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!)
I cannot believe how delicious these turned out!! I kept my expectations low and never thought they would turn out so fudgy, chocolate-y and amazing! I had wanted to make them for quite a while and finally decided to do it this weekend while my in-laws were visiting.
My father-in-law is a certified chocoholic just like I am, so I knew it would be a tall order to get these past him, but nobody noticed anything different! Even when I told my family the ingredients, they were completely shocked and then proceeded to eat the whole pan without guilt, lol! These will be my new go-to brownies because who needs a side of guilt and shrinking pants when they want some good old fudgy brownies?! Not this girl! It’s so much more fun to eat treats when they’re not only delicious but don’t totally derail healthy eating plans, so thank you for these!
Thank you (and your family too) for trying them!
Absolutely fantastic! My picky husband liked them and was astounded to find out they were made with black beans. I followed the recipe exactly but only had rolled oats, so I made sure to process that first so that it was not too chunky.
I have made these twice now. They are absolutely delicious!! I have a sweet tooth and love to bake. I was looking tin to more healthy options and came across this recipe. I’m hooked! These taste like regular brownies which is a huge feat. I love how they also aren’t over the top sugary.
Thank you for making them 🙂
Can I freeze these?
Yes!
These were amazing! you would never guess black beans. I used a blender too and just put it on high between each ingredient to make sure that it was all blended because I didn’t have a food processor.
They came out really perfect
I want to eat them all at once
These brownies are LEGIT!! My 5 year old daughter was asking for brownies so we made these together. She kept tasting the ingredients as we added them, saying “eww gross!”, but by the time the batter was complete, she was licking every utensil and bowl (after filling the baking pan, of course). She is on her 3rd brownie already. I was going to offer some to my neighbors, but we want to keep them all to ourselves, so we will be making a second batch! I’ll never make brownies any other way. Thank you!
I was very skeptical, but pleasantly surprised. These are awesome. I get why you describe them as fudgy, because they are. Highly recommend.
What kind of cocoa? Normal or Dutch-processed?
Either works 🙂
This is my go to brownie recipe! I never share that they’re healthy and always come home with an empty pan. Thanks so much for all your great recipes, Katie!
For anyone thinking about making these, don’t hesitate, they are delicious! I like mine even better after they have been refrigerated! Making them again today!
This makes us so happy, thank you!