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 really wanted to like these. Unfortunately, they never firmed up – despite more time in the oven. I guess I’ll put them in the fridge overnight and see if that helps. Any idea where I went wrong?
Made these “healthy” brownies for my wellness group. Everyone was amazed that they contained black beans, thus making them a high protein snack!
Everyone asked for the recipe which I translated in French for the “Mieux-être” group.
Thank you and MERCI !!!
Ok. I have never left a review on a recipe before but…. THESE ARE MAGIC!!!! My husband and I can’t get over how untraceable the black beans are, these are delicious!!!!! They are even kid-approved!!!!
I make these brownies often and have enjoyed them every time! Regular brownies make my stomach hurt, but these do not, so I get to enjoy them without consequence. I’ve made them in a food processor and in a blender and both work fine.
Perfect chocolate brownies without a hint of black bean! I used rolled oats instead of quick. I also used honey but did not notice a honey taste. I substituted almond butter for oil. I cooked for 18 minutes at 350 degrees then cooled in fridge. Cut no differently than a moist brownie! My new brownie recipe!
Made these today. Really can’t tell the main ingredient is black beans! I did add a bit more cocoa powder. My picky eater son said they were the best brownies ever. Until I told him…ah kids. 😄
I made these today and I AM SHOCKED ! HOW DELICIOUS ! Taste like any other brownie <3 Thank you so much for the recipe ! I have added two big spoons of honey and 10 dates instead of agave and sweetener and I had to bake it for 35 min in 175 C but came out delicious and firm <3
LET ME TELL YOU.. these are SO good. I never need a regular brownie again. I will say, I was skeptical. I hate black beans but I’m on a health kick and thought I would give these a try. I’m TOTALLY sold. I will be keeping black beans in stock just in case I feel like making these.
I did replace the quick oats with regular rolled oats and I don’t think it made a difference? I haven’t tried it with quick oats but these were so thick and fudgy and yummy. I also used Lily’s milk chocolate chips (no sugar added) and they tasted just like normal chips. 10/10.. will be saving this recipe!!
Family of 4 – we all loved them
2 year old – “It’s so yummy”
11 year old – “I could eat the whole tray”
I only had old fashioned oats and it worked just fine. Used pure maple syrup. I don’t have Stevia so I used 2 Tbsp turbinado sugar. Blended in the food processor A LOT.
Used almost 2/3 cup semisweet Ghirardelli chips for the mix. Used Enjoy Life mini chips for the top.
Cooked for 15 minutes. Cooked for 10. Dug in!
Thanks!!!
These were great. I need to reduce my sugar intake, so I only used 1 T sugar, and in place of 1/3 cup of honey, I used 1/2 honey and 1/2 plant based milk. I used organize cacao powder which i think helped make them so chocolately. They are delicious.