Dark Chocolate Black Bean Brownies

These Dark Chocolate Black Bean Brownies are a great healthy dessert option! This black bean brownies recipe tastes just like a traditional brownies recipe. This black bean brownie recipe is one of my favorite healthy desserts, and no one has ever guessed that they are healthy!

Dark Chocolate Black Bean Brownies

I love brownies. Brownies are a total comfort food that we all love. Being able to eat a healthy brownie is something that dreams are totally made of. Well, I got that dream covered for you with these bean-based brownies that are just as good as the real thing! The rich chocolate flavor of the brownie is one that I enjoy and I love it, even more, when I can count it as a healthy food.

My kids love having brownies in their lunches as a treat so I set out with a plan a few years ago to come up with a healthy brownie recipe. It took me a while to make sure this recipe was perfect. I wanted them to taste like a fudgy brownie that no one could tell were healthy. The secret ingredient to making my brownies amazing is using black beans. You can not even taste the black bean flavor, all you taste is rich, chocolaty brownies with the perfect fudgy texture. These are seriously the best brownies to make if you are looking for a healthy comfort foods recipe.

When I had the kids taste test them they couldn’t even tell that they were healthy! A total mom win and I have to admit I didn’t tell anyone these fudgy black bean brownies were healthy until after the pan was empty. There was no taste of black beans at all and a few of them totally thought I was making it up that I made brownies that had beans in them.

Healthy Chocolate Brownies

These Dark Chocolate Black Bean Brownies are extremely satisfying without the guilt of indulgence because you’re getting protein from beans as well as cocoa powder (which is rich in antioxidants) for an antioxidant boost. Plus, it’s lower in fat than traditional chocolate cake recipes which makes these Dark Chocolate Black Bean Brownies slightly more healthy. You’ll LOVE them!

Using real food ingredients, less sugar than traditional brownies these black bean brownies are sure to tackle any sweet tooth you have! We all know I love easy recipes and this healthy brownie recipe totally fits! Easy to prep, then pop them in the oven to bake, let them cool and then enjoy this healthy easy dessert!

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Tips for Making This Recipe

Keep them from sticking. If you normally have a problem with your brownie sticking to your pans you can just place a piece of parchment paper on the bottom of the brownie pan with the parchment sticking out of two of the sides. This way it creates a handle to lift your brownies out of your pans.

Cool Brownies completely. As tempting as it may be to dive right in once they are done, let them cool completely will make it much easier to cut and the brownies will not fall apart.

Variations of this recipe

Change up the chocolate chips. I use dark chocolate chips but you can use milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or even peanut butter chips if you want to.

Add nuts. If you want to add some crunch you can add chopped pecans, chopped walnuts or chopped peanuts. You will want to add 1/2- 1 cup of chopped nuts.

How to Store Homemade Brownies

Allow the brownies to cool completely before storing. It is best to store these healthy brownies in an airtight container at room temperature.

Can I Freeze Black Bean Brownies?

Yes! Allow the brownies to cool completely and then cut into pieces. Wrap the pieces of brownie in plastic wrap and then store in a zip-close bag in the freezer. Brownies will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Black Bean Brownies Ingredients

• ¾ cup canned black beans rinsed
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 banana
• 1/3 cup of brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 2 ounces squares unsweetened chocolate
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• ½ cup 60% cocoa baking chips

How to Make Black Bean Brownies

Chop the banana into pieces.

In a small pan heat 1/4 cup of oil and banana over medium heat until golden brown in color. Mash the banana with the oil.

Add the unsweetened chocolate to the pan and melt and mix well. Remove from heat.

Rince the can of black beans and place the black beans into a food processor fitted with a blade. Process the beans until smooth. If you do not have a food processor, you can use a high-speed blender.

Add the applesauce, banana, and chocolate mixture, brown sugar, white sugar, instant coffee, vanilla extract, and egg to the food processor and pulse until everything is well combined.

Process a few more seconds to combine.

In a medium sized mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt, and whisk to combine.

Stir in the wet mixture from the food processor into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix well to combine.

Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

Pour the brownie batter into a 8×8 baking dish. Use a rubber spatula to smooth and spread the brownie mixture.

Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes.

Healthy Snack Recipes

• Walnut Zucchini Bread
• Strawberry Muffins
• Cranberry Granola Bars
• Chocolate Chip Cheerio Cereal Bars
• Pumpkin Pecan Granola