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!)
Wow! Unbelievable!
I doubled the recipe and had to use all sugar (all I had on hand)…. they are totally amazing. My family loved them and had no idea what was in them!!!! Fantastic!!
Absolutely delicious….took them to work…..they were enjoyed! Definitely will make them again…yummy yummy yummy!!
Just tried this recipe and it is fantastic! My wife suggested adding nuts, which I thought was a great idea. Would it adversely affect the recipe if chopped pecans or walnuts are rolled in with the chocolate chips? What would be your recommended amount? Thanks!!!
You can definitely add chopped nuts! Start with 1/3 cup and go from there? You don’t have to be exact 🙂
I didn’t have oatmeal the last time I made these so I substituted
with 1/4c. flax meal + 1/4c. coconut flour. Flavour and consistency still turned out great!
I loved how my brownie turned out! Thanks for the amazing recepy!!
Nobody believed that it had black beans in it hahaha i’ll definitely do this again<3
Ps. At first i thought my brownie wasn't ready after 20 min at 350F, but when it cooled down, the texture was just right
Thank YOu for making them 🙂
These brownies were amazing. I used only the syrup, no sugar. Next time I will add some instant coffee. I baked mine in muffin tins. They were wonderful warm, but oh my, cold with coffee for breakfast, great way to start a Friday!
Hiya! This recipe is awesome as is– but if you can dig really dark chocolate, use Trader Joe’s pure chocolate chips. Less sugar but with the same melty texture.
I have a question though– have you tried subbing eggs for any of the oil? I’m trying to add a complete protein. Thanks!
hello! I stumbled on to this outrageously delicious recipe by accident. I made them with my 7 year old granddaughter who I told ‘I’ll make you a deal’, when she heard that the recipe included black beans. I told her ‘you agree to at least taste the batter, and if it tastes good, then you’ll have to try a bite of the brownies’. She agreed. Wholly moly! The batter was so gooooood! And, she agreed. We baked them on a Friday night, and then put them into the fridge for a treat on Saturday. We just ate a brownie. Literally the most delicious and decadent chocolate treat we’ve all had, probably EVER! These amazing brownies will now be a weekly treat in our house! So glad to have found your site and have the privilage of enjoying your recipes! Julie
Thank you so so much for trying them 🙂
FYI the calculations for this brownie are off by A LOT. We calculated that each brownie has well over 200 calories. Not sure this is really a “healthy” alternative