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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After trying numerous Bean Brownie recipes – I always come back to this one! I have made these too many times to even count!
I made these exactly as they are here and they were gooey deliciousness. I didn’t tell my partner they were bean until after they were eaten. Will def made again.
Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I’ve made this a few times and kept wondering why my brownies never looked as dark as yours and why they never tasted that chocolatey so I upped the cocoa powder to 1/3 cup with excellent results!
For those of you who prefer less sweet, I got away with 1/4 cup of maple syrup as the sole sweetener (no sugar or Stevia).
Wow Katie, I just made these and they are great. My husband and son, both traditional style eaters gave them a big thumbs up. Thanks! (I LOVE them too)
Who could have imagined that beans would taste like brownies. I used old fashioned oats in this recipe and just because I did not want to use a lot of chocolate I used only 1 tablespoon cocoa powder half cup chocolate chips and half cup walnuts. It still had strong chocolate flavor so I’m glad with the changes I made.
I was very skeptical about making these. I was looking for something different to try and I had extra black beans so I thought why not. I am SO glad I did! These are AMAZING! My family keeps asking me to make them and I feel like I am giving them a healthier option and the don’t even know it! The recipe is easy for a busy family!
Not a hint of bean, unbelievable! Even the raw batter not beany in the least. Delicious, and i love that it’s vegan. Next time will try reducing honey amount to 1/4 cup and adding more Stevia.
This is such an easy peasy recipe! I’ve made it for family and friends, and they all enjoy them, because they are absosmurfly YUMMY. I have made your brownies using regular oil and coconut oil as a substitute, and coconut oil works really well (and there is no taste difference). Thanks whole bunches for this healthy and YUMMY alternative.
My girlfriends and I LOVE these brownies, too! We are loving being able to enjoy chocolate without any of the guilt. =))
Great brownies, you can’t tell they have black beans!
Followed the recipe as is, and oh my goodness WOW! I was so surprised at how good they were, my mom and nieces had some and couldn’t even tell they had black beans in them. The expression on their face was priceless when I told them the “secret” ingredient. Love that I’ve found a guilt free healthy brownie recipe!
Just AMAZING! Thank you for this delicious healthy recipe.
Absolutely delicious. Can you freeze these?
You can!
Hi there! These look amazing! I’m oil free and was wondering what you thought about subbing apple sauce or something else for the oil?
Thanks so much!
You can! Use the oil free option in this one: https://lett-trim.today/peanut-butter-brownies-swirl/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
So yummy! You wouldn’t know this is bean based
This is the 2nd time I have made these brownies! They are great and no one knows about the black beans unless I tell them! Thanks for an easy recipe that provides great results!
Soooo good! My friend made some with coconut.