Best Black Bean Brownie Recipe
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This black bean brownie recipe will give you rich, gooey vegan brownies that are also gluten-free! No flour needed and it’s super easy to make.
Black beans in dessert might sound weird, but you’ll never guess they’re really in these rich, chocolatey brownies.
They’re just as impressive as our sneakily vegan vanilla ice cream, which, now that I think about it, would be epic on these warm, fudgy brownies.
And if you’re out of flour, no worries! You can still bake these vegan gluten-free black bean brownies!
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We have another fudgy vegan brownie recipe if you like your bars with a delicate, crackly top. But if you’re feeling brave, check out spooky slasher brownies.
Why You’ll Love This Black Bean Brownie Recipe
- Made with protein-packed black beans, fiber-rich oats, and nutrient-loaded dates, this black bean brownie recipe is a healthier way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Despite being vegan and flour-free, these black bean brownies are just as rich and fudgy as traditional brownies!
- The easy black bean brownie batter comes together in the food processor. No special skills or equipment required!
Ingredients And Substitutions
Pitted dates and water – Dates sweeten and make the vegan brownies gooey. For best results, make sure to soften them in hot water like we did in the recipe.
Black beans – Of course, you’ll need black beans for this black bean brownie recipe. Just rinse and drain the canned beans—no other prep work needed.
Quick oats – Oats thicken the flourless brownie batter and make the brownies soft and fudgy. You can also use rolled oats.
Unsweetened cocoa powder – Packs the moist black bean date brownies with a rich chocolatey taste. Want a secret ingredient to really make the chocolate flavor pop? Add espresso powder to the black bean batter!
Maple syrup – You can use other liquid sweeteners in this black bean brownie recipe. Have you ever tried vegan honey before?
Unsweetened applesauce – Making these eggless black bean chocolate brownies is possible with applesauce! It also works as an oil substitute in this decadent chocolate treat.
Granulated white sugar – The granulated sweetener is optional. If you want to avoid refined sugar, try coconut sugar.
Vanilla extract and salt – Vegan black bean brownie flavor enhancers. Don’t skip them!
Baking powder – Helps the fudgy black bean brownies rise.
Dairy free dark chocolate chips – The added mix-ins for texture and flavor are up to you! These healthy brownies with black beans are also perfect with non dairy white chocolate, walnuts, and dried cherries.
Baking spray – Don’t forget to grease your baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, or your chocolatey treats will get stuck!
Tips For Making This Recipe
Adjust the Sweetness Level
This black bean brownie recipe is sweetened with dates and maple syrup, but you can also add granulated sugar to make it extra sweet.
Cool Before Slicing
Let the vegan brownies cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes and another 10 minutes outside the pan before slicing. If you slice them warm, they will fall apart!
Storage Tips
For make-ahead and leftovers, store the brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw the frozen brownies at room temperature and warm them up in the microwave.
Black Bean Brownies Recipe FAQs
Does black bean brownies taste like black beans?
Nope. Black beans are naturally mild-tasting, so your black bean date brownies will not have a noticeable black bean flavor.
What bean can substitute for black beans in vegan brownies?
We haven’t tried this recipe with other types of beans, but I’ve seen vegan BLONDIES made with white beans like navy beans!
Is this black bean brownie recipe gluten-free?
Yes, these healthy brownies with black beans are gluten-free. Just double-check your oats!
What do black beans replace in brownies?
Black beans replace the flour in these vegan brownies. They make the batter thick and creamy, which is what you want for gooey brownies!
How to fix runny black bean brownie batter?
If your vegan black bean brownie batter is too runny, add more oat flour and blend again.
More Delicious Vegan Chocolate Dessert Recipes
- Vegan Chocolate Pudding
- Chocolate Tart
- Chocolate Covered Rice Cakes
- Vegan Fudge Cups
- Chocolate Molten Lava Cake
I found this recipe for Prune Pistachio Oat Bars that I HAVE to try!
Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey – If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Your comment and/or rating helps other readers!
Black Bean Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pitted dates (about 6 to 8 pieces)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups black beans or 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 3/4 cup quick oats
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tbsp sugar, optional
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup dairy free chocolate chips
- Baking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Add the water and dates to a small saucepan and simmer over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until the dates soften. Drain and set aside.
- Place the oats in the food processor and blend on High until the oats have turned into a fine flour.
- Add the dates and the rest of the ingredients except for the chocolate chips to the food processor. Blend until it forms a smooth batter. Alternatively, you can leave the batter chunky if you want a brownie with more texture.
- Pour the batter into a large mixing bowl and stir in the chocolate chips.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish, top with extra chocolate chips, and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. These are moist brownies, so the toothpick doesn’t need to come out completely clean.
- Cool to room temperature before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
- This black bean brownie recipe is sweetened with dates and maple syrup, but you can also add granulated sugar.
- Let the vegan brownies cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes and another 10 minutes outside the pan before slicing. If you slice them warm, they will fall apart!
- For make-ahead and leftovers, store the brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw the frozen brownies at room temperature and warm them up in the microwave.
PIN FOR LATER!
I tried making the Black Bean Brownies from this recipe and they were surprisingly delightful! The brownies turned out rich and fudgy, and you really can’t tell there are black beans in them. It’s a clever and healthier twist on a classic dessert. This recipe is a game-changer for anyone looking for a guilt-free treat that doesn’t compromise on taste!
Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Cheryl! I’m so glad to hear that the Black Bean Brownies turned out to be a delightful surprise for you. It’s great to know that they were rich, fudgy, and hit the mark on being a healthier yet tasty version of a classic dessert. Your insights are incredibly helpful to others who might be curious about trying this recipe. Hearing that it’s a game-changer in your kitchen is the best compliment we could receive. Thanks again for sharing your experience!