Fudgy, dense, moist, and decadent describes these Gluten-Free Vegan Black Bean Brownies! Black beans are the secret trick to making super fudgy brownies that are also dairy-free and refined sugar-free. The perfect snack or dessert on any occasion.
Gluten-Free Vegan Black Bean Brownies! Dark, rich, moist, decadent, and fudgy. I didn't think it was possible to taste something sinfully delicious made from beans. All you can taste is chocolaty goodness, and guess what?! The only chocolate that is in this brownie is 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder and the chocolate chips! Everything else is Carob and beans proving that you'd never tell the difference.
DID YOU KNOW THAT BLACK BEANS ARE AN EXCELLENT SOURCE OF PLANT-BASED PROTEIN?
When dessert meets protein, do you know what that means? It means these can be eaten for breakfast or as a post-yoga/post-workout snack! These chocolatey fudgy brownies will keep you full and satiated. Just one square will be enough. And it also means that healthy once again proves that you don't have to feel deprived in order to eat or dessert well. This recipe is adapted from my Chocolate Chickpea Brownie Recipe - and I thought those were beyond delicious until I swapped the chickpeas for black beans and WOAH!
RECIPE SWAP TIPS
- By just swapping chickpeas for black beans the brownie changes its nature from a cakey brownie to a fudgy brownie in a nanosecond.
- When Black Beans are used in baked goods they provide a very decadent, dense but moist and sweet type of dessert.
- When chickpeas are used in baked goods they provide a dense and less moist dessert and rely more on other ingredients for flavor. What I noticed with the black beans was I was able to use less cocoa and carob powder, and still, get that amazing chocolaty taste.
ARE CHOCOLATE CHIPS NECESSARY?
- You can use chocolate chips or carob chips. But the chips are a necessary ingredient.
- The chips create uber silky smooth flavor and texture.
READY TO GATHER YOUR INGREDIENTS?
Gluten-Free Black Bean Brownies
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- 1 cup canned black beans drained
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup grapeseed oil
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup quick-cooking oats gluten-free
- 2 tablespoon quick-cooking oats gluten-free
- 2 tablespoon carob powder gluten-free
- 2 teaspoon unsweetened cacao or cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt or sea salt
- 1 tablespoon ground flax
- ½ cup gluten-free dark chocolate chips
- 1 handful gluten-free dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- In a food processor add the oats and ground flax and process till it’s a fine blend. Then add the sea salt, baking powder, beans, maple syrup, grapeseed oil, and blend again till well mixed.
- Add the remainder of the ingredients Except the chocolate chips. And process till smooth.
- Keep blending really well! This may take a few minutes. You want the mixture to be really smooth without seeing any whole particles of the oats or beans.
- Once blended transfer to a large bowl and fold in the chocolate chips.
- Grease an 8×8 brownie pan and add mixture into the pan. Wet your hands to push down on the mixture and move it to fill the entire pan, or use a spatula. You can even add a few chips on top.
- Place in the oven on the Middle Rack and bake for 16 minutes. YOU MUST LET THESE COOL for at least 10-15 minutes. Store in the fridge when not eating.
Notes
- I like these best cold and defrosted. So you can go either way. You can eat them right out of the fridge, or you can let them sit on the counter for a half-hour and then eat them.
- Whatever you do, these are black beans so you must keep them refrigerated because of the mold factor. Black beans hold a lot of moisture and so its’s shelf-life is less than most brownies. Its shelf-life can live longer in the fridge. The shelf-life is about 1 week.
- As for canned beans, my favorite brand to use is EDEN. Eden is organic and BPA lining free.
- Make sure you use a gluten-free carob powder like Chatfields.
- Make sure you use a gluten-free chocolate powder such as Hershey's.
Black Bean Brownie Love,
Arianey Frias
These are absolutely delicious!!!! Thank you for an amazing recipe! I wanted to ask about shelf life, what do you mean they are good for one week? Do you mean if I refrigerate them they are only good for 1 week? Or if I leave them at room temperature?
One last question, If i freeze them how long would they be good for? I ask because i usually make brownies and freeze by portion so I can eat when I want them. lol Only way to stop me from eating it all.
Have you ever reheated them in the microwave? Does it change the flavor!?
Thanks, I am
So sorry for all the questions!
Julie
Hi Arianey!
So happy you love them! I say one week because they use black beans and that means they are perishable. If you are using real food ingredients the shelf life changes. I haven't tried freezing them, so I don't know that outcome. I would assume they would be ok freezing them, as you can freeze pretty much anything. I hope this helps. Yes I have reheated in the microwave, totally fine! xx
Norman
Do you have a bean or chick pea blondie recipe?
Julie
Hi Norman,
No I don't. I have so far two brownie recipes using beans. One is black beans and one is chickpeas - both using cocoa powder. So they are not blondies. Perhaps in the future...