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Home » Recipes » Baking & Desserts

Vegan Black Bean Brownies (Gluten-Free)

Last updated - July 14, 2021; Published - September 4, 2018 By Rhian Williams 38 Comments

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A collage of two vegan black bean brownies photos

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.

Three vegan black bean brownies stacked on top of each other against a grey background

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.
Back beans, cocoa powder, dates and almond butter in a food processor
  • Once you've whizzed that all up until it's completely smooth, add the ground almonds (almond meal) and baking powder.
Vegan black bean brownies batter in a food processor with ground almonds and baking powder on top
  • And blend again briefly to combine.
Vegan black bean brownies batter in a food processor
  • 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.

Vegan black bean brownies batter in a square baking tin lined with baking paper
  • Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes - be very careful not to over-bake them!
Vegan black bean brownies in a square baking tin lined with baking paper
  • Leave to cool slightly before cutting into squares!
Vegan black bean brownies cut into squares in a square baking tin lined with baking paper

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.

A vegan black bean brownie square with a bite taken out of it

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

Three vegan black bean brownies stacked on top of each other against a grey background

Vegan Black Bean Brownies (Gluten-Free)

These Vegan Black Bean Brownies are secretly healthy and full of plant-based protein and fibre!
4.09 from 57 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: gluten-free black bean brownies, vegan black bean brownies, vegan brownies
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 brownies
Calories: 147kcal
Author: Rhian Williams

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 (â…“ 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 â…“ 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.
  • 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

Nutrition Facts
Vegan Black Bean Brownies (Gluten-Free)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 147 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Sodium 97mg4%
Potassium 286mg8%
Carbohydrates 18g6%
Fiber 4g16%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin C 0.6mg1%
Calcium 96mg10%
Iron 1.5mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Made the recipe?Tag @rhiansrecipes on instagram and use the hashtag #rhiansrecipes!

Disclosure: This posts contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase any of these products, a small percentage will come to me with no extra cost to you! This income will go towards the running of this blog – thank you.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Priti S.

    May 03, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    Hi, what can I use if I don't have date? May be maple syrup, coconut sugar, jaggery??

    Reply
    • Rhian Williams

      May 03, 2020 at 2:02 pm

      Coconut sugar or jaggery would work I think!

  2. Niki

    August 06, 2020 at 4:33 pm

    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! 🙂

    Reply
    • Rhian Williams

      August 07, 2020 at 2:45 pm

      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!

  3. Eve

    April 24, 2021 at 8:08 pm

    5 stars
    Hey! Could I add an egg? I know this is vegan but I just wondered if it would be okay

    Reply
    • Rhian Williams

      April 24, 2021 at 9:31 pm

      Hi - yes that should be ok, but you'd have to cut down on the milk a bit!

  4. Anonymous

    November 05, 2022 at 3:48 pm

    Lovely recipe but my turned out quite soggy/soft. Could you advise where I may have gone wrong?

    Reply
    • Rhian Williams

      November 06, 2022 at 3:15 am

      sorry to hear that! did you make any substitutions?

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A collage of two vegan black bean brownies photos
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Hi, I’m Rhian! I make easy, undetectably vegan + gluten-free recipes, including healthy comfort food and naturally sweetened desserts using plant-based ingredients.

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