These protein cookie dough bites with chickpeas are a delicious vegan and gluten free snack that tastes just like cookie dough! They also make for the perfect kid friendly treat.
Does anyone else low key still try to resist eating raw cookie dough when baking cookies? I would totally cave if it wasn’t for the safety concerns (and my moms voice in my head from childhood).
As a mama myself, I can totally relate to the concerns around eating raw cookie dough for my little ones. But what if you could have a snack that tastes just like the real deal and is 100% safe AND healthy? Introducing these protein cookie dough bites!
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
If you are an avid cookie dough lover, I promise you that these protein cookie dough bites are about to be on heavy rotation. Here are a few reasons why:
- Only require 8 ingredients to prepare
- Vegan & gluten free
- High protein (4 grams per bite)
- High Fibre (4 grams per bite)
- Kid friendly
- Perfect for snacking!
Key Ingredients
Chickpeas – Chickpeas are the key to making these cookie dough bites as they not only pack tons of fibre and protein, but they also mimic the perfect “doughy” texture. I also use no salt added canned chickpeas so as to not interfere with any of the sweetness that we’re going for.
Peanut Butter – I am a peanut butter lover through and through, but you can use any nut butter of your choice for these cookie dough bites. No matter what nut butter you use, I also recommend stirring well so that you end up with a smooth cookie dough that is not too oily.
Chocolate Chips – the chocolate chips in this recipe serve two purposes as they get added to the cookie dough mixture, and they also serve as a chocolate coating.
Gluten Free Flour – You can use oat or almond flour as they are both naturally gluten free.
Toppings – We love to top these bites with sea talk, pistachios, sprinkles, and coconut flakes.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, peanut butter, vanilla, almond flour, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
Step 2: Transfer cookie dough batter to a mixing bowl and folding in chocolate chips until combined.
Step 3: Using a 1 tbsp cookie scoop, shape into balls.
Step 4: Melt chocolate & coconut oil using a double boiler or heating in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl for 30 second increments until fully melted. Using two forks, carefully coat cookie dough balls in melted chocolate until fully coated.
Step 5: Place cookie dough balls on a parchment linked baking sheet and sprinkle selected toppings on top. Allow cookie dough balls to set in the fridge for 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate the cookie doughs until ready to serve.
Expert Tips
Be sure to rinse and dry the chickpeas well and remove the skins. You can do this by rubbing them through your hands or between two clean cloths. This will ensure the cookie dough is super smooth.
I’d also recommend taste testing the cookie dough bites after combining everything in the food processor and then sweetening to your liking. We use 3 tablespoons of maple syrup, but you can use more or less to taste.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! To make these bites allergy friendly, you can use a nut-free soy butter or sunflower seed butter.
These are best stored in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. You can also store it in the freezer in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months.
These cookie dough bites are lower in sugar and also have added fibre, protein, and healthy fats! This makes them the perfect snack because it will help to keep you fuller for longer.
They have a pretty thick consistency, so I don’t recommend it as cookie dough for babies under 1 or new eaters since it could ball up and get sticky in their mouth. But you could thin it out with almond milk to be more of a dip and serve it with fruit.
The sky is the limit! It really depends on what you like and what you have on hand. You can top them with crushed nuts, seeds, dried fruit, freeze-fried fruit or crushed cookies.
More Recipes You Might Like
If you loved these protein cookie dough bites, then you’re going to LOVE these easy snack recipes on the blog!
- Tofu Pudding with Sweet Potato
- Baby Muffins with Carrots
- Chocolate Covered Almonds with Chili Orange
- Almond Chocolate Bark with Granola Crunch
- Gluten Free Energy Balls with Pecans and Cherries
- Quinoa Coconut Energy Balls
So tell me – did you try these protein cookie dough bites? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
Protein Cookie Dough Bites with Chickpeas (Vegan & Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz can 1 ½ cups no salt added drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp almond or oat flour
- 2-4 tbsp maple syrup or more to taste
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp chocolate chips vegan
Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips vegan -1 cup was appropriate/
- 2 tsp coconut oil
Toppings
- Pistachios
- Sea salt
- Sprinkles
- Toasted Coconut
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, peanut butter, vanilla, almond flour, maple syrup, and salt until smooth.
- Transfer cookie dough batter to a mixing bowl and folding in chocolate chips until combined.
- Using a 1 tbsp cookie scoop, shape into balls.
- Melt chocolate & coconut oil using a double boiler or heating in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl for 30 second increments until fully melted.
- Using two forks, carefully coat cookie dough balls in melted chocolate until fully coated.
- Place cookie dough balls on a parchment linked baking sheet and sprinkle selected toppings on top
- Allow cookie dough balls to set in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Cover and refrigerate the cookie doughs until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
Julie L Burke says
How many balls per serving
Abbey Sharp says
Hi Julie, it depends on your hunger! For a snack I typically have anywhere between 1-3. You can also pair them with some fruit or veggies.
Rehoboth says
Awesome recipe
Donna Tajii says
Cinnamon is mentioned step 1 of the instructions, but not listed in the ingredients. How much should be added?
Abbey Sharp says
Thanks for pointing that out! No cinnamon needed.
Redman says
I am 55 and I have always eaten raw cookie dough. But, since transitioning to a plant based diet, I need to use that leftover bag of chocolate chips in the pantry. I do not consume added fats. What is a good alternative binder to use in place of the peanut butter and coconut oil?
Abbey Sharp says
You can use a different nut butter or you can try using tahini but it may alter the taste!
MJ Jones says
This is a great base recipe — I will say, I didn’t follow it 100% as I could tell it wouldn’t be to my taste as I was processing the chickpea “dough” (and I’m a persnickety pastry chef) and made quite a few changes. Although I imagine it is very delicious as written. I think it’s a really wonderful concept and will likely be using the inspiration for lots of variations in the future.
It also came across my feed at a really opportune time. I’ve just found out I have celiac, and am also lactose intolerant and allergic to tapioca starch (found in most gluten free baking blends) — I was able to work around being lactose intolerant, but was feeling really discouraged about having to give up gluten, knowing that my baking and “treat” options would be limited. Really appreciated this inspiration as it was a nice “snowball effect” into me remembering how creative I can be with the myriad of ingredients that are still available to me! Thanks Abbey, I always appreciate your videos and measured approach to things!