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!)
Katie!! I saw this recipe this morning and was so inspired. I’ve made your brownie batter and cake batter recipes before and was in loooovvvee. I am a bean, health, and chocolate freak all at the same time so these recipes are amazing to me! I was particularly excited about this one though, because while I love all beans, black beans are my favorite, even more than chickpeas. So I couldn’t wait to try a recipe that had chocolate and my favorite bean in them! I loved how easy, simple, unique, and fast this recipe was…..and not to mention DELICIOUS!! There is zero bean taste in these. Seriously. Just ooey, gooey, chocolate heaven. I used Trader Joe’s semisweet chocolate chips (my favorite go-to vegan chocolate chip) and it added such a nice touch. You are so incredibly talented and I must thank you for all you do. You deserve every bit of recognition you get! Sorry for the insanely long comment. But you just needed to know how amazing these (and you!) are.
Thanks, Samantha!
Thank you so much for your fabulous recipe. My four-year-old son and I made these last night. We just have a blender, but we really should invest in a food processor. We blended 3 parts at a time and they came out fine. They are delicious and a great way for kids to eat black beans!
You’re so beautiful on this picture Katie !!
I already tried cooked beans to make a cake and the result is just amazing !
Hope you have had a very Happy Birthday, Katie! You certainly deserve it! Thanks for all you do.
Yum, yum, yum! Love these and love that picture of you too! 🙂
I wanna see some red-bean red-heads!!!
OMG!!!!!! Just made these and tried them 10 minutes after cooling while still warm with melty chocolate and they are TO DIE FOR GOOD!!! I used crunchy natural peanut butter instead of oil and these are HEAVENLY!!! THANK YOU KATIE 🙂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!
I’ve made black bean brownies before and enjoyed them, but these look even better. Can’t wait to try them!!!
Happy b-day!
i made these tonight, and they tasted good, but mine didnt hold together the same way as those in the photo. have any idea what you think the problem was?
Did you make any substitutions? Can you tell me more specifics about ingredients and the problems encountered? It’s almost impossible to guess when I wasn’t there 😕
i am insanele addicted to chocolate this year!:) i think i should get a digital photo alarm clock that blinks chocolate pictures along with the beeps! the brownies look awesome!
Do you think it’s crazy if I use red beans?
I love black bean brownies!! I am excited to test out your recipe. Beans are just amazing!
I forgot… Happy Birthday Katie ! Hope you had a great chocolate day !!!
Would red kidney beans be just as good? I have made a very good flourless chocolate cake with them that was a crowd please.
Sorry, I haven’t tried so I really don’t know.
I made these with kidney beans and they were amazing! I can also highly recommend adding a splash of rum – lush!
I have tried black bean brownies before and the recipe that I tried were NOT good! I am willing to give them another chance, because these ones sound like they actually have some hope! I look forward to having some time to whip these up! I’ll let you know how our family likes them. (The only one who liked the other ones I made was my 9 month old…because he didn’t know any better! he’d never had a real brownie before!)
Hi there! You recipes look stunning! Only, for low carbers, we have to have the nutritional value per portion. Is that possible?
Um, she listed that.
Hi! I’m from Australia and haven’t heard of black beans. Can you please clarify what they are?
Thanks!
Bec
They are also called turtle beans sometimes.
yeah, I’m only like 2 years late. But anyway, I’m Australian too, so even though I love CCK’s recipes, half of them I’ve never heard of the copy-cat recipes, and most of the brands of the ingredients! You pretty much can’t buy canned black beans in AUS (I tried), but you CAN buy them dried and cook and soak them yourself. I just substituted a can of kidney beans, and they went fine.
flannery’s got them canned, girls ! 🙂