You are going to want to make these delicious Vegan Black Bean Brownies as soon as possible. This recipe is made egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, and dairy-free, with a gluten-free option. Nobody will ever guess that these brownies are made from beans!

stack of vegan black bean brownies on a table

Vegan Black Bean Brownies are one of those sneaky recipes that taste amazing, but actually are healthy too! The black beans get pureed with the other ingredients so you can’t even taste them.

Why You Need This Recipe

  • Sometimes we all need a chocolate treat. This one fits the bill even if you’re trying to eat healthy.
  • Black beans are a great source of prebiotic fiber and can even help with weight loss! See my full list of the best foods with natural probiotics.
  • This recipe can be made gluten-free. It is also plant-based, oil-free, soy-free, and low in refined sugars.

Key Ingredients

photo with ingredients for vegan black bean brownies

Canned black beans are the star and secret ingredient of these black bean brownies. But, don’t worry, you won’t be able to taste them!

Flax eggs replace regular eggs and keeps these brownies fully plant-based. You can also use chia eggs, if you prefer.

Nut butter like peanut butter or almond butter adds healthy fat and eliminates the need for coconut oil.

Applesauce keeps the brownies moist without adding more fat.

Maple syrup is an unrefined sweetener that makes these a treat.

Flour helps build the brownies. I used Bob’s 1 to 1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour. If you aren’t gluten-free, just use regular all-purpose flour.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Steps

This is really easy recipe to make. Let me walk you through it.

collage with process photos for how to make black bean brownies

Step One

Preheat your oven and spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Make your flax eggs and set them aside to gel.

Step Two

Rinse and drain your beans and place them into a food processor or a high-speed blender with a tamper. Using a food processor or a quality blender ensures that the beans get totally pureed. Nobody wants to bite into a whole bean while they’re eating a brownie!

Add the nut butter, applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and flax eggs to the food processor.

Step Three

Add the dry ingredients to the food processor including the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda.

Process on high until the brownie batter is smooth with no lumps. Pour the batter into your baking dish.

brownie batter in baking dish

Step Four

Top the batter with your chocolate chips or chocolate chunks, and bake the brownies for 40-45 minutes.

Step Five

The last step is to either enjoy the black bean brownies warm out of the oven, or to chill them and then slice and serve them (chilling the brownies will make them easier to cut). 

baked black bean brownies

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

  • You can use garbanzo beans or any type of white bean instead of black beans, if you prefer.
  • Be sure to use vegan chocolate chips or chocolate chunks in this recipe.
  • You can use oat flour if you like.
  • Make these brownies the day before a party. That way, they have time to chill completely in the refrigerator which will make them so much easier to cut and serve the day of the party.
  • If you aren’t vegan, you can use two regular eggs instead of flax eggs. Or, you can use chia eggs instead of a flax egg. To make two chia eggs, simply combine 2 tablespoons of chia seeds with 6 tablespoons of water.
  • Want a bean-free brownie? Try these Dairy-Free Brownies.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these with a different type of bean?

Yes, you can. Garbanzo beans or white cannellini beans will work.

Are black bean brownies healthy?

I’m of the mindset that treats and desserts are part of a balanced relationship with food. I’m not scared of sugar, but I don’t go overboard. It’s an individual choice whether or not to include treats in your diet plan.

That said, these Black Bean Brownies are vegan, dairy-free, oil-free, and gluten-free, and so they fit with many healthy diet plans. They are a healthy treat with healthy ingredients!

slice of black bean brownie

More Vegan Desserts You Might Like

Or, check out my entire index of gluten-free and dairy-free desserts.

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

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vegan black bean brownies hero

Vegan Black Bean Brownies

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4.7 from 14 reviews

ou are going to want to make these delicious Vegan Black Bean Brownies as soon as possible. This recipe is made egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, and dairy-free, with a gluten-free option. Nobody will ever guess that these brownies are made from beans!

  • Total Time: 65 minutes
  • Yield: 10 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
  • 6 tablespoons water
  • 1 15ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup almond butter or peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (for gluten-free, use a gluten-free baking flour)
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the ground flax seeds and water. Stir and set aside for at least 10 minutes to gel.
  3. Then, combine the black beans, nut butter, applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla extract, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder in a food processor or high-speed blender. Add the gelled mixture of ground flax seeds and water. Process on high until the ingredients are combined (about 30-45 seconds).
  4. Stir or pulse in the chocolate chips and transfer the brownie batter into your baking dish.
  5. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the middle is no longer jiggly and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Serve warm or chilled. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Notes

  1. These brownies will firm up after they are chilled in the refrigerator for about an hour. They will also taste the sweetest when they are chilled.
  2. Store any leftovers in a tightly-sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or, place any leftovers in a zip-top bag and freeze for up to 2 months. 
  3. You can use garbanzo beans or any type of white bean instead of black beans, if you prefer.
  4. Be sure to use vegan chocolate chips or chocolate chunks in this recipe.
  5. Make these brownies the day before a party. That way, they have time to chill completely in the refrigerator which will make them so much easier to cut and serve the day of the party.
  6. If you aren’t vegan, you can use a regular egg instead of a flax egg. Or, you can use a chia egg instead of a flax egg. To make a chia egg, simply combine 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 249
  • Sugar: 17.3 g
  • Sodium: 199.5 mg
  • Fat: 11.6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33.5 g
  • Fiber: 6.6 g
  • Protein: 7.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with nearly 10 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.