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)

Potato Pals
Plate of baked red potato quarters.

Potato Pals

This side dish of roasted potatoes goes well with a variety of meals. Simple to make with only 4 ingredients. Add variety with your own favorite spices.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Not Your Everyday Apples
Bowl of baked apple chunks with raisins and cinnamon.

Not Your Everyday Apples

Apples are baked to perfection with a mixture of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
Small bowl of yogurt and peanut butter mix served with sliced apples.

Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip

This peanut butter dip comes together in 5 minutes and is perfect with apples and celery.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
12 Tablespoons (¾ cup)
Whole-Wheat Quick Bread
Photo of Whole Wheat Quick Bread

Whole-Wheat Quick Bread

This warm and comforting whole wheat bread is ready in about an hour.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
16 pieces
Spring Green Salad
Bowls of spinach salad topped with strawberries and orange slices.

Spring Green Salad

A colorful and tasty salad with crisp spinach, tangy citrus, sweet strawberries and crunchy walnuts.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Yogurt Fruit Dip
Bowl of yogurt dip served with cantaloupe slices.

Yogurt Fruit Dip

Kid-approved, quick and easy dip with cinnamon, vanilla and a hint of brown sugar.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
1 cup