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.
Nancy Hefflefinger says
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!!!
Pamela says
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!
Sarit says
Is it possible to substitute the peanut butter with some tahini souce?
Thank you,
Sarit
Pamela says
Hey Sarit, I’ve never tried this with tahini sauce. If you do, I’d love to know how it turns out!
Don says
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
Pamela says
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!
Renata says
Food processor worked perfectly with ingredients as listed
Kari says
These look so decadent!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
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!
Pamela says
I hope you give them a shot Ashley, they are the ultimate ooey gooey brownies!
Nikki says
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!
Pamela says
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!
Elizabeth Halle says
NOM. I look hidden delights. Need to try this.
xo Elizabeth
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
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. 🙂
Amelia says
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?
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
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. 😉
Pamela says
I hope you share some with me Tina! 🙂
Krista@ Digital Health Technology says
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!
Velva says
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
kimmythevegan says
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!
Pamela says
Oh goodness, cannellini fudge sounds all kinds of amazing. Must try!
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
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!
Juliana says
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 😀
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
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
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
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
Pamela says
Lindsey, you have got to trick him and tell me the results! He will be shocked! 123!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
I can’t believe these brownies are made with a whole can of black beans! Looks like the beans made them super moist!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
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.
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
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!
Pamela says
Enjoy the brownies and surprising people Kristi!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
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.
Claire says
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!
Pamela says
I totally think he would, give it a try!
marcie says
I honestly have never had a black bean brownie, but by the looks of them, they’re phenomenal! Yum. 🙂
Pamela says
Marcie, you have got to try them!
Ashley says
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!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
For aliens or not, this does sound like a fudgy and delicious treat!
The Squishy Monster says
Yum, Pamela! These look fabulous!
Monet says
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!
Pamela says
Be sure to steal a few bites too! 😉
Catherine says
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
Kelly says
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!
Nora says
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!