Free Dinner Recipes E-book!   Download Now

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Almond Eater logo

  • Browse Recipes
    • Recipes by Course
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Sides
      • The Almond Eater Monthly Cooking Challenge
    • Recipes by Diet
      • Vegetarian
      • Dairy Free
      • Gluten Free
      • Vegan
      • Mediterranean Diet
      • Paleo
      • Whole30
  • Meet Erin
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • Browse Recipes +
    • Recipes by Course +
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Sides
      • The Almond Eater Monthly Cooking Challenge
    • Recipes by Diet +
      • Vegetarian
      • Dairy Free
      • Gluten Free
      • Vegan
      • Mediterranean Diet
      • Paleo
      • Whole30
  • About Erin
  • Contact

Home » Recipes » Gluten Free

Chocolate Chickpeas

By Erin · July 25, 2022 · 4 Comments

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
  • Share
  • Tweet
Gluten FreeVeganVegetarian
chocolate chickpeas on parchment paper and in a bowl with text overlay

Chocolate Chickpeas are an addictively sweet, salty, and protein-packed snack. They’re healthy, too! Naturally vegan, gluten free, and kid-friendly.

chocolate chickpeas sprinkled with sea salt

Chickpeas on their own are a nutritious, low-calorie food and a fantastic source of plant-based protein. They’re one of the best last-minute additions to loaded green salads and are fun to play with in healthy desserts, like this chickpea cookie dough. 

You can even cover them in chocolate, like in this Chocolate Chickpeas recipe! If you aren’t a chickpea fan, you will be after trying this healthy dessert.

Coating crunchy roasted chickpeas in melted chocolate is the best way to disguise their natural bean flavor. Add a pinch of salt and you’re left with a sweet and salty snack that any chocoholic will love. Plus, they just happen to be gluten free, vegan, and kid-friendly!

Recipe features

  • It’s a kid and adult-friendly snack or dessert that’s loaded with plant-based protein and fiber. Plus, all you need are 4 easy ingredients.
  • Every bite is a little sweet and a little salty.
  • Just think of chocolate-covered chickpeas as healthy Milk Duds.
clumps of chocolate covered chickpeas on parchment paper

Ingredient notes:  

  • Chickpeas - Canned chickpeas pack this recipe with plenty of protein and fiber. Feel free to cook the beans yourself if you have time to spare. Just make sure the beans are patted completely dry before coating with oil and roasting or else they won’t become crispy. 
  • Coconut oil - Oil plays two roles in this recipe: First, you’ll toss the chickpeas in oil before roasting to make them extra crisp. Second, it’s added to the chocolate to enhance the smooth finish as it hardens. You can use avocado oil or any nut oil (almond oil or sunflower oil) as an alternative to coconut oil. Melted ghee is also an option (although it’s not dairy free).
  • Chocolate - You can use a dark chocolate bar, milk chocolate, vegan chocolate chips, or any type of chocolate you love to melt. White chocolate works too!
  • Sea salt - A pinch of sea salt enhances the rich chocolate and makes every bite taste a little sweeter. 

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Prepare the chickpeas for roasting. Pour the can of chickpeas into a sieve. Rinse with water, then drain well. Use paper towels to dry them.

Step 2: Roast the chickpeas. Pour the dried chickpeas into a bowl and toss with the melted coconut oil. Transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast the chickpeas in the oven until they’re golden and crispy.

roasted chickpeas on a baking sheet

Step 3: Coat with chocolate. While you wait for the beans to bake, melt the chocolate and coconut oil together until you’re left with a glossy chocolate sauce. Take the roasted chickpeas out of the oven and toss them in a bowl with the chocolate sauce.

Step 4: Freeze. Spread the chickpeas back out onto the baking sheet, sprinkle with sea salt and place them in the freezer until the chocolate hardens. 

chickpeas in a bowl with melted chocolate on the left and spread out on a baking sheet on the right

Step 5: Break apart and serve. Once the chocolate has hardened, break them into bite-size clusters of chocolate-covered chickpeas and enjoy!

Expert tips and FAQs

  • Take extra time to dry the chickpeas before roasting them. If there’s excess moisture, the chickpeas will steam on the baking sheet instead of crisping. 
  • To dry chickpeas really well, either rub them with paper towels or let them air dry on a clean kitchen towel.
  • Save time by buying plain or salted crispy chickpeas instead of roasting them yourself.
  • Feel free to coat chickpeas with melted white chocolate, peanut butter, or butterscotch instead of chocolate.

What can I add to chocolate chickpea bark?

Turning this into chocolate chickpea bark is simple. Before chilling the bark, press your favorite toppings into the warm chocolate before it has a chance to harden. Use any of these topping ideas for inspiration:

  • Nuts and seeds - Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamias, peanuts, chia seeds, and pepitas.
  • Dried fruit - Raspberries, blueberries, cherries, apricots, pineapple, and shredded coconut.
  • Candy and other fun treats - Mini M&M’s, pretzels, crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, and potato chips.

Do chickpeas need to be soaked before roasting?

Canned chickpeas are the most convenient option here, as they come pre-soaked and ready to be roasted. Dried chickpeas, however, need to be soaked and cooked before being roasted.

How do you store roasted chickpeas so they stay crispy?

You can roast the chickpeas in advance and coat them in chocolate when ready. Store them at room temperature in a glass container with the lid ajar to help them stay crisp. 

clumps of chocolate chickpeas

Storage

Refrigerator: Keep the chocolate chickpeas refrigerated in a sealed ziplock bag or airtight container for 5 to 6 days.

Freezer: They also freeze well for up to 6 months. 

More healthy dessert recipes

  • Almond Butter Cauliflower Smoothie
  • Black Bean Brownies
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!

chocolate chickpeas sprinkled with sea salt

Chocolate Chickpeas

Chocolate Chickpeas are an addictively sweet, salty, and protein-packed snack. They’re healthy, too! Naturally vegan, gluten free, and kid-friendly.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Erin

Ingredients

  • 15 oz. chickpeas drained, rinsed and patted dry
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil melted

for the chocolate:

  • ½ cup chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • sea salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
  • Pour chickpeas through a mesh strainer to drain them, then rinse them. Transfer to a plate and pat them dry with a few paper towels.
  • Pour the chickpeas into a bowl, then pour the melted coconut oil overtop and stir to combine. Transfer the chickpeas onto the baking sheet and roast them for 25-30 minutes, tossing halfway through.
  • Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together either in a saucepan over the stove or in the microwave, stirring frequently until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Pour into a large bowl.
  • Once the chickpeas are roasted, transfer them into the bowl with the melted chocolate and stir to combine. Then, pour them back out onto the baking sheet, sprinkle with a little sea salt and place the sheet in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
  • Once the chocolate has hardened, break them apart (they will break easily/won't stick to the pan -- don't worry!) and enjoy!

Video

Notes

*Calories are per serving and are an estimation
*Storage: these will keep in a container for up to 6 days; however, I like storing them in the freezer (the perfect summertime snack!)

Nutrition

Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 309mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 79IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 3mg
Did you Make this Recipe? Tag me Today!Leave a comment below and tag @thealmondeater on Instagram!
« Dog Popsicles
Honey Turmeric Chicken »

About Erin

Erin is the recipe developer, writer and photographer behind the healthy food blog, The Almond Eater. She's been blogging since 2014 and loves to create food for many different diets, including vegan, gluten free and/or Whole30 recipes.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jackie says

    August 14, 2022 at 7:11 pm

    5 stars
    Yummm! These were so easy to make and have everything I love in a dessert - crunch, salt, and chocolate! They remind me of chocolate covered pretzels, but healthier. They'll definitely be a staple in my kitchen from here on out!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      August 15, 2022 at 8:04 am

      Thanks Jackie! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Christine says

    July 30, 2022 at 7:21 am

    I am so intrigued by this! We do like chickpeas - and chocolate, of course! - so it sounds like it could be a winning combo! We'll have to try it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin says

      July 31, 2022 at 5:10 pm

      Yesss -- let me know if you do!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

girl in kitchen

Hi, I'm Erin!

I share recipes for ALL diet types because I believe that healthy food should be incredibly delicious without being complicated. Learn more

Seasonal Picks

pasta salad made with mediterranean ingredients

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

bowl with lemon orzo salad beside a small dish of chopped fresh basil

Lemon Orzo Salad

cake on a cake stand with a slice cut out

Vegan Carrot Cake

berries and ice cream in a bowl

Gluten Free Rhubarb Crisp

Popular Recipes

pasta, peas and sausage in a skillet

Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta

bowl with ground pork and vegetables

Banh Mi Bowl (Paleo, Whole30)

a bowl of pasta with lentils and red sauce

Lentil Bolognese Recipe (Vegan + Gluten Free)

sweet potato brownies

Flourless Sweet Potato Brownies

dog eating cake

Mini Dog Birthday Cake

Caramelized Onion Spaghetti Squash | squash filled with onions, mushrooms and kale for a healthy, vegetarian meal | thealmondeater.com

Caramelized Onion Spaghetti Squash

As Featured On

Footer

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • The Almond Eater Monthly Cooking Challenge

Copyright© 2023 | The Almond Eater. Site Credit

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter