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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Fantastic recipe! I completely understand now why this is one of your most popular. I’ve made it twice and the key to success is to follow the recipe exactly!! I will be sure to try more of your recipes. Well done!
Yummy! Absolutely no sacrifice here; this is definitely the “go to” brownie recipe for my granddaughter and me. Considering her significant sweet tooth, this is a testament to the power of this particular brownie!
Can’t wait to try the blondies!
Thank you!
I made them and oh my gosh, they were so good! I was hesitant (duh) but SO GOOD. totally recommend!! Thank you for a healthy brownie recipe!!!
Ohhhh my goodness. Just made these. They are all that you say they are. So scrumptious! Thank you “)
I love brownies and have been a die-hard boxed-mix fan. I have never made or tasted brownies from scratch that could come close to a boxed mix. Until these absurdly-ingrediented little nuggets of decadence. Well played, Chocolate Covered Katie. Well played.
They are delicious! I love them! I didn’t have any chocolate chips but I had a secret stash of dark chocolate kisses so I used those instead. Yummy, melt in your mouth goodness!
Can I substitute the black beans with kidney beans? Here in Mexico we have frijoles bayos a type of brown kidney bean which I was thinking of using in a lot of recipes instead of black beans.
Katie!! You are a genius. I’ve been looking for good vegan brownies for years- these are just perfect and guilt-free! I made them for my husband and a few friends at school and they had no idea how “healthy” they were until after I told them the ingredients. I’ll definitely be making these very often! Thanks 🙂
What is the sugar content of these per brownie?
I tried it and it was delicious and easy! Also husband approved! My new addiction!
These are absolutely amazing. Yet they’re so healthy. Definitely my new go-to brownie recipe from now on. I suggest doubling or triple-ing the recipe. Thank you, Katie. You’re a chocolate goddess.
Can I use other beans instead of black one? I have red beans at home.
You can always experiment! Be sure to report back with results if you do, so other readers can know how it goes!
The taste was excellent and the recipe was really easy to zip up in the blender. However, they were very flat so I may keep trolling for a thicker fluffier recipe. They were best right after being baked as they had better texture. But, for a flour free sweet fix, they were great. And let’s get real, the beans don’t make this healthy given the maple syrup and chocolate!! But it sure makes me feel better to think so 🙂
I just made these phenomenal brownies and they are sure the best brownies I have ever made and I’m not talking vegan brownies here. My toddler is into them, too. He loves dark chocolate. Thank you, Katie! Soooo delicious! Oh I forgot to mention I used carob powder instead of cocoa, because I ran out and they are still amazing.
I love this picture!
I just made these brownies and absolutely love them! I used dark agave and coconut sugar. I increased the coconut sugar by adding an extra 1/4 cup because I like it really sweet but I didn’t feel guilty about having one after dinner! As a gluten free vegan I will be using this recipe again! Thank you for it!
Very delicious, you can’t tell there’s beans inside.
I’ll repeat many many times. Thanks for this great recipe Katie.
I forgot: I used oat flour! 🙂