Black Bean Brownies

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Indulge in the decadent taste of these chocolatey Black Bean Brownies, perfect for vegans who miss the taste of these gooey chocolate delights. With simple ingredients and a bit of your time, you will have the perfect dairy-free dessert to enjoy.

Photo of black bean brownies, fully cooled on a baking rack, and ready to enjoy.

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Has it been a long time since you’ve had a warm, delicious brownie? If so, you may have a craving for this chocolate goodness but aren’t sure how to make a dairy-free, vegan-friendly version of such a popular dessert.

The good news is that this recipe is here to help you, making it possible for you to indulge in that chocolate taste you love without the guilt of consuming non-vegan products.

Black Bean Brownies Recipe

In this recipe, I will show you what you need to do to make the moistest, most delicious brownies possible. These Black Bean Brownies are everything you can imagine and more, and you won’t even notice the taste of the black beans used to prepare them!

So, if you’ve been in the mood for chocolate and brownies, I encourage you to test this recipe out. Whether you’re a skilled baker or someone who is relatively new to preparing baked treats, you can master the art of making the signature black bean brownie!

Photo of Black Bean Brownies, on a white plate in the foreground. There is a cooling rack in the background with individual brownies cooling on top.

Why You’ll Love This Black Bean Brownies Recipe

  • When you’re following a vegan lifestyle, you may assume that brownies are out of the question. However, this recipe proves you can still indulge in something SO delicious.
  • The Black Bean Brownies are sure to cure your sweet tooth cravings, especially when you’re in the mood for chocolate.
  • These brownies are easy to prepare and are far better for you than traditional brownies because of the ingredients used to make them.
Topview photo of three black bean brownies on a cooling rack, ready to enjoy.

Ingredients And Substitutions For Black Bean Brownies

Making Black Bean Brownies is relatively simple. Before you get started, gather these must-have ingredients:

Oats – Use quick oats to make your batter thicker. If you don’t have quick oats, you can use whole oats, but you will need to put them in a food processor before using them.

Black Beans – You can’t make these brownies without the key ingredient – black beans! Any brand will do.

Maple Syrup – Use maple syrup to give these brownies a sweet touch. You can also substitute maple syrup for agave syrup if you have that and would prefer to use it.

Apple Sauce – A bit of applesauce works perfectly as a substitute for eggs in this brownie recipe.

Cocoa Powder – Use cocoa powder to give your brownies the perfect chocolate touch that really takes the flavor to the next level.

Pitted Dates – The addition of dates in this recipe enhances the texture of the brownies, making them chewy and gooey. You will need a minimum of six and up to eight dates for this recipe.

In addition to these ingredients, be sure to have a few others, such as water, baking powder, and vanilla extract, to make the best Black Bean Brownies.

Tips For Making Black Bean Brownies

Add Sugar for a Sweeter Taste

Sugar is optional. However, if you want these brownies to have a sweeter taste, definitely add a bit of granulated sugar to your mixture.

Oil Your Baking Dish

Put a generous amount of oil on your baking dish before adding your batter to it. You want to do this to keep your brownies from getting stuck to the pan and falling apart.

Let Cool Before Slicing

Instead of slicing these brownies while warm, which could cause them to fall apart, simply let them sit out and cool for several minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Black Bean Brownies

How can I make the batter a bit thicker?

If you think your batter is too thin and runny, be sure to add a bit more oats to the mixture. The addition of oats will thicken it right up. However, don’t be afraid of runny batter because that keeps these brownies super moist.

Will these brownies be sweet?

Yes! By using ingredients like applesauce and maple syrup, you’re adding natural sweetness to the brownies. Not only will they taste good and have that sweet flavor, but they will be better for you.

Would nuts go well with these brownies?

Definitely. Get creative and add your favorite nuts to this recipe, such as chopped pecans or walnuts, both of which go great in chocolate brownies.

Photo of three black bean brownies, stacked on top of eachother, with a bite taken out of the top brownie.

More Delicious Vegan Dessert Recipes

I found this recipe for Gluten-Free Chocolate-Tahini Brownies 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.

Black Bean Brownies

Top view photo of two black bean brownies, on a white plate, ready to enjoy.
These black bean brownies are so rich and “ooey gooey” good.  There is no black bean taste at all and these are gluten free, as well as vegan friendly, and dairy free. 
Louisa
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup pitted dates about 6-8 dates
  • ½ cup water
  • cups black beans 1, 15 ounce can
  • ¾ cup oats quick, or food processed whole oats
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup apple sauce unsweetened
  • 2 tablespoons sugar optional
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C and lightly oil an 8×8 baking dish. Then, in a small saucepan, place the ½ cup of water and the dates and simmer over low/medium heat until the dates start to get soft. About 5-7 minutes.
    Top view photo of a sauce pan with water and dates in the pan.
  • In a food processor place add the oats and blend on high until the oats become a fine or small consistency.
    Top view photo of a food processor with oats in the processor. Process until the oats are a fine consistency.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients except the chocolate chips and blend until a smooth consistency. (If you want a brownie with more texture then you can keep the batter more chunky.)
    Top view photo of a food processor with the remaining ingredients to make black bean brownies, ready to be processed until smooth.
  • Pour the batter into a large mixing bowl and add the chocolate chips and mix well.
  • Pour the batter into the greased baking dish.
    Top view photo of a baking pan filled with the batter to make black bean brownies, ready to bake.
  • Cook 18-20 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out nearly clean. These brownies are slightly moist so the toothpick doesn’t need to come out fully clean and dry.
    Top view photo of black bean brownies, fully cooked in a white baking dish, and cooling until ready to enjoy.
  • Let cool to room temperature and enjoy!
    Photo of black bean brownies, fully cooled on a baking rack, and ready to enjoy.

Notes

Are these brownies gluten-free?
Yes, they are as long as you use gluten-free oats.
 
What if the batter is too runny?
The batter will be loose naturally and this makes a moist brownie.  If you desire a drier brownie then you can add another ¼ up of oats and lessen the amount of water for the dates.
 
Can I make it sweeter?
You can add the optional sugar to make it sweeter but the chocolate chips, dates, maple syrup, and applesauce do a pretty good job!
 
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Of course, it would go well.  Pecans or walnuts especially. 

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5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    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!

    1. 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!