Skip to main content

Black Bean Brownies (without flour)

Black beans are the special ingredient in these moist and not-too-sweet brownies.
Black bean brownies on a plate.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Makes: 16 pieces
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

3 Tablespoons vegetable oil 
3 eggs 
1 teaspoon vanilla 
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed (see Notes
½ cup packed brown sugar 
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (100% cacao) 
pinch of salt
½ cup chopped nuts (optional) 
1 Tablespoon powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Lightly grease an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch baking dish.
  3. In a blender container or food processor, mix oil, eggs and vanilla. Add beans and blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to a bowl.
  4. Stir in sugar, cocoa, salt and nuts, if desired.
  5. Pour the mixture into the baking pan. Bake until a knife inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes.  
  6. Let cool and cut into 16 squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. 

Notes

  • Cook your own black beans. About 1 ¾ cups cooked and cooled beans can be used instead of 1 can (15 ounces) of beans.
  • No blender? In a large bowl, mix the oil, eggs and vanilla with a fork. Add beans and mash with the fork until the beans are as smooth as possible, about 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in sugar, cocoa and nuts, if desired. Continue with step 5.
  • Try adding a ½ teaspoon spice such as cinnamon. 

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Frozen Fruit Yogurt
Footed glasses filled with a creamy fruit dessert.

Frozen Fruit Yogurt

A kid-approved, 3-ingredient treat that only takes a few minutes to make and uses your favorite fruit.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
3 ½ cups
Stovetop Tuna Casserole
Bowl of egg noodles with peas and tuna mixed in.

Stovetop Tuna Casserole

Tender egg noodles with a creamy sauce, bright peas and tasty tuna.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
7 Cups
Curried Pumpkin Soup
Bowls of pumpkin mushroom soup garnished with chives.

Curried Pumpkin Soup

A one-pot recipe with creamy pumpkin and warming spices is ready in under an hour.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Roasted Garlic
Heads of golden-brown, tender roasted garlic.

Roasted Garlic

Roasting garlic brings out sweet and mellow flavors that go well with many recipes. Freeze extra to keep on hand.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
40 minutes
Makes:
3 Tablespoons
Spinach Pasta Salad
Bowl of a mix of macaroni noodles, spinach, oranges and dried cranberries.

Spinach Pasta Salad

This fun and delicious pasta salad recipe combines fresh veggies, crunchy seeds, tangy fruit and tender pasta with a savory teriyaki dressing.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Quick Tomato Salsa
Medium bowl of diced tomato salsa with cilantro.

Quick Tomato Salsa

Canned tomatoes and fresh herbs make a quick and flavorful salsa.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
2 cups