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Healthy Black Bean Brownies

March 18, 2022 by Lindsay 8 Comments

These Healthy Black Bean Brownies are kid-friendly, full of fiber and perfect for a snack or dessert!

healthy black bean brownies

Hi friends!

I’m excited to share the best black bean brownies with you guys today. To be honest, I would actually call these black bean bars since they’re not overly sweet and full of protein and fiber unlike traditional brownies, but people searching for this type of recipe want brownies, so that’s what we’ll call them! If you’re looking for healthy brownies without the beans, my Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are a longtime favorite around here.

If you’re a longtime reader, you know putting beans, lentils and veggies into baked goods is one of my specialties! Looking for some other kid-friendly snacks? Try these:

  • Sweet Potato White Bean Bars
  • Lentil Banana Muffins
  • Apple Cinnamon Red Lentil Muffins
  • Pumpkin Bean Bread
  • Sweet Potato Cookies

I’ve been getting requests for a muffin or bar recipe using black beans for several years now and I’ve always worried the bean taste would be stronger and more noticeable than white beans so I’ve avoided them. But I’m here to tell you that the beans are totally hidden in this recipe! If you didn’t know they were in there you would never guess. 

best black bean brownies

Baking with Beans

So what are the benefits of baking with beans? It’s an easy way to add protein and fiber! You can also use pureed beans to replace some of the butter in recipes for cookies and other baked goods. I tend to puree whole beans, lentils etc into my baked goods but you can also by things like chickpea flour and experiment with replacing up to half your wheat flour. You’ll be adding fiber, protein and other nutrient like B6, potassium, zinc and antioxidants.

Vegan Black Bean Brownies

This particular recipe uses 2 eggs. To make them vegan, try replacing the eggs with flax eggs. One flax egg = 1 Tbsp ground flax + 3 Tbsp water. Mix and let sit 5 min before using. Be aware that this may change the texture of the recipe a bit.

Gluten-free Black Bean Brownies

It’s super easy to make these black bean brownies gluten-free. The only thing you need to replace is 1/3 cup flour. I’ve had success using a 1:1 gluten-free blend like King Arthur Measure for Measure (aff link). I’ve also made this recipe by just leaving the flour out. The taste is great, they’re just a little more crumbly. 

healthy black bean brownies

Black Bean Brownies Recipe

Let’s review the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:

  • Black beans – I’d look for no-salt-added or rinse them after draining
  • Eggs
  • Oil – I use avocado oil because of it’s mild flavor
  • Maple syrup- You could probably replace with white sugar but I’ve only tested using maple syrup
  • Vanilla extract – Adds important flavor!
  • Flour – I use white whole wheat flour. I tried making these flourless but think a little bit of flour really helps keep them from being too crumbly. 
  • Baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • Cocoa powder- I use Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder
  • Chocolate chips – either mix throughout or sprinkle on top before baking

Here’s the official recipe:

Print

Healthy Black Bean Brownies

healthy black bean brownies with chocolate chips
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

These Healthy Black Bean Brownies are kid-friendly, full of fiber and perfect for a snack or dessert!

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 15 min
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 brownies 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained (approx 1.75 cups)
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil (I use avocado oil)
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup flour (I use white whole wheat)
1/3 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt

1/3 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, combine black beans, eggs, oil, maple syrup and vanilla and process until smooth.
  2. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and process until just combined.
  3. Pulse in chocolate chips or save to sprinkle on top.
  4. Spoon into a greased or lined 9×9 baking pan.
  5. Bake at 375 for 14-15 minutes.

Notes

If you don’t have a food processor, you should be able to use a high-powered blender!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

Thanks to a food processor, these come together super quickly!

These Healthy Black Bean Brownies are kid-friendly, full of fiber and perfect for a snack or dessert!

Have you ever baked with beans? 

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

 

 

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Filed Under: Baking, Dessert, Healthy Muffins & Bars, Snack Tagged With: Black Bean, Chocolate Chips, Cocoa Powder, Egg, Maple Syrup, Oil, White Whole Wheat Flour

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Donna Gradert says

    February 17, 2022 at 10:16 AM

    I want to make these, but I am needing nutrition information. Could you please add this to your recipes? Thank you so much1
    Donna

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      February 18, 2022 at 7:43 AM

      Sorry, I don’t have that available!

      Reply
  2. DL says

    February 17, 2022 at 4:39 PM

    These look delicious can’t wait to try! Can I make them in a cupcake tin or does it need to be a 9×9 pan? Also can the cocoa powder be unsweetened or will that not taste as good?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      February 18, 2022 at 7:43 AM

      a cupcake tin should work! And yes the cocoa powder should be unsweetened.

      Reply
  3. Carrie Chiles says

    February 17, 2022 at 9:10 PM

    I love your healthy recipes! Just one thought about what you might add to the recipe. I do not buy canned beans but cook them from raw in my instant pot (so easy and even more healthy!). It would be great to know the measurement in cups that equals canned beans in your recipe. I think for a 15 oz can it is about 1 ½ cups, but it would be nice to have that alternate measurement available. I am sure there are others like me that would find that helpful.

    Thanks for all your sharing and the many times your meals have garnished our table!

    Reply
  4. Duygu says

    February 22, 2022 at 2:10 PM

    Can’t wait to try this recipe. The white bean sweet potato bar is a favorite of mine as well as my son. I am sure we’ll love this too. Thank you as always.

    Reply
  5. Kate says

    February 23, 2022 at 1:09 PM

    Just made these with the kids! Easy to make and both kids liked! Thank you for all your wonderful recipes.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  6. Kirsten says

    May 10, 2022 at 2:16 PM

    Shouldn’t have been surprised that these are delicious! Your recipes never disappoint. Can’t believe you really cannot taste the beans in them.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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Questions? Comments? Email me: [email protected]

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