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!)
these brownies are to die for, plain and simple… and they are guiltless! 🙂 I like to make them in little muffin cups, and they are the perfect size for my daughter to think she’s getting a really special treat with one, yet I totally wouldn’t mind giving her 5! 🙂
My favorite recipe so far is the black bean brownies..I make a batch nearly every week.
I don’t have black beans today so I am trying with chick peas…can’t wait to see how that works! Love all your recipes, but I am addicted to these brownies
These are so freaking amazing you would never be able to tell they are not a “traditional”
Brownie my kids couldn’t even tell they absolutely loved it
Thank you for the recipe!!!!!
Theses did not rise as much as the picture show so I don’t know what went wrong. I used the 8×8 pan. They were fudgey and good.
A M A Z I N G…
I made it and it took some getting used to the texture as a starting vegan, and I put in half the chocolate because its so fat, but somewhere along the way it got spicy. Do not ask me why….
Made these tonight and my husband who is a “sweets” guy, loved them! He thought they were even better than traditional brownies. I didn’t have any chocolate chips, so I melted an organic unsweetened chocolate baking bar and added that in. I supplemented the batter with a little more oats and more Swerve, a sugar substitute (in addition to the honey). They were moist and chocolaty!
I’ve made these twice in one week and I’m totally obsessed!! Fab recipe 🙂 x
This recipe is awesome! It is picky husband and toddler approved!!!
Delicious! I make a double batch every two days…
Absolutely yummy! Everyone I have fed one to has said the same thing “best brownies I have ever had”. Fudgey, gooey, delish! Love food quality desert! Think I will be getting your cookbook!
Amazing!!!
I am a brownie fanatic but am trying to minimize my flour and sugar intake. Even with the chocolate chips, which I put 1/2 cup then sprinkled a little more on top, it has half the sugar and calories of regular brownies. I will probably back off the chips cause overly chocolatey even for me. Great find!
I have now made this recipe several times. The first I followed your directions but did not use stevia or increase maple syrup–they tasted a little black bean-y. The next time I upped the maple syrup to 1/2 c and it was too maple syrup-y. I’ve found that there is some delicate balance for my palate. I’m trying to cut back on sweeteners to use only 1/4 c of maple syrup but used 1-1/2 really ripe bananas. It turned out perfect!! Still moist, rich and sweet with out any black bean, maple syrup or banana flavor.
These are amazing! No taste of beans whatsoever!!!!
Excellent recipe! I just made these for my kids who need more fiber in their diet. I took a few liberties based on ingredients at hand and it still came out tasty. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe.