Save It A rich, fudgy brownie recipe that swaps flour for black beans, creating a moist, chocolatey treat with a protein boost—delicious, budget-friendly, and perfect for a healthier dessert option.
I first made these brownies for a family movie night and no one guessed they were made with beans—even the kids asked for seconds. Swapping flour for beans became our go-to trick for sneaking extra nutrition into dessert.
Ingredients
- Black beans: 1 can (15 oz/425 g), drained and rinsed
- Eggs: 2 large
- Neutral oil: ⅓ cup (80 ml) (e.g. canola or sunflower)
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- Granulated sugar: ½ cup (100 g)
- Maple syrup or honey: ¼ cup (60 ml)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: ⅓ cup (35 g)
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: ½ cup (85 g) (plus extra for topping, optional)
- Baking powder: ½ tsp
- Salt: ¼ tsp
Instructions
- Prepare pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Blend base:
- In a food processor or blender, combine black beans, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. Blend until completely smooth.
- Mix sweeteners & flavor:
- Add sugar, maple syrup, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to the mixture. Blend until well combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Fold in chocolate chips:
- Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula (do not blend).
- Fill pan:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Smooth the top and sprinkle with extra chocolate chips if desired.
- Bake:
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean (some fudgy crumbs are fine).
- Cool & slice:
- Let cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
Save It Making these brownies together always brings out a curious spirit in the kids—they love guessing the secret ingredient. Sharing them around the table, we made new dessert traditions.
Required Tools
To whip up these brownies, you need a food processor or blender, an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) baking pan, a spatula, and measuring cups/spoons.
Allergen Information
Contains eggs and chocolate. For gluten-free diets, confirm all ingredients are certified. To accommodate nut allergies, avoid nuts as mix-ins and check all packages.
Nutritional Information
Each brownie has approximately 140 calories, 6 g fat, 20 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.
Save It Enjoy your black bean brownies as a guilt-free, nutritious treat that satisfies every chocolate craving. Even picky eaters will love them!
Common Questions About Recipes
- → How do black beans affect the texture?
Black beans replace flour, adding moisture and creating a fudgy, rich texture that's dense but tender.
- → Can I make these brownies vegan?
Yes, substitute eggs with flax eggs (ground flaxseed mixed with water) and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
- → What sweeteners are used in these brownies?
A combination of granulated sugar and maple syrup or honey is used to balance sweetness and moisture.
- → Is it necessary to use a food processor?
A food processor or blender ensures the beans blend smoothly for a uniform batter and optimal texture.
- → Can I add mix-ins like nuts or fruit?
Yes, chopped nuts, dried fruit, or shredded coconut can be gently folded in for added texture and flavor.