7 Ingredient Vegan Black Bean Brownies (Gluten-Free)
Moist and chewy Vegan Black Bean Brownies. With only seven ingredients, these brownies are easy to make in minutes. No bean flavor, just pure, decadent, chocolate goodness.
Enjoy these vegan black bean brownies with very little guilt. Made without any flour, so even the strictest eater can indulge in these delicious, soft, and slightly chewy gluten-free brownies.
If you’re a brownie lover but also don’t want to go off the rails on your plant-based diet, these are the best brownies for you.
I’ve tried making these vegan black bean brownies several ways, and I think I’ve finally come up with the perfect recipe. Not too rich, or with that fudge-like, undone, texture that many bean brownie recipes have.
This black bean brownie recipe is sweet and chocolatey, without being too sickeningly sweet. You can even eat these for breakfast if you wish – trust me, I have!
And because they are made with beans, you are getting a nice serving of protein and fiber, along with a sweet treat.
Let me show you how I make Vegan Black Bean Brownies with only seven ingredients AND gluten-free. Let’s go!
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Kitchen Tools Used
- Food processor. You can also use a high-speed blender if you don’t have a food processor. The main thing is that it is powerful. I use my strong Braun food processor or my Vitamix for this bean brownie recipe.
- Brownie pan. I used a mini-muffin pan to make small brownie bites but you can also use a high-quality non-stick brownie pan.
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wire rack. For cooling.
- Storage container. It’s always worthwhile to invest in quality storage containers. I like the ceramic-coated glass Caraway storage containers.
7 Ingredients for Vegan Black Bean Brownies
Black beans. Beans are the main ingredient in this delicious black bean brownie recipe. You can use fresh or canned, just make sure to rinse the beans well before using.
Vegan butter. I find a vegan stick butter works better in this recipe than oils such as coconut oil, canola oil, and others.
Cane sugar. You can also use other granule sugars such as coconut sugar or brown sugar, however, stay away from liquid sugars such as maple syrup or date syrup.
The ratio of dry to wet ingredients in this recipe makes for the most delicious brownies, so you don’t want to alter that balance.
Ground flax. Flaxseed meal is a great thickener and a wonderful replacement for dairy eggs. If you don’t have ground flax on hand, you can do the same thing with chia seeds and make chia eggs instead of flax eggs. The ratios are the same.
Vanilla extract. Make sure to find the best quality vanilla you can find and afford. Preferably one that is pure vanilla and not vanilla flavoring.
Cacao powder. The mainstay of this recipe. Using a high-quality cacao powder, or cocoa powder, gives these fudgy vegan brownies that great, amazing, rich, chocolate flavor – don’t skimp on quality!
Sea salt. Just a pinch is all you need.
Vegan chocolate chips (optional), Some people, who like a super rich and chocolaty brownie, may want to add vegan chocolate chips to their brownie batter before baking. I’m a bit of a purist so the original recipe is perfectly fine with me.
optional ingredients for toppings if you desire
Additional vegan chocolate chips.
Chopped walnuts or pecan.
Shredded coconut.
Goji berries.
Chopped peppermint sticks or candy canes. For the Christmas holiday season, it is fun to make these fudgy black bean brownies and then add crushed candy canes on top. A delicious, and beautiful-looking, peppermint brownie treat.
How To Make Black Bean Brownies
NOTE. For the exact measurements, full recipe, and nutrition information, please see the printable recipe card below.
Mix the black beans, butter, flax, and vanilla in a powerful food processor or blender until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients, sugar, and cacao, and blend again until everything is smooth and without clumps.
Pour the batter into a prepared baking pan and sprinkle on toppings if desired.
Bake in the oven until a toothpick comes out clean, approximately 30-40 minutes.
Once done, take the brownies out of the oven to cool directly in the pan for about 10 minutes, and then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
ENJOY!
Recipe Tips
- If you are using canned beans, make sure to drain and rinse the beans well before using.
- Cane sugar is a highly pesticide-sprayed crop, so it is best to buy organic to avoid consuming unhealthy chemicals.
- If you’d like to give your brownies a bit of a bite, consider adding one teaspoon of instant coffee powder to the brownie batter. They won’t taste like coffee but rather enhance the chocolate flavor even more in these already delicious, chewy brownies.
- Due to there being zero flour in these brownies, they do take a while to cook thoroughly on the inside. Don’t be too quick to pull them out of the oven after 30 minutes if a toothpick does not come out clean. Add more time and keep trying. I promise the brownies will cook through, and the toothpick test is key.
How to Store
These vegan black bean brownies store best in an airtight container. For best results, use a glass dish with a tight-fitting lid.
They will stay fresh on the kitchen counter for about 5-6 days, and in the fridge for approximately 7-8 days.
For longer storage, store these vegan brownies in the freezer using a freezer-safe container. They will last in the freezer for up to 6 months this way.
More Fun Vegan Recipes
- Vegan Gingersnap Cookies (Soft, Chewy, Easy Recipe)
- Lemon Zucchini Cake With Sweet Lemon Glaze (Vegan Recipe)
- Peanut Butter Energy Bites – On The Go Care Partner Snack
- Vegan Scones: Traditional British Style
Additional Healthy Recipes and Caregiver Support
Let’s Connect
I hope you try making this delicious Vegan Black Bean Brownies recipe for yourself because they are super easy, decadent, delicious, and self-indulgent-worthy!
Share with family and friends too if you wish.
Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you.
And if you do make this recipe, please consider coming back here and giving it a 5-star rating. That would be so helpful. Thank you!
Printable Recipe Card
7 Ingredient Vegan Black Bean Brownies (Gluten-Free)
Equipment
- brownie pan – or mini-muffin pan
- measuring cups and spoons
- wire rack – for cooling
- storage container
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups black beans (cooked) – or 1-15oz BPA-free can of black beans
- 3 tbsp ground flax seeds
- 1/4 cup vegan butter
- 1/2 cup cane sugar – organic preferred
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cacao powder – or cocoa powder
- 1.4 tso sea salt
- 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips (optional)
Optional Toppings
- extra chocolate chips
- crushed walnuts or pecans
- unsweetened shredded coconut
- goji berries
- crushed peppermint sticks or candy canes
Instructions
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 350°F, and place oven rack on second to lowest shelf.
- Grease brownie pan or line pan with unbleached parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, measure the ground flax and add 6 tablespoons of filtered water. Stir to combine and let sit to thicken.
Instructions:
- Place the black beans, vegan butter, flax egg, and vanilla extract, in a powerful food processor. Mix until completely smooth.
- Add the cane sugar and cacao, and blend everything until smooth.
- If using, gently fold in the vegan chocolate chips.
- Pour brownie batter into the prepared baking dish.
- If using, add your toppings of choice.
- Place the brownie pan in a preheated oven for approximately 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out perfectly clean.
- When ready, take the brownies out of the oven and let cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes.
- Transfer brownies to a cooling rack, and cool to room temperature before storing.
Notes
- If using canned black beans, make sure to drain and rinse completely before using.
- Cane sugar is a highly pesticide-sprayed crop. It is best to buy organic to avoid unhealthy chemicals.
- Feel free to use cocoa powder if you do not have cacao powder.
- Look for pure vanilla extract. It’s a bit more expensive but so much more potent and delicious.
- Feel free to use kosher salt instead of sea salt.
- For best results, store these vegan black bean brownies in an airtight container. I like to use glass dishes that have a tight-fitting lid.
- They stay fresh on your kitchen counter for approximately 5-6 days.
- You can also store these vegan brownies in the fridge for up to 7-8 days.
- For longer storage, place these bean brownies in a freezer-safe container in the freezer.
- These vegan black bean brownies can be stored for up to 6 months in the freezer.
