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’ve never tried black bean desserts but I really want to!! That first picture looks amazing!!!
These look a-ma-zing! I really liked your recipe of the Brownie Batter Dip using the garbanzo beans. What a creative use of something that’s actually (ahem) nutritious in a homemade dessert.
Thanks, Katie! 😉
Just made these! I did end up substituting peanut butter for the oil, and they still turned out divine enough for my very unhealthy family to enjoy. 🙂
I LOVE peanut butter, so that sounds like an amazing swap! Thanks for the tip!
Omg, I love brownies, and they’re even better when guitl-free! These look amazing (: The one thing I’m curious about, however, is the nutrition facts. I plugged the ingredients into a calorie counter and got 274 calories for nine brownies!?I understand that ingredients vary and such, but surely not by 150+ calories? twelve brownies are 205 calories each if anyone was wondering. I used 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, stevia, and a maple syrup.
I also came up with higher numbers, using exactly the same ingredients… Except that I subbed natural crunchy peanut butter for the coconut oil. To be exact, I got 236 cal for 9 servings, or 177 do 12 servings
That’s the problem with free online calculators like calorie count or spark. They can sometimes be off by hundreds of calories! Once spark recipes told me that a bowl of oatmeal with 1/2 cup oats and nothing else was 500 calories!
I calculated these by hand (just cuz I always do for recipes even when the numbers are given) and got 120 cals for 12 brownies, so close to Katie’s numbers. Hope that helps!
I agree that the calculations must be off. I similarly calculated my results by hand using sugar free maple syrup, splenda and the lowest amount of chocolate chips, I came up with 125 per 12.
You have to use the gram measurements to get the amount it lists. Then its correct, or at least close to correct. I got 125 each for 12 brownies using gram measurements and real maple syrup.
I know! I was totally thinking the same thing! And how do you even get gram measurements? :S Hmm! I’m going to try to do it by hand, like you said too!
OMG ok I just did this by hand and got 114 cals per 12! :O
So tried this recipe for first time ever brownies other than out of box. First glad to have found your site, second I was preparing to make chili while I was making the brownies I dumped the wrong beans in! Dark red Kidney bean brownies it is and boy are they good!! I was so worried I would have to dump the whole thing but 2 tasters thus far have approved 🙂
I tried black bean brownies about 2 years ago and loved them! You couldn’t even detect there were brownies in the mix. 🙂
These look great, but I have a mission for you, if you are willing to accept…
here it goes! Can…
you…
pretty pretty please with sprinkles (…no, chocolate :D) on top…
make a vegan version of pop tarts?
Already done! I’m just waiting until it’s warmer to post them… trying to not post a lot of oven recipes for the summer. So they’ll be up soon! 🙂
Yum! I can’t wait to try this recipe, Katie! I’ve tried one in the past and was disappointed. I’m excited to try yours!
I have had good black bean brownie recipes and some that aren’t so good—- You have me convinced that these are totally worth a try! 🙂 Can’t wait!
I once made black bean brownies for a potluck bridal shower and they went over so well!
I knew I had to make these as soon as I saw the post. I’ve been wanting to try a black bean brownie recipe for quite some time – plus I happened to have all these ingredients on hand! I think they are quite tasty. I used canola oil, and next time I would definitely use coconut oil instead – I think it would give them a richer flavor. Also, I was running low on chocolate chips so I broke up a few pieces of dark chocolate instead and it was a little too dark (72%). Thanks for another great recipe, I’ll definitely be making this again!
I was just waiting for you to post a black bean brownie recipe, Katie! If anyone could make a really good one it would be you. 😉 I can’t say I’ve ever tried black bean brownies, but since I tried you’re cookie pie I’ve been very intrigued about bean desserts.
You are seriously a genius, I can;t wait to try these. I’ve made your blondie recipe and those are to die for!
I’m trying these as soon as possible! I’m drooling just thinking about it. I’m sure this won’t disappoint – just like the rest of your recipes, it will be amazing!
OH MY GOODNESS! I just made these with my four year old and they are so so so yummy! I actually used 1/4 cup raw cashew butter in place of the 1/4 cup oil and I thought they turned out great. So far they are a favorite, thank you!!!
Oh I just love your recipes and you are such a sweetheart. I was just thinking about making black bean brownies the other day but I didn’t have a recipe I was married to. Thanks for sharing this! I will be taking them to a family reunion this weekend.