Chocolate Chickpeas

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

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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!