These Vegan Black Bean Brownies are seriously fudgy, rich and indulgent and are the best secretly healthy dessert - you definitely won't notice the black beans! They're packed full of protein and fibre and are perfect for satisfying sweet cravings. They're super easy to make, requiring just one bowl (food processor) to make and are ready in 30 minutes! They're also gluten-free, grain-free, oil-free, refined sugar free and date-sweetened.
How to make this recipe
Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe.
- Place the black beans, soaked and drained dates, cocoa powder, almond butter, salt and plant-based milk in a food processor or blender.
- Once you've whizzed that all up until it's completely smooth, add the ground almonds (almond meal) and baking powder.
- And blend again briefly to combine.
- Transfer the batter to a square baking tin.
Tip: Line the tin with greased baking paper to make it easier to remove the brownies after.
- Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes - be very careful not to over-bake them!
- Leave to cool slightly before cutting into squares!
Substitutions you can make
- You can use any type of nut or seed butter - almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, tahini etc.
- You can use any type of plant-based milk - almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, rice milk, oat milk etc.
- You can replace the ground almonds with ground hazelnuts or ground walnuts.
How long do these Black Bean Brownies keep for?
These Black Bean Brownies keep covered in the fridge for up to a few days - the taste or texture remains unchanged which means they're great for meal prep and making ahead for entertaining.
More vegan chocolate recipes
- Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches (also made with black beans!)
- Mississippi Mud Pie
- Chocolate Truffle Cake
- Chocolate Baked Donuts
- Chocolate Truffles
- Avocado Brownies
- Beetroot Brownies
If you try out this recipe or anything else from my blog, I'd really love to hear any feedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo @rhiansrecipes #rhiansrecipes on Instagram! Thank you.
Watch how to make this recipe
Vegan Black Bean Brownies (Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 170 g (¾ cup) pitted dates soaked overnight in cold water or 10 minutes in boiling water
- 400 g (14 oz) tin of black beans , drained and rinsed
- 35 g (⅓ cup) cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons smooth almond butter (or sub peanut butter)
- 175 ml (¾ cup) unsweetened almond milk (or sub any other plant-based milk)
- Pinch salt to taste
- 135 g (1 ⅓ cup) ground almonds (almond meal) (or sub ground hazelnuts or walnuts)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Drain away the water from the soaked dates and all to a food processor or blender with the black beans, cocoa powder, almond butter, almond milk and salt.
- Blend until completely smooth, mixing it around a couple of times if necessary.
- And the ground almonds and baking powder and blend briefly just to combine.
- Transfer the mixture into a square or rectangular baking tin lined with greased baking paper - I used a 23cm/9inch square baking tin.
- Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes. They should be slightly cracked at the top and slightly firm inside but still quite gooey - be careful not to overcook!
- Leave to cool before cutting into squares.
- Keeps covered in the fridge for up to a few days.
Video
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Priti S.
Hi, what can I use if I don't have date? May be maple syrup, coconut sugar, jaggery??
Rhian Williams
Coconut sugar or jaggery would work I think!
Niki
Sadly not oil free - technically but I get your take on it. In doing the bean protocol you lose the toxic binding benefits when any fats as the beans bind to the fats... I love fat of course but need to separate. Do you think the almond butter could be subbed with something fat free? I hate applesauce as does my body but might be the only option I can think if and likely not as tasty, texture of fill satiety. I welcome any ideas! 🙂
Rhian Williams
To be honest you can leave out the almond butter if you want! Or you can add half a banana maybe, if you like the taste of bananas!
Eve
Hey! Could I add an egg? I know this is vegan but I just wondered if it would be okay
Rhian Williams
Hi - yes that should be ok, but you'd have to cut down on the milk a bit!
Anonymous
Lovely recipe but my turned out quite soggy/soft. Could you advise where I may have gone wrong?
Rhian Williams
sorry to hear that! did you make any substitutions?
Ricitosdeplata
Please specify what size pan you used an 8 in square pan was probably too small since it took 45 min to develop a crust surface. the taste is fine. waiting for the brownies to cool. Do they get firmer when cooled?
Rhian Williams
Thank you so much for the feedback! I'm sorry to hear that. I used a 23cm/9inch square baking tin - have updated the recipe instructions now. And yes, they do firm up when cooled!