Black Bean Brownies – the ultra fudgy and decadent chocolate treat.
Edit: Thank you to everyone who has been asking…
After more than a year in the works, my NEW cookbook is finally available!
Based on your feedback, every single recipe in the book comes with complete nutrition facts including calories, total fat, carbohydrates, protein, and Weight Watchers points.
Above – Watch how to make black bean brownies.
I know what you’re thinking.
“Why would I want to eat a healthy brownie when I could be eating a deep, dark, rich, fudgy, and chocolatey brownie instead?”
But what if the deep, dark, rich, chocolate brownie is the healthy brownie?
No, not in a dream world. These black bean brownies are healthy brownies that DO NOT taste healthy, and I can say that with assurance, as they’ve been tested on three different groups of people used to “normal” desserts.
For the ultimate test, my roommate brought two pans of the vegan black bean brownies into work and set them down on the table without revealing the secret or saying they were healthy.
She came home with no brownies left… but with five requests for the healthy black bean brownie recipe!
You May Also Like: Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Easy Black Bean Brownies
I know some of you have been disappointed by mediocre bean-based brownies you’ve tried in the past, which is why it’s taken me so long to come up with my own recipe:
I’ve tried some awful black bean brownie recipes in the past, too.
For example?
Don’t think you’ll get brownies by adding cocoa powder to my Chickpea Cookie Dough Dip and baking it.
Trust me. You’ll get cardboard.
I wanted a recipe that would not let people down; a recipe that could stand up to a regular sugar-and-flour brownie in a competition.
And these really do!
Also, huge thanks to everyone who’s been sharing these on Instagram!
If you try the brownies, be sure to rate the recipe here, or tag @ChocolateCoveredKatie on Instagram so I can see and like your pictures!
Black Bean Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups black beans (1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed very well) (250g after draining)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder (10g)
- 1/2 cup quick oats (40g) (See nutrition link below for substitutions)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, honey, or agave (75g)
- pinch uncut stevia OR 2 tbsp sugar (or omit and increase maple syrup to 1/2 cup)
- 1/4 cup coconut or vegetable oil (40g) (See nutrition link for substitution notes)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup chocolate chips (Not optional. Omit at your own risk)
- optional: more chips, for presentation
Instructions
- Black Bean Brownies Recipe: Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine all ingredients except chips in a good food processor, and blend until completely smooth. Really blend well. (A blender can work if you absolutely must, but the texture—and even the taste—will be much better in a food processor. I use this food processor.) Stir in the chips, then pour into a greased 8×8 pan. Optional: sprinkle extra chocolate chips over the top. Cook the black bean brownies 15-18 minutes, then let cool at least 10 minutes before trying to cut. If they still look a bit undercooked, you can place them in the fridge overnight and they will magically firm up! Makes 9-12 brownies. If you make this recipe, don't forget to leave a review! The trick with these: serve them first, and then reveal the secret ingredient. In all the times I’ve served bean desserts, not one single person who didn’t know beforehand has ever guessed!View Black Bean Brownies Nutrition Facts
Video
Notes
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(No crazy ingredients!)
In the nutritional facts link you don’t list how many grams of sugar this recipe contains. That’s the important one right? Please can you share the info. Thanks!
Yum! Found these because I was looking for something to do with the black beans I pressured cooked the night before.
I did make a few substitutions:
I used quinoa hot cereal flakes as I didn’t have the oats. I used almond butter instead of the oil. I increased the maple syrup to replace the sugar.
GREAT recipe! Thanks, Katie!
I have tried this recipe several times, and absolutely love it! My family and my extended family all love it too. It is my “go to” brownie recipe now. We are not on restricted diets… we just like the fact that it is a healthier version of something chocolatey 🙂
You should feel blessed because your Black Bean Brownie recipe was the first ever of its kind that I attempted and with delicious success, made!
The fruits of your labor have made my soul smile!
I do have one question, though and it’s regarding the serving size that the nutritional facts are based around. What is that serving size? I baked my brownie batter up in bite size servings (unfortunately, I do not know the gram weight of each). However, if you know the weight of your serving size, I could do a little deductive reasoning and figure it out on my end.
Again, heartfelt thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
Made them, no recipe deviations, but definitely not like a brownie, in density or color or mouth feel. Both my family members did not guess they were made from beans though, just thought I messed up a brownie recipe. I let them believe that. I wonder if I add more oatmeal if they’ll mimic looking more brownie like. The color will never be right though.
We can’t do oats so we subbed Flax Seed which I do not recommend. The brownies did taste better after they cooled and were in the fridge from one day, but I think significant improvement can be made with another sub for oats, not a replacement with Flax Seeds, but definitely needs flour and probably some type of liquid.
i just made these and am super impressed! so yummy. i used the increased maple syrup and peanut butter options. (i actually used cashew butter since that’s what i had.) these are so fudgy and delicious. you don’t taste beans at all; there’s just a smoky, deep flavor with the maple syrup and chocolate.
Hi Katie! Let me just say…THANK YOU!!! I made these a few months ago and my son and I cleared the entire pan on a Friday night watching a movie. Typically, I’m fairly good at portion control but considering the alternatives (two cups of sugar brownies) to this decadent desert, we couldn’t resist. My 10 year old thought I had become Super Sugar Mom, he had no idea they were nutritional. Win!
My mom was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes about six weeks ago. I am so very proud of the way she has taken control and changed her eating habits. On diet alone, her blood sugar has been stabilized at a normal level. Let’s be honest, she deserves a reward for all of her hard work and you can’t expect anyone to live without dessert. It’s just not possible. I am making these brownies for her “reward” tomorrow. The fact that I can make her something that tastes this great with out sacrificing her health is truly a gift. Again, thank you!
Just made this recipe! This was the first time I Ever made brownies from scratch and they taste amazing! Thanks for sharing your recipe!!!!
The first black bean brownie I have tried. Won’t go to another recipe as this is so good! My husband likes them too.
Of course, I had to make one minor change – I used dark chocolate cocoa.
Thank you for this recipe.
I was surfing the net and stumbled upon your blog and after some digging I found these. As other have stated, these are AMAZING! I am not one to follow recipes, but I wanted to !make them “right,” so glad I did. Thanks for helping me eat healthier and sneaking in fiber for my picky kids!
Made these Today! I took the oil out and substituted applesauce and I used honey instead of maple syrup. They are wonderful!
I just made these brownies tonight and they are amazing. Next time I need to blend the matter even more to ensure I don’t have whole or semi whole beans left over- I don’t mind them this time though. Over all I love these brownies !
These are amazing!! Taste better than traditional brownies and I love how healthful they are!
These were hands down fabulous! First time I’ve made and eaten black bean brownies. Won’t be the last!!
Question: should I refrigerate or cover and leave in countertop?
Absolutely delicious! If I didn’t tell people they would never know they are made with black beans!