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Healthy Black Bean Brownies

November 8, 2024 by Lindsay 20 Comments

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These Easy Healthy Black Bean Brownies are kid-friendly, easy to make and full of fiber. They perfect for a healthy snack or dessert!

healthy black bean brownies - high protein brownies

*Originally posted 2/22. Updated 11/24*

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
  • Healthy Chocolate Muffins
  • Blondie Snickerdoodle Bars

What are black bean brownies?

Do black bean brownies taste good?

Let’s address the most important question – taste! 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 - healthy black bean dessert

Baking with Beans 

Are black bean brownies good for you?

Yes! These black bean brownies make a great addition to a healthy diet. They are full of fiber and protein which means that instead of just spiking your blood sugar, they will actually help stabilize your blood sugar and keep you full for a longer period of time. Plus they taste good so they’re enjoyable to eat!

What do black beans replace in baking?

I usually think of beans as an addition to baked goods rather than a replacement for something else because I like to think about all the benefits they add. However, beans are known for being a good substitute for some of the butter and/or oil in typical baked goods.

What are the health benefits black beans and the benefits of baking with beans? Are black beans high in protein?

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. Black beans have 8g of protein and 7g of fiber per 1/2 cup serving.

Healthy Recipes with Black Beans

If you’re looking for some more healthy recipes with black beans:

  • Slow Cooker Creamy Mexican Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole
  • Baked Ranch Chicken Taquitos

Are these allergy-friendly black bean brownies?

These black bean brownies are naturally dairy-free. With a few adjustments they can also be vegan and/or gluten-free making them a great choice for many people!

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.

Healthy Gluten-free Black Bean Brownies

Are black bean brownies gluten-free?

Simply adding black beans to these brownies doesn’t make them gluten-free unless you also make changes to the flour. I’ve tried leaving the flour out of this recipe and they taste great, they’re just a bit more crumbly. I’d definitely recommend trying these Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies.

It’s also 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).

Flourless Black Bean Brownies

I have tried leaving the flour out and didn’t like them as much in this particular recipe. If you really wanted to make them flourless, I would try subbing 1/2 cup mashed cooked sweet potato for the flour! If you try it, let me know how it goes!

Or try one of these: No Flour Black Bean Brownies or Fudgy Black Bean Brownies.


healthy black bean brownies recipe

How To Make Healthy Black Bean Brownies

What are black bean brownies made of?

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

How To Make Black Bean Brownies Step-by-Step

If you have a food processor, making these brownies is super easy. Just add beans, eggs, oil, maple syrup and vanilla and blend until smooth. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and blend again. Mix in some chocolate chips and pour into a pan.

Can I make these black bean brownies if I don’t have a food processor?

Yes! If you have a high-powered blender you can probably add all your ingredients to the blender and blend. Or, grab your blender and combine the beans, eggs, oil and maple sryup. Blend until smooth then transfer to a bowl and add the remaining ingredients.

How long to bake black bean brownies?

This can depend on your preference. I bake mine for about 14 minutes. These brownies are a more cakey than fudgy but if you want them a bit more fudgy you can underbake them by a minute or two.

Peanut Butter Black Bean Brownies

For an extra fun twist, try swirling some natural peanut butter through the batter before you bake these brownies!


Best Easy Black Bean Brownie Recipe

Here’s the official recipe:

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Best Black Bean Brownies Recipe

healthy black bean brownies with chocolate chips
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4.5 from 11 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!


Healthy Black Bean Brownies FAQs

Can I make these brownies in a muffin tin?

Yes! These work great as muffins. You’ll have to play around with the cooking time depending on the size of your muffins but I would start checking them around 15 minutes.

Can black bean brownies be frozen?

Yes! Cool completely and cut into squares. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag and freeze up to 3 months. To thaw, simply take them out and let them thaw on the counter.

How to store black bean brownies/Should you refrigerate black bean brownies?

I store mine on the counter for up to 3 days. After that I transfer to the fridge but you can store them in the fridge from the beginning if you want.

Are black bean brownies good for diabetics?

This recipe works well for my husband who is a type one diabetic. While there’s still sugar in the recipe, the beans add some protein and fiber to help reduce the insulin spike. You could also try replacing the maple syrup with a sugar alternative. Read more about sugar alternatives here.

Are low sugar black bean brownies healthier?

Just because brownies have black beans doesn’t automatically make them healthy. But this particular recipe is healthier than a lot of brownie recipes. It contains a whole can of black beans and is fairly low in added sugar.

What are good substitutes for black beans in brownies? Can I substitute the black beans for white beans?

I have not tried white beans for this particular recipe, but I do have several recipes baking with white beans and they always work great so I think it’s safe to say you could use white beans in this recipe. I typically use great northern beans in baking.

Can I substitute black beans for kidney beans?

Again, I haven’t tried it, but I think kidney beans have a fairly mild flavor that could easily be hidden by the cocoa powder so I think it’s worth a try!


Kid-Friendly Black Bean Brownies

This Healthy Black Bean Brownies recipe is kid-friendly, full of fiber and perfect for a snack or dessert!

Need more healthy dessert ideas?

Want more dessert ideas? Try:

  • No-Bake Carrot Cake Bars
  • Peanut Butter Hemp Cookies
  • Easy Chickpea Buckeyes
  • Microwave Sweet Potato Mug Cake

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
    • Kat says

      October 25, 2022 at 7:45 AM

      There are nutrition calculators online. You plug in the ingredients and amounts and up comes the analysis.

      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
    • Chase says

      October 2, 2023 at 5:22 PM

      I had high hopes for these brownies but sadly they were too rich and not sweet at all. I opted not to try them with my kids 🙁

      Reply
  7. Kate W says

    July 27, 2022 at 9:12 PM

    These are amazing! I just made a double batch and cooked them in a 9 x 13 pan and baked for 22 minutes. Company is coming tomorrow and they were requested. Than you!

    Reply
  8. Michel says

    August 18, 2022 at 7:45 PM

    Mine came out cake like, is that normal? Or did I cook too long?
    Other than that these are so good!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 1, 2022 at 11:57 AM

      yes they’re definitely more cake like than chewy

      Reply
  9. Sara Clark says

    September 10, 2022 at 12:44 PM

    Just made these today and they’re perfect. I made a few subs because I didn’t have everything I needed and they came out great! Instead of avocado oil I used unsweetened applesauce. I had to sub honey for maple syrup as I was out of syrup! I also added some hemp seeds as I blended the batter for a little extra protein/omegas. I made them into chocolate muffins instead of bars and they were so perfect and moist, baked at 375 for about 18 minutes. Thanks so much for your recipes, have enjoyed every single one I’ve made so far!

    Reply
  10. Rae Bowdler says

    November 18, 2022 at 9:07 AM

    I’m making these now finally after having your recipe at hand and just not having time! I love your recipes lindsay. Keep up the great work.

    Reply
  11. Sara says

    March 2, 2023 at 6:09 PM

    Our go to sweet treat recipe!

    Reply
  12. Kim - San Jose, CA says

    May 6, 2024 at 2:02 AM

    First time trying bean brownies. If you’re looking for fudgy, these are definitely not it. They’re completely a cake texture. The bean consistence is barely there; you wouldn’t know it was beans if no one told you. Typically, I reduce the sugar in all baked goods I make, but if I make this again, I would actually increase the sugar by 1/3 because it’s not sweet enough as is with the suggested amount of chocolate chips. Sweetness level as written would be palatable for my preschooler without me feeling guilty about giving him something excessively sweetened. Decent chocolate flavor, but I might add a little more cocoa powder next time, more salt and maybe some cinnamon to wake it up. Thanks for this healthier recipe!

    Reply
  13. Karin says

    July 18, 2024 at 5:34 PM

    Made this last night and they were fantastic! I added more choc chips than called for: 1/4 cup mixed into the batter then sprinkled 1/4 cup more over the top as well as 1/4 cup walnuts. After reading the other reviews, I knew that I’d need the extra choc chips. The brownies were still just lightly sweet, and they were a bit fluffy (not dense brownies) which were exactly what I wanted…simply perfect, and thoroughly enjoyed by our guests, my hubby and me. Plus, I’m pleased to serve brownies that are on the healthier side. Thank you for your recipe!

    Reply
  14. Crystal says

    March 2, 2025 at 7:21 PM

    These are great and so easy to make! Fluffy and light like cake and would probably make amazing muffins. It’s not the sweetest but I like I kinda like that. I made a double batch and baked it in a 9×13 pan. I’ll be bringing them for a snack for my kiddos at play group tomorrow, I think I’ll be making these more offen now, I’m always looking for healthier snacks!

    Reply
  15. Wendy says

    June 7, 2025 at 1:50 PM

    My kids gave it a 10 out of 10 and said it was like cake! I put 1/4 cup of chocolate chips mixed into batter and then sprinkled 1/4 up across the top. I also think these are a 10 and I could not even tell there beans in there!!!

    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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Learn how food affects your body.

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