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!)
So I know this post is old, but I just came across this recipie and thought I would try it out. OMG are these good! My husband even ate them all up! The ingredients didn’t sound like these would come out good – but this recipe will be my go to for brownies! Can’t say enough good things about how well these turned out!
These black bean CCK brownies are awesome. I found your recipe posted on a Fitbit friends forum.
I have one question: Is it ok to make a double batch and bake it in a double size pan. I’m thinking about taking them to a party for the holidays.
Thanks.
I must say, these are d@*! tasty! My dad is a health nut so I’m sharing this with him. He loves to bake and I’m sure he’ll make some variation on this (just has to put his own twist on everything).
The Black Bean Brownies are delicious! They are easy to make and you can be eating them within about half an hour! And healthy too. Got the thumbs up from company. The greatest compliment is “I’d like that recipe!” Thanks from a new subscriber.
I made these for the first time last night! I’m not very talented at baking but they turned out great!! I iced them with Betty crocker whipped icing (the milk chocolate flavour is dairy free). I had to restrain myself from eating the whole pan in one sitting. Looking forward to making these again!
I never leave comments. Also, I think I’ve shared one recipe in my life. This one got shared twice. These brownies are SO good. Make sure to blend well like she says! 🙂 Even though my pan was bigger than 8×8 and they came out thin, they were so good, moist, and chocolate-y. And next day was no different — the flavor and goodness was just as good the next day after being in the fridge. I don’t think I’ll actually ever go back to making regular brownies. The mouthfeel is awesome, the bite-ableness is perfect, and the fudgey to cake consistency was spot-on.
Thank you SO much for testing this recipe and publishing!
just made these last night, the taste is fine. BUT the mixture was like glue, i couldnt get it out of the processor or off my wooden spoon. any suggestions? it also barely made 9 brownies. i followed the recipe to a T wont make again because i wasted too much product…any suggestions?
i made these and my wife and i loved em she got me to make 3 more i used flax meal instead of oats it worked great for me
Just made these tonight…they are so decadent & rich!
I was skeptical about this recipe but there’s no taste of bean whatever & they were so fudgy and delicious.
wow, these were absolutely incredible!!!!! best brownies I’ve made, so fudgy, chocolately and perfect sweetness CANNOT recommend this recipe enough- all ingredients super easy to have in the house, in fact didnt even plan on making these but it was so easy!!
i blended the oats first into an oat flour, then blended the beans with it into a paste- for anyone worrying about a stray oat or bean hahahaha.
seriously thank you SO much for this recipe, amazingly delicious and will DEFINITELY be following your recipes from now on
you are a genius!!!
thank you again, so so yummy!!
I am just done baking the brownies . I followed the recipe except I added 1/2 cup of walnuts and 1/2 table spoon more cocoa . These brownies are just perfect for sweetness ! I think if you like more sweet you can add some icing or a chocolate ganache . This was my first time baking with black beans , I like to bake healthy no matter what I am trying to bake ..it has to be healthy …these are awsome I just love it , next time I will bake them for 15 Minutes . Thanks
These are so good! I became vegan just a few months ago and have been eating so healthy and missing sweets and chocolate SO much but didn’t want anything processed. I came across your instagram and thought I would give a shot because I was craving sweets so much haha These are so good! They taste just like normal brownies but I don’t have to feel guilty about eating them it’s amazing! Will definitely try more recipes on here(:
Do you think subbing melted nut butter (i.e. cashew butter) for the oil would work?
Yes: https://lett-trim.today/2017/01/30/peanut-butter-brownies-swirl/%3C/a%3E 🙂
Best brownies E-V-E-R!!!
I can’t wait to try these, I love making vegan brownie recipes. One question though, I usually use flax or a flax “egg” in my baking recipes. Do you think adding flax to this recipe would help or hinder?
I’ve made these several times now, and I figured it was time I leave a review. These are not only fantastic brownies for having beans in them, these are quite possibly the best brownies I’ve ever had, period! My fiance and his family rave about them and ask me to make them for most holidays now 🙂 Thanks so much for this amazing recipe!