Brownies have never been that healthy, simple and delicious. Packed with protein and fiber they are super fudgy and chocolate-y. You do not taste the beans but they are still hidden in and sneak in nutrients. My new favourite brownie recipe! Healthy, vegan option and so fudge.
I am actually not a huge chocolate cake fn but brownies are something different. I do not know what it is, maybe because they are fudgier?! I don’t know, but they are good. But since brownies are not always the healthiest choice, I decided to switch some things out and sneak some healthy stuff in, to make them nourishing but still super delicious.
So the secret ingredients in this recipe are the black beans. Originally I wanted to try out sweet potato brownies, and I did, but they were a massive fail. When they were warm and straight out of the oven they were good but as soon as they cooled down, they did not taste like anything anymore and were just not good. But I was so excited to share a healthy brownie recipe so I continued trying out different versions ad that is how I came up with this black bean brownie recipe.
The great thing is that they are really easy to make. You do not need anything else than a fork but if you have a food processor it makes it easier. You need some black beans to mash, some eggs, or some flax or chia eggs for a vegan substitution (to make one „vegan egg“ combine 1 tbsp of either chia or flax seeds with 3 tbsp water and let sit for 5 minutes), milk or plant based milk, whole wheat flour, baking powder, cocoa powder and dark chocolate.
As for the sweetener you have two options. You can use dates to sweeten things up, which is my preferred choice, or coconut, brown or normal sugar. I prefer dates because in comparison with the alternatives, they have way more other nutrients. Dates are high in fiber, protein, and other vitamins and minerals whereas conventional sugar do not have any of those. But I know that not everyone is a fan of dates so I have got two recipes for you. They are pretty much the same, just differ a little because of the different textures of the sweeteners. Honestly, I would recommend to make the date version, because you cannot taste the dates and it is slightly healthier.
You might think, chocolate, that isn’t healthy? Actually it can be! Do not get me wrong and now think that every chocolate is super healthy, gosh no! What you need to be aware of are 2 main things; first, the darker, aka the higher the percentage of cocoa in it, the healthier it is. This is because cocoa is loaded with antioxidants and protein and actually is healthy in its pure form. The flavour of dark chocolate might not be everyone’s favourite but in this recipe it really works because you have other sweeteners. The second thing you should be aware of is the sugar added. If sugar is the first or second ingredient on the ingredients list, maybe this is not the best chocolate, because that means that there is a lot of added sugar. And also it depends on which sugar is added. Nowadays, you can find hundreds of chocolates at supermarkets or organic shops and there are some great healthy choices. I always put it that way: if you can pronounce every ingredient on the ingredients list and there is not a ton of sugar added, it is pretty save to say that it is healthy.
So that was a lot of information on chocolate now but who couldn’t talk about chocolate for hours? Anyway, I love making this recipe because it is really simple and my entire family likes it. Even my brother (!!) who is not the best friend of experimental, healthy or vegan things. BUT he liked it, because you could not taste any of those aspects.
The brownies taste best with a scoop of ice cream or coconut yoghurt and last for about a week in an air tight container or covered with foil outside the fridge. I do not recommend to store them in the fridge because they will loose some of their flavour.
I hope that you like them as well and will enjoy making them!
Happy cooking,
Kathi // Une Petite Cuisinière
Black Bean Brownies (w/ dates)
A super fudgy, decadent and healthy version of regular brownies. Paces with protein and fiber (and of course chocolate) they make the ideal snack or dessert!
What you will need
- 4 eggs can be substituted for chia or flax egg (to substitute 1 egg, mix 1 tbsp of chia or groung flax seeds with 3 tbsp of water and let sit for 5 minutes), this makes a vegan version
- 180 g kidney beans
- 200 g dates soaked in hot water for 10 minutes to soften them up
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 50 ml oat milk or any other milk or plant based milk
- 60 g dark chocolate the darker, the better
- 50 g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 50 g wholewheat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- some chocoalte chips
How to
-
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Place the beans in a food processor and plse until it forms a smooth paste. You can also mash them down with a fork. Add the eggs and mix or blend until everything is combined.
Blend the dates until smooth. Add them along with the oat milk, maple syrup and molten chocolate to the bean mixture.
In another bowl combine the flour, cacao powder and baking powder and mix until combined. Gently fold the flour mixture under the other ingredients.
Pour in a baking tray, which is filled with parchment paper. Sprinkle it with chocolate chips and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Peak into the brownies with a toothpic or a fork. When it comes out without any dough sticking on it, the brownies are done.
Take them out and let them cool out. Enjoy with some icecream.
Black Bean Brownies (with normal sugar)
A delicious, fudgy, chocolate-y and healthy twist on the regular bronies. Packed with Protein and fiber ( and of course chocolate) but healthier.
What you will need
- 3 eggs ca be substituted for chia or flax egg (to substitute 1 egg, combine 1 tbsp of chia or ground flax seeds with 3 tbsp of water and let sit for 5 minutes), for a vegan option
- 180 g black beans (from the can)
- 160 g coconut sugar can be substituted for brown or normal sugar
- 60 g dark chocolate the darker the better
- 70 g flour
- 50 g cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- some chocolate chips
How to
-
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Place the beans in a food processor and plse until it forms a smooth paste. You can also mash them down with a fork. Add the eggs and mix or blend until everything is combined. Add the sugar and molten chocolate to the bean mixture.
In another bowl combine the flour, cacao powder and baking powder and mix until combined. Gently fold the flour mixture under the other ingredients.
Pour in a baking tray, which is filled with parchment paper. Sprinkle it with chocolate chips and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Peak into the brownies with a toothpic or a fork. When it comes out without any dough sticking on it, the brownies are done.
Take them out and let them cool out. Enjoy with some icecream.
Dear Kathi, this was an absolute pleasure to bake and a delight to eat. Easy, simple, healthy and incredibly delicious! I made the vegan option and used xylitol sugar cause it’s better for my teeth. I also added an espresso for more flavour and I am obsessed with the outcome! This is now an all-time-fav of mine!