Fudgy Black Bean Brownies
The BEST Black Bean Brownies recipe – healthy, vegan, gluten free and really easy to make! These moist brownies are made with canned black beans and peanut butter making them extra fudgy. I love how simple they are to make and how much kids and adults both love them!
Black Bean Brownie Recipe
You know I only share the best with you guys, right? So you totally have to believe me that this Black Bean Brownies Recipe is what brownie dreams are made out of!
We finished these brownies in 2 days. I went into the brownie box (what, you don’t have a brownie box?) for one and there was no more left. My hands started to shake, “Matthew, did you eat the last brownie?!” I shouted. He said yes. My night was destroyed. The next day I made another batch. These brownies are THAT GOOD.
Healthy Black Bean Brownies
I love these brownies because they are so fudgy and chocolate ooey gooey. They’re soft, they’re moist and because they are made with black beans and oats, I’m totally going to call them healthy too. What? This is my blog and I’m allowed to do what I want!
No but in all seriousness, why don’t people think of black beans when they make dessert recipes? Is it because they aren’t brightly colored like so many fruits and vegetables are? I’m not sure, but I can tell you I love them and they make the perfect partner with chocolate brownies.
Vegan and Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies
These brownies are vegan and gluten free. You don’t need dairy products to make fudgy brownies! When buying chocolate chips, make sure they’re vegan. My favorite vegan chips are Enjoy Life and Sunspire. Whole Foods 365 also sells vegan chocolate chips now too!
Even though these are made with a whole can of black beans, they taste like pretty traditional chocolate brownies. With the addition of peanut butter to the recipe, it makes a delicious fudgy soft brownie. These brownies are so easy to make too!
How to Make Black Bean Brownies
Here’s the ingredients you need:
- 1 can of black beans
- creamy peanut butter
- cocoa powder
- quick oats
- salt
- brown sugar
- sugar
- vegetable oil
- vanilla extract
- baking powder
- chocolate chips
You’re pretty much going to throw everything in the food processor (except the chocolate chips) and your brownie batter will be ready for you! I told you these brownies were easy to make!
If you’ve never had a black bean brownie, you have to trust me in that they are amazing. You won’t even be able to tell there’s black beans to be honest and you don’t even have to tell anyone they’re made with black beans… until after they finish and tell you how delicious they are, then you can giggle and raise your hands triumphantly in the air and shout “THEY ARE MADE WITH BLACK BEANS!”.
A few years ago I sent my Father black bean brownies in the mail. I just told him they were chocolate brownies because I know if I would have mentioned the ingredients he would eyed me evilly. Well after he finished a batch and declared his love for these delicious treats, then I gave him the 1-2-3 punch of “THEY ARE MADE WITH BLACK BEANS!”. It never gets old.
Goodness, I really love these brownies.
These brownies are the best.
Can you freeze brownies?
If you’re looking for a brownie you can freeze, you can totally freeze these too! I like to cut them up into single serving squares and them add them to freezer bags. Whenever I’m hungry for a brownie, you can pop one out of the freezer and throw in the microwave for a few seconds.
Hope you enjoy these Fudgy Black Bean Brownies as much as I do!
More Brownie Recipes
Looking for more fudgy brownie recipes? Try my:
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Fudgy Black Bean Brownies
The BEST Black Bean Brownies recipe - healthy, vegan, gluten free and really easy to make! These moist brownies are made with canned black beans and peanut butter making them extra fudgy. I love how simple they are to make and how much kids and adults both love them!
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz can of black beans drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut or vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips + additional handful of chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips in a food processor. Pulse until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips and mix with spoon so they are equally distributed.
- Grease 8x8 pan and pour brownie mixture in it. Take a spatula to smooth out the top.
- Bake the brownies for 16-18 minutes.
- Once out of the oven, let cool, then sprinkle the handful of chocolate chips on top. Use a spoon or spatula to gently push them into the top of the brownies.
Allow to cool for 15 minutes before cutting into brownie squares.
I’m so intrigued by these! Your photos are amazing, by the way!
I have SERIOUSLY need to try black beans in brownies! These look so amazing and after your rave reviews….seriously…I have GOT to try this!
I first made some black bean brownies a few years ago. I was surprised how fudgy and non-beany they were. My daughter couldn’t wait to share what the secret ingredient was. No one could believe they had beans in them. So so good!
I have been searching for a good black bean brownie recipe! I have had several fails, but I am going to try these. They look too good not to! Thank you so much for sharing!
I’ve always wondered what to feed ‘the Alien’ and now I know. All these years I’ve lived and never figured it out until now.
I might have to rustle up a few for myself and have them ready just in case.
I’m glad you’ll be ready when you meet that alien Maureen! Enjoy these! 🙂
What a fun idea! I’ve never had a black bean brownie. But you know I will. 😉 Really good stuff – thanks.
I’m trusting you on the black bean part of these brownies… they look absolutely amazing. I think that I totally need to implement a brownie box… and I love the alien scenario 🙂
I loooooove black bean brownies! These are pretty similar to a recipe that I know I already love, except you add peanut butter, yum!
They look wonderful 🙂 I have never seen this recipe before!
check out my recent post, cheesecake with strawberry topping
Michael 😉
http://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/2014/02/09/strawberry-topped-cheesecake/
As soon as I can get some cacao nibs I will try these 🙂
Okay, Pamela, I am taking you at your word and pinning these to make soon. I’ve always been suspicious of black bean brownies, but if you say they’re the best, then I’m giving them a try! Partly because I want to eat them, and partly because I love tricking my loved ones too. Mwahahaha!
Elizabeth, you will love them! Let me know! 🙂
I can’t believe they are made with black beans! So cool, I love the idea…
I have to say I haven’t loved the black bean brownies that I have tried, but yours look so fudgy and delicious…I may have to give them another try!
During my first years of blogging, I attempted black bean brownies and they were a dry awful epic fail. But these look moist and gooey and DELICIOUS. Definitely going to have to give them another go!
I think I get off on tricking people into eating beans and veggies…
High 5 to tricksters!
Wow. They’re that good? Guess I’ll have to find out for myself. Thanks for sharing!
Yes! This recipe reminds me of contest at my 4-H county fair when I was little. The food contest was called “You put What in What?” There were some really interesting submissions, and it was the one contest display I had to check out every year. I think these brownies would totally win top prize in that category. These fudgy babies would win grand prize for sure!
Ashley, I love the title of that contest! I’m going to look up this contest maybe there’s some articles on it somewhere…. thanks!
…And clearly I am so excited about these brownies, I repeated my last sentence. 🙂
It’s ok, they get me pretty excited too!
These brownies look so fudgy and amazing!
I have to tell you, great minds think alike!! Shelley and I are totally working on black bean brownies! I think our recipe will be quite different from yours, though – so I can’t wait to see how yours are! They look amazing!!!
I also love to tell people that there is a secret ingredient! That element of surprise never gets old. Ever. My dad and your dad should totally eat together. My dad wouldn’t touch brownies if he knew there black beans in them. Shhhh … let’s just let him enjoy them til I have to tell him! 🙂
Not bad, not bad at all. I have to try it one day! 🙂 ela
Black bean brownies are so underestimated – they’re so delicious!
I’m going to trust you on this!
You’ll love them, I promise! 🙂
They look decadent and delicious without all the guilt!
I love Brownies, these look so good!!!! =)
Pinned!
They look incredibly moist and delicious!
I had black bean brownies once and they were seriously the fudgiest brownies I’ve ever had. Yours look more like actual brownies with the crackle texture on top, so I bet they’re even better!
I’m all about that crackle texture on top Beth! I hope you give these a try!
Ok, I’m sold I will try these. I have avoided trying black bean brownies up until now. I LOVE that everything is done in the food processor, sounds like a great recipe.
Thanks Suzanne, I’m crazy about any recipe that lets me use my food processor to take work away! 😉
I’m constantly amazed by the different ‘unusual’ ingredients you can make brownies with but I NEVER would have guessed you could put black beans in them! These look fabulous!
These really do look fudgy and delicious! I’ve heard of people making brownies with black beans before, but was always skeptical. But Pamela, I’m trusting you on this one. I’m going to take the black bean plunge and try these out!
I can’t wait to hear what you think Chris! I think you will be in love! <3
I am black bean brownie fan #1! They are so great for all the reasons you mention, but especially to fool people into thinking they’re eating something unhealthy 😉 I’m going to try your recipe next time I make them!
These brownies look amazing girl! I would never guess they were made with black beans and I love the oats and peanut butter in here. I can’t wait to try your recipe since these sound fantastic and I love sneaking in ingredients to trick my husband into eating healthier hehe. Pinning, love your photos as always too!
Dear Pamela, You certainly make me want to try these. I love brownies, I love peanut butter so why not add black beans! They certainly look good! Blessings dear. Catherine xo
I’m sold! I need to start practicing making these brownies as I don’t want Lu to eat much in terms of refined sugars. These look AMAZING! Thank you for sharing them with us!
Be sure to steal a few bites too! 😉
Yum, Pamela! These look fabulous!
For aliens or not, this does sound like a fudgy and delicious treat!
I’m so intrigued by these black bean brownies! They look so fudgy and delicious – and it’s just like bonus points that they are made with black beans! I think these are going to have to be made in my kitchen … ps I totally wish I had a brownie box. Need to get me one of those!
I honestly have never had a black bean brownie, but by the looks of them, they’re phenomenal! Yum. 🙂
Marcie, you have got to try them!
I SO want to make these just to see if my husband would eat them and like them, black beans and all! 😉 They look beautiful!
I totally think he would, give it a try!
That exact scenario happens at my house all too often. Sometimes I have to hide the treats–seriously. My husband can’t be trusted. 🙂 I would definitely hide these.
I love this! –> “THEY ARE MADE WITH BLACK BEANS!”. It never gets old. I think I’d love to share this and surprise people too. Pinning! Definitely unique!
Enjoy the brownies and surprising people Kristi!
What! This is amazing!
Now I need to go figure out what the one-food is that I would give to an alien. This is very important.
I can’t believe these brownies are made with a whole can of black beans! Looks like the beans made them super moist!
Say what?! As I was ogling your brownies, my Husband peered over my shoulder and exclaimed, “Black Bean Brownies? Ick”. Now I have to pull the 1 2 3 punch on him! These sound and look amazing!
Slash what is a brownie box and where can I get one?! lol
Lindsey, you have got to trick him and tell me the results! He will be shocked! 123!
Black bean brownies are my favorite, they are ever so fudgy, dense and chocolaty yummm. I need to make another batch soon, your post just reminded me of that hehe.
And the best part is when you tell people they’re made with beans and you see their faces aaaahhh priceless.
These look wonderful! xx
Black beans brownies? I had to read it twice to make sure that I was reading it right…now that I got to “digest” the idea I can see how yummy these brownies can be…
Thanks for the recipe Pamela and have a wonderful week 😀
I have to admit that I had a bad experience making black bean brownies. I am, however, willing to give them another shot because these ones look really chocolatey, fudgy and delicious 🙂 I don’t blame you for freaking out that Matthew ate the last one!
omg vegan & gluten free YESSSSSSS
Ok – so I’ll be honest. I put off jumping on the whole “bean dessert” band wagon for the longest time. I was all like “beans in dessert? nope. not happening.” And then my friend made me some black bean brownies and I ate one out of politeness and was BLOWN AWAY. Dang they are good! I have since tried cannelini fudge and chickpea chocolate chip cookies.
I’m excited to try these!
Oh goodness, cannellini fudge sounds all kinds of amazing. Must try!
I am amking note to make these brownies. My family are brownie lover fanatics. I think some black beans and oats in their brownies is a good thing. Thanks for sharing.
Velva
Hey Pamela, they surely don’t look like black bean brownies, but yes they look like those kind of brownies which you cannot stop by eating just one. Well once again I feel like getting indulged with sweets, but this thing must be worth it. Thanks!
I’ve never made brownies using black beans…I could never tell from the pictures. These look so yummy and fudgy! I loved that you used healthy everyday ingredients in them. Definitely on my list to make. I better make 2 batches if you ate them that quickly. 😉
I hope you share some with me Tina! 🙂
This is like the Chocolate Beet Pie I make. They have veggies, so it’s OK to eat them anytime and in massive quantities, right?
These look so, SO good! I confess – I’ve been leery in the past about using black beans in sweet desserts, but these look so awesome I’m really tempted to take the plunge and do it! I’m already envisioning the “OMG black beans!” surprise I’d pull on my boyfriend. 🙂
NOM. I look hidden delights. Need to try this.
xo Elizabeth
AMAZINGGG my first time making black bean brownies! I can taste the peanut butter and coconut a lot and its terrifically FUDGY. I ate the entire batch my myself…oops. Not sure what the nutritional facts are but that is still a lot of brownie. I was wondering though if I just wanted them to be just chocolate flavored, what can I use instead of peanut butter? THANK YOU SO MUCH! I don’t think I will ever go back to “regular” brownies again!
So happy you enjoyed these brownies Nikki and showed them who’s boss! If you don’t want to use the peanut butter I think you could try using Nutella, Chocolate Flavored Peanut Butter (still pb flavor but more chocolaty) or leave it out completely. Enjoy!
I made black bean brownies once and didn’t love them. My hubby and his co-workers did, though. Maybe I need to give ’em another shot – yours look awesome!
I hope you give them a shot Ashley, they are the ultimate ooey gooey brownies!
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These look so decadent!
Ok I attempted this recipe. Disclaimer-not a cook-not vegan-not nutritionist. I put all ingredients except sugars in NutraNinja. Total failure to blend, cup is at capacity So dump it in a bowel, add sugars, try electric hand mixer. Fail, turns to lumpy granulated mess that the mixer distributes well over the counter top. Add 1/2 c water, Now blends to the consistency of sheet rock mud. Close enough, Bake as per instructions. Visual not great, Looks like the bottom of a sun baked mud puddle. Fed 1 1/4″ square to my wife as a “100 cal snack”, To satisfy Her latest diet. She says it is delicious. So I studied the recipe for a while and could find nothing I did wrong except add water, which was necessary to get it to blend. Why Is my mix so dry ? Should I add something other than water? With out the water it cant be mixed it has to be kneaded. HELP . Don
Hi Don, I’ve never had a issue with these brownies being dry. The creamy peanut butter and oil should be enough to keep them moist. It could have been a issue with mixing them in the Ninja first and then the hand mixer after that – it might have been too much and dried the batter out. Do you have a food processor? If so, I’d give that a shot. Glad your wife enjoyed them!
Food processor worked perfectly with ingredients as listed
[…] A few dark chocolate pieces? A peanut butter cup? A apple spice crumble bar? A brownie? The […]
Is it possible to substitute the peanut butter with some tahini souce?
Thank you,
Sarit
Hey Sarit, I’ve never tried this with tahini sauce. If you do, I’d love to know how it turns out!
I made these brownies with 1/2 cup pure maple syrup instead of sugars…(and made the oats a heaping 1/2 cup to make up for liquid) Absolutely delicious!!! especially when chilled in refrigerator!!! YUM!!! Added lots of chocolate chips and lots of walnuts!!! Thank you for sharing,…Can’t wait to make these for unsuspecting guests!!!! and for me!!! again!!!
Hey Nancy, so glad you liked these brownies! Thanks for sharing your tweaks – I love the change of adding maple syrup! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh my goodness I made these just now and they are DELICIOUS! I was skeptical about these at first because I’ve never tried black bean brownies but they are amazing. Super fudgy and not too sweet! Thank you for the recipe!
I’m so happy you liked these brownies Gwen – I love how fudgy they are too! Thanks for commenting!
The recipe has disappeared! Can you please check and re-post as needed!
I’ve read thousands of recipe blogs and have never commented until now. Omg! These are incredible, and I never would have believed that they’re missing all the usual baking ingredients. Everyone needs these on their baking rotation! Having changed my eating habits to vegan 3 weeks ago, I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen and these are a win! Thanks for sharing!
Hey Anita – your comment makes me so happy! Thanks for letting me know you liked these brownies!
Wow. I made these tonight and I’m blown away. Although, the cook time was around 20 mins for my
Oven. They were DELICIOUS!!!!
Hey Katie, so happy to hear you liked these brownies! Thanks for commenting and letting me know!
These are by far the best brownies I have ever tried. They are hard to get out unless you want to eat them with a spoon while still warm. I refrigerated them and cut them then…much easier and totally delicious
Hey Renata, I’m so happy you like these black bean brownies! Great tip about refrigerating them prior to cutting! Thanks for commenting!
Hello, what can i use instead of oats? (I am allergic) 🙁
Hey Ayda, I’ve never made these without oats, BUT… I think crispy rice cereal or dates would work out! Good luck and enjoy the brownies!
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These are delicious and are my go to brownie recipe !! I always do a double batch and they never last 24 hours 🙂
What kind of chocolate chips do you use ? Semi sweet?
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I put the chocolate chips in before baking. Anyone else tried this? I also used my hand blender since I don’t have a food processor
Hey Jen, you definitely want to add the chocolate chips into the batter before baking – this makes them extra fudgy and delicious! Enjoy the brownies, I love them!
[…] some vegetables to sweets, I went into the cabinet to grab a can of black beans to make my favorite black bean brownies but sadness hit, I was all out of black beans. So then I sat on the floor, pantry door open, […]
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These are the best black bean brownies I’ve ever made, and I’ve made a lot of black bean brownies! However, I sub the brown sugar and sugar for granulated Monk Fruit since it is healthier, and I sub the 1/2 cup of oats for vegan chocolate protein powder (Orgain brand) for an extra rich chocolate flavor and more protein! 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!!
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I made these today and they are amazing! I used coconut oil, and in place of brown sugar, I used Splenda brown sugar. I didn’t have regular Splenda to substitute for the regular sugar, but 2 tablespoons in the entire recipe isn’t really too much. I need to figure out the points value, so I can track them on my Weight Watchers app. Thanks for making my day!
Hey Kaye, I’m so happy you liked these black bean brownies! Thanks for sharing your substitutions – it sounds delicious!
Hi there! What brand of chocolate chips do you recommend? Many of the ones at the store are not actually vegan 🙁
[…] for more brownie recipes? Try my Black Bean Brownies and Single Serve Brownie and Cosmic […]
I made these without oil and added applesauce instead. They came out really fudgy and my family can’t get enough!
Hey Cindy, thanks for sharing! Glad you liked the brownies!
[…] A few dark chocolate pieces? A peanut butter cup? A apple spice crumble bar? A black bean brownie? The […]