Did you know that you can make Black Bean Brownies that taste every bit as delicious as traditional brownies? This fudgy Black Bean Brownie recipe produces rich and delicious chocolate brownies that your family will love. Even the pickiest eaters can’t tell that these are made with black beans!
If you are a regular reader of Love From The Oven, you might be wondering why I’m making brownies with black beans. Don’t worry, I’m not giving up on butter, flour and sugar. And I promise you these rich, sink-your-teeth-into-them brownies taste just as delicious as my regular brownie recipes.
To find out more about these fudgy brownies, and why I’m making them, then keep reading. I hope you’ll find my helpful tips and information beneficial. However, if you are ready to whip up a batch and don’t want all the details, just scroll on down to the recipe.
Brownies Made With Black Beans
My daughter recently had to remove a few foods from her diet due to medical issues. We are already used to making nut-free brownies due to allergies. Now we’re also having to remove dairy and nightshades (tomatoes and potatoes… insert the sound of my crying), as well as limit gluten. It’s a challenging combo.
Coming up with foods she can eat, especially comforting foods, has been a challenge. That’s why I’m happy to say that these fudgy black bean brownies taste AMAZING. Neither of my kids, nor my husband, noticed anything different with these brownies. They just thought they were great brownies.
If this recipe didn’t pass the picky eater test in my house, I would not share it with you. But I’m thrilled that it does!
Gluten Free Brownies
Why are we putting black beans in brownies? In this recipe, the black beans help take the place of most of the flour. That makes these brownies a great option if you are looking for a gluten-free brownie recipe. There is only 1/3 cup flour used, and you can use your favorite gluten-free flour product.
Black beans have a wide variety of nutritional benefits, help create a great texture, and yet somehow disappear flavor wise in this recipe. While I wouldn’t necessarily refer to these as healthy brownies or healthy black bean brownies, I can say that these brownies are:
- Picky Eater Approved (and I mean PICKY)
- Dairy Free
- Peanut Free
- Tree Nut Free
- Gluten Free (if made with a GF flour, I used oat flour)
- Made with black beans, olive oil and cocoa powder
- Pack in much more nutrition than standard brownies do
Best of all, they taste like regular brownies, no black bean taste at all!
Dairy Free Brownies
This recipe is easily made dairy free. While multiple types of oil can be used to make these brownies, I decided to go for the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil. Thanks to the strong chocolate flavor, the olive oil’s flavor disappears. That said, you can use other oils if desired. We can’t use coconut oil, but I think it’d be a great choice in this recipe.
If you are avoiding dairy, make sure that the chocolate chips you use are dairy free. Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips are my go to, as they are free of the Top 8 allergens.
Fudgy Black Bean Brownies
Take note, these are FUDGY brownies. The kind you can really sink your teeth into. To top it off they are filled with chocolate chips, so these brownies are super chocolatey. In the very best way!
Personally I am not a fan of cakey brownies. If I want cake, I’ll have cake. When it comes to brownies I like them rich, thick and basically a bit dense. There’s no need for light and fluffy when it comes to brownies, at least in my opinion.
More Brownie Recipes To Try
Brownies are one of my favorite desserts. If you love brownies as much as I do, here are some other great brownie recipes to try.
- Homemade Brownies
- Doctored Brownie Mix
- Easy Brownie Pie
- Single Serving Microwave Brownie
- Cheesecake Brownies
Black Bean Brownies
Equipment
- 9x9 inch pan
- Blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed (approximately 1 cup of beans)
- 1/2 cup olive oil (other oils can be used)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 tsp espresso or instant coffee powder
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup flour (oat flour or other gluten free flours can be used)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9x9 inch pan either spraying well with non-stick cooking spray, or lining with parchment paper, then spraying with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a food processor, or blender, puree black beans with oil until smooth. Add eggs, and puree until well combined. Add in cocoa powder, sugar, coffee and vanilla. Puree until well combined.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips by heating in 20 second increments, stirring VERY well after each to help melt chocolate chips. This may take 60 to 80 seconds total, but make sure to stir after every 20 seconds to avoid overcooking chocolate. Add melted chocolate to mixture and puree until combined.
- Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to mixture, along with remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips, and blend until just combined, do not over mix.
- Pour batter into preapred pan. If desired, add additional chocolate chips to the top of the batter.
- Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out almost clean, and the center appears to be setting up. Do not overbake.
- Allow to cool at least 30 minutes prior to cutting. If desired, dust with powdered sugar prior to serving. Store tightly covered.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Meet Christi, Love From The Oven
I’m Christi I love sharing easy & delicious recipes that your family & friends will love. I’m a mom, baker, cookbook author and lover of sprinkles.
These are gorgeous and I have tried and tested many gluten free brownies!
Loved the recipe! How do you suggest to store and how long will they last?
If you aren’t going to eat them within 2-3 days, I’d wrap them up and place them in the fridge or freezer.
made these, had really high hopes but these just weren’t for me. they weren’t bad, actually pretty good considering they were made with black beans, but i’d just prefer regular brownies, although these aren’t a bad alternative if your not able to do that.
Amanda, I mean they aren’t going to be a regular brownie, they are, as you said, made with black beans. That said, I found my family and friend who did not know they were made with black beans, actually had no idea. The mind is a powerful thing. 😉
do i use an entire 15oz can of beans or 1 cup of beans because there is more than 1 cup of beans in one 15oz can?
As stated, I used one can which is around one cup. That way those who have different size cans have a benchmark for how much to use (around 1 cup).