Legumes and Beans in Baking
Beans may not be the first ingredient that comes to mind when thinking about sweets, but legumes can make shockingly delicious desserts. From the beloved black bean brownie to irresistible chickpea cookie dough, your family and friends will never guess that the secret is BEANS!
As a vegetarian I’ve been personally inspired to always look for foods that add healthy protein to my diet as well as lots of fiber and vitamins. Legumes and beans are amazing super foods that totally fit that bill. My baking ingredients don’t stop at peanuts – even though I love using them – but I like to venture further to chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans), black beans and adzuki beans. Beans are known to lower cholesterol and blood sugars and improve gut health. Chickpeas specifically help with insulin resistance. Legumes really help me by keeping me even keel – especially after a long bike ride. So, I add plant-based protein into all of my healthy dessert recipes and beans add an extra boost.
Check out my Mocha Brownie Batter Truffles - made with chickpeas. Or my Espresso Bean Brownies.
And if I want extra energy for a long work-out - my go-to treats are my Chocolate Pecan Chickpea Cookies - aka Skinny Chicks.
Give beans a try! If you are looking for inspiration on what to buy, please check out my shop.
Megan
The Baking Scientist and Pioneer - Vegetarian, Animal Lover, Gardener and Athlete.
