Have you ever tried making a vegan chocolate mousse using chickpea juice, only to end up with a series of failed attempts? Welcome to the club! To satisfy your craving for a healthy hazelnut chocolate mousse, I’m sharing a quick and foolproof recipe that uses chickpeas. Get ready to be amazed by the culinary magic that happens when these legumes transform into a creamy, chocolatey mousse. This vegan recipe offers a healthy and creative alternative to traditional chocolate mousse, free from animal-derived ingredients like eggs or butter, and it contains no powdered sugar. Let’s discover how to create this irresistible vegan hazelnut chocolate mousse with a taste reminiscent of delicious Ferrero confections.
What Ingredients to Use for a Vegan Ferrero-Style Chocolate Mousse?
For this healthy homemade mousse recipe, we will use canned chickpeas that are already cooked, or you can buy dried chickpeas and soak, cook, and drain them. In either case, remember to keep their juice (known as “aquafaba”) for other culinary preparations. For sweetness, we need 2 or 3 good dates (ideally soaked in water for about ten minutes to soften) and some maple syrup or an equivalent sweetener. We will also use a bit of neutral-flavored plant milk (I always use my homemade oat milk, which is convenient and economical). And what would a Ferrero-flavored recipe be without hazelnuts? For the powders, gather some unsweetened cocoa powder and plant-based protein powder in chocolate or hazelnut flavor.
How to Make This Quick Vegan Mousse Recipe?
No need to be a professional or follow a grandmother’s recipe; the procedure is a piece of cake. Start by placing the cooked chickpeas, dates, maple syrup, and plant milk in a blender and blend until you achieve a smooth mousse. Then add the cocoa powder and flavored protein powder, and blend again to combine everything. Next, add the hazelnuts and blend a little more to reduce them to chunky pieces. This will add a delicious crunch to the preparation, immediately reminiscent of the taste and texture of Ferrero Rocher. You can also use sliced hazelnuts if you prefer; just blend until you get shavings of your desired size. Adjust the texture of the mousse by adding more milk if it’s too thick, or more chickpeas or powder if it’s too liquid to achieve a mousse that holds well.
How Long Does Vegan Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse Last?
This protein-packed mousse keeps very well since it contains no eggs, butter, or any other animal-derived products. It will stay fresh for 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container or well-covered jars. It can also be frozen for one to two months, but the longer you wait, the more the taste may change.
What Decoration to Choose for Presenting This Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse?
When it comes to presenting a dessert like vegan chocolate mousse, anything is possible! Let your creativity run wild. Personally, I love pouring the mixture into a small dessert pot or a pretty glass. I then decorate the top with a few hazelnuts, coconut shavings, or some vegan dark chocolate chips.
What Can You Make with This Vegan Dessert Mousse?
Eating this mousse by the spoonful isn’t the only way to enjoy it! It can be used in various forms. For instance, it makes a great alternative to store-bought spreads due to its low fat content. When placed in the freezer for at least an hour, it can be served as a sugar-free, protein-rich ice cream. It can also be used as a frosting or ganache on a cake (divine if served with vegan custard). Additionally, it can be used to make a vegan cheesecake with a base of speculoos or Oreo cookies. During the holiday season, it can serve as a base for creating beautiful vegan and healthy Yule logs.
How Many Calories Are in This Ferrero-Style Mousse?
For an equal amount, this Ferrero-style recipe contains about half the calories of the actual Ferrero Rocher. This difference is mainly due to a nearly 80% reduced fat content. Besides being much lighter, it contains almost double the protein, is much richer in nutrients, and its high fiber content helps you feel full faster. This way, you end up consuming significantly fewer calories and don’t experience cravings afterward.
| Nutrients | This Recipe | Rocher Ferrero | Difference |
| Fats | 9,2g | 42,7g | -78% |
| Carbs | 38,8g | 44,4g | -13% |
| Proteins | 12,9g | 8,2g | +57% |
| Calories | 290 | 603 | -52% |
Nutritional values for 100g
Duration
- Preparation Time: 5 to 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: None
- Resting Time: Not necessary, but recommended
Equipment
- Kitchen scale
- Blender or food processor
- Bowl, culinary pots, or jars
Storage
- Refrigerator: 4 to 5 days in an airtight container
- Freezer: Up to one month
Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse Vegan & Healthy
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Ingredients
- 200g cooked chickpeas
- 3 dates, pitted
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 30 to 50 ml plant-based milk (homemade oat milk here)
- 3 tsp cacao powder
- 20g chocolate protein powder
- 40g hazelnuts, chopped
Instructions
- In your blender, combine the cooked chickpeas, rehydrated dates, maple syrup, and plant-based milk.
- Blend everything until you achieve a smooth mixture.
- Add the cocoa powder and protein powder, mixing well to combine.
- Adjust the ratio of chickpeas to milk as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
- Stir in whole or sliced hazelnuts, blending until they reach the desired size (pieces or shavings).
- Pour the mixture into jars or a serving container.
- For the best results, refrigerate for about an hour to help the mousse set properly.
Notes
Depending on the chickpeas and plant-based protein powder used, you may need to adjust the amount of milk to get the mousse to your desired consistency.
For a true Ferrero effect, blend the hazelnuts coarsely to achieve the characteristic crunch.
If the mixture isn’t sweet enough for your taste, you can add stevia for extra sweetness without adding calories.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Diet: Vegan
