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!
Tip: Love black beans? Try my Instant Pot Black Beans recipe and Vegetarian Black Bean Chili!
More Brownie Recipes
Looking for more fudgy brownie recipes? Try my:
Pin for later:
Fudgy Black Bean Brownies
PrintIngredients
- 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.
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
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!
Pamela says
I can’t wait to hear what you think Chris! I think you will be in love! <3
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
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!
Suzanne says
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.
Pamela says
Thanks Suzanne, I’m crazy about any recipe that lets me use my food processor to take work away! 😉
Beth @ bethcakes says
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!
Pamela says
I’m all about that crackle texture on top Beth! I hope you give these a try!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
They look incredibly moist and delicious!
Melissa @ My Recent Favorite books says
I love Brownies, these look so good!!!! =)
Pinned!
Pam says
They look decadent and delicious without all the guilt!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
I’m going to trust you on this!
Pamela says
You’ll love them, I promise! 🙂
Shikha @ Shikha la mode says
Black bean brownies are so underestimated – they’re so delicious!
ela@GrayApron says
Not bad, not bad at all. I have to try it one day! 🙂 ela
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
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! 🙂
Jaclyn says
These brownies look so fudgy and amazing!
Ashley @ My Midwest Table says
…And clearly I am so excited about these brownies, I repeated my last sentence. 🙂
Pamela says
It’s ok, they get me pretty excited too!
Ashley @ My Midwest Table says
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!
Pamela says
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!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
Wow. They’re that good? Guess I’ll have to find out for myself. Thanks for sharing!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
I think I get off on tricking people into eating beans and veggies…
Pamela says
High 5 to tricksters!
Joanne says
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!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
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!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
I can’t believe they are made with black beans! So cool, I love the idea…
Elizabeth @ SugarHero.com says
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!
Pamela says
Elizabeth, you will love them! Let me know! 🙂
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
As soon as I can get some cacao nibs I will try these 🙂
michael says
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/
Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
I loooooove black bean brownies! These are pretty similar to a recipe that I know I already love, except you add peanut butter, yum!
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
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 🙂
John@Kitchen Riffs says
What a fun idea! I’ve never had a black bean brownie. But you know I will. 😉 Really good stuff – thanks.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
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.
Pamela says
I’m glad you’ll be ready when you meet that alien Maureen! Enjoy these! 🙂
Mary Frances says
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!
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
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!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
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!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I’m so intrigued by these! Your photos are amazing, by the way!