It was awhile ago that a friend of mine suggested that I try making black bean brownies and compare them to regular brownies. She said that they supposedly tasted just like regular brownies. I adore brownies so, naturally, my initial reaction was…
Thinkstock images
But I finally gave them a try yesterday. I was surprised to discover that I had all the necessary ingredients on hand. While they certainly were more involved than opening a box and stirring in oil and eggs, they were simple and came together fairly quickly.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups black beans, (15 oz can) drained and rinsed very well
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup quick oats
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup pure maple syrup or agave
2 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup to 2/3 cup chocolate chips, plus more to sprinkle on top
Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine all ingredients except chips in a food processor. Blend until completely smooth and large pieces of bean skin are not visible. Stir in the chips, then pour into a 8×8 pan coated with non-stick cooking spray. Bake 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Let cool at least 15 minutes before trying to cut.
The verdict
I discovered that you really do need to let the brownies mostly cool before trying to cut into them, otherwise they just fall apart. Once cooled, the consistency is much like a piece of fudge. The texture is mostly smooth, but slightly gritty. Overall, the taste was chocolately, with a hint of oatmeal aftertaste. You can tell that something is a little off, but you don’t care because they’re rich and delicious.
The nice things about these brownies is that they’re kid approved. Rachael and a friend tasted them after school and loved them. Rachael declared that I make the best brownies. It was only after they had eaten them did I reveal that they were made with black beans. Rachael was even able to be bribed to get out of bed this morning if i sent one with her lunch today. So I would say that these are an excellent way to sneak fiber and protein into your kid’s diets.
In the end, I think these are a great way to satisfy a snack craving. They’re yummy and it would be difficult to guess that they’re made with black beans. But do they taste just like brownies? No. Anyone hoping for a cakey or chewy, dense brownies will not find it in these. However, I would absolutely make these again.
Query: are they still healthy if you eat half the tray in one afternoon? Asking for a friend.
Recipe via Chocolate Covered Katie
Julie, Unfiltered 
LOL, I imagine they’re more healthy than regular brownies but your “friend” and her family may pay for that half a tray tomorrow thanks to the fiber from the beans and the oats…but other than that…… 😛 Somewhere around here I have an awesome recipe for brownies made from almond meal, yum!
I had wondered if I could make the texture more similar to brownies if I used another type of flour.
Namaste perfect flour blend actually works very well with the brownie recipe on the toll house cocoa can and makes a 13×9 tray, just sub cup for cup. The almond meal recipe I use is.. http://www.thewannabechef.net/2011/08/18/almond-flour-brownies/
And as far as paying for it later, I have no idea what you’re talking about. *averts eyes*
😉
I’ve seen recipes for baked goods made with beans but I’ve been too skeptical to try any of them. Yours look good though! I like the idea of the fudgy texture. And I’m sure eating half a tray is fine. Beans are practically a vegetable, right?
no they’re a legume but we’ll go with that
try them!
Jonathan makes them healthy enough to let my kids eat them for breakfast 🙂 THey’re not bad, but I’m sure Julie’s are better.