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 would assume the Black Bean brownies are gluten free because there is no flour, right?
Do you think there is another type of bean that can work in these brownies?
I unfortunately can’t eat black beans, but would love to try the recipe.
How fun to find you through a friend who recommended I check out this amazing brownie recipe. I am gluten-free/grain-free (following the SCD for health reasons) and am so excited to”meet” other bloggers who share scrumptious and healthy GF recipes. I look forward to giving this a try and sharing it with my FB followers. Blessings to you, Kelly
Amazing and delicious!!!
These are amazing! My kids gobbled them. I am so happy to find your site. Thank you! <3
Finally made these yesterday, after looking at the recipe for a long time. They are AWESOME!!! I ate half the pan before I remembered to share. 🙂 My husband and daughter liked them too, AND my dad — he’s very skeptical of all this healthy stuff, so I had him try one first, then told me what was in it. He loved it, and is even letting me bring more over for the superbowl tomorrow night! Thanks for the excellent healthy recipe, Katie!
I am NOT a bean person….like at all. But in the spirit of teaching my son to try new things, I’ve been trying them. He eats no meat or nuts, so beans are huge for him, although he doesn’t actually like them (he can’t have soy either…). I’m hoping he’ll love these and we’ll add some of these bean recipes to our arsenal. The food prcessor is going as I type, so I’ll let you know how it goes. 🙂
I wanted to edit…but replied. I’ll let you know how they turn out…just realized the chocolate chips I have (Nestle’s) have soy in them (after putting them in the brownies…) so no bean brownies for the little man. I’ll try the blondies instead…
I have made these SO many times since I discovered this recipe! Katie, you’re a genius. These are easily the best brownies I have ever had, healthy and not-so-healthy inclusive! I have made them as the recipe states, but also with cayenne, chipotle, vegan peanut butter frosting, mint extract, coconut shavings, chocolate ganache, and so many other ways. I’ve even made them for work parties without telling anyone about the beans or the fact that they’re vegan and gluten-free only to be inundated with requests for the recipe! Imagine people’s shock when they find out about the black beans! It makes me do an evil little giggle every time. Secretly I’m thinking, “ha HA, trick’s on you, coworker! I made you eat healthy AND delicious! Take that!” These brownies make me feel like a secret ninja of delicious healthiness. Thank you, Katie, for this wonderful recipe!
I have been gluten free since August when I found out I have celiac. I tried these the other day and they were awesome–none of the aftertaste that is in so many gf desserts. Best of all, I gave them to my kids, 6 & 9, and their friends and the kids begged me to make them again–told me they were their favorite brownies. I feel ok with them having these because they are such a healthy alternative. Thanks for the recipe. These really are great!
these were AWESOME thank you. taking to a Superbowl party and i’m not saying a word!
THANK YOU!
Are the nutritional facts for the Black Bean Brownies figured for 9 brownies a pan or 12?
Thanks!!
I made these and they’re excellent — I added 1 t. espresso powder and some dried coconut. I made them in a muffin tin (yield: 12). The people I’ve given them to have not been able to guess there are black beans in them — they are really good!
I tried these last night. They were sooo yummy and decadent!
I made them with peanut butter (same amount as coconut oil) and they came out great! Had a great texture and the taste of the peanut butter didn’t mask the other flavors.
I tried this recipe for black bean brownies. It was shockingly yummy!! Next time I think I’ll substitute 2 Tbsp. of applesauce for 2 Tbsp of the oil. I wonder if anyone else has tried this yet? I think I may also try adding a little espresso powder.
Thanks for the delicious recipe.
I made these + avocado brownies (recipe from a friend) for a Super Bowl party yesterday. The Black Bean Brownies were GONE (not so much for the avocado ones) and everyone agreed that you couldn’t tell they were “healthy”. I followed the recipe to a “T”, and I think these turned out perfect – great recipe, Katie! Also, who doesn’t love tossing everything in a food processor and being done?!?!