Chocolate lovers, you’ll never guess the “black bean” part of these Black Bean Brownies.
Made with black beans, oats, coconut oil, maple syrup, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips, these black bean brownies will satisfy all your chocolate cravings, sans guilt.
I’m not sharing this black bean brownie recipe to coax you into a healthier, but inferior-tasting, dessert option.
These black bean brownies are truly fudgy and amazing, and they pass my very high brownie standards.
Trust me.
If there were a degree in Brownie Baking (and Tasting), I would have my doctorate. Let’s call it a PhB (Please Hand me a Brownie).
- I grew up with homemade cookies and pies, and baking is one of my love languages. Particularly baking brownies.
- Honing in on what makes the perfect brownie, I experimented with and mastered Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies a dozen times over for my cookbook.
- I am particularly famous (not tryin’ to brag…) for my One Bowl Brownies (which my friends lovingly call “THE Brownies”) and Healthy Brownies.
My latest brownie experiment is another delicious success that I can’t wait to share with you.
Why (Insert: “On Earth”) You Would Make Brownies with Black Beans
But black beans in brownies?!
Don’t run away! I swear you will have no idea there are beans in them, and they are GOOD.
- Like my Chickpea Blondies and Chickpea Cookie Dough, the beans serve to replace some of the fat, making these have lower calories and less cholesterol/saturated fat, while also making the bars super moist.
- Just like the avocado in my Avocado Brownies or sweet potato in Sweet Potato Brownies, the black beans give you some nutrients in your dessert.
- They are your healthy little secret when you serve them! No black bean flavor guaranteed, just all the chocolate goodness you NEED in a brownie.
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and nut-free, they are a great dessert to bring to parties, where there may be allergies present. These Vegan Brownies are another great option and are extremely fudgy as well.
How to Make Fudgy Black Bean Brownies
This black bean brownie recipe is simple!
The food processor does the heavy lifting (or shall I say blending).
They are flourless, gluten-free, vegan, naturally sweetened (no granulated sugar!), and oh-so chocolatey.
The Ingredients
- Coconut Oil. Refined coconut oil has a neutral flavor, whereas virgin coconut oil will have a coconut flavor. Both work; choose which you prefer!
- Oats. Why stop at the black beans on our healthy ingredient list when making these healthy brownies? Choosing old fashioned rolled oats over all-purpose flour adds fiber and protein.
- Black Beans. No soaking of beans necessary; canned beans work great for this simple black bean brownie recipe. Use low-sodium (or no-salt) canned black beans.
- Maple Syrup. This natural sweetener adds a lovely maple flavor.
- Cocoa Powder. Unsweetened cocoa powder is the must-have ingredient in traditional and healthy brownies alike. It makes the brownies extra fudgy.
Tip!
Sift your cocoa powder to remove any lumps.
- Espresso Powder. Espresso powder is one of my go-to ingredients to add to brownies to make them taste better. It brings out the chocolate flavor, making them even richer.
- Vanilla. Vanilla extract is another one of my not-so-secret ingredients to add to brownies to make them dynamite. It balances and intensifies the chocolate flavor.
Tip!
I use pure vanilla extract in all of my baked goods. It’s a simple addition that makes a big flavor difference.
- Chocolate Chips. Use semi-sweet (or dark chocolate chips) for the perfect chocoholic hit.
The Directions
- Add oats and baking powder to a food processor or high-powered blender.
- Blend into oat flour.
- Add beans.
- Blend.
- Pour in the maple syrup and melted coconut oil and blend until combined.
- Blend in cocoa powder, espresso powder, vanilla, and salt.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Pour into baking pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips over top.
- Bake black bean brownies at 325 degrees F for 28-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool brownies on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Remove from pan. Slice. ENJOY!
TIP!
For the best-ever flavor and texture, let them chill in the refrigerator for a few hours first… or just go for it; I don’t blame you.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Store vegan black bean brownies in an airtight container at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- To Reheat. Enjoy leftovers at room temperature or, to make them extra fudgy, warm slightly in the microwave.
- To Freeze. Cover the brownies uncut in the pan with foil and store frozen for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Storage Tips
You may also freeze individually cut brownies to have a future brownie on demand. Wrap brownie in plastic wrap and heavy-duty foil to keep fresh.
Even More Brownie Recipes!
My love of brownies runs deep. One can never have too many brownies.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Nesting Mixing Bowls. I use this set for everything. They stack for easy storage, and there’s a size for every task.
- 8×8 Baking Pan. My favorite baking pan for brownies, bars, and more.
- Parchment Paper. These pre-cut ›sheets are a nice short cut.
My Favorite Baking Dish
This pan is perfect for brownies and bars! Its silicone coating is made without typical chemicals, plus it’s easy to clean.
These black bean brownies are everything a brownie should be: fudgy, chocolatey, rich; and also what a brownie usually isn’t: healthy, vegan, and gluten free.
So, go for it!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t have a food processor or high-speed blender, you can make this recipe in a regular blender by swapping 1 cup of tightly packed oat flour for the rolled oats.
Simple and I hate to say it, but 1) follow this recipe, and 2) do NOT over bake them. Brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (melted chocolate chips on there don’t count).
Black beans are a healthy carb you can feel good about eating! Refer to the nutritional information at the bottom of the recipe card for black bean brownies’ nutrition.
The black beans make these brownies healthier than traditional brownies by not only replacing some of the fat, like all the trans fat in butter-based brownies, but also adding protein, fiber, and quality carbohydrates.
Black Bean Brownies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup refined coconut oil* melted and slightly cooled, or canola oil or light olive oil
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats**
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 15-ounce cans low sodium or no-salt black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted if lumpy
- 2 teaspoons espresso powder or instant coffee
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips*** mini semi-sweet, divided
Instructions
- Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Coat an 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray, then line with parchment paper so the paper overhangs two opposite sides like “handles.”
- In a small, microwave-safe bowl, melt the coconut oil for 20 to 30 seconds, until only a few solid pieces remain. Stir and allow the residual heat to melt it completely. Let cool to room temperature (this will take about 5 minutes). If using canola or olive oil, no need to melt.
- To a food processor or a high-powered blender, add the oats and baking powder (see notes if using a regular blender or something like a Nutribullet). Blend until the oatmeal turns into a fine, oat-flour consistency, about 1 minute.
- Add the beans and blend for 30 seconds. Stop, scrape down the bowl (the mixture will be thick with dry oat spots), and blend for 30 seconds more, until the beans are broken up and it looks grainy.
- With the machine running, pour in the maple syrup and coconut oil through the feed tube. Blend for 1 to 2 minutes, topping to wipe down the bowl as needed, until the mixture is very smoothly combined.
- To the food processor, add the cocoa powder, espresso powder, vanilla, and salt (use 1/4 teaspoon salt if your beans are regular or low sodium; use 1/2 teaspoon if they are unsalted). Blend until the batter is well combined and thick, about 1 minute, stopping to scrape down the bowl halfway through.
- Turn off the food processor, carefully remove the blade, and add three-quarters of the chocolate chips. Use a spatula to prod them around in the batter so they are evenly distributed as possible (this is a little tricky because of the hole in the center of the food processor bowl, but just do your best).
- Scrape the batter into the prepared pan—it will be thick, sticky, and glorious. With a knife or spatula, smooth the top into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips evenly over the top.
- Bake black bean brownies until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (the melted chocolate chips may stick a bit), about 28 to 30 minutes. The center of the brownie should look set and no longer sticky like a batter.
- Place the pan on a wire rack. Let the brownies cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then use the parchment paper to lift them onto a cutting board. Slice and enjoy! (For the best-ever flavor and texture, let them chill in the refrigerator for a few hours first…or just go for it, I don’t blame you).
Notes
- TO STORE: Store black bean brownies in an airtight container at room temperature, or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- TO REHEAT: Enjoy leftovers at room temperature or, to make them extra fudgy, warm slightly in the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Cover the brownies uncut in the pan with foil and store frozen for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
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These brownies are delicious! They are super fudgey and the chocolate flavor intensifies as they sit. You can’t even taste the black beans. So hard to eat just one.
YAY, YAY! Thanks for letting me know!!
I am honestly shocked…these are SO good. I brought them to a get together and everyone was SHOOK that they had black beans. Don’t skip the espresso powder! Will definitely make again as a healthy brownie alternative!
Hi Elaine! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
So thick and fudgy my bf couldn’t tell it was dairy free and gluten free which is a win. I’m just wondering if there is anyway to mod them so they could be diabetic friendly as well cus id love to share these with my sil.
Hi Bababakes! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review! I’ve only tested the recipe as is, so can’t say for sure on modifications. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it goes!
Made these and they are honestly delicious and satisfy my chocolate craving! You can tell they are a “healthier” brownie but that doesn’t mean they aren’t yum! Also love that they are so nutritious that you actually feel full from just one! Highly recommend! Thank you Erin! Your recipes are my go to for years now.
Hi Kaitlin! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
These brownies are amazingly delicious. I followed the recipe, exactly. I may have used 3 ounces of coconut oil and 1 ounce of olive oil to equal half a cup, because I did not have enough coconut oil, but no other changes.
I sprinkled half of them with walnuts and half of them with colorful nonpareil sprinkles for my grandchildren. They were fudgy and moist and perfectly delicious. A bit messy to make in the processor but I assumed there was a reason all of this had to be done in a processor. Probably to get the correct consistency of the beans and the oats. The coconut oil is a must in my opinion, because it gives a wonderful flavor.
No one would ever guess there is a can of black beans in these brownies
Hi Jane! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
These brownies are amazingly delicious. I followed the recipe, exactly. I may have used 3 ounces of coconut oil and 1 ounce of olive oil to equal half a cup, because I did not have enough coconut oil, but no other changes.
I sprinkled half of them with walnuts and half of them with colorful nonpareil sprinkles for my grandchildren. They were fudgy and moist and perfectly delicious. A bit messy to make in the processor but I assumed there was a reason all of this had to be done in a processor. Probably to get the correct consistency of the beans and the oats. The coconut oil is a must in my opinion, because it gives a wonderful flavor.
No one would ever guess there is a can of black beans in these brownies.
I just reread this recipe and I can hardly believe that I missed the fact that there were supposed to be two cans of black beans and I only used one. How I missed that I cannot imagine since I am read the recipe several times and I bake all the time. But they were still amazing and delicious. I also realized I used unrefined coconut oil because I love the coconut flavor which is really quite amazing. In these brownies.
Again, I did not realize I was supposed to use unrefined coconut oil. Yikes!!
I can’t believe this because I am a careful baker, but it’s hard when the recipe is on your phone and the screen keeps going blank. Either way, these are delicious.
Hi Jane! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Amazing!! Tastes like fudge, would never believe it’s healthier.
Hi Em! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I’ve made this recipe a few times. My co workers love love love these brownies. They couldn’t believe they were made with beans. I do use extra maple syrup. And instead of coconut oil I use extra virgin olive oil.
Hi Greta! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Favorite black bean brownie recipe! So easy to make and absolutely delicious! My only complaint is that a cup of maple syrup is $$$. Wondering if a cheaper option could be substituted?
Hi Jayme! I’ve only tested them with the maple syrup so it would be hard for me to give a substitute. Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
This recipe did not turn out like the photos, I will probably cook the 10-15 minutes shorter next time. I was NOT disappointed though! I loved the flavor! And the batter!!!…. so so good. Thank you Erin! 💖💖💖💖
I am glad these hit the spot Chloe!