• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Oatmeal with a Fork
  • RECIPES
  • FAVORITES
  • ABOUT ME
  • SUBSCRIBE
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • FAVORITES
  • ABOUT ME
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • FAVORITES
    • ABOUT ME
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Favorites

    The Best Vegan Black Bean Brownies

    Published: Jul 27, 2021 · Modified: Mar 14, 2023 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links · 47 Comments

    Jump to Recipe  ↓

    The Best Vegan Black Bean Brownies - You'd never believe these brownies are made from black beans! They're fudgy and delicious, and they're packed full of natural plant-based protein.

    Healthy vegan black bean brownies recipe

    I can still remember my brother showing me Rocco Dispirito's book, Now Eat This, and proclaiming that he had made black bean brownies.

    What in the world...?

    I kind of blew him off at the time, thinking there was no way I'd make that.

    Fast forward a bit, and here I am with my own black bean brownie recipe!

    Two of these brownies has about as much protein as an egg!

    Black bean brownies are obviously nothing new, but this recipe is the result of my personal experimenting.

    In order to accommodate all of our allergies and make the recipe the best it could be, I eliminated nuts, seeds, and eggs.

    I LOVE using beans in desserts because our entire family tolerates them well and they're so versatile.

    The beans are truly undetectable in these, and they have that rich and fudgy consistency (not cakey) that is characteristic of a traditional brownie.

    Black bean brownies with oats

    Black bean brownies rules

    In my experience, there are a couple of do's and do not's with these treats.

    1. DO process the oats before adding the remaining ingredients. If you don't, there can be little pieces of oat throughout the brownie that kids don't appreciate.
    2. DO NOT touch them before they sit for at least 30 minutes. Because there is no binding agent, this time allows them to really 'set' and hold together.
    3. DO eat them cold! This is honestly how they taste best, which is torturous because you have to wait, but it is worth it!
    Healthy vegan black bean brownies recipe
    Print Recipe
    5 from 7 votes

    The Best Vegan Black Bean Brownies

    Fudgy, high protein treats that are also gluten-free!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Gluten-Free, High protein, Vegan
    Servings: 9 brownies
    Calories: 161kcal
    Author: Lauren Goslin

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup oats
    • 1 15 ounce can black beans rinsed and drained
    • ½ cup cocoa powder
    • ½ tsp sea salt
    • ½ tsp baking soda
    • ¼ cup coconut sugar
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • ¼ cup coconut oil melted
    • ⅛ tsp powdered stevia extract
    • 2 tsp vanilla
    • 1-2 Tbsp water as needed
    • 3 Tbsp dark chocolate chips optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
    • Add the oats to the processor FIRST, and process them until they resemble a flour.
    • Add the remaining ingredients (except the chocolate chips), and process until smooth and well combined.
    • Add water in as needed to create a pourable, but thick, batter. I usually use one tablespoon.
    • Pulse in the chocolate chips, if using, or save them for the top!
    • Pour the batter into a well-oiled 8 x 8 baking dish.
    • Bake for 20-25 minutes (knife or toothpick should come out clean).
    • Put the brownies in the fridge to cool (still in the pan), untouched for about 30 minutes. This is crucial to keeping the shape of the brownie, as there is no binding agent present.
    • Once cooled, cut and serve!

    Notes

    Nutrition facts do not include chocolate chips.
    WW Points: 7

    Nutrition

    Sugar: 11.1g | Fiber: 3.8g | Calories: 161kcal | Fat: 7g | Protein: 3.7g | Carbohydrates: 23.8g

     

    Brownies made with black beans and maple syrup

     

     

    You may also like

    • Fudgy Black Bean Cookies (Egg-Free!)
      Fudgy Black Bean Cookies (Egg-Free!)
    • The BEST 10-Minute Broccoli
      The BEST 10-Minute Broccoli
    • What is the Best Healthy Nonstick Pan?
      What is the Best Healthy Nonstick Pan?
    • The Best Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies
      The Best Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies
    « Chickpea Flour Pancakes
    Herb Coconut Flour Flatbread »
    1.6K shares
    • Share
    • Yummly

    Filed Under: Favorites, Healthy Desserts

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jenny

      March 28, 2019 at 12:07 pm

      I love em!, and my meat-eating husband loves them. I made a couple tweaks to make them oil-free, but these are what I've been craving! Something sweet but not full of crap. Also, I needed something to do with my oat pulp from making my own oat milk, and this does that. Thanks for this recipe! My first plant based no oil baked dessert that I've made that is actually good!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        March 29, 2019 at 10:32 am

        Woohoo! So glad you liked them, Jenny! I'd love to know what you did for the oil, if you get a chance to write back. Thanks either way for the review! 🙂

        Reply
      • Gina Razinski

        October 10, 2022 at 12:39 pm

        Hi Lauren, dutch-processed cocoa powder, or non-dutched?

        Reply
        • Lauren

          October 10, 2022 at 1:30 pm

          Hi Gina,

          I use non-Dutch. 🙂

          Reply
          • Gina Razinski

            October 29, 2022 at 7:26 am

            Hi Lauren,
            Just following up:
            I made the brownies yesterday (with non-dutched cacao powder) and they were a hit! I used applesauce instead of oil. I might bake them a bit longer next time so the inside is more firm, or not - can't decide. Thank you for the great recipe!

            Reply
            • Lauren

              November 02, 2022 at 12:51 pm

              Thank you for the review, Gina! I'm happy they turned out well without the oil.

    2. Kurt

      June 26, 2017 at 12:49 pm

      These little bad boys are delicious!!!! Thank you for always sharing your yummy treats!

      Reply
    3. Maria

      March 25, 2015 at 11:08 am

      Just made these today and they are soooo yummy! I added in a scoop of chocolate protein powder and omitted the stevia (since the protein is stevia sweetened) and holy amazeballs I couldn't stop stealing licks of the raw batter. The end result was an even bigger hit! Thanks for this awesome recipe!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        March 25, 2015 at 12:18 pm

        That's great Maria, thanks for the feedback!

        Reply
    4. Enrique

      December 20, 2014 at 2:02 am

      These look extremely delicious and heathly. Is one of the ingredients regular cacao powder or organic raw cacao powder?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        December 20, 2014 at 8:15 am

        Hi Enrique,

        The second ingredient listed is for cocoa powder, which is similar. You can sub cacao if you like.

        Reply
    5. Chia

      December 14, 2014 at 8:56 pm

      Hi I tried a few of your recipes and love all of them. This one is my favourite it tastes even better than the 'normal' brownies. I am breastfeeding a toddler who has several food allergies so I have to be on very restricted diet with him. Thanks to you I find joy in food again. Thank you thank you thank you.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        December 15, 2014 at 9:42 am

        Thank YOU Chia, for your sweet comment! It made my day! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Peggy

      August 15, 2014 at 2:09 pm

      I love these brownies and am featuring them today on my site. Sending readers to you for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        August 15, 2014 at 3:30 pm

        Thanks so much Peggy! They're a favorite around here too. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Karen Flammang

      June 28, 2014 at 5:04 pm

      these are great, I've made them a bunch of times! I use cashew flour instead of oat flour to make them gluten free, and instead of chocolate chips, i put chia seeds. i also add about 6 drops of doTerra peppermint essential oil. everybody loves them and gobbles them up, then i have to make more!!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 28, 2014 at 5:55 pm

        That's great Karen! I will definitely have to try adding peppermint oil sometime. 😀

        Reply
    8. Donna

      June 13, 2014 at 4:47 am

      Lauren, not sure how you did it or do it but as everyone else has stated, these are the BEST freaking 'brownies' period. Never mind being 'black bean'. I also have failed in prior attempts to black bean recipes.....made them twice, second time even fudgier!!
      I just printed your "Best fudgey Guilt free brownie recipe" and i cannot imagine those being any better than these. Just knowing they are like 90% black beans as opposed to flour is the best thing. I was so glad to read that another viewer used Almond Flour in place of the 1/4 of oats and it worked! i will try it next time. just to be comp grain free and dlish would be crazy. my guess is however they will be even more fudgey, which could be a good or a bad thing. We shall see. thanks so much....so far so good oxoxox

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 13, 2014 at 8:04 am

        That's great Donna, I'm so happy you liked them! I have a video coming up on Monday for the Guilt-Free Fudgy Brownies, fyi. They're a nice blend of light, fudgy, rich, and creamy, as opposed to the fudgy density of the black bean version. Both are so delicious, it just depends what mood I'm in!

        Thanks for your comment! 🙂
        '

        Reply
    9. Kylie @ immaeatthat

      June 06, 2014 at 8:27 am

      I remember using these for inspiration for my very first attempts at black bean brownies. Such a great recipe!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 06, 2014 at 12:24 pm

        Thanks Kylie! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Meg

      May 09, 2014 at 2:53 pm

      WOW!! So good, no one knew they had black beans in them and they are good for you. I used almond flour since we are doing grain-free right now and xylitol w/ stevia. Don't think I will make any other kind now!! I love this website!! You are awesome 🙂 Thanks for all the recipes

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 09, 2014 at 6:14 pm

        Thanks so much for reporting back Meg! I'm thrilled you liked them!! 😀

        Reply
    11. Meg

      May 09, 2014 at 11:08 am

      I have these in the oven right now. I gave my son the spoon to lick and he said "this is the best chocolate I've ever had, I've never had this kind before." He is right. The batter is good, I will be so impatient waiting for them to cool. I also like that this is a baked good that doesn't even use one egg!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 09, 2014 at 11:12 am

        Thanks Meg! Pop them in the fridge to get them to cool quick (the more chilled they are, the better they taste!). I hope you guys love them!! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Andrea

      May 07, 2014 at 11:10 am

      Hi, Thank you so much for this fantastic recipe! I have never had much luck with black bean brownies, not-to-mention gluten-free/vegan ones, and these are ridiculously good! I have made them twice now and am still amazed by the results! Looking forward to trying some of your other recipes. Much Thanks!!!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 07, 2014 at 12:26 pm

        Thanks so much Andrea! We make these all of the time too. 😀

        Reply
    13. nathalie

      March 28, 2014 at 3:44 pm

      thanks!! will let you know how they come out!

      Reply
    14. nathalie

      March 28, 2014 at 1:18 pm

      Hi, I don't have coconut sugar, can I substitute with white or brown sugar? Also, I don't have brown rice flour, so I should grind Old Fashion Oats into flour? Looking forward to trying out this recipe!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        March 28, 2014 at 1:20 pm

        Hi Nathalie,

        Yes, any granulated sugar will work here, and yes, just measure use ground oats for the rice flour. I hope you enjoy them!! 🙂

        Reply
    15. Charlene

      March 26, 2014 at 8:54 pm

      Is there something I can substitute for the powdered stevia...or can I just leave it out? These sound yummy and I'd like to try them!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        March 27, 2014 at 12:34 pm

        Hi Charlene,

        You can add in an additional 1/4 cup of coconut sugar or any natural granulated sugar for the stevia. Happy baking!

        Reply
    16. Molly

      March 10, 2014 at 8:26 am

      WOW!!!! This is soooo yummy!! made it today and just incredible!!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        March 10, 2014 at 9:00 am

        I'm so happy you enjoyed them Molly! These are the only brownies I eat anymore! 🙂

        Reply
    17. Tammy

      November 26, 2013 at 11:44 am

      Made these this morning, they're delicious! I used 1/4 tsp of salt, 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 1/4 cup carob powder because I ran out of cocoa. Turned out great! My husband actually likes them more than regular brownies lol

      Reply
      • Lauren

        November 26, 2013 at 7:19 pm

        That's awesome Tammy! My husband loves them too. 😀

        Reply
    18. Ruth

      November 24, 2013 at 10:33 am

      Great recipe! I added some crushed hazelnuts for a bit of crunch. Think this is my new go to brownie recipe. I especially like them cold. Thanks for the recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Lauren

        November 24, 2013 at 10:39 am

        Thanks Ruth! I agree on loving them cold. They are so fudgy and delicious that way! 🙂

        Reply
    19. Mindy

      November 19, 2013 at 10:51 am

      I have tried other vegan brownie recipes but this one is the best! I did use carob chips for chocolate chips but everything else I did as the recipe suggested. These are delicious!!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        November 19, 2013 at 3:18 pm

        Yay! That's awesome Mindy, thanks for letting me know! 😀

        Reply
    20. Peggy

      November 11, 2013 at 7:54 pm

      I have tried black bean brownies before with little luck. I'm excited to give these a try..they look yummy and the recipe would work for us.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        November 11, 2013 at 8:39 pm

        Thanks Peggy! We've been eating these like crazy, so I hope you enjoy them if you try them! 🙂

        Reply
    21. Amanda

      November 04, 2013 at 10:21 am

      I was totally going to use my can of black beans for dinner tonight, but I think they are destined for your brownie recipe instead! The texture looks phenomenal. <3

      Reply
      • Lauren

        November 04, 2013 at 6:27 pm

        Thanks girl! I hope you do try (and like) them! 😀

        Reply
    22. Lisa

      November 04, 2013 at 9:32 am

      These are definitely going to be on my must make list! These look incredible.
      I'm especially happy that they are vegan:)

      Reply
    23. Gabby @ the veggie nook

      November 04, 2013 at 5:20 am

      These look delicious and so fudgy! I have made black bean brownies in the past, but haven't been thrilled with the results. Yours look like they could be the ones!

      I definitely notice a difference when my dessert has protein. Otherwise my blood sugar (and mood...) goes for a bit of a roller coaster ride!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        November 04, 2013 at 8:30 am

        Thanks Gabby! Let me know how you like them if you ever get a chance to try the recipe out. 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there, I'm Lauren Goslin, and I've been a food blogger for over ten years. My goal with this blog is to show you healthy, lower sugar recipes that my family and I enjoy.

    More about me →

    Some of our Favorite Breads

    • Homemade Healthy Monkey Bread (NO Bundt Pan!)
    • Our FAVORITE Berry Muffins (Low Sugar!)
    • 4-Ingredient Spelt Flour Tortillas
    • Sugar-Free, Corn-Free Sweet Potato 'Cornbread'

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    AboutContactPrivacy Policy

    COPYRIGHT ©2022, OATMEAL WITH A FORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    1.6K shares