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!)
Just got my can of black beans to try these out. Hoping to fool the hubby into thinking he’s eating unhealthy brownies and then once he raves about them, I’ll let him know they’re healthy haha! 🙂
This was the first time that I have ever tried to make black bean brownies. These are AMAZING and good for you! I think I prefer these over the homemade brownies that I used to make (especially because those were very unhealthy for you). The only thing is I may cut back on the agave ( I used 1/2 c total because I replaced the sugar), because they were very sweet. I will be making these from now on!
Also, I forgot to menton, I used my Nutri Ninja blender to blend everything together and the consistency came out smooth like brownie batter.
I used almond flour instead of oats and they are awesome! Only question is: on the nutritional information, is that for 1 of 9 or 12 brownies??
Fabulous black bean brownies. My 23 year old son who was sure he wouldn’t like them, said “These are really good!”. I had let them cool a bit but the chocolate chips were still a bit melted. I used a cup. It makes a small pan about half the size of a regular recipe but they are rich and satisfying so unless I had a crowd I wouldn’t likely double it.
These are really good. I have made other black bean brownies recipes, and I would make this one again. The flavor is good as well as the texture. My only criticism is they were really flat. My baking powder was fresh. Not sure. I let chocolate chips melt on top when they came out of the oven. I spread them around like a frosting. Very delicious!
I have never had black bean brownies before but just made these on a whim. They ar fantastic. Better than many regular brownie recipes. Thanks Katie.
These were awesome . I used bittersweet chocolate chips (a little too much) and agave. Will definitely make again. Less chocolate chips this time. ?
I am so impressed. I have had awful black bean brownies and these are as far from it as possible. I can honestly say that these are the best homemade brownies to ever come from my kitchen (I can never beat the box). My 7 year old helped me make them and ate two brownies before I stopped her. Haha! Excellent recipe. I did use regular flour instead of oats simply because I didn’t have quick oats. They turned out perfectly.
Love love love!
Made these for a dinner party with 6 non veggies. Everyone LOVED them. I served them with a hearty dollop of cashew cream, a few raspberries and a squirt of berry compote. Delish!
Notes for next time: I want to try adding less sugar, and adding more choc chips and some crushed pecans after mixing.
I did refrigerate them overnight, but I prefer them gooey and soft, so perhaps a splash of water into the mix, and don’t refrigerate next time. Anyway, VERY happy with the first result. Thank you!
Yaaaasss!!!! Absolutely delicious! A total hit for my family and I! ?
I tried making these brownies last night, and my goodness are they delicious!! Thank you so much for this wonderful (and easy) recipe! I’m sure I’ll be making these amazing brownies again and again 🙂
I followed this recipe to a T and 9 brownies came out to 212 calories according to My Fitness Pal. They were still way over your listed 115 calories even when I plugged in a 12 count serving. My neighbor came up with the same results. Very misleading- I should have bought a Duncan Hines fudgey-brownie mix- they clock in at 180 calories.
This is the REAL calorie count as many others have noted. Katie, please update!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 9.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 212
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11 g 16 %
Saturated Fat 3 g 15 %
Monounsaturated Fat 4 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg 0 %
Sodium 148 mg 6 %
Potassium 0 mg 0 %
Total Carbohydrate 27 g 9 %
Dietary Fiber 4 g 17 %
Sugars 17 g
Protein 4 g 7 %
Vitamin A 0 %
Vitamin C 3 %
Calcium 3 %
Iron 4 %
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.
Delicious!! I didn’t have quick oats, so I used rolled oats and pulsed them in the food processor first to break them up a bit. I used honey as my sweetener, and next time I’m going to cut down the 2 tbsp of sugar to one. I also added a spoonful of almond butter just for fun. 🙂
Overall awesome recipe, I will definitely be making it again!
I just made these and, excuse my language, but they were f*cking amazing! My family was a little skeptical to try them when they found out they were made with black beans, but you can’t even taste them! The entire pan was gone within 5 minutes. I think I might like these better then regular brownies! I’m excited to try the chickpea blondies next. Thank you so much xoxo