Black Bean Brownies Recipe

Learn how to make the best Black Bean Brownies to satisfy your sweet tooth. This fudgy gluten free dessert recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients you can find at the grocery store.

I love baking, and gluten free brownies are one of my favorite sweet treats to make. If you love chocolate as much as me, you’d adore this easy recipe for Black Bean Brownies.

These gluten free black bean brownies are flourless, dairy free, super moist, chocolaty and oh-so-yummy! Best of all, you only need one bowl to make them – no separate bowl for wet and dry ingredients, so cleanup is faster.

If you’re looking for the best brownies made with black beans, this original recipe just might become your new favorite brownie recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans – drained
• 2 eggs – room temperature
• ¼ cup coconut oil – melted
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ⅓ cup chocolate chips – optional

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Immersion blender or mini food processor
• Electric hand mixer
• Rubber spatula
• 8×8 square baking pan

By the Numbers: How to Make Black Bean Brownies

Follow these simple steps to learn how to make the best black bean brownies to satisfy your chocolate cravings.

Step 1: Preheat Oven & Drain Black Beans

Preheat your oven to 350° F.

While the oven is pre-heating, pour one can of drained black beans into a large mixing bowl. If you don’t drain them first, there will be too much liquid in your brownie batter.

Step 2: Make Black Bean Paste

Make a fine paste from the beans with an immersion blender. Alternatively, you can put the beans in a small food processor or high speed blender to create a paste that way.

Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients to Bowl

Next, add 2 eggs, ¼ cup of melted coconut oil, ¾ cup of granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon of sea salt, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the bowl.

Step 4: Mix Ingredients Together

Once all of the ingredients are in the mixing bowl, use your hand mixer to blend all of the ingredients together, making sure the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps. You’ll want to use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides as you go.

Step 5: Pour Brownie Batter into Pan

Next, grease an 8×8 inch square baking pan well (or line it with parchment paper), then pour the gluten free black bean brownie batter into the pan.

Use a rubber spatula to smooth out the top, if needed. You can dip it in warm water first if it’s sticking too much.

Sprinkle with ⅓ cup of vegan chocolate chips, if desired.

Step 6: Bake Black Bean Brownies

Put the pan in the oven and bake your fudgy brownies for 25-30 minutes. Be sure to check on them after 25 minutes so you can be sure the sides don’t burn.

Once they’re done, remove the pan from the oven and place on a rack so it can cool.

Step 7: Cut and Serve Your Delicious Brownies

Once they’re cool, you can remove the black bean brownies from the pan and cut them into squares and serve as desired.

Tips for Perfecting this Black Bean Brownie Recipe

All of your questions about baking black bean brownies answered.

Do black bean brownies actually taste good?

I thought using black beans as a secret ingredient in brownies sounded weird the first time I tried it too, but the chocolate flavor of the brownies is really enhanced by the texture of the black beans. You can’t even tell looking at them that they’re not “real brownies.”

How much is in a can of black beans?

One can of beans contains approximately 1 ½ cups. If you’re preparing dry beans instead of using canned, that’s how much cooked beans you’ll need.

I like to cook beans in the Instant Pot because it’s hands off and super easy.

Can garbanzo beans be substituted for black beans?

Yes, you can use garbanzo beans in place of black beans in this brownie recipe.

Best substitute for coconut oil?

If you don’t have coconut oil, you can use your favorite oil like olive oil or MCT oil. I try to choose oils with a mild flavor, so I typically avoid extra virgin olive oil in baked goods.

Ideas to change up the flavors?

Instead of sprinkling chocolate chips over the brownies, try peanut butter chips. You can also swirl in peanut butter or almond butter.

If kids won’t be eating these brownies, you can also mix in instant coffee for a pick-me-up. They’re also great topped with vanilla ice cream.

How to make vegan black bean brownies?

The only non-vegan ingredient in this recipe is eggs, so simply replace those with flax eggs and you’re all set.

Storage tips

It’s best to store your homemade brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Since they’re made with black beans, they hold a lot of moisture and will spoil and grow mold if you keep them on your counter like regular brownies.

Black bean brownies can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container that’s airtight for up to 3 months. I like to freeze individual brownies on a cookie sheet first, then transfer them to a bag or container so they don’t stick together. Defrost them on the counter when you’re ready to eat them.

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