Healthy & Delicious Blood Orange Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies: Your New Go-To Vegan Treat

Discover the magic of these naturally sweetened, protein-packed chocolate chip cookies made with chickpeas, infused with vibrant blood orange and rich maple syrup. Perfect for a healthy snack or guilt-free dessert!

As the days grow longer and spring awakens, there’s a unique joy in savoring the season’s fresh flavors. Who else finds themselves captivated by the bright, zesty allure of citrus during this beautiful time of year? For me, the appearance of deep-hued blood oranges in the produce aisle signals an exciting opportunity to infuse meals – and especially desserts – with their distinct flavor and stunning color.

The pairing of chocolate and citrus is an age-old culinary delight, a symphony of sweet and tangy notes that tantalizes the taste buds. If you’ve yet to experience this incredible combination, prepare to be enchanted. These Blood Orange Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies offer the perfect introduction, blending wholesome ingredients with an irresistible flavor profile that’s sure to become a favorite.

Why Make Vegan Cookies with Chickpeas?

Chickpea cookies have become my ultimate secret weapon for crafting effortlessly healthy and satisfying desserts. While it might sound unconventional at first, using chickpeas in baking offers a surprising array of benefits, transforming humble legumes into wonderfully soft, chewy, and nutrient-dense treats. They provide a fantastic base for vegan and gluten-free recipes, acting as a binder and adding a creamy texture that mimics traditional flour-based doughs, without the need for eggs or dairy. Plus, they pack a powerful punch of plant-based protein and fiber, making these cookies far more substantial and less likely to cause a sugar crash than their conventional counterparts.

My Spiced Cashew Chickpea Snookies were such a hit that I was inspired to adapt the concept into a classic chocolate chip cookie. But why settle for just chocolate chips when you can elevate the flavor and nutritional value even further? Adding a burst of Vitamin C from fresh blood orange juice and zest takes these healthy cookies to an entirely new level, marrying delightful taste with wholesome goodness.

These Blood Orange Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies stand out for their simplicity and incredible flavor. Requiring just a handful of common ingredients and less than 30 minutes from start to finish, they are the ideal solution for those moments when you crave something sweet, satisfying, and genuinely good for you. They’re proof that healthy desserts don’t have to compromise on taste or texture.

Essential Ingredients for Blood Orange Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies

Creating these delightful cookies is incredibly straightforward, thanks to a minimal list of wholesome ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to gather:

• Chickpeas: The star ingredient, providing structure, protein, and a wonderfully creamy texture. Make sure they are well-drained and rinsed.
• SunButter or Nut Butter: Acts as the primary fat and binder, contributing richness and a delightful chewiness. SunButter makes them nut-free, but almond or cashew butter works beautifully too.
• Cinnamon: A warm spice that complements both chocolate and orange, adding depth to the flavor profile.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly, ensuring a soft, pleasant texture. While optional, it’s recommended for a lighter crumb.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice, offering a rich, nuanced sweetness that pairs perfectly with the other flavors. Adjust to your desired level of sweetness.
• Fresh Squeezed Blood Orange Juice: The key to that bright, tangy citrus note. Fresh is always best for optimal flavor.
• Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips or Chopped Chocolate Bar: Essential for any chocolate chip cookie! Opt for refined sugar-free varieties if you’re keeping things extra healthy.
• Orange Zest: Provides an intense burst of citrus aroma and flavor, enhancing the blood orange notes in the juice.

That’s truly all it takes to whip up a batch of these extraordinary cookies!

Effortless Preparation: How to Make Blood Orange Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies

One of the best aspects of this recipe is its sheer simplicity – these blood orange chickpea cookies come together quickly and easily, mostly in just one bowl (or blender!).

1. Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
2. Blend Your Dough: Add all ingredients *except* the chocolate chips to a high-speed blender or food processor. Pulse until the mixture is thoroughly combined and smooth. It’s crucial to pause occasionally and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula, ensuring all ingredients are incorporated for a consistent dough. The final consistency should resemble a thick, sticky cookie dough.
3. Incorporate Chocolate: Once your dough is perfectly smooth, stir in the dairy-free chocolate chips directly into the blender with a spoon or spatula. This clever trick helps you avoid dirtying an extra mixing bowl!
4. Scoop and Shape: Using a cookie scoop (approximately 1.5 tablespoons in size) or your hands, form the dough into uniform balls. Place them onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. This recipe typically yields around 12-16 delicious cookies.
5. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the baking sheet to your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The cookies are ready when their bottoms are golden brown and they feel firm to the touch. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
6. Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them achieve their ideal chewy texture.

Making these healthy vegan chocolate chip cookies is truly a breeze, leaving you with more time to enjoy their amazing flavor!

Customization and Creative Swaps for Your Chickpea Cookies

One of the beauties of this Blood Orange Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookie recipe is its incredible versatility. Feel free to customize it based on what you have in your pantry or to suit your dietary preferences:

• Nut Butter Alternatives: If SunButter isn’t available or you don’t have nut allergies, any other smooth nut butter like almond butter, cashew butter, or even peanut butter will work wonderfully as a substitute, each imparting its own unique flavor.
• Citrus Choices: Can’t find fresh blood oranges? No problem! Regular navel orange juice and zest will yield equally delicious results, simply with a slightly less intense color. Lemon or lime zest could also offer an interesting twist, though they might be more tart.
• Chocolate Variations: Instead of chocolate chips, chop up your favorite dairy-free chocolate bar for larger, melty pockets of chocolate goodness. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate, such as dark chocolate chunks, milk chocolate alternatives, or even white chocolate chips for a sweeter treat.
• Added Texture and Flavor: For an extra layer of flavor and crunch, consider stirring in 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking can also enhance the chocolate flavor beautifully.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of cardamom or a dash of nutmeg could further enhance the warm spice profile, especially if you’re a fan of spiced cookies.
• Boost the Orange: For an even more pronounced citrus zing, don’t hesitate to add an extra teaspoon of orange zest. Zest holds a lot of the fruit’s essential oils and offers a potent aromatic kick.

These simple swaps ensure that you can enjoy these healthy chocolate chip cookies regardless of ingredient availability, always resulting in a batch of homemade goodness tailored just for you!

Serving Suggestions and Storage for Your Blood Orange Chickpea Cookies

Once baked, these Blood Orange Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies are best enjoyed slightly cooled, allowing their flavors to meld and their texture to set. Their delightful blend of sweet chocolate and zesty orange makes them incredibly versatile for various occasions.

• Healthy Snack: Grab a couple as a satisfying mid-morning or afternoon pick-me-up. Their balanced nutritional profile, packed with complex carbs, protein, and healthy fats from the chickpeas and nut butter, makes them an excellent choice for sustained energy.
• Post-Workout Fuel: Thanks to their protein and carbohydrate content, these cookies are fantastic for replenishing your energy stores after a workout, helping with muscle recovery.
• Wholesome Dessert: Serve them as a guilt-free dessert after dinner, perhaps with a cup of herbal tea or a plant-based milk.
• Breakfast on the Go: A great option for a quick, energizing breakfast when you’re short on time.
• Party Treat: These unique and flavorful cookies are sure to be a hit at any gathering, appealing to both health-conscious guests and those simply looking for a delicious sweet.

Storage Tips:

To keep your Blood Orange Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer-term enjoyment, these morsels freeze exceptionally well. Simply place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll keep for up to a month. When you’re ready for a treat, just thaw them at room temperature or gently warm them for a few seconds in the microwave for that freshly baked feel.

Discover More Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you’re as enamored with healthy, plant-based chocolate chip cookies as I am, you’ll be thrilled to explore these other fantastic recipes:

• Giant Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Almond Butter Avocado Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Dark Chocolate Chunk Muesli Snack Cookies

• Salted Cashew Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

• Pomegranate Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Flourless Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Dark Chocolate Chunk Muesli Snack Cookies

• Giant Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookie

• Tahini Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies

Explore More Delicious Chickpea Cookie Creations

Embrace the versatility of chickpeas in baking with these other innovative and scrumptious chickpea cookie recipes:

• Pumpkin Spice Chickpea Cookies

• Chocolate Cherry Chickpea Chewies

• Cashew Butter Chickpea Snack Cookies

• Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies

Share Your Creations!

If you dive into making these incredible Blood Orange Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies, I’d absolutely love to hear about it! Your feedback is invaluable and helps me craft even more delicious and healthy recipes for you.

Please take a moment to leave a comment, a rating, and a review below to share your experience. And don’t forget to give me a shout-out on Instagram! Tag your beautiful cookie creations using #floraandvino so I can see and celebrate your baking success.

For more healthy and delicious recipes, be sure to check out my Pinterest page, where you can pin this recipe and many others to make later. Want to stay updated with all the latest recipes and wellness tips? Head over to my homepage and subscribe to get fresh content delivered straight to your inbox!

XO Lauren

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