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
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.
Leah
Can I substitute cocoa powder for cocao powder, or would I need to add more or less of something else?
Rhian Williams
Yes you can substitute with cacao powder, I would recommend using a little bit less cacao powder than cocoa powder as it's a bit stronger but it won't change the recipe otherwise!
Julia
Hey Rhian,
I just made the brownies... they taste AMAZING & they are healthy - I am SO greatful for ur recipes as they make my life as a vegan very easy.
I get a lot of inspiration on here!
I made the brownies for a birthday party & no one knew they were vegan or contained beans - everyone loved them - they coulnd´t believe when I told them about the ingredients. Btw. I used kidney beans and it worked out very well!
Also a BIG plus is - kids can eat them without having to worry bout refined sugar etc.
Thank you Rhian !
Rhian Williams
Hi Julia, thank you so much for your feedback! I'm so glad you liked the brownies! Great idea to use kidney beans, thanks for sharing!
Ruby
Could i sub the ground nuts for something like oat flower? I’m not gluten free so i dont mind it and im allergic to nuts!
Rhian Williams
Yes oat flour could work! Ground sunflower seeds will also work.
Karen David
This is exactly the recipe I’ve been looking for, and I’m so excited to make it. Do you know if it’s ok if I skip the baking powder? Thank you!
Rhian Williams
Thank you so much! Yes it should actually be ok without the baking powder, it might be a little less fluffy but shouldn't make a huge difference!
Kim
Can you substitute the ground almonds for almond flour? Thanks!!
Rhian Williams
Yes!