I used to think chickpea truffles were some fancy dessert that only professional bakers could make. Growing up, my mom would buy these expensive chocolate truffles from the local candy shop, and I assumed anything with “truffle” in the name must be complicated.
Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong. These chickpea truffles are actually one of the easiest no-bake treats you can make at home. All you need is a food processor and a few basic ingredients – no candy thermometer or special techniques required. Even my kids can help roll these little bites of goodness.
Why You’ll Love These Chickpea Truffles
- 3-ingredient recipe – With just chickpeas, almond butter, and chocolate, you can create these delicious treats without a long shopping list or complicated steps.
- Protein-packed dessert – Thanks to the chickpeas and almond butter, these truffles offer a good dose of protein while satisfying your sweet tooth.
- Dietary-friendly – These truffles are naturally gluten-free and can be made vegan or sugar-free depending on your chocolate choice.
- No baking required – You don’t need to turn on your oven – just blend, roll, and dip in chocolate for a quick and easy treat.
What Kind of Chickpeas Should I Use?
For these truffles, both canned and home-cooked chickpeas will work just fine, though canned ones are definitely more convenient. If you’re using canned chickpeas, look for low-sodium or no-salt-added varieties so you have better control over the final flavor. Make sure to drain and rinse them well to remove any excess liquid or salt. If you’re cooking your own chickpeas from dried, soak them overnight and cook until they’re very tender – you want them soft enough to mash easily. Just avoid using chickpea flour as a substitute, since it won’t give you the right texture for these truffles.
Options for Substitutions
This simple truffle recipe is easy to customize with these handy swaps:
- Chickpeas: While chickpeas create the perfect base texture, you can use white beans (like cannellini) as a substitute. Just make sure to drain and rinse them well, just like you would with chickpeas.
- Almond butter: Not a fan of almond butter? No worries! Try peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter (for a nut-free option). Each will bring its own nice flavor to the truffles.
- Dark chocolate chips: Dark chocolate can be swapped with milk chocolate, white chocolate, or even carob chips for a caffeine-free option. If using sugar-free chips, keep in mind they might melt differently, so you may need to adjust the melting temperature slightly.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest challenge when making chickpea truffles is not draining and drying the chickpeas thoroughly enough, which can lead to a grainy texture and prevent the ingredients from binding properly – pat them completely dry with paper towels after draining.
Temperature control is crucial when melting chocolate – using too high heat or getting even a drop of water in your melted chocolate can make it seize up and become grainy, so stick to low heat and use completely dry utensils.
If your mixture is too soft to roll into balls, try chilling it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes first, and keep your hands slightly damp (not wet) while rolling to prevent the mixture from sticking.
For the smoothest possible texture, process the chickpeas in your food processor for an extra minute or two until they’re completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
What to Serve With Chickpea Truffles?
These protein-packed truffles make a great addition to any dessert spread or afternoon coffee break! They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea, especially something like a rich espresso or chai that complements the chocolate coating. For a fun dessert platter, try serving these truffles alongside fresh berries and mint leaves, which add a nice pop of freshness to balance the richness. If you’re hosting a party, these truffles work really well as part of a bigger dessert board with nuts, dried fruits, and other small sweets.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These chickpea truffles stay best when kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll maintain their texture and taste for up to a week – if they last that long! The cool temperature helps keep the chocolate coating firm and prevents the almond butter from getting too soft.
Freeze: Want to make a bigger batch? These truffles are perfect for freezing! Place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. It’s like having a secret stash of healthy treats whenever you need them.
Serve: When you’re ready to enjoy frozen truffles, just transfer them to the fridge the night before, or let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. They’re actually pretty tasty straight from the freezer too – they’ll have a nice firm chocolate shell and a slightly chewier center!
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-40 minutes |
| Total Time | 40-55 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1500-1600
- Protein: 40-50 g
- Fat: 85-95 g
- Carbohydrates: 160-170 g
Ingredients
- 1 can garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
- 1/2 cup almond butter (or another type of nut or seed butter)
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (dairy-free or sugar-free)
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Start by draining and rinsing the chickpeas thoroughly.
Add them to a food processor along with almond butter and melted dark chocolate.
Make sure these ingredients are well-measured and ready for blending.
Step 2: Blend Until Smooth
Blend the chickpeas, almond butter, and melted dark chocolate together in the food processor.
Continue blending until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, making sure there are no lumps or chunks.
Step 3: Portion and Firm Up the Batter
Use a cookie scoop to portion the batter onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
This helps in creating even-sized truffles.
Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes to allow the truffles to firm up, making them easier to handle when it’s time to coat them.
Step 4: Coat the Truffles
While the truffles are in the freezer, melt the remaining dark chocolate in a microwave or double boiler.
Once the truffles are firm, remove them from the freezer and roll them into smooth balls.
Dip each truffle into the melted dark chocolate, using a fork to ensure they are fully coated.
Return the coated truffles to the baking sheet.
Step 5: Final Freeze and Enjoy
Place the truffles back in the freezer to firm up once more.
This final stage will ensure the chocolate coating sets perfectly.
Once the truffles are firm, they are ready to enjoy.
Store them in the freezer or fridge depending on your preferred firmness for a delicious treat.