Healthy Black Bean Brownies Recipe
There's plenty to say about brownies. Most importantly, they're *chef's kiss* delicious. But they aren't always the healthiest snack. Although many brownie recipes waver on the unhealthy side, chef and recipe developer Catherine Brookes of Blue Sky Eating concocted a healthy black bean brownies recipe that's both mouth-watering and –– wait for it –– healthier than many typical store-bought brownies.
"The brownies contain no flour (so lower-carb), much less refined sugar (maple syrup used as the sweetener), less fat (just two tablespoons of coconut oil), and much more protein (from the beans) than regular brownies," Brookes said.
This brownie recipe is the real deal. If you have a sweet tooth yet want a treat that packs a (healthier) punch, then this is the recipe for you. Outcomes include this recipe becoming your new go-to dessert, your home smelling like a bakery, and friends and family asking for the ingredients.
In about 30 minutes, you'll have 12 brownies at your disposal. Ready, set, bake!
Gather the ingredients
First, you'll need to gather the necessary ingredients for this healthy black bean brownies recipe. Naturally, you'll need black beans (drained and rinsed), large eggs, coconut oil, vanilla extract, salt, and cocoa powder. You'll also need baking powder, maple syrup, and dark chocolate chips.
Similar to many recipes, having all the ingredients measured out before you start baking might help you feel less rushed when you're juggling the steps. Once your ingredients are prepared, get ready to go on a flavor journey.
Grease the cooking pan and preheat the oven
Before you throw the brownies in the oven, you need to prepare the pan. As such, you'll grease and line a baking pan. Ideally, you'll use a 7x7-inch to an 8x8-inch baking dish. You can use butter or cooking spray to grease the pan, and it can be lined with baking parchment.
Next, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and let it do its magic. Now, it's time to create the brownie mixture.
Create the brownie mixture
Now the real fun begins. To make the brownie mixture, you'll add all the ingredients except for the chocolate chips to a food processor or high-power blender. You'll then blitz the ingredients until you have a smooth brownie mixture.
"The beans should break down well if you're using a high-powered blender or food processor," Brookes said. "But if they're not breaking down well, stopping to scrape down the sides/stir the beans between blitzing can help."
Then, you'll add about half of the chocolate chips to the brownie mixture and then mix everything up. Transfer the mixture to the lined pan, and then scatter the rest of the chocolate chips over top. Finally, you'll put the pan in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
Take the brownies out of the oven and serve
Once the 20 minutes of baking have passed, take the brownies out of the oven and set them aside. Next, leave the brownies in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack so they cool completely.
Once they've had time to cool down, you'll slice up the brownies, serve, and enjoy! If you're craving a side dish, Brookes recommends pairing these brownies with fresh berries or a scoop of ice cream.
- 1 14.1-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- Grease and line a baking pan (7x7-inch to an 8x8-inch dish) and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add all the ingredients, except for the chocolate chips, to a food processor or high-power blender.
- Blitz until you have a smooth brownie mixture.
- Put about half of the chocolate chips in the brownie mixture, then mix.
- Transfer the mixture to a lined pan, and then scatter the rest of the chocolate chips over the top.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Leave the brownies in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once fully cooled, slice up the brownies, serve, and enjoy!
| Calories per Serving | 148 |
| Total Fat | 6.7 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.3 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.0 g |
| Cholesterol | 31.2 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 19.3 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 9.9 g |
| Sodium | 125.0 mg |
| Protein | 4.1 g |
