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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Hi Katie, I have to tell you that your black bean brownies are the best brownies I’ve ever had. I would take one over a guilty brownie any day. I have made this recipe countless times for my family/friend parties and they are always a hit. You’re awesome, thanks for sharing your recipes!
So I made these this evening for my family, and they were a hit!! My kids had thirds, including my extremely picky 6 year (who my hubby said I would never be able to fool, but he was wrong!). I will definitely be making these again and again, knowing that they are healthy. Thank you!
THESE TASTE AMAZINGG!! Super moist and chocolatey 😀 I would NEVER have guessed these were made out of black beans!
I am very excited as I have just made these and am waiting for my wife to come home to try them together! Only thing is mine are very flat and don’t look as deep as yours…do you have an idea as to what I could do differently please? Thanks! Hugs from the UK x
The best I can say to you about this recipe is ” I Love You!” need I say more.
Hello Katie, I have a question. Where I live, we don’t have black beans. Can I sub pinto or kidney beans for black? 🙂
Oh my god. These have to be the best brownies I have ever had. So decadent,chocolately, and without being overly sweet! I was a little skeptical at first but it tastes like a regular brownie! Made these for my boyfriend since he’s vegan and waiting for him to come home and try it. I already took a picture and sent it to him. This was a great recipe; thank you so much for posting and I know a lot of other people who would like this as well!
Oh my God these are the best brownies I’ve ever had. Made these for my boyfriend since he is vegan. Just waiting for him to come home and try them himself! I would rate this at 10 out of 10 and I would recommend this to anyone! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
These are quite wonderful!! My only complaint is that the texture was a bit off, however I may not have processed long enough and I have a very old food processor. This could easily be remedied though by processing the oats first, then adding the additional ingredients. Don’t hesitate to try these. It’s a relatively healthy dessert also (especially if you cut back on the sweeteners a bit).
These were ridiculously delicious! one of the best brownie recipes i’ve tried ever! vegan or non-vegan! They are definitely best chilled 🙂 Really gooey and moist texture, sweet and chocolaty, these will become a regular in my fridge!
If there were more stars, I’d give them to these brownies. I am obsessed with these! I am going away for the weekend and am about to whip up 4 pans!! THANK YOU, Katie, for this gift from GOD!! lol 🙂
WOW!!!!! This recipe does NOT disappoint! Tasty, rich, chocolate-y goodness.
I think I’ve commented on these before, but I want to say again how great they are! My sister-in-law is pregnant and was craving brownies. I was so happy to be able to make these for her and feel like I was still giving her something relatively healthy. And now we just learned my 5 year old daughter has to be gluten free, and she’s going to a birthday party tomorrow. I am going to make these for her to take to have instead of the chocolate cake they’re having. I know she loves these brownies, and I’m so happy I already have a “go to” recipe for something that’s so yummy AND gf AND made with beans!!! Thank you, Katie!
Katie! You are such a sweetie patootie for sharing this recipe with all the world. <3 I of course had to tinker; my vision was something a little more chocolatey and a little more… breakfast appropriate 😉 and your creation made the perfect jumping off point! Here's what I did:
1) swapped out 1/2 the oil for unsweetned applesauce
2) cut the honey in half
3) doubled the cocoa powder (more chocolate = better in my book!)
4) took out the oat flour completely (wasn't needed with the extra cocoa powder)
5) Poured into 4 mugs and microwaved on 50% power for 75 seconds and let it sit to firm up.
6) topped with strawberries and enjoyed healthy chocolate cocount brownie muffins with friends.
7) was thanked by said friends who couldn't believe such simple wholesomeness could be so yum yum yum.
Made these awesome brownies today as this recipe was recommended by my sister. My family could not tell that the main ingredient was black beans. I made two recipes. One with honey and one with maple syrup. I used coconut oil for both. Bake them for 20 minutes. I put 1/4 cup of chocolate chips in the batter and 1/4 cup on top. I can’t believe that there is no flour or egg in this recipe. Mama likes!!
Best Brownies I ever had!