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!)
Just made these they are amazing thank you for sharing.
So delish, esp w chopped nuts! Made mini in cupcake pan
I made these black bean brownies for my family and they loved them!! I have started really eating healthy and all home made and this will definitely be on the once a month treat for everyone! Thanks!!
First time making these and process is very easy! These brownies are absolutely delicious! You can’t tell that they are made from black beans! As I’m counting carbs and watching my sugar this is a great treat! Thank you !
Great texture- fudge type brownie. I think they would be amazing but 2 teaspoons of vanilla made them inedible. I plan to make again with 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Wonder if it is a typo in the recipe.
Hi Wendy, what type of vanilla did you use? Does it say “pure” on the bottle? Imitation vanilla extract is very often sold right next to pure in stores (for a lower price), but it has a very artificial flavor. I’m not sure if that’s what you used, but it’s definitely what came to mind right away for me when I saw your comment.
I made these exactly as listed (although my 15-oz can of beans only came out to 1 cup, not 1.5 cups) but I just went with it and they were fantabulous!!! I used honey & 2T of sugar, and canola oil. They were perfect and delicious! My 3 kids and hubby gobbled them up with ZERO issues. My kids just couldn’t understand how you can turn beans into brownies! HA! I also made a batch for my gluten-free friend and her kids! Rave reviews all around!! Thank you!!
I have made these several times and they are so yummy! Sometimes I like to sub in half peanut butter chips and it is divine, but they are delicious as written!
I love these brownies as does my 12 year old son. These are more rich and decadent than box brownies… and healthy to boot. I tweaked it a little… I do it all in my blender.. I like the consistency. I grind up steel cut oats in place of quick oats. I added about a TBL of Cocoa nibs. I reduced sugar to 1.5 TBL. I used about 1/2 cup of choc. chips. They are still plenty sweet and delicious! I’m going to try the sweet potato brownies now. Thanks Katie!
These brownies are amazing! So easy too make. They may be a little too delicious, its hard to not eat more than one!.
Maybe it was because my food processor broke, or because I didn’t bake long enough, but unfortunately mine turned out quite mushy and pasty. Make sure you use a food processor as Katie suggests, as maybe this was my mistake! Otherwise yummy good flavour!
Thanks
This was the absolute BEST black bean brownie recipe I’ve ever tried! I tweaked it just a little… I love peanut butter, so I added a 1/4 c of it. Because of hat I cut down the coconut oil in half, to compensate the added oil from the PB. I also had chocolate/peanut butter flavor protein on hand, so I added a scoop of it too. I’m not a vegan, so I cracked an egg into the batter (no pun intended). The brownies came out beyond expectation! My wife enjoyed them too! Thank you so much for providing a healthy base recipe for one of my favorite desert!
Thank you so much for trying them 🙂
Wonderful brownies. This is my go to recipe, everyone love them. I don’t feel naughty for eating desert because beans are so healthy!
These brownies are absolutely awesome you cannot tell that there are black beans in them for me they are just a little bit too sweet so I will just back out some of the sugar
Just made these brownies a few minutes ago. Blew me away. Did not expect them to taste that amazing. New favorite recipe without a doubt!!
So, so, so good! My son had no idea he was eating healthy brownies! These taste so awesome! ☺️
These brownies are amazing. Love that there is no white flour an sugar in them. Everyone I make them for love them. Yes do not leave out the chocolate chips.