The sweet side of chickpeas

Beyond its starring role in hummus, chickpeas add a healthful twist as a stealth ingredient in sweet treats. Rule Breaker Snacks is the maker of a gluten-free, vegan chocolate chunk blondie made with chickpeas. Each bar contains 3 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber with 170 calories.

 

Organic garbanzo beans are the first ingredient in ready-to-eat cookie dough from P.S. Snacks Co. Billed as “the perfect solution for those who wish to indulge with a clean conscience,” flavors include chocolate chip and peanut butter. (A third variety, fudge brownie, is made with black beans). Founder Nikki Azzara, a self-described gluten-free foodie and avid runner, concocted her chickpea cookie dough in her college dorm room.

 

The latest innovation from Biena Snacks combines crunchy roasted chickpeas with milk chocolate, dark chocolate or salted caramel. Each serving contains 140 calories, 4 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.

 

Lilly’s Hummus offers two sweet varieties of hummus, pumpkin pie and chocolate, which are made with organic chickpeas and may be paired with fruit or graham crackers as a low-guilt dessert.