No one eats healthy 100 percent of the time. Not me, not you, not even Gwyneth Paltrow. Okay, maybe Gwyneth Paltrow does. But if we’re being realistic, we all treat ourselves to our favorite foods once in a while. Maybe you like to indulge in a cinnamon roll the size of your head at Sunday brunch. Or perhaps you treat yourself to a donut as you walk to work on Monday mornings.
My kryptonite is snacking after dinner. And honestly, it doesn’t really matter what that snack is. Sometimes I just need a little nibble while I’m watching This Is Us (is anyone else hooked on that show?). I have no issue eating healthy throughout the day, but as soon as I sit down in front of the TV to relax, I immediately start craving all the unhealthy things – pizza, pasta, chips, wine – you name it.
While my go-to snack foods are usually on the salty spectrum, once in a great while I’ll get a hankering for something sweet. That’s exactly what led me to create this recipe for No-Bake Peanut Butter Brownie Bites. I was just winding down for the night, when BAM – I wanted brownies. But just one bite of a brownie, not an entire pan. So I emptied my pantry and these adorable little treats came together in a snap. Better yet, I found that I didn’t even have to bake them to get my fix. Just a couple of hours in the fridge and you’re set.
If you absolutely can’t wait, you can eat these at room temperature. I personally think they taste better and hold their shape better after some time in the refrigerator, but do what you have to do. I know what it’s like when a craving strikes, and this is a judgment-free zone.
At just 120 calories per brownie bite, these little guys are the perfect way to quench your cravings for chocolate and peanut butter without derailing your healthy diet. Bonus: you also get 5 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein per serving!
Tip: Instead of painstakingly chopping your almonds into tiny pieces, you can always zap them in the food processor before making the brownie dough.
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These little brownie bites are the perfect way to quench your cravings for chocolate and peanut butter without derailing your healthy diet
Ingredients
- 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 2 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. maple syrup
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1/3 cup raw almonds, finely chopped
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Combine the chickpeas, cocoa powder, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract and salt in a food processor. Blend for 30 seconds, or until the mixture forms a solid ball of dough. Transfer the dough to a clean work surface.
- Spread the chopped almonds in an even layer. Press a little chunk of the brownie dough into a tablespoon and flatten it with your fingers. Scoop out the dough and use your palms to roll it into a small ball. Then, roll the ball in the chopped almonds until completely coated.
- Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat the process using the rest of the dough. You should get between 18 and 20 balls.
- Put the brownie bites in the refrigerator and chill for at least two hours. Serve cool or transfer the brownie bites to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to a week.
Can I squish these by hand if I don’t have a food processor? It sounds like more fun anyway.
Sure! I haven’t tried squishing the ingredients by hand, but it should work. It’ll just be really messy 🙂 Report back if you try it!
I haven’t rated the recipe using chick-peas… but I don’t like the chickpea taste. so instead I replaced the can with a can of drained and rinsed black beans. My kids LOVE it… I also don’t roll it in a ball… I just put in a ramekin and they dip strawberries in it, or dip pretzels. we also use it to spread on vegan caramel rice cakes. if I need it to be any more pliable,I’ll add in another tablespoon of maple syrup.
my kids didn’t know they were eating black beans. it is my favorite 10pm late night quick to make snack!
★★★★