste the chickpeas.
Oliver says
Great recipes. I made the chocolate cake. It’s delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Cathy @ Cathy's Cake Salon says
You’re welcome. Glad you are enjoying the recipes!