Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Cookies

Baking in the kitchen brings back so many great memories. Growing up, my favorite recipe I would make with my mom is chocolate chip cookies. Over the years I’ve been tweaking that original recipe and have come up with a few alternatives over the years. My latest creation are these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Cookies.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Chia Cookies - A healthy twist to a classic - Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Cookies Do you have a favorite family recipe? My mom’s classic chocolate chip cookie recipe is a tried and true recipe in our family. The recipe is typed up on (note: from a typewriter) paper is all torn and there are food spills and stains all over it. That’s what makes it so nostalgic.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Chia Cookies - A healthy twist to a classic - Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Cookies These cookies are always made when guests are over for any holiday or celebration. It has become a dessert staple in our house. But they are not the healthiest (hello butter-flavored shortening and sugar!). I’m all for sweets in treats in moderation, but it’s fun to recreate a classic with a healthier twist.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Chia Cookies - A healthy twist to a classic - Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Cookies Beans have been sneaking into more and more baked goods lately because 1) it can help reduce the amount of flour 2) beans can add a boost of protein and fiber. I used chickpeas since they have a very neutral taste and they match the color of chocolate chip cookies best.

Of course, I had to add peanut butter because peanut butter and chocolate is my favorite combo. And just for fun, I added some chia seeds. I really enjoy the added texture it gives to these cookies.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Chia Cookies - A healthy twist to a classic - Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Cookies These cookies are a little more dense than your typical chocolate chip cookies. Whip up a batch of these when you are looking for a little treat midweek.

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chocolate peanut butter chickpea cookies with a bite on a glass of milk

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Chia Cookies

  • Author: Chef Julie Harrington, RD
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 12
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 15 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray 2 large baking sheets with cooking spray or parchment paper.
  2. In a food processor, puree the chickpeas until smooth, set aside.
  3. In a medium sized bowl, mix together the whole wheat pastry flour, chia seeds, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter, brown sugar, and applesauce until smooth. Add in the chickpeas, vanilla extract, and eggs. Beat until smooth.
  5. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients with a spatula until just combined. Mix in the chocolate chips. (Batter will be thick)
  6. Scoop the cookie dough batter (about 2 ounces each) onto the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart. Bake 10-12 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to completely cool.

Keywords: cookie, chocolate chip cookie, chia seeds, healthy dessert, dessert, chickpeas

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Chef Julie Harrington, RD - Culinary Nutrition Consultant of chefjulierd.com
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Chia Cookies - A healthy twist to a classic - Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Chickpea) Cookies

Tomato, Eggplant, and Spinach with Mini Raviolis

So I went to Trader Joe’s today and picked up a few things. My friend Kim told me about these mini raviolis they had there. I just had to get them. They are just so little and cute! I also picked up 2 small eggplants that I wanted to use for dinner tonight. The rest of the ingredients were inspired from just rummaging through my kitchen and used what I had on hand.

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Tomato, Eggplant, and Spinach with Mini Raviolis
Makes 6 servings

 

Ingredients:
1 (16 ounce) package of mini raviolis (can be substituted with any type of pasta)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 small (or 1 large) eggplant, peeled and diced
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes (make sure it’s in it’s own juices – no salt added)
3 cups spinach, roughly chopped
2 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp black pepper
Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Cook mini raviolis (or other pasta) according to package directions
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil and add the onion. Cook until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add the eggplant to the skillet with 1 tsp of the salt. Eggplant is very porous and adding a little salt will help release the moisture and allow it to absorb the flavors in the dish.
4. Add the diced tomatoes, spinach, and oregano. Season with the remaining salt and pepper, to taste.
5. If you want the mixture to have a little more liquid, add a ladle of water from your pasta pot.
6. Drain the pasta, and top with the tomato, eggplant, spinach mixture. Top with parmesan cheese (optional).


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(nutrition facts based on MyFitnessPal)

 

Enjoy!

Lemon Rosemary Orzo

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Lemon Rosemary Orzo
Makes 4 servings

 

Ingredients:
1 cup orzo
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 lemon (or 2 tbsp lemon juice)
2 tbsp rosemary, chopped

Directions:
1. Cook orzo according to package directions.
2. Stir in the olive oil, squeeze lemon juice, and rosemary.

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Enjoy!

Herb Veggie Dip

I recently got a new job as a personal chef for a family. This family has 2 young children. The parents want me to try and sneak in healthy foods, and encourage eating fruits and vegetables.. that’s my specialty! The kids have no problem eating their vegetables but are used to dipping it in full fat ranch. I wanted to make them a healthier, but just as tasty dip they can enjoy thier veggies with. I’m also definitely going to be using this recipe for Sunday football days when the season starts for a healthy snack.
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Herb Veggie Dip

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:
12 ounces plain greek yogurt (2 small containers)
4 ounces light cream cheese, softened
5 scallions, chopped
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp garlic powder
fresh ground pepper, to taste
Directions:
In a medium bowl, mix the greek yogurt and cream cheese until well combined. Add in the scallions, parsley, dill, salt, garlic powder and pepper. Mix until combined. Serve with veggies or pretzels.
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Enjoy!