Vegan Black Bean Brownies Recipe (2024)

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4.93 from 14 votes

45 minutes minutes

by Marly

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These healthy Vegan Black Bean Brownies are rich, fudgy, and ultra chocolatey. This recipe uses only 10 ingredients, meaning these brownies are ready to dive into in no time.

If you love chocolate desserts, this Chocolate Pudding Cake is a must!

Vegan Black Bean Brownies Recipe (1)

I never thought I’d share a recipe for brownies made with black beans. And yet, here I am. Every time someone tastes them, they love them. But then they’ll ask me something like, “What are the ingredients?”

Do I lead with black beans? No, I leave that until last. Because who wants to think they’re eating brownies with beans? And yet, they’re so good, they always ask for seconds.

Table of Contents show

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

These easy vegan black bean brownies are made with only a few ingredients, including:

  • Coconut oil — I used unrefined coconut oil for added coconut flavor to these brownies
  • Black beans — A 15-ounce can of black beans works great, or 1 ¾ cups of cooked black beans.
  • Chocolate Chips — Choose from many Dairy-free chocolate chips available these days.
  • Cocoa powder — I have used both natural and dutch-process cocoa powder, and both work well.
  • Flour — I used all-purpose flour, but whole wheat pastry flour would work, too.
  • Flax — We’ll add a bit of ground flax seeds, but you can substitute chia seeds.

I imagine you have several of these ingredients in your pantry right now. Although it’s true I’m making these vegan black bean brownies with flour, you’ll notice that it’s not too much. That makes an extra dense brownie that’s sure to please.

How to Make Vegan Black Bean Brownies

Here’s a summary of the steps involved in making this recipe:

  1. Pulse Beans and Coconut Oil — Pulse together the melted coconut oil and black beans in a food processor.
  2. Sugar and Chocolate — Add the sugar and chocolate chips to the food processor. It will be a bit bumpy, but pulse in short bursts to break up the chocolate chips.
    Vegan Black Bean Brownies Recipe (2)
  3. Make the Batter — Add in the cocoa powder, flour, ground flax, cornstarch, and water. Give the mixture one more pulse until the ingredients are combined.
  4. Pour and Bake — Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to distribute it equally across the pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a tester inserted in the middle, comes out clean.
    Vegan Black Bean Brownies Recipe (3)
  5. Cool — Once the brownies are done, remove them from the oven and set them aside to cool before serving. The brownies will firm up as they cool.

It’s hard to imagine brownies made with black beans, but you may never go back to traditional brownies again. Of course, it’s not enough to have just any brownies, I had to make these black bean brownies vegan, too!

Vegan Black Bean Brownies Recipe (4)

Why is This the Best Recipe?

  • Black beans add an incredibly dense base to these brownies
  • Coconut oil gives this dessert a wonderful texture
  • Chocolate chips add a rich chocolate flavor to every bite

I also love to serve these brownies with a dollop of Coconut Whipped Cream on top.

Tip: Use virgin coconut oil for a more defined coconut flavor or refined coconut oil for a more neutral flavor.

Marly’s Tips

Here are some tips for these vegan black bean brownies:

  • You can add ¼ cup chopped walnuts to the batter.
  • Make these into flourless black bean brownies by subbing almond flour for the flour (I do not recommend coconut flour).
  • Make black bean muffins by pouring the batter into greased muffin tins. Reduce the baking time to 25 minutes.

Sugar-Free Black Bean Brownies

Here are ideas to reduce the refined sugars or to make keto black bean brownies:

  • Zero-Calorie Sweeteners — Substitute Swerve 1:1 with sugar.
  • Natural Sweeteners — Substitute 1 cup of Medjool dates (remove the pits first) for the sugar. You’ll need to pulse them in the food processor, and they’ll add natural sweetness.
  • Flour — Substitute almond flour for the all-purpose flour for a low-carb option.
  • Chocolate — Use sugar-free chocolate chips, such as Lilly’s dark chocolate chips made with stevia.

Reader Reviews

First vegan dessert I have made, and it was great! The family loved it. I took the left-overs to work so I wouldn’t eat them all. The guys at work were skeptical once I said the word vegan, but they all loved them. When they were done I told them about the black beans and the fiber, they couldn’t believe it!

Jessie H.

Hands down, the best black bean brownie recipe I’ve made!

Kerry A.

This has become my go-to brownie recipe!

Terry

Protein Brownies

You would think these healthy black bean brownies would be loaded with protein because of the black beans; however, they only deliver 3g of protein per brownie. If you want black bean protein brownies, feel free to add a quarter cup of chocolate plant-based protein powder. It will boost the protein level by up to 5g of protein per brownie.

Regarding fiber, the average brownie has around 1 gram of fiber per serving. Because of the black beans, these brownies boast nearly 4 grams of fiber per serving.

Vegan Black Bean Brownies Recipe (5)

Are Black Bean Brownies Actually Good?

If you’re worried these black bean brownies taste beany, worry no more. You’ll get the added bonus of fiber, with the amazing decadent and delicious flavor of the best brownies ever.

More Vegan Brownies

These vegan black bean brownies are amazing! And if you’re ready for even more delicious brownies, start with these:

Vegan Banana Chocolate Brownies

45 mins total

Vegan Brownies from a Box

37 mins total

Vegan Pumpkin Brownies

60 mins total

That’s it for these vegan black bean brownies.

Vegan Black Bean Brownies Recipe (10)

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Vegan Black Bean Brownies Recipe (11)

Vegan Black Bean Brownies Recipe (12)

Vegan Black Bean Brownies

You will be swooning for these Vegan Black Bean Brownies, made with less than 10 ingredients. They're easy, delicious, and even healthy too!

4.93 from 14 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 264kcal

Author: Marly McMillen

Ingredients

  • ½ cup coconut oil, melted
  • 15 oz can black beans
  • 4 tablespoons water (see note)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup dairy-free chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (substitute gluten-free baking flour)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C. Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with vegetable cooking spray.

  • Combine the coconut oil, black beans, and water in a food processor. Pulse until smooth.

  • Add the sugar and chocolate chips to the food processor. It will be a bit bumpy, but pulse for a few seconds (up to 20 to 30 seconds) to break up the chocolate chips. You can always chop the chocolate chips into pieces on a cutting board if you prefer not to put your food processor to the test.

  • Add in the cocoa powder, flour, ground flax, and cornstarch. Give the mixture one more pulse until the ingredients are combined.

  • Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to distribute it equally across the pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a tester inserted in the middle, comes out clean.

  • Once the brownies are done, remove them from the oven and set them aside to cool before serving. The brownies will firm up as they cool.

  • Store brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Individual brownies can be frozen. Allow them to cool, slice them, and place them on a tray. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then transfer to a freezer bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Recommended Equipment

Food Processor

9×9 inch Baking Pan

(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)

Video

Notes

Use extra dark cocoa powder (Dutch-process) to make these brownies even richer.

You can make these gluten-free by using gluten-free baking flour.

Make these into black bean muffins by pouring the batter into greased muffin tins and baking for 20 to 25 minutes.

Add water or use the liquid from the can of black beans. Each can has a varying amount of liquid so if yours doesn’t equal 4 tablespoons, supplement with water.

Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 149mg | Potassium: 218mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!

This post was originally published in 2015 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2021.

Vegan Black Bean Brownies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why eat black bean brownies? ›

The fudgy texture provided by the beans produces a healthy, gluten-free brownie that's packed with fiber and protein.

What is a good substitute for oil in brownies? ›

Melted butter is an excellent replacement for vegetable oil, and gives a delicious buttery richness to your brownies when you're finished. It does provide some added lift in your batter though, which will make your brownies a little more cakey and less fudgy than brownies made with other oils.

How much protein is in black bean brownies? ›

Per Black Bean Brownie:

Carbs: 15g. Fiber: 3g. Protein: 2.5g. Weight Watchers Points Plus: 3 points.

What do black beans replace in baking? ›

When substituting for butter or oil, try a 1:1 ratio. In this recipe for Black Bean Brownies, pureed black beans take the place of all the fat and some of the flour. Before you think twice about using beans, try the recipe. You won't be able to taste the difference.

What ethnicity eats black beans? ›

Black beans, like the other common beans, are native to South and Central America. Black beans are common in South American, Mexican, Spanish, and Caribbean dishes. While they are popular in stews, soups, and dips, they are also used in salads. They are frequently served with rice.

What do black beans do for your body? ›

Black beans are a source of resistant starch.

This means it won't raise blood sugars, furthering black beans' blood sugar regulation powers. Plus, resistant starch helps to feed our healthy gut bacteria, maintain gut regularity, increase fullness, reduce cholesterol, and has even been tied to reduced colon cancer risk.

Is it OK to eat a lot of black beans? ›

Black beans can be high in carbohydrates, so they may not be ideal for people following a low-carb diet. They also contain some difficult-to-digest compounds that can cause gas and intestinal discomfort if you eat too many.

What does black bean do for your skin? ›

However, similar to black sesame, black bean oil works wonders for our skin. Naturally rich in antioxidants, black bean oil also helps brighten up and freshen the complexion and aids in the production of red blood cells. Quick tidbit: black beans are dubbed the beauty bean in some Asian countries.

What happens if you use olive oil instead of vegetable oil in brownies? ›

Yes, you can use olive oil in brownies!

It makes them richer, adds a fudge-like texture, and enhances the flavor of the chocolate. In addition, it's an incredible preservative, so the brownies stay moist for longer!

Can I use applesauce in brownies instead of oil? ›

Since these recipes don't depend on the creaming properties of the fat for their structure, using applesauce instead of oil is more likely to be successful. Start by swapping out 20–50% of the oil or melted butter for applesauce. (Do not swap out more than that. It will not work!

Can I use mayo instead of oil in brownies? ›

It's a swap that makes sense since mayonnaise is made of mostly oil and egg. It provides moisture, which keeps the baked goods soft and tender, just like oil does. For most recipes, it's a one-to-one substitution, and works in everything from cakes to muffins.

Are black beans a starch or protein? ›

Black beans are a versatile plant-based protein and can add flavor, texture, color and nutrients to savory and sweet dishes alike. Also known as beans, legumes or pulses, there are hundreds of different beans available today.

Are black beans high quality plant protein? ›

Germination and fermentation also help significantly ( 4 , 13 ). It's worth considering that although black beans are a rich source of plant-based protein, they're not a complete protein source. That means they don't contain all nine essential amino acids that your body needs from food ( 14 ).

Which has more protein black beans or eggs? ›

One cup of cooked black beans contains approximately 15 grams of protein, 15 grams of fiber, and significant amounts of iron, magnesium, and potassium. One large egg contains approximately 6 grams of protein, vitamin D, choline, and selenium.

What is inside a black bean? ›

Black beans are rich in fiber and plant-based protein, and a fantastic source of folate, thiamin (vitamin B1), phosphorus, manganese and magnesium. If you've ever read that beans are “unhealthy,” it's because beans contain lectins until they've been sufficiently cooked.

What are Chinese black beans made of? ›

They are made from soy beans, which, when dried, range in colour from ivory to yellow. After being salted and fermented, the beans turn black, dusty and shrivelled. But don't let their appearance fool you - they're delicious, although because their flavour is so strong and pungent, they should be used sparingly.

What is in black bean morning star? ›

Ingredients: Water, cooked black beans (black beans, water), cooked brown rice (water, brown rice), onions, vegetable oil (corn, canola and/or sunflower), whole kernel corn, soy protein concentrate, onion powder, wheat gluten, egg whites, tomatoes, bulgur wheat, green chiles, calcium caseinate (milk), cornstarch.

What's in black beans? ›

Black beans are among the most frequently consumed dry pulses around the world. They're considered nutritional powerhouses that are rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and antioxidants that help manage blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels.

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