Chickpea Cookie Dough Bites

First, I need to thank my beautiful friend Rachelle for sharing this amazing recipe with me.  She got it from her friend, Emily who has an amazing blog I highly recommend following: emilylevenson.com

I have been pretty obsessed with my new Vitamix blender.  I have been using it daily for smoothies or "mmmmooothies" as my one and a half year old calls them. I will share my two favorite smoothie recipes soon! 

Okay, back to the cookie dough! Like I mentioned, my friend sent me this recipe and it sounded so amazing I had to try ASAP. I am so glad I did.  After getting the kids to bed last night I was craving something sweet. Considering I had already indulged in a cookie AND cupcake yesterday (it's that magical time of the month, don't judge) I needed an alternative.  This recipe took 15 minutes to whip up with ingredients you most likely already have in the house, a win-win! This recipe made about 20 balls. 

Here is what you need:

-1 15oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

-2/3 cup almond butter (PB can be substituted if you don't have almond butter)

-1/2 cup honey (I used raw honey)

-2 cups rolled oat, ground into flour (I obviously used my Vitamix)

-1/4 tsp cinnamon

-pinch of salt

-1 tsp vanilla

-1/3 cup chocolate chips 

Here is what you do:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. Place chickpeas, almond butter, and honey into a blender or Vitamix and pulse until smooth.

3. Add in oat flour, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract and blend until the mixture forms a ball.

4. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and fold in chocolate chips.

5. Scoop 1 tablespoon of mixture and form into a ball.  Place on parchment paper and repeat until mixture is gone. (If mixture is sticky, wet hands a bit).  My friend mentioned this happens to her but I didn't have this issue.  I am thinking possibly since I used raw honey but I am not sure.  

6. Refrigerate 30-60 minutes (if you can wait that long) and then transfer to an airtight to container.  Keep refrigerated.