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!)
Does anyone know how well these babies freeze?
You can freeze them.
Katie, you are THE BOMB! I was a bit sceptical about these brownies and just made them….WOW!!!!!! They are fabulous! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I made a whole mess of black beans in my pressure cooker and needed recipes other than beans and rice or soups! I pinned this a while ago and them a try. Brought them to my ladies Bible study but kept the beans a secret till they all gave it a thumbs up. They were shocked when they found out about the black beans and then had seconds! A food processor is a must for these as they will puree better than the blender which I used. It was messy and did not pulverize as well. I used my small food processor and did it in 1/2 batches. Storing them in the fridge for a bit firmed them up. Thanks for this recipe Katie. For a scratch brownie they were very chocolatey! And Im one for baking all my treats from scratch except for brownies. I think the box mixes come out better.. BUT not in this case ! 🙂
Have made these a few times for both vegans and non-vegans. This is a great recipe and one that I’ll make often. This last time, I folded in some chopped walnuts; and, added chunky peanut butter/lightly salted peanuts to a second batch. The latter was excellent. I lined the pans with parchment paper, allowing enough on each end to lift the brownies out of pan to flat surface once cool. I was making them for a high school graduation party and found this to be easier to cut into bite size and place in colored mini baking cups. They looked pretty on a serving platter. Also, I think the paper helped to absorb a bit of the oil. I extended baking time 5-7 minutes. Everyone loved them. Thanks for coming up with such a delicious treat.
I have always been leary of black bean brownies but I really want to go for it.
The calorie count is very likeable but when I plunked the ingredients in to 2 different calorie counters, 1 online and 1 on MFP, I got number close to 200 cals per brownie. I’m not usually a calorie counter but my trainer has me logging my food in MFP.
May I ask what calorie calculator you used?
Also, your recipe doesn’t include the grams of sugar. Would you be able to add that in ?
I can’t wait to try this recipe but I’m going to look for your reply first 🙂
So good. I had oat flour on hand so I used it, maple syrup, avocado oil, and dark chocolate chips. I sprinkled the optional chips on after baking. Wow. I ate way more than 1 serving. Next time I will spread fewer chips on top to make it a little healthier;)
Just made these brownies! Loved the recipe I added peanut butter in and marbled the top! They are so yummy and everybody that has eaten one is shocked by the “secret” ingredient…black beans!
Do you use vegan chocolate chips with these? I made them last night and they were great. I didn’t have vegan chips though, just nestle and they turned out good, just wondering how they are with vegan chips. Thanks!
You can use either.
I just made this recipe and added some powered peanut butter into the batter. Can’t go wrong with a little chocolate peanut butter combo!!
I made these for the first time today. OMG they are amazing!!!! Yum
Can’t wait to try these! I want to make them with sprouted vs. unsprouted black beans to see if there is a difference.
I made these last night and they were amazing. Fudgy like brownie, with an even better taste and texture. My bf and I even had to try the batter, tasted exactly like Countdracula cereal…YUM!! I cannot wait to share these with my friends this weekend, and keeping the black beans a secret will be the best part ! thanks for a great simple recipe !
Katie
Thanks so much for this recipe, as I was drooling and reading my mind was mentally inventorying my kitchen to see if I had the correct ingredients…turns out I didn’t but they turned out awesome anyway. I used molasses and agave for sweetener, it gave the brownies a much deeper richer flavor. I wanted to use a banana instead of the coconut oil but I didn’t have one but thought, oh I have some pumpkin in the fridge. Well, the pumpkin turned out to be butternut squash (lol) but I at that point I had nothing to lose so in it went. Then I had no vanilla but a small bottle of mocha chocolate liqueur which was quite tasty. I also didn’t put the chips into batter, just on top and it was still great. Woohoo! Eat two brownies and go to bed- Yogininja
I love this recipe! I have started really concentrating on what I’m putting in my body. My big problem has always been baked sweets! I love them, but I’m not a baker, so I’d just buy the box! When I saw this recipe, I was surprised that you just throw it all in the processor. How easy is that?! I’m really glad I tried them because now I have a simple recipe that tastes great. Not to mention that my three kids love them too so I don’t have to make separate healthy treats! Thank you!!
Oh my gawd the these taste like your typical yummy brownie! I licked the bowl clean before I even got these in the oven! ?????????
one of my favorite brownie recipes – always delicious, and always a hit. this time i added 1 tbsp of brewed coffee into the food processor along with the other ingredients – makes the brownies taste extra chocolatey!