Name: Fudgy Vegan Black Bean Brownies (Gluten-Free)
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: 1 cup cooked black beans (for canned, drain and rinse); 2 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1/2 cup dairy-free milk; 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (or melted vegan butter); 3/4 cup oat flour (gluten-free if desired); 1 cup maple sugar (or coconut sugar); 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (or cacao powder); 2 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp fine grain sea salt; 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips

These fudgy black bean brownies are super decadent and no one would ever guess that they are both vegan and gluten-free. Just blend the ingredients, fold in the chocolate chips and bake in the oven. The end result is moist, chewy brownies perfect for topping with plant-based vanilla ice cream.

Vegan black bean brownies on a white paper towel next to a white and gold knife on a white marble surface.

It is safe to say one of my husband's all-time favorite desserts is a warm, gooey brownie served with a glass of milk, so I've definitely made my fair share of brownies over the years.

I've never been a fan of black bean brownies though because of the texture. Most black bean brownie recipes tend to use a food processor instead of a high speed blender. I find with a food processor you end up with grittiness and not the most authentic brownie texture.

In this recipe, I use a blender to blend just the wet ingredients with the black beans so that the black beans get completely obliterated. There is no trace of them once you pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. The end result is moist and fudgy with no chunks or pieces or black beans.

One thing I love so much about brownies is that it is such an easy dessert to hide nutritious ingredients. The sweet chocolate flavor overpowers neutral tasting veggies or legumes such as in my brownie recipes using sweet potato or white beans. You can always add a healthy "secret ingredient" and the best part is that no one can even tell!

These vegan brownies are packed with protein, iron and fiber from black beans. Black beans provide tremendous nutritional and health benefits for those following a plant-based diet and this healthy treat is an easy and subtle way to consume them without the black bean flavor.

Why You'll Love this Black Beans Brownies Recipe

Fudgy and decadent for any sweet tooth or brownie lover
Healthy ingredients compared to those of regular brownies
Easy recipe to incorporate black beans (and extra protein!)
Vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free

Ingredients

These fudgy brownies come together with just 10 simple ingredients, all of which you likely already have on hand.

Black beans - use canned black beans, drained and rinsed (or home-cooked black beans)
Oat flour (gluten-free if desired) - if you don't have oat flour, you can easily make your own by blending old fashioned oats in a blender or food processor.
Dairy-free milk - I prefer almond milk but cashew milk or oat milk also work.
Unsweetened cocoa powder (or cacao powder) - the brownies will be sweeter using cocoa powder and slightly more bitter with cacao powder, but either are fine.
Maple sugar (or coconut sugar) - for refined sugar-free sweetness.
Melted coconut oil (or melted vegan butter) - adds richness in flavor and texture.
Vanilla extract - enhances the flavors.
Fine grain salt
Baking soda
Vegan chocolate chips - for extra chocolate deliciousness!

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush an 8 x 8 baking dish lightly with coconut oil or avocado oil, or line it with parchment paper.

2. Blend the black beans, dairy-free milk, melted coconut oil and vanilla. Place these ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until perfectly smooth and no chunks or bits of black beans remain. Set aside.

Black beans and wet ingredients in a blender on a white marble surface prior to blending.

Black beans blended with milk, coconut oil and vanilla in a blender next to cocoa powder and chocolate chips on a white marble surface.

3. Whisk the dry ingredients (oat flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt) in a mixing bowl.

Cocoa powder, oat flour, salt and baking soda in a glass mixing bowl next to a bowl of chocolate chips on a white marble surface.

4. Combine the two mixtures. Pour in the black bean mixture from the blender into the mixing bowl. Use a spoon or hand mixer to fully incorporate until no lumps remain.

A hand pouring black bean mixture from a blender into a mixing bowl of cocoa powder and other dry ingredients.

Black bean brownie batter prior to mixing wet and dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.

5. Fold in the chocolate chips.

A hand pouring chocolate chips into black bean brownie batter with a white background.

Chocolate chips on top of brownie batter in a glass mixing bowl prior to mixing.

6. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish.

Vegan black bean brownie batter in a square baking dish lined with parchment paper on a white marble surface.

7. Bake. Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Then, without opening the oven, lower the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for another 12 minutes.

8. Allow brownies to cool. Remove the brownies from the oven and allow to fully cool in the baking dish for best results before slicing and enjoying. To speed up the cooling process, I recommend placing the baking dish in your freezer for 30 minutes before slicing.

Sliced brownies on a white paper towel next to a white and gold knife.

Recipe Tips

Reduce the oven temperature while baking. This is one of my favorite baking tricks. The initial high heat allows the brownies achieve a slight crispiness on the outside to hold their shape. Reducing the temperature after 10 minutes will allow the middle to continue cooking but remain soft and fudgy.

Allow the brownies to cool before serving. While digging in right away is tempting, it is important to let them fully cool in order to allow them to set. Popping the baking dish in the freezer or refrigerator will speed up the process.

Take the dessert to another level with toppings. There is no wrong way to enjoy a brownie! Spread almond butter (or any nut butter), sunflower seed butter, chocolate frosting, chocolate ganache, a chocolate ganache glaze or even a homemade Nutella overtop. Or enjoy with plant-based ice cream, fresh berries, crushed walnuts, some extra chocolate chips or all of the above!

A hand holding a black bean brownie showing the inside it over the rest of the brownies on a white paper towel.

Storage

Store brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can enjoy them cold straight out of the fridge or at room temperature, but my favorite way to enjoy them is to reheat in the microwave and top with vegan ice cream!

More Vegan Healthy Desserts

I hope you enjoy these vegan, nut-free, refined sugar-free and gluten-free black bean brownies! Please let me know what you think in the comments below or share photos @eatingbyelaine so I can see these delicious treats!