Vegan Chickpea Gingerbread Buckeyes are the easy, healthy treat you need this holiday season. Rich in protein and fiber, and the blind taster would never guess they contain chickpeas!
Vegan Buckeyes Made with Chickpeas:
Let me start by asking, who doesn't love a luscious little buckeye?! Or a crunchy, aromatic gingerbread cookie? (I wait all year to douse my life in gingerbread, which is my favorite seasonal flavor.) Those two desserts always seem to evoke the sweetest of holiday memories. These little treats, however, take those classic holiday flavors into epic new realms.
In fact, they may be the best way to spread holiday cheer this season. Both kids and adults will love them, and they're a great way to sneak in extra fiber!
I also want to hear from you guys! What are some of your favorite Christmas cookies to bake? Any family recipes that have become a holiday tradition?
Growing up, we weren't huge into holiday baking, with the exception of almond snowballs. To this day, those seem to always make an appearance at holiday gatherings. You know, the ones you try to eat in one bite to avoid covering half your face with powdered sugar? Messy, but SO worth it.
How to Make Vegan Buckeyes:
Here's the lowdown on these golden balls of bliss:
- Blend chickpeas, peanut butter, molasses (a must for anything-gingerbread), maple syrup, and spices until creamy.
- Next, roll the dough into bite-sized balls while trying to not inhale every last bit because it's irresistibly delicious. Then, dip each ball halfway into melted chocolate.
- Lastly, transfer them to parchment paper and let them set until firm.
This process is SO easy and fun, and a great way to get kids involved. The most difficult part is not eating a massive amount of dough during the process.
And the best part is that you cannot taste the chickpeas ONE bit. Trust me. Not a single blind taste-tester would ever believe their lusciousness was attributed by beans.
They're the perfect holiday dessert to bring to parties, cookie swaps, or office gatherings. Especially since they're discretely healthy (shhh!). Plus, they can be made up to two days in advance if stored in an airtight container.
Simple, easy, and brimming with all the holiday feels. I hope you jump on this buckeye bandwagon with me! If you make this recipe, be sure to tag #dishingouthealth so I can see your beautiful creations!
More Healthy Dessert Recipes to Try:
Mini Pumpkin Tahini Cheesecakes
Flourless 5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Chickpea Gingerbread Buckeyes
Ingredients
- 1 cup chickpeas drained and thoroughly rinsed
- ¾ cup salted creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoon molasses
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cup Enjoy Life chocolate chips sub semi-sweet chocolate chips if not making vegan
- Turbinado sugar for garnish optional
Instructions
- Place chickpeas in a food processor. Blend for 10-15 seconds, until finely ground. Add peanut butter, powdered sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Blend for about 1 minute, until ingredients form of a smooth ball of dough.
- Roll dough in 12-14 balls. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20 second increments for about 60-80 seconds, until melted, stirring well.
- Dip buckeyes into chocolate and place back on parchment paper. Sprinkle Turbinado sugar overtop, if desired. Refrigerate for 10 minutes, or until chocolate hardens. Store refrigerated in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
Sandy Quick
Did anyone have a big mess trying to roll into a ball? I think refrigerating for a few minutes then roll may be better. I had this stuff, tastes good tho, all over my hands, shirt so mine do t look pretty but.
Libby
Made these and they came out great. I snacked on them any chance I got!
Libby
Hello,
The text of your blog post mentions that these contain maple syrup, but the recipe itself doesn't seem to call for it.
Can you please clarify? I want them to be sweet enough!
Thanks!
Sandi Ramirez
I am allergic to peanuts so I substituted sunnut flower for the peanut butter. It worked so good. You can also use almond butter as well. I have made these up with both but for my family gathering nuts are a no go so sunnut flower is best.
dishingouthealth
I'm so glad you enjoyed it with the sunflower butter!! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
Nicole
Hi! Can’t wait to make these. Did you use canned chickpeas? Does it matter if they are canned or cooked from dry?
Thanks!
Nicole
Omg disregard I see someone else asked this question already. Thanks!
Sarah Langan
How do you measure a cup of canned chickpeas? Do you use a measuring cup or by weight? Canned beans always confuse me because it seems like the can measurements include the liquid???? If I do 1 cup by weight (260g) it's almost the entire can after I've rinsed them (even though can says 3.5 half cup servings). What do I do? 🙁
dishingouthealth
Hi Sarah -- great question; sorry this isn't more clear. I drain and rinse the chickpeas and use a measuring cup, as oppose to weighing them. You should have some chickpeas leftover (I just toss them in salads!). Hope that helps!
Sarah
Thanks for the quick reply! It definitely helps but I still don't understand how to calculate nutrition from canned beans. Measuring cups are too inaccurate for my needs. Hope to try this recipe one day but not until I cook a fresh back of chickpeas. 🙁
Katie Cavuto
OMG -- Yum!!!
Roxana
Looks so tasty and tempting. Great for holiday times.
Ellie | Hungry by Nature
ohhhhhmygoodness. jamie. these look insane!!
Abby
Omg omg omg these look like..well...like I wold never be able to stop eating them! So delicious! I may have to throw caution to the wind and make them for the holidays ❤️❤️❤️
dishingouthealth
Ha! I truly don't know how I haven't eaten half the batch yet. SO good!!
Shannon @ KISS in the Kitchen
These have got to be some of the cutest desserts I've ever seen! Love it!
dishingouthealth
Aw thanks, Shannon!! Cute desserts just make life so much sweeter! 😉
Lindsey Pine
I've never heard of a buckeye! I have got to try making these! My husband loves gingerbread so would probably go crazy for these!
dishingouthealth
Oh my gosh, you gotta try 'em girl! Especially if you're a chocolate peanut butter fan! Hope you guys love them!
Amy
looks delish!
dishingouthealth
Thanks, Amy! I'm so hooked on them!