Best Black Bean Brownies

Name: Healthy Black Bean Brownies Recipe (Fudgy & Flourless)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 15 oz black beans ((drained and rinsed)); ¼ cup honey; ⅓ cup coconut oil ((or butter, melted)); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ cup coconut sugar; ¼ cup cocoa powder; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon sea salt; 2 large eggs; ¾ cup chocolate chips ((divided))

By Laura Sandford

Updated Sep 27, 2026

5 from 171 votes

230 Comments

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These are the best black bean brownies – they’re rich, fudgy, chocolatey and you’d never guess they’re made with beans. This easy black bean brownies recipe is made in the blender with 9 ingredients in 30 minutes and are delicious straight from the oven. Plus, they’re naturally flourless, gluten-free and dairy-free with no refined sugar.

a stack of 3 fudgy black bean brownies with melty chocolate chips inside. The stack is on parchment paper and there are more brownies and chocolate chips around it.

I enjoy dessert so much that I eat it every night – which is why I like to create healthier treats, like this black bean brownies recipe! Because what good is a day without chocolate?

Brownies are my favorite dessert, and I’m super picky about them. Even when I make them with healthier ingredients, they still have to be fudgy and chocolatey, and these black bean brownies are all that and more. I love them so much that I’ve made them regularly (like at least monthly), for over a decade. They’re the ultimate healthy brownies recipe for people who actually love brownies.

These black bean brownies are loaded with protein and fiber and are gluten & dairy-free! So you can feel good about eating them. And you can’t taste the beans at all and they are delicious straight from the oven (unlike some other black bean brownie recipes I tried in the past). Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make. Just toss the ingredients into a blender, blend until smooth, stir in the chocolate chips and bake.

overhead view of 6 Black Bean Brownies on parchment paper topped with melty chocolate chips.

Why You’ll Love These Black Bean Brownies

Super easy to make. Blend, bake enjoy.
Healthy. No refined sugar or flour in these!
So fudgy. They’re rich and chocolate and not at all cakey or dry.
You can’t taste the beans. Seriously, you’d never know they’re in there.
Stellar ingredient list. They’re made with black beans, coconut oil, honey, coconut sugar, cocoa powder and eggs.
Tried and tested. I’ve been making this black bean brownie recipe for over a decade, and it’s still one of my favorite healthy desserts.

delicious!!! tasted like the most amazing homemade brownies ever, and you would never know they were healthy!!! I ate half the pan just tonight! lol
– Mia

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a hand holding a black bean brownie with a bite taken out of it so they fudgy texture is visible. There is melty chocolate chips dripping down the front of the brownie. It's being held over more brownies on parchment paper.

Black Bean Brownies Ingredients & Substitutions

overhead photo of the ingredients in this Black Bean Brownies recipe in bowls and labeled like black beans, honey, coconut oil, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, vanilla, eggs, coconut sugar and salt.

Coconut oil. Melted butter (highly recommended) or ghee can be used in place of coconut oil.
Coconut sugar. Any granulated sugar works well in place of coconut sugar. Or you can replace the granulated sugar with additional honey.
Honey. Maple syrup is a good substitute for honey.
Chocolate chips. Use your favorite mix-ins. Chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, nuts, etc.
Black beans. Use a 15-ounce can of black beans, drained and thoroughly rinsed. I recommend rinsing them with warm water.
Eggs. you can use egg replacer if you prefer.

Use Room Temperature Ingredients

For the smoothest brownie batter, use room-temperature ingredients. Rinse the black beans with warm water and melt the coconut oil before adding them to the blender. Cold beans can cause melted coconut oil to solidify, making the batter more difficult to blend.

close up photo of a stack of 3 fudgy black bean brownies with melty chocolate chips inside. The top brownie has a bite taken out of it so the fudgy texture and melty chocolate is even more visible. The stack is on parchment paper.

How to Make Black Bean Brownies

This recipe is very easy to make, simply put the ingredients into the container of a blender and blend until smooth, then bake. Don’t forget to watch the video, and follow the step-by-step instructions.

Prepare the Pan

Begin by greasing an 8×8″ baking pan, then set it aside. I suggest a ceramic or glass baking dish for the best results. If you use a 9×9″ baking pan, reduce baking time by 3-5 minutes.

Make the Batter

Honestly, when I make these I just toss everything in the blender in one step and then blend because I have a high-powered blender, then stir in the chocolate chips by hand. If you don’t have a powerful blender, you may need to break it down into steps.

Blend the black beans, coconut oil, honey and coconut sugar together until well-mixed.

making black bean brownies - beans, coconut oil and coconut sugar in a blending container before blending

making black bean brownies - beans, coconut oil and coconut sugar in a blending container after blending

Then, add the cocoa powder, vanilla, baking powder and sea salt and blend until combined.

making black bean brownies - cocoa powder, vanilla, salt and baking powder added to the blending container before blending

making black bean brownies - cocoa powder, vanilla, salt and baking powder added to the blending container after blending

Next, add the eggs and blend until the mixture is completely smooth.

making black bean brownies - eggs added to the batter in the blending container before blending

making black bean brownies - batter in a blending container after being blended until silky smooth

Finally, stir in the chocolate chips by hand. I have also used pieces of chocolate bars, peanut butter cups, etc, and pulsed carefully to break them up in the batter.

Laura’s Tip: Blend completely

A completely smooth batter is the secret to making black bean brownies that taste like traditional brownies. However, once the batter is smooth, don’t over-blend the mixture or it can become too warm and melt the chocolate chips.

making black bean brownies - chocolate chips added to the batter in a blending contianer before stirring

making black bean brownies - chocolate chips being stirred into the batter in a blending container with a metal spoon

Then, pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread until the top is smooth.

black bean brownies batter being poured from the blending contianer into a white ceramic baking dish

black bean brownies batter spread evenly into a white ceramic square baking dish before baking

If desired, top the black bean brownies with extra chocolate chips, then bake until the top and edges are just set (about 25 minutes).

How to Know When Black Bean Brownies Are Done

Bake the brownies until the edges are just set and the center still has the smallest amount of “jiggle,” about 20-25 minutes. Don’t overbake them! They will continue to set as they cool, and overbaking will make them less fudgy.

black bean brownies batter spread evenly into a white ceramic square baking dish before baking topped with chocolate chips

black bean brownies in a white square ceramic baking dish after baking. They have crackly tops and melty chocolate chips on top.

Remove the black bean brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the baking dish. Then, cut them into squares and serve.

black bean brownies on parchment paper cut into 9 squares with melty chocolate chips on top

How to Serve Black Bean Brownies

These black bean brownies taste amazing on their own. If desired, here are some serving suggestions:

Nut Butter. I like to drizzle some peanut butter, almond butter, Nutella, etc. on top of the brownies.
Ice Cream. Serve them slightly warm with homemade ice cream like dairy-free vanilla ice cream, vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, dairy-free chocolate peanut butter ice cream.
Frost the brownies: or slather your favorite frosting on top. Suggestions include: peanut butter frosting and chocolate buttercream frosting.

close up photo of black bean brownies on parchment paper cut into 9 squares with melty chocolate chips on top

How to Store Black Bean Brownies

Store black bean brownies in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 5-7 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Warm them in the microwave for about 10 seconds to restore the fresh-from-the-oven taste!

Freeze

Let the brownies cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or warm in the microwave or oven.

a stack of 3 fudgy black bean brownies with melty chocolate chips inside. The top brownie has a bite taken out of it so the fudgy texture and melty chocolate is even more visible. The stack is on parchment paper surrounded by more brownies and chocolate cips

Black Bean Brownies Recipe FAQS

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13″ pan, you may need to increase the baking time by up to 5 minutes.

Why put black beans in brownies?

It might sound strange, but black beans are perfect for making rich, fudgy brownies. When they’re blended until smooth, they create a thick, moist brownie batter without the need for flour. Cocoa powder and chocolate chips completely mask the flavor of the beans, so all you taste is rich chocolate. They also add fiber and protein to the brownies.

Can I use a different kind of beans?

The only other bean I have tried to use in this recipe is great northern beans, and while it tasted good I far prefer black beans. I don’t suggest making substitutions for them. If you want to bake with chickpeas, try these healthy chickpea blondies.

Are black bean brownies good for you?

They are still a treat, but they are made with nutritious ingredients and lower in calories than other baked goods.

Can you taste the black beans in brownies?

Not at all! I promise, I wouldn’t love them so much if you could. As long as the batter is completely smooth, the cocoa powder and chocolate chips give these brownies a rich chocolate flavor that completely masks the beans.

Are black bean brownies healthy?

Black bean brownies are still a dessert, but they’re made with nutritious ingredients like black beans, eggs and cocoa powder. This recipe is also flourless, gluten-free and dairy-free when made with dairy-free chocolate chips, and it’s made without refined sugar.

Are black bean brownies gluten-free?

Yes! This black bean brownie recipe is naturally flourless and gluten-free.

Can I make black bean brownies with a food processor?

Yes. You can make these brownies in a high-powered blender or food processor. Whichever you use, be sure to blend the batter until it is completely smooth.

overhead view of 4 Black Bean Brownies on parchment paper topped with melty chocolate chips.

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Best Black Bean Brownies

Why You’ll Love These Black Bean Brownies