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!)
What is the number of servings for the nutrition info? Recipe says 9-12, nutrition info doesn’t list servings.
Just for the record, and pertaining to other people’s hesitation to try these: I am neither vegan nor vegetarian. I like these a lot. I have only had a couple people who have tried them indicate that these are not quite their preference. I have made these probably six times in the last month. The only negatives I have received are as follows… One person did not care for the taste of coconut (from the oil), so I added a third tablespoon of cocoa powder. My daughter said they were too much like fudge (go figure, she likes that too) she prefers a more cake like brownie. Just about everyone else including myself has been quite pleased with these brownies. Most of the time I don’t tell people what is in them other than making sure before they have one, that they have no food allergies. My mom could eat a whole batch by herself, if no one was watching. I started making these for her because they are a healthier option than store bought baked goods. Trying Ryan Reynold’s blondie bars today also. Thank you, Katie
Love the picture!
I have never been a fan of chocolate chips. Do they melt when you bake them? Would they still be chocolatey without them? or should I melt them and add?
This recipe is amazing!!!! I saw how many positive comments there were and had to try them out. So easy to make and so delicious! You’d never guess that there were black beans in them.
might be backwards but serious question – can i use butter and brown sugar instead of oil and syrup?
You can always experiment! Unfortunately there’s no way to know unless you try, but it sounds like a fun experiment. Be sure to report back if you try
Jason
These brownies are amazing. I am completely in love with her peanut butter banana (with beans) muffins and these brownies did not disappoint! They are incredible and you don’t taste anything other than deliciousness. I’m not a fan of chocolate chunks or chips so I melted the chips first. I think next time I won’t use coconut oil because the flavor sort of takes over but still absolutely delicious. A new fave for me for sure.
I made these exactly as instructed. They were delicious! Even my five-year-old son loved them and said “there’s a secret in here and it’s black beans that you can’t taste at all!” I will warn other bakers, if you cut them into 12 brownies (which will give you the 150 odd cal count you may be looking for) they are very very tiny.
A GF friend recommended this and I couldn’t wait to try after all her praise. Well they are fudgy and delicious. It’s a keeper! Great job.
Absolutely divine! I added 2 tbsp of peanut butter and well, half of the tray is gone in just 2 hours 🙂
This recipe was AMAZING! I was looking for a recipe because we were doing a pretend chopped show, and it turned out delicious. I made it with a peanut butter frosting and it was delicious and fudgy.
Excellent – quick and easy, especially the cleanup. I’ll be making these again for sure. I couldn’t rate the recipe but it’s 5-star for this genius recipe.
These are so yummy! FYI the total time listed is 15 minutes. Is this the prep time? Can’t be the total time, since they cook for 15-18 minutes.
Baking time 🙂
Made these and they are 100% delicious! Thanks so much for creating this recipe.
AMAZING brownies, so easy to make. My extremely fussy husband and toddler had no idea that these are ‘healthy’ brownies and all were eaten within a day!
Can I double this recipe in a 9×13 pan? What would the baking time be?
This is one of my favorite recipes! My toddler niece is allergic to eggs so I started making these whenever I visit her and she LOVES them. It’s so nice to have a healthier dessert snack that’s not only absolutely delicious but allergy friendly!