Chocolate Chickpea Protein Truffles (Vegan)

Chickpea Protein Truffles: The Ultimate Post-Workout Treat

I'm beyond excited to introduce you to my favorite treat. I've been making these vegan protein truffles on repeat because they're the perfect easy post-workout nibble. They're high in protein and fiber, incredibly satisfying, and contain just a few simple ingredients. Get ready to discover your new healthy treat obsession!

These protein truffles contain a unique ingredient: chickpeas. Since chickpeas have little taste on their own, their flavor disappears completely beneath the chocolate. These chickpea truffles are higher in fiber and lower in fat than other protein truffle recipes, many of which rely upon a large amount of nut butter as the base ingredient. All you need to make these satisfying protein bites is a few pantry staples, a food processor, and about 15 minutes.

These healthy protein truffles are great for meal prep too, since they're completely make-ahead and keep well in the fridge for an entire week. That means you can make a batch over the weekend and have healthy snack options all week long.

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What are Protein Truffles?

The term "protein truffles" is broadly used to describe a small (bite-sized), ball-shaped, protein-rich snack. They're typically made using sweet flavors (chocolate, peanut butter, etc.) and are usually no-cook. Protein truffles are a fun, satisfying snack for after a workout or to take on the go.

Curious about the difference between protein truffles and energy balls (also called energy bites or protein balls)? Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, I think of protein truffles as a treat with a rich, creamy texture. In contrast, most energy balls have a chewy texture and include dates, nuts, and/or oats.

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Ingredients in Typical Protein Truffles

Although you'll see many variations online, most protein truffle recipes are primarily made from nut butter and protein powder (and sometimes added flavors, sweeteners, and/or mix-ins like chocolate chips). Although nut butter protein truffles are delicious, they're also high in fat and calories since nuts are the primary ingredient. Similarly, they tend to have very little fiber. Some versions contain a lot of added sugar too.

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Why Chickpea Truffles are Better

These unique chickpea truffles are different. Because chickpeas are the primary ingredient, with only a small amount of nut butter, they have less fat and more fiber than other versions you'll see. Protein truffles made from chickpeas have a nice balance of macros (protein, carbs, fat), are still satisfying thanks to all that fiber, and don't feel as heavy as versions made with a nut butter base. This recipe is plant-based (with vegan protein powder), gluten-free, free of refined sugar, and can even be nut-free if needed.

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How to Make Chickpea Protein Truffles

These no-bake chickpea truffles are easy to make. You'll just add drained and rinsed chickpeas, a small amount of peanut butter, and chocolate protein powder to a food processor, and blend until the texture is thick and creamy, similar to cookie dough. You'll then roll the mixture into balls and, to give them a pretty finish, roll each ball in unsweetened shredded coconut. You can make the entire batch in about 15 minutes.

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Tips for Success

Although these protein truffles made with chickpeas are easy, I have a few tips to help ensure they're perfect every time:

1. Make sure the mixture is perfectly smooth. The protein truffles won't be appealing if there are chickpea chunks hiding inside! This recipe will work best with a high-powered food processor and some patience.
2. Add more protein powder to achieve the right texture. The mixture for these chickpea truffles should feel like cookie dough. If it feels too wet, add more protein powder and re-process. The amount of protein powder you'll need to use will vary quite a bit based on the texture of the peanut butter you choose.
3. Sweeten to taste. If you use an unsweetened protein powder, you may want to add a dash of maple syrup to the truffles. I suggest making the mixture without sweetener first, tasting it, and then adjusting if needed. You can also experiment with blending a couple pitted dates into the mixture for fruit-based sweetness.

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Chickpea Truffle Variations

You can easily customize this protein truffle recipe based on the flavors you enjoy and what ingredients you have on-hand. If you don't have a food processor, I've made these successfully with an immersion blender (just make absolutely sure there are no chickpea chunks remaining!). If you don't have chocolate protein powder, you can use vanilla protein powder and a tablespoon or two of raw cacao powder.

As written, this recipe is for a simple chocolate truffle. However, feel free to change up the flavors to suit your own tastes. Here are some variations to try:

• Change the fat component. I've suggested using peanut butter because it's flavorful and inexpensive. However, these chickpea truffles will work great with almond butter, cashew butter, or macadamia butter (but avoid pecan or walnut, since both tend to be oily). This recipe will also work fine with tahini or sunflower seed butter if you need a nut-free option.
• Add some mix-ins. These protein truffles work great with some finely chopped dark chocolate or nuts mixed into the batter.
• Change the coating. The recipe suggests rolling the balls in unsweetened shredded coconut, but you can skip that step if you don't care how they look. You can also experiment with rolling them in raw cacao powder, finely chopped nuts, or powdered freeze-dried fruit.
• Adjust the flavor. Not in the mood for chocolate? Use vanilla protein powder instead for a cookie dough flavor.

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Ingredients and Substitutions

Here's what you'll need for these protein truffles made with chickpeas, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.

• Chickpeas. Make sure they're rinsed and well-drained.
• Peanut butter. These chickpea truffles work best with creamy, natural peanut butter with a drippy texture. You can use other types of peanut butter, but you'll likely need to adjust the amount of protein powder accordingly. See the variations section above for notes about different nut butters.
• Chocolate protein powder. Make sure to choose a vegan protein powder, like one made from pea protein, if needed. My personal go-to is Sprout Living; use the code ROGUE to get 20% off your order.
• Maple syrup. Optional; you can add a small dash if you use unsweetened protein powder or just want a sweeter flavor.
• Vanilla extract. This recipe will work fine if you don't have vanilla, but it adds a nice depth of flavor.
• Unsweetened shredded coconut. Feel free to omit the coconut if you prefer the truffles to be plain, or see the variations section above for other ideas.

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Other Healthy Chickpea Treats

Although it may surprise you, chickpeas and chickpea flour are wonderful ingredients in healthy treats. Chickpeas are rich in fiber and protein, so they're a very nutritious choice. They also have a nice texture, meaning they can provide structure to both baked and no-bake recipes without having to use flour. Because they have a neutral taste, chickpeas completely disappear beneath flavors like chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter, coffee, and ginger.

If you want to experiment with chickpea flour, try this chickpea flour banana bread and these chickpea flour muffins. Chickpea flour is inexpensive and behaves similarly to wheat flour during baking, so it's an easy ingredient to work with.

If you want to use whole chickpeas, you'll love these chickpea blondies and these no-bake chickpea birthday cake bars.

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Closing Thoughts

Have I convinced you to try these healthy protein truffles made from chickpeas? They're truly the best post-workout treat thanks to their rich flavor and balanced macronutrients. They're high in protein and fiber, while being lower in fat than other protein truffle recipes you'll find online. My personal ritual is to enjoy one after I get home from my morning gym session.

How will you enjoy these chocolate chickpea truffles? Will you munch on one after a workout as a satisfying recovery snack, or maybe take a few on a long hike? Will you stash a couple in your gym bag to indulge in after a yoga class? Because they're so easy to make, I bet you'll want to make a batch every week!

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Share It!

It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.