Vegan Macarons

Oct 27, 2021

Chewy, delicious, plant-based treats

Yes, you read that right. We are all about inclusivity here at Ohlala and so we are super thrilled to announce our latest plant based offerings - vegan macarons. Oh, and we have also taken our popular Macaron and Martini workshop and switched it up a gear - introducing the new Vegan Macaron and Martini workshop. Now everyone can join in.

Vegan macarons

Vegan macarons are easy peasy to make - in fact, they’re made in pretty much the same way as you’d make regular macarons, but instead of whipping up egg whites a la traditional macarons, for the vegan versions, you whip up bean water, well, chickpea juice to be more exact.

Yup, you read that right too.

Vegans have kept this magic ingredient under wraps for the last few years, but the secret is out now. Let’s be honest, how many of us when making homemade hummus, or a tagine, would think to save the byproduct of canned chickpeas?

The water in a can of chickpeas, the liquid that up until very recently you’d drain away from the can, is known as aquafaba.

And in order to make vegan egg whites, you set the chickpeas to one side and instead of discarding their water bath, you whisk it up instead. You see, whipped aquafaba turns into egg white-esque peaks that can be used as a vegan alternative for any recipe that requires the inclusion of egg whites.

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The vegan egg white

The revelation of whipped up chickpea juice first came to light only a few years ago, in 2015, when it was discovered by a French chef (of course it had to be a French chef who came up with the exact ingredient to turn previously out of reach French treats into delicious vegan delicacies that can be enjoyed by all).

The hunt to find an egg white alternative had been simmering away for eons, with options touted including xanthan gum or myriad starches, but none worked out quite as spectacularly as the humble aquafaba.

And we are eternally grateful for this wonder ingredient, embracing it wholeheartedly as it has allowed us to open up our Macaron and Martini workshops to those who follow a plant based diet.

As mentioned above, aquafaba’s use isn’t limited solely to our favourite chewy delicacies. No, any recipe that calls for egg whites can be modified to include aquafaba - meringue, pâte à choux (for eclairs), even profiteroles are suddenly all on the table, so to speak.

Avocado vegan macarons

Now, if you don’t fancy spending a delightful afternoon crafting your own vegan macarons in our workshop, why not indulge in the yummiest sweet treats around and purchase a box of our super cute avocado macarons, delivered straight to your front door?

With their higher than average almond content and aquafaba base, these avocado shaped shells are filled with a delicious avocado, cocoa and honey ganache. They’ll not only put a smile on your face, but we guarantee they’ll hit the sweet spot, right where it counts.

And before you ask, yes, vegan macarons are just as chewy and indulgent as the regular versions.

Vegan Macarons and Cocktails

Side note - tf you want to save some money by not buying canned chickpeas, you can make your own bean water at home. It’s a bit of a lengthy process, but it is easy as pie. Simply soak dried chickpeas overnight, cook them up, then leave them to sit in their cooking water overnight.

Eh voila, aquafaba for macarons… or vegan cocktails. Because let’s face it, just because you’ve opted for a cruelty free diet doesn’t mean you can’t live on the wild side occasionally, and we are BIG fans of macarons and martinis (you might have guessed that already), so how about a vegan cocktail to accompany your vegan macaron?