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!)
Recently my 19yo son had to do a complete diet change… no gluten, dairy, soy…. these brownies have been a HIT! He requests them weekly… Thank you so much for what you do, as small as it may seem, it has brought great joy to this Mom!!!
Wow are these good!! I did not change anything. I did double the recipe to share with others and they were shocked, after they had a bite, to find out what was in them. This is now my go-to brownie!!
I used Gluten Free Almond flour and it worked just fine in place of the oats.
I took these to potluck this past weekend and unless I said something no one realized these were healthier brownies. I made several substitutions. I didn’t have a can of black beans so used prepared dry beans. I substituted carob powder for the cocoa, unsweetened applesauce for the oil, and 1 handful of Andes Mint baking chips for the chocolate chips. I used honey and brown sugar. I only have old fashioned oats. They did not bake up soft giving the brownies a little cruchy texture. I might try quinoa flour next time to see what that does to the texture.
Quinoa flour in these sounds like a really fun experiment!
Sweet chocolatey goodness, these are amazing! I loved that they had a hint of coconut, but if you don’t like the flavor of coconut, be sure to use an alternate oil. They were soft, chocolatey, sweet, and didn’t last long enough for them to fully cool down!
I just made these and they are very tasty, but thin. Is that the way they’re supposed to be or did I do something wrong? Also, when I watched the video it looks like there was an egg, but I don’t see egg in the recipe…? Thanks!
Nope, no egg! 🙂
Hey Katie AND CCK community, has anyone tried to make these subbing the oil with apple sauce or soy yogurt? I read through comments and didn’t see anything. What about gluten free old fashioned oats in place of quick oats? (Maybe if I put them in the food processor first?)
You can definitely use rolled oats the way you said. I know some commenters on here like using applesauce for the oil. Katie personally is not a fan of fat free baked goods, but many of the comments on here say they do like that substitution. So try at your own risk! 😉
What kind of chocolate chips? Semi sweet or milk chocolate. Excited to make this!
You can use either!
Can I use black turtle beans please? is it the same bean?
Yes
Holy freakin’ yumness! So happy I made these. They are super good and the fact that they are a healthier alternative makes you feel good, too. I omitted the stevia, didnt have baking powder (used 1/4 tsp of baking soda instead) and they still turned out perfect.
Thank you for sharing!
Those look really good!
These brownies were amazing. I thought they tasted just like the real deal!
OMG! these are delicious! they are by far the best brownies i have ever had. And there vegan, and healthy. I used blended dates instead of syrup though, since I didn’t have any at hand. It still worked great though. sweet, filling, and satisfying. Thank you!
WOW!!!! These are amazing!! I absolutely love them. It’s so hard not to eat all of them right away!!
I made theses brownies out of sheer curiosity and was expecting them to taste disgusting. I substituted oat bran for the oatmeal ( I didn’t have oatmeal on hand),used vegetable oil, and maple syrup ( I don’t think honey would taste as good). I blended the mixture very well and baked for 18 minutes. They turned out delicious. I have had a better ” real” brownie from a bakery but these taste better than the majority of the boxed brownie recipes you’ll find. They are fudgy with a rich chocolate flavor and satisfied my chocolate craving just fine:) Can’t wait to make again!
I made these and they were delicious. They were my first black bean brownie, and I was pleasantly surprised. My mom ate them and thought they were even better than a regular flour/egg brownie. Thank you for the recipe. My only hesitation is that I am currently trying to lose weight, so they are a little higher in calories than I would like. I see there are many brownie recipes on Katie’s website. Does anyone recommend a different recipe that is lower in calories?
The vegan brownies recipe is really good and low in calories: https://lett-trim.today/2016/08/29/vegan-brownies-recipe-best/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Hey Katie! Just wanted to let you know that I have made this recipe about 20 times in the last couple of years! It’s my go to recipe!! I absolutely love these brownies and everyone else who has tasted them thinks that they are delicious too and all want to know the recipe!! I also love your chickpea blondies and your amazing chocolate infinity pie recipe made from tofu – another recipe that everyone totally loves and always wants seconds of!! It’s so yummy! I have your book too 🙂 really love your recipes!!