Gluten-Free Afghan Chickpea Cookies

Delicious & Healthy Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies: Your New Vegan & Gluten-Free Obsession

Discover an innovative take on classic Afghan cookies, crafted entirely without flour! These delightful treats feature chickpeas, rich nut butter, cacao, and dates, all finished with a luscious walnut cacao frosting.

Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies by Flora & Vino

Remember the epic tales of Middle-earth, with breathtaking New Zealand landscapes as their backdrop? While my early 2000s obsession with Lord of the Rings and Elijah Wood’s piercing blue eyes might be a nostalgic memory, my profound appreciation for all things New Zealand, especially its unique culinary traditions, remains strong. Today, we embark on a delicious journey to reinterpret a beloved Kiwi classic: the Afghan cookie. But this isn’t just any Afghan cookie – we’re crafting a healthier, entirely flourless, chickpea-based version that’s completely vegan, gluten-free, and irresistibly delicious.

This recipe is born from a desire to blend tradition with mindful eating. After stumbling upon Afghan cookies during an online search, their charming presentation – a dark, rich biscuit topped with chocolate frosting and a perfectly placed walnut – instantly captivated me. The allure was undeniable, even before a single bite. The challenge was clear: how to capture that beloved essence while making it align with a more wholesome, plant-based lifestyle?

Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies process shot

What Are Traditional Afghan Cookies? And How Did We Reinvent Them?

The classic Afghan cookie is a cherished New Zealand biscuit, renowned for its rich combination of flour, butter, sugar, and cocoa powder, elegantly crowned with chocolate icing and a half walnut. It’s a staple in Kiwi homes, a comfort food, and a true taste of local heritage. My goal wasn’t to replicate the original exactly, but to capture its spirit – that satisfying chewiness, deep chocolate flavor, and iconic walnut topping – while transforming it into a cookie that caters to modern dietary preferences.

Without ever having tried the true original, I decided to create a mock-up version that is completely vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, oil-free, and refined-sugar-free. If you’re an Afghan biscuit connoisseur, this creative rendition might raise an eyebrow. However, if you’re keen on making delicious, imaginative cookies packed with wholesome ingredients, then this recipe is definitely for you. It’s a testament to how traditional flavors can be reimagined for a healthier, inclusive diet without sacrificing taste or texture. Let’s dive into making these incredible treats!

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The Magic Behind Our Flourless Afghan Cookies: Key Ingredients

The foundation of these Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies is built upon my staple chickpea cookie recipe, known for its incredible texture and nutritional benefits. The secret lies in a surprisingly versatile ingredient: chickpeas!

Here’s what you need for the cookie base, and why each ingredient plays a vital role:

  • Chickpeas: Far from just being a hummus base, cooked chickpeas provide an unparalleled creamy texture and structure, making them an ideal flour substitute. They add a lovely chewiness and body to the cookies, all while being a powerhouse of plant-based protein and dietary fiber. This means these cookies aren’t just a sweet treat; they offer sustained energy and keep you feeling satisfied, preventing those common sugar crashes.
  • Walnut Butter: This provides healthy fats and a rich, earthy flavor that beautifully complements the cacao. It also acts as a binder, helping to create a cohesive dough and adding to the cookies’ soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Medjool Dates: These natural sweeteners offer a rich, caramel-like flavor and contribute to the dough’s sticky consistency, acting as a natural binder. They eliminate the need for any refined sugars, making these cookies a genuinely wholesome dessert.
  • Unsweetened Almond Milk: A splash of almond milk helps achieve the perfect dough consistency, ensuring everything blends smoothly without being too dry.
  • Raw Cacao Powder: This provides the deep, decadent chocolate flavor characteristic of Afghan cookies. Raw cacao is also packed with antioxidants, making this indulgence a little more virtuous.

That’s it! With just a handful of simple, whole-food ingredients, you’re well on your way to creating these extraordinary cookies.

Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies process shot

Baking to Perfection: Step-by-Step Guide

Achieving the perfect dough and bake for these Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies is straightforward, but a few tips will ensure delicious results:

  1. Smooth Dough is Key: To get the smoothest, most uniform dough, add all the cookie ingredients – chickpeas, walnut butter, Medjool dates, unsweetened almond milk, and raw cacao powder – to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend until you have a thick, sticky, and completely smooth dough. Make sure to scrape down the sides frequently with a rubber spatula to ensure everything is thoroughly combined and there are no hidden chunks.
  2. Shape Them Right: Once your dough is perfectly mixed, use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. The cookies won’t spread or rise much during baking, so what you see is largely what you get in terms of shape and size. For a classic cookie appearance, I recommend gently pressing each cookie down with the back of a glass or creating a charming criss-cross pattern with a fork.
  3. Bake with Care: Pop your shaped cookies into a preheated oven and bake for approximately 16-18 minutes. Since these cookies are already a dark chocolate color, it can be a little tricky to tell when they’re “done.” Don’t worry if they appear slightly underdone when you first remove them from the oven; they will continue to firm up beautifully as they cool and set. This cooling time is crucial for developing their final, satisfying texture.

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The Essential Role of Quality Baking Paper: A Sustainable Choice

Like all my cherished baking instructions, we begin with a parchment-lined baking sheet. For these Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies, I always reach for If You Care Parchment Baking Paper to set the perfect foundation. This choice isn’t just about convenience; it’s about making a difference.

These handy baking sheets are crafted from unbleached, totally chlorine-free greaseproof paper! Choosing If You Care paper products means you’re supporting sustainable practices, as no chlorine or chlorine derivatives are dumped into our precious lakes, rivers, and streams. The paper is responsibly sourced from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified forests, which promote rigorous environmental standards and responsible forest management. Moreover, these products are vegan, gluten-free, all-natural, non-GMO, and allergen-free, providing peace of mind that the paper touching your food is 100% safe and pure. The pre-cut parchment sheets are incredibly convenient, designed to fit standard metal baking pans perfectly. Using them not only significantly cuts down on clean-up time but also reduces the need for greasing and oil in your recipes, making your baking experience healthier and simpler. It’s a small change that makes a big impact!

Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies by Flora & Vino

Crafting the Perfect Walnut Cacao Frosting

In true Afghan cookie fashion, a luscious chocolate frosting and a decorative walnut are non-negotiable! Our clean walnut cacao frosting perfectly complements the rich, dark cookie base. It’s incredibly simple to make, yet delivers a truly decadent finish.

To make this irresistible frosting, you’ll need just a few ingredients:

  • Raw cacao powder: For that intense chocolate flavor.
  • Walnut butter: Adds creaminess and a subtle nutty undertone.
  • Pure maple syrup: Our natural sweetener, providing just the right amount of sweetness without refined sugars.
  • Walnuts: For the iconic topping.

That’s it! Simply whisk these four ingredients together by hand in a small bowl until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. The result should be a rich, spreadable frosting. Once your cookies have slightly cooled to room temperature, generously spread this delicious frosting over the top of each cookie. For the finishing touch, gently press a single walnut halve into the center of each frosted cookie. The combination of the rich chocolate, creamy frosting, and crunchy walnut is simply divine. Serve immediately and watch them disappear!

Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies by Flora & Vino

Enjoying and Storing Your Healthy Treats

These Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies are incredibly versatile, making them the perfect healthy dessert or snack for any time of day. Their rich, satisfying flavor and wholesome ingredients mean you can enjoy them guilt-free.

Try them out with a tall glass of your favorite unsweetened almond milk for a classic pairing, or elevate your morning routine by enjoying one alongside your latte. I personally love to have a couple as my mid-morning pick-me-up or as a delightful after-dinner treat. They’re also an excellent choice for pre or post-workout fuel, thanks to their balanced nutritional profile.

These cookies are packed with complex carbohydrates from the chickpeas and dates, healthy fats from the walnut butter, and a good dose of plant-based protein. This combination provides sustained energy, helping you feel fuller and more energized throughout your day.

For convenience and to ensure you always have a healthy treat on hand, consider making a double batch! These delightful morsels can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week. For longer-term storage, they freeze beautifully for up to a month. Simply pull one out whenever a craving strikes, let it thaw for a few minutes, and enjoy its wholesome goodness.

Enjoy these delicious, nutrient-packed cookies, knowing you’re treating yourself to something truly special and nourishing!

Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies by Flora & Vino

Share Your Creations!

If you make these Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies, I would absolutely love to hear from you! Your feedback helps me create more delicious and healthy recipes. Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review below so I can use your insights to continue developing exciting new “yums.”

Don’t forget to give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to show me your beautiful creations. I love seeing how you bring these recipes to life!

For more inspiring recipes like this one, be sure to check out my Pinterest page and pin your favorites to make later.

Looking for more amazing cookies made with chickpeas? You’ll love my Blood Orange Chocolate Chickpea Cookies, Chocolate Cherry Chickpea Chewies, and Cashew Butter Chickpea Snack Cookies. They’re all equally wholesome and delicious!

Love this post and want more healthy, plant-based inspiration? Go to my homepage and subscribe to get updates delivered right to your inbox!

XO Lauren

Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies by Flora & Vino


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Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies



5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews


  • Author:
    Flora & Vino


  • Total Time:
    30 minutes


  • Yield:
    15-16 cookies


  • Diet:
    Vegan
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Description

Afghan inspired cookies made without flour! Instead, make them with chickpeas, nut butter, cacao, and dates finished with a walnut cacao frosting!


Ingredients

CHICKPEA AFGHAN COOKIES

  • 1 15 oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup walnut butter
  • 810 Medjool dates
  • 3 TBSP unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 TBSP raw cacao powder

WALNUT CACAO FROSTING

  • 2 TBSP raw cacao powder 
  • 2 TBSP walnut butter
  • 2 TBSP pure maple syrup 
  • walnuts, for topping


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a cookie sheet with If You Care Parchment Paper.
  2. Add cookie ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor and pulse until well combined, scraping down the excess on the sides with a rubber spatula to ensure even consistency. It should resemble a thick, sticky dough.
  3. With a cookie scoop, scoop dough into balls and place on If You Care Parchment Paper. The batter should make about 15-16 cookies. Flatten gently with a fork or the back of a glass to your desired shape.
  4. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden brown and the cookies feel firm to the touch. Remember, they will firm up more as they cool.
  5. To make the frosting, combine the cacao powder, walnut butter, and maple syrup in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly with a fork or mini whisk until completely smooth and creamy. Spread this delicious frosting onto the slightly cooled cookies and gently press a walnut half into the center of each.
  6. Store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. For longer-term storage, they can be frozen for up to a month.
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven-Bake
  • Cuisine: Vegan, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Refined-Sugar-Free

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Photography by Hot Pan Kitchen