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
Currently Trending Posts:
(15 Different Flavors)
Lentil Soup – Reader Favorite Recipe
More Healthy Brownie Recipes
(No crazy ingredients!)
I do not like beans. At all. But this recipe is delicious! I didn’t have any oats and I used honey instead of maple syrup and they turned out absolutely fantastic! I will definitely be making this again
How should i Cook the black beans before making the brownies? Just normal way? Like im going to eat a normal meal with them?
Nutritional value is incorrect assuming you make 12 and use the lowest amount you have given (ie. 1/2 cup of chocolate chips instead of 2/3). The nutrition value is as follow: Calories: 169, Carbs: 22.9g, Fat: 7.8g, Fibre 3.6g. On a side note it is a very tasty recipe.
I have three sons, 14, 10, & 4, who all devoured the brownies and then thought I was joking when I said these were made with Black beans and somewhat good for you. The 14 year old told me to just not tell him next time cause he had no idea and would rather assume they aren’t eating healthy!
just made these today, replaced vegetable oil with peanut better. Turned out amazing!!! Thanks for recipe:)
Score! I’ve been searching for this black bean brownie recipe since having the best brownie ever in Talkeetna, Alaska, and finding out black beans were the secret ingredient. So many other bean brownie recipes failed the test. This was the one! Thank you!
These are excellent! I made them today for the first time and everyone loved them! Thanks for sharing!
To be honest I’ve never left a comment on any blog EVER but this time I just had to! I was very sceptical to be honest because I’m a die hard chocalate lover and I never thought these brownies would pass with my chocolate lover family. Turns out these brownies have become my brothers favorite dessert and he gets super exited every time I make a batch (to this day he doesn’t know what they’re made of hahah –> he won’t even eat potatoes or anything that seems healthy) So THANK YOU KATIE this recipe is absolutely GENIUS!!! xo
Oh my goodness girl, these are insane. Thank you so much for creating this recipe! My kids now think beans are magical ingredients for delicious treats, rather than disgusting little balls of hate.
I discovered your recipe a few years ago, and since then, my husband only asks for these brownies! We love them!
Wow! These brownies are *truly* amazing! This is the first recipe I’ve tried from your blog after quite a few weeks of perusing. My husband and I recently switched to a primarily gluten-, dairy- and sugar-free diet, and LOVE how we feel — healthy weight loss, more energy, overall sense of well-being! Your recipes are definitely going to be my “go-to” for healthy, decadent (feeling) treats. Thanks!
What’s the nutritional values on these? I’m a gastric bypass patient and I keep a daily food log and the values would be very helpful. Thanks so much
Nutrition facts are linked in the post, under the recipe instructions 😉
OMG these are amazing! Other recipes I’ve tried have a distinct bean-y taste, but you can’t even tell with these! Go make them now if you are craving some fudgy deliciousness!
OMG I just made these and they are absolutely divine! So easy and yet better than anything I’ve ever bought – thank you for this wonderful recipe ?
One question regarding the serving size that the nutritional facts are based around. What is that serving size in grams? If you know the weight of your serving size, I could do a little problem solving and figure it out on my end.
Your Black Bean Brownie recipe was the first ever of its kind that I attempted, and with delicious success, made!
Heartfelt thanks for sharing this delicious recipe! The fruits of your labor have made my soul smile!
These are fantastic! We use red kidney beans instead. Tastes much better with coconut oil than canola oil… but will add up in cost quickly.
Has anyone tried this with whole wheat quick oats?