Simple fudgy brownies that are also flourless, vegan, refined sugar-free, and oil-free. Perfect for a healthy dessert, or for when that midday chocolate craving hits.
A chocolatey dessert that tastes indulgent but is actually packed with nourishing ingredients and free of dairy, refined sugar, grains, and oil? Yes, please!
I promise you can’t detect the beans. Pureeing them in the batter adds bulk and results in a dense, gooey texture without the need for flour. The beans also are rich in fiber and protein, making these the perfect post-gym workout treat.
Ingredients in Black Bean Brownies:
- One can black beans. The magic ingredient!
- Creamy almond butter. You can substitute tahini or peanut butter.
- Cocoa powder. I like using dutch-processed cocoa powder, but any regular brand should work.
- Ground flaxseed. Flaxseed thickens when it interacts with water, and acts as the binding agent in these brownies.
- Coconut sugar. You can also use unrefined cane sugar.
- Balsamic vinegar. This is another ingredient that you can’t really taste in the final brownies, but it greatly enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Dark chocolate chips. Not optional!
How to make Black Bean Brownies:
Preheat oven to 350F/177C. In a food processor, process black beans until smooth, then add in almond butter, cocoa powder, ground flax, vanilla, coconut sugar, vinegar, salt, and baking soda.
Process until thick and smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides. The batter will be very thick (add a tablespoon of extra non-dairy milk if needed).
Next, add the chocolate chips and pulse a few times to combine, then transfer batter into a lined 9×9 inch baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes until top begins to crack, and allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.
More Healthy Desserts:
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Print📖 Recipe
Black Bean Brownies (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Simple fudgy brownies that are also flourless, vegan, refined sugar-free, and oil-free. Perfect for a healthy dessert, or for when that midday chocolate craving hits.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: Desserts & Sweets
- Method: Bake
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz can black beans (or 1 ½ cups), rinsed thoroughly and drained
- ¼ cup creamy almond butter
- ¼ cup + 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp non-dairy milk, if needed
- ¾ cup chocolate chips (not optional!)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/177C. In a food processor, process black beans until smooth, then add in almond butter, cocoa powder, ground flax, vanilla, coconut sugar, vinegar, salt, and baking soda.
- Process until thick and smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides. The batter will be very thick (add a tablespoon of extra non-dairy milk if needed).
- Next, add the chocolate chips and pulse a few times to combine, then transfer batter into a lined 9×9 inch baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes until top begins to crack, and allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.
Notes
- The balsamic vinegar enhances the chocolate flavor, and I don’t recommend omitting it!
- I used dark chocolate chips but you can use any brand of chocolate chips that’s dairy-free, or even chopped up chunks of chocolate.
- It’s crucial not to over-bake these brownies, as they’ll become dry; it’s better to underbake them, if anything, to ensure they’re moist and fudgy (the recipe doesn’t contain eggs so you don’t have to worry about “raw” batter).
- Store at room temperature, as they tend to dry out if put in the fridge.
Mimicat says
These brownies are incredibly decadent and easy to prepare. This will be my new ‘go to’ chocolate indulgence and while I might not want to share, I know that regular carnivores will enjoy and never know that the base is puréed black beans.
Hannah says
Yay! so wonderful to hear!
Alisha Ross says
Breakfast for dinner is always fun with the kids and we do pizza a lot too. They are getting to be the age that I can allow them to use the cook top, it makes cooking/baking fun!
Alisha Ross says
Thank you so much for wonderful recipes! What I love about your website most of all is that you post not only great recipes and descriptions but also stunning photos of food! Have a nice day!
Rose Martine says
This recipe is AMAZING. I will eat this for the rest of my life! So good and easy-peasy.
Hannah Flack says
These recipes all look amazing. If I had kids, I would totally try them with them! Cheese is my favorite food group so…..
★★★★★
Watts Lynette says
I wouldn t be a healthy recipes blogger if I didn t have my very own black bean brownie recipe. It took a few test runs, each one more delicious than the last, but I finally did it! These healthier plant based black bean brownies are not only vegan (meaning dairy free and egg free) BUT they are also nut free and gluten free. My only issue with these brownies? Working out how I am going to stop at just one.