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!)
These are delicious! This was my first experience with black bean brownies and they are great. My husband says he doesn’t like black beans, so I didn’t mention what was in the brownies. He loved them! Thanks so much for the recipe.
Will this recipe still work without the baking powder? Or suggestions for a substitute?
WOW! these are better than regular brownies.. love this recipe.. 5 Stars*.
I missed out the oats as didn’t have any and instead of chocolate chips I melted a 100g bar of dark chocolate and stirred it into the mix. Slight coconut flavour from the oil which is nice. Turned out so well!
Will double the mixture next time as I don’t think they will last long!
I don’t have any maple syrup on hand- can it be replaced with sugar?
I’ve made these brownies multiple times and they are always a crowd-pleaser. <3
Very fudgy and I loved them. Not sure I like the bits of oatmeal as it made me think I hadn’t blended the beans enough? Next time I would try either using flour or blending the oatmeal in processor first.
I was a little skeptical because I’ve tried “healthy” brownies before and they were just…sad. We’ll leave it at that.
My husband and I are trying as much as possible to cut out processed foods from our diets. I’m 29 weeks pregnant with our first, and we want to set a good example for him, as well as improve our own health.
I made these and tasted the batter and very nearly could not restrain myself from just eating all of it with a spoon. Honestly, I’m shocked that I found the self control for them to even make it to the oven. They’ve managed to satisfy my pregnancy craving for rich, decadent chocolate brownies, and exceeded all other expectations. They don’t look appetizing, but their looks are very deceiving. I may never eat box brownies again. Even my husband, who is a veggie hater, ate them and LOVED them without me having to lie about the ingredients. He KNEW what was in them and still devoured them.
These brownies meet every expectation of a chocolate delight. And I love the ingredients helping us to keep with our plant based eating.
Thank you
Can I use ground nut oil or Olivia oil instead of what’s recommended
Ground nut oil sounds fine. Olive might give it a funny taste but texture wise will also be fine!
Delicious and so easy to put together.
These are amazing!! I made them for my in-laws and they loved them!! I specifically made them for my father-in-law since he’s on low carb and he’s near impossible to please… and he had nothing but good things to say about these brownies! I will be using this recipe A LOT!!
My husband and I were craving something sweet while we were visiting his parents and my husband said I need to keep this recipe even though we aren’t dieting 🤣
Love love love these brownies… THANK YOU!!
Thank you so much for making them! 🙂
OMG. So good. Make these! You won’t regret it. Thanks for the recipe. We didn’t have quick oats so I used regular, old-fashioned oats and they still turned out great.
These are life changing! So delicious! Thank you!!
I made these and they are AMAZING! Super moist and light. I replaced honey with peanut butter and a bit more oil. Delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
Absolutely incredible. I used old fashioned oats because I did not have quick oats and it worked out perfectly (just soak them in 2 tsp of hot water before hand). My family asked me why these were so good… I guess it’s the black beans lol. 10/10 recommend!