Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
Fudgy Black Bean Brownies that use beans in place of flour, making them gluten free. They're not only made with beans, but with coconut oil and maple syrup, making them a truly delicious and guilt-free dessert!
Black bean brownies may just be the sneakiest brownies yet! I have my sweet potato brownies (link), but these black bean brownies are another flourless and gluten free brownie option that you're going to want to try.
Before creating this recipe--years ago--I'd seen black bean brownie recipes and wondered to myself, "but can you taste the beans??" Well friends, the answer is NOPE, you most certainly cannot.
WHY THESE BLACK BEAN BROWNIES ARE SO GOOD
- They use black beans instead of flour, making them flourless and gluten free
- The black beans add protein to this recipe, which basically means they're a health food (kidding! sort of)
- The brownie batter is made in your food processor, so clean up is a breeze
HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE BLACK BEAN BROWNIES
Rinse the beans: Don't skip this step! The first step is to pour the black beans into a strainer and rinse them, removing any liquid that was inside the can.
Use your food processor: Start by adding the beans and all of the wet ingredients--coconut oil, eggs, vanilla, maple syrup--to your food processor. Pulse for 20-30 seconds until the mixture is nice and smooth, then add the dry ingredients and pulse until the beans are completely blended and you have a smooth batter.
Stir in the chocolate chips: Since this recipe is on the healthier side, you're going to want to add chocolate chips, which really elevate this recipe and make it taste like a true dessert. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand before pouring the batter into your baking dish!
DO I HAVE TO INCLUDE CHOCOLATE CHIPS?
Technically, no you do not. If you want to make these even healthier, then you can omit the chips. HOWEVER, I highly recommend adding them because they add a little extra flavor and sweetness to the recipe.
MORE HEALTHY DESSERT RECIPES
OTHER RECIPES TO CHECK OUT
Neapolitan Coconut Butter Cups by Fit Mitten Kitchen
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies by The Balanced Berry
Vegan Chocolate Truffles by In It 4 the Long Run
Mini Guava Cheesecake Cups by The Blissful Balance
Fudgy Black Bean Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 cup cane sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Place beans in food processor and pulse; add coconut oil, eggs, syrup, and vanilla and pulse to mix together.
- Add in sugar, cocoa, baking powder, and salt and pulse to combine. Remove blade from food processor and stir in chocolate chips by hand.
- Coat a 8x8 baking pan with coconut oil and then pour batter into pan, using a spatula to smooth and even it out.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until edges have hardened. Allow AT LEAST 20 minutes for brownies to cool before cutting and removing from pan.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Sara says
These brownies are AMAZING! I make these all the time now for my kids and they LOVE them. I made them for Thanksgiving last year and they were a huge hit...people chose them over pie and other desserts and then were elated when I brought them again for Christmas. Thank you so much for this recipe - it’s so easy and delicious. I usually end up doubling it and baking it in a 9x13 baking pan - it takes a bit longer, but works perfectly!
Erin says
Thanks for your kind comment, Sara! I'm so happy everyone likes them, and that they work in a larger pan too.
Brian Groves says
I just made these tonight!! 11/13/20 and they came out amazing! I did a few substitutions, I used coconut sugar and greased the pan with grass fed butter and when it was finished i added more butter (because...why not)? When they were finished baking I had the wife try one (she hates black beans) and I got a "very good" response from her! I think we have a WINNER!!
Erin says
Thanks Brian!! I'm glad your wife approved too.
Barbara D says
I have trouble with recipes that call for "one can" of something. I like to know a quantity, partly because cans may come in differing sizes depending on the brand, but also because I always prefer to cook my own beans instead of using canned ones. Home-cooked beans are so much nicer than canned ones! Also, if the recipe calls for one cup of beans, it must specify whether that is a cup of uncooked beans, or a cup after soaking or cooking. Looking forward to trying this recipe. I've also heard that lima beans make good brownies.
Erin says
Hi Barbara -- if you want to use dry beans instead, I'd refer to this article which explains how to do so: https://www.thespruceeats.com/dried-bean-conversions-and-measurements-1388322
Alisha says
Hi! I don’t think this question has been asked yet, but is there a recommended egg substitute? I have “egg substitute.” Would that work for this recipe?
Erin says
That might work! If I'm substituting an egg I almost always use flax eggs-- you could try that. 1 flax egg = 1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 2.5 tbsp water. Let me know how that works!
Kas says
Absolutely delicious! This was my first time trying a black bean brownie and I am elated I did...
Thanks for sharing!
Erin says
Woohoooo -- aren't they the best?! Thanks for the comment!
Ris says
LOVE this recipe!! I used cacao nibs instead of chocolate chips and they were delicious!! Thank you :))
Heather Clarke says
Could I use white sugar or any other sugar since I don't know where to find cane sugar
These look yummy!
Erin says
Yes, white sugar works!
Alexis Zaccariello says
Do you have a calorie count for this recipe?
Erin says
Yes just added!
Cindy says
Hi! This recipe looks so delicious! I was wondering what would make a good substitute for the coconut oil?(since I’m allergic)
Erin says
You can try using another kind of oil like olive oil instead, or melted butter should work!
T says
Should the beans be drained/rinsed or undrained? The recipe doesn't specify. Thanks!
Erin says
Yes, drained and rinsed, thanks for asking!
Elaine says
Hi Erin, do you have to use coconut oil or can you use any oil?
Erin says
Hi Elaine, I've never tried this recipe without coconut oil, but you could try using melted butter instead. Let me know if you try it/how it turns out!
Elaine says
Thanks for the reply. I wouldn't try it with butter. I would rather use coconut oil. I've never used coconut oil but in the stores it looks sort of solid. Is that the case and is that what the recipe needs? A solid fat? There is an orange infused olive oil that is supposedly great in making brownies and I was thinking I'd like to try it but it sounds like that wouldn't work for this 🙁
Ailene says
This worked well! For us, it was more of a cake-y brownie, but sooo yummy! I think we did less sugar and only 1 TBSP of honey instead of 2 TBSPs maple syrup.
Thank you!
Joan says
I just finished baking this. I wanted to try it out for a birthday cake alternative for a gluten and dairy free guest. With that said, I used sweetened coconut flakes and because I only had agave I used that too instead of maple syrup. This brownie is moist but not wet or sticky. It has a moist cake consistency. I used a counter top toaster oven and baked at on convection oven mode for 25 minutes at 350. I took it out of the oven right away to cool. It was perfectly cooked. I wouldn't be surprised if it is gone before it is even completely cooled. Yes, that good! Thanks for sharing.
Erin says
Hi Joan, thanks so much for the feedback and for the substitution into--always good to know. I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Jess @hellotofit says
I put beans in blondies a couple of weeks ago, and I loved them. SOOOOO I'm SURE I'd like these black bean brownies!!
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
I think I finally need to get over my fear of black beans in brownies and give these a try. They just look so delicious!
Rachel @LittleChefBigAppetite says
THOOOOOSEEEE BROWNIESSSSS! GIMMEEE!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
Oh yes, Valentine's Day is all about the dessert! I'd be more than happy to come home to any of these. Your brownies look extra delicious! I've never had black bean brownies before but I need to give these a try. That ingredient list is crazy simple!
Georgie says
These look so fudgy and perfect! I can imagine it being kind of a pain to go out on THE day. My last V-day with a dude was spent eating pizza sooo clearly I don't take this holiday toooo seriously
Alexa [fooduzzi.com] says
Coming home to dessert is ALWAYS a good idea 😉 These look absolutely to die for, Erin! You may make a bean brownie believer out of me!
Beverley @ sweaty&fit says
i made black bean brownies ONCE and they were great, but after seeing this i'm convinced to make em again! plus the recipe is sooo straight forward, how could i not?!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen says
BLACK BEAN BROWNIES FTW. I love tricking people with bean brownies.
I'm hoping for dinner at my favorite little restaurant this weekend. Or maybe BRUNCH. Hmmm, we haven't had brunch in a while. That might have to happen.
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
I'm pretty indifferent toward Valentine's Day, whether I'm in a relationship or not. That said, I'm not indifferent to delicious dessert - especially when chocolate is involved! These look fantastic, Erin 🙂
Summer says
Nom nom! These are all making me so hungry ♥
summerdaisy.net
Diana says
Black bean brownies are the BEST!! I actually prefer them to regular brownies because they are so dense and fudgy. I'm obsessed with this recipe from SkinnyTaste.com where she uses ground coffee in them too.
Sarah Grace Spann says
Those brownies thoughhhh! My goodness that photo makes me want to eat my screen! Looks SO YUMMY
xo,
Sarah Grace
Chrissa -Physical Kitchness says
THESE!!!! So NOM. I love a super chocolatey, super moist brownie. This is totally calling my name!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
I've never had black bean brownies, but it's definitely on my recipe to-do list! I'm relieved to hear they don't taste bean-y thought.
Leah @ Grain Changer says
Totally with you on the Valentine's Day thing! We don't really celebrate it (at all, actually) but I WILL take any excuse to eat some extra chocolate 😀 I've never had black bean brownies either, but I'm thinking that needs to change ASAP. These look INCREDIBLE, Erin!
Alysia at Slim Sanity says
We don't typically do a whole lot for VDay! In fact, the only idea I came up with was getting donuts. LOL. I think we'll do a movie! My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving! Lots of food, family and football 🙂
Les @ The Balanced Berry says
These look like such fudgy goodness! I have never tried black beans in brownies either, but I neeeeeed to try these! As far as favorite holidays go, Christmas takes the cake, hands down. I mean, it's not just a day...its a whole season. While I love V-Day (really I just like pink and hearts), it ain't got nothing on Christmas.
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says
I love Valentine's Day! It's one of my absolute faves- chocolate, hugs, love- what more could you want?
Now I've been burned by the black bean brownies before because yes, I could totally taste them, but these look really good so maybe the ones I made were just a bad recipe. I do know Riley will likely expect me to bake him something chocolatey this weekend!
Erin says
Oh no! I hope it was just a bad recipe. Definitely worth a second try in my opinion 😉
rachel @ athletic avocado says
These look so dense and moist that it's unbelievable! There no better way to celebrate love than topping one of these with some vanilla ice cream and strawberries <3
Rachel @ athletic avocado says
Black bean brownies are da best! Who knew beans could make such an awesome treat?
Erin says
Right?! I seriously had no idea but they work so well in brownies!
Christina says
Haha I'm kinda with ya on Valentine's Day. When I was in college and a touch less mature (because I'm just so mature now *hair flip*) I thought it was fun because Christian would do something sweet or whatever, now we live long distance and we're both so busy that just seeing each other is enough! I love black bean brownies. The first time I made them I was a little scared, and they turned out so effing good. I even gave them to my dad, and he loved them, until I told him what they were made of, then he freaked out lolol
Erin says
You crack me upppppp. I'm SoOoOo mature too... and glad bean brownies are dad-approved!