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!)
Hi! I am a bit late on trying these but I made them a few days ago and I have to say they are AMAZING! They taste just like chocolate fudge brownies! I am in the process of gaining weight so I had some of these with peanut butter and bananas and it was a divine snack. 🙂 I LOVE chocolate as well, it is my favorite food and I’ve been obsessed with dark chocolate lately. I especially love dates stuffed with peanut butter and dark chocolate chunks as a nighttime snack! Anyway, these are amazing along with all of your recipes! Thanks!
O….M….G.
I always use the same vegan recipe when making brownies. Flour, oil, sugar, salt etc. Not very healthy, but still healthier than regular ones. I’ve only heard terrible things about black bean brownies, so I’ve never dared to try them. But THESE….. are amazing.
No joke, I like them better than regular ones! If you’re thinking about making these. Don’t hesitate! They’re SO good, SO easy and SO worth it. The next time a carnivore asks me where I get my protein from, I’ll proudly say “Brownies!!!”.
Also… I didn’t have any liquid sweetener, so I used coconut sugar. Worked like a charm!
The brownies are great,but not to self any1 that is looking at a “optimum9400” they arn’t cutt out to wht they say they are.gteat rescipe guys
I had to use quick cook steel cut oats. They were delicious and better than many “real” brownie recipes.
I made these last night. I wasn’t expecting much to be honest but I was pleasantly surprised. These are really good! I followed the recipe with one change (1/4 c honey and 1/4 c maple syrup). No aftertaste, soft but not spongy. I baked them for 16 minutes. Not quite the fudgy texture of a typical brownie but pretty close considering they are grain and egg free. Thanks Katie!
These are better than any traditional brownie I have ever made!!! Even my husband that usually scoffs at anything vegan that I make, went back for seconds, thirds, and fourths. Now to see if the karate family can tell a difference!!!
Umm . . . wow!!!!! I was a skeptic, despite all the reviews. But I wanted to try it, as we have given up sugar/sweets etc. I just made these and had one. Wow!! They are amazing!! This is coming from a total chocolate lover!! Thanks for this great recipe!!
Just tried out the recipe and it turned out beautifully delicious! Question for you: the yield says 9-12 brownies, but how does that relate to the nutrition info posted? I appreciate your reply!
Exceptional!! Thank you for an amazing recipe; my kids absolutely loved them (even after I told them the secret ingredient!) and polished off the pan.
This black bean brownie was really really good. My 7 year old daughter ( who hates all kinds of beans) loved it. She could not tell that it had beans in it. Thanks
These brownies are the BEST! I always double the recipe and they last about a day and a half in our house! No joke. Even my eight year old choco-holic loves these. (And he hates just about anything “healthy” that we make around here.) This recipe is awesome. (FYI – our opinion about the sweetener is that maple syrup is the best taste but honey doesn’t taste bad either.) Thanks Katie!
I really have to protest the idea of putting out a food not commonly known to have beans in it, letting people try it, and then telling them what’s in it. Bean allergies are very rare but to the person who has that allergy they’re significant. Avocado is also a rare allergen too but I am seriously allergic to it. When people offer me a chocolate dessert and won’t tell me what the secret ingredient is I simply can’t eat it. Now that avocado is a popular item to make mousses and puddings out of I’m seriously afraid to let my guard down regarding home-made food. So please don’t make this “surprise” ingredient thing seem harmless.
If you are allergic to an ingredient, eating ANYthing without asking seems like not a very good idea – that is assuming, and I’d never want to make any assumptions or take unnecessary risks with my health. If I’m eating at a party or friend’s house, a quick mention of my allergy is all I need to do, and then I can rest assured I am able to eat the foods I want to try without fear. You never know, even something like a chocolate chip cookie might have been made with peanut oil, a recipe might have been stirred with the same fork as something you’re allergic to, etc. Whether it’s a hidden dessert or not, assuming you can eat something when you have an allergy is never a good idea, especially when it’s so easy to just ask!
I have made these many many times and they have turned out wonderfully.
I’ve fooled my very picky family with these brownies. This recipe is the only way I will make my brownies now – luv it
This recipe is FANTASTIC! Amazing. I also whirled the batter up in my high speed blender. (Vitamix) and the batter was litterally as smooth as regular old brownie batter. They are fantastic!
These have become my absolute favorite brownie. Thank you for the recipe! I made them today for a group of girlfriends and they asked for the recipe. Mmmmm.