Fudgy Black Bean Brownies (Healthy Plant-Based High Fiber Brownie Recipe)

Hey friends!
If you told me a year ago that black beans would help me make my favorite brownie ever, I’d probably laugh. But guess what? These Bean Brownies are so fudgy, chocolaty, and sweet, I don’t even miss the regular ones! And they’re totally plant-based, full of fiber, and super good for your gut.

One of my biggest goals in 2023 was to eat more plants. That means adding variety, flavor, and fun to meals without giving up on comfort food. So I took my love of brownies and gave them a plant-powered twist and WOW, it worked better than I ever imagined!

Let’s get into the chocolaty magic!

Method

Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (or 350°F). This step is important so that your oven reaches the right temperature by the time your batter is ready. A properly preheated oven helps the brownies bake evenly and gives you that perfect soft, fudgy texture we’re going for.

Blend the Batter

Next, it’s time to make the magic happen! In a food processor or high-speed blender, add all your ingredients except for the dark chocolate chips and the cashew butter. This includes the black beans, eggs, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, rolled oats, baking powder, prunes, Medjool dates, banana, oat milk, and a pinch of salt. Blend everything together for a few minutes until the mixture is completely smooth. There shouldn’t be any lumps or visible pieces of beans or oats. The smoother the batter, the better the final texture of your brownies!

Pour and Prep the Swirl

Once your batter is smooth, pour it into a lined square baking tray (an 8×8 inch tray works perfectly here). Use a spatula or spoon to spread the mixture evenly across the tray. Now, take 1 tablespoon of cashew butter and swirl it into the batter. To do this, drop spoonfuls of the cashew butter over the surface of the batter and use a toothpick or the tip of a knife to gently swirl it around. This will give your brownies a pretty marbled effect and add little pockets of nutty creaminess throughout.

Add Chocolate Chips and Extra Swirls

Now, sprinkle the dark chocolate chips evenly over the top of the batter. You can mix some into the batter and leave a few on top for a bit of extra chocolaty goodness. If you like, you can also add a bit more cashew butter on top and swirl again with a toothpick for more fun patterns and flavor.

Bake the Brownies

Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes. It might feel like a short bake time, but trust me these brownies are meant to be soft and fudgy, not dry. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with just a bit of moist crumb when they’re done.

Cool and Rest (The Most Important Part!)

After baking, remove the tray from the oven and allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. This part is really important because the brownies continue to set as they cool. Once they’ve cooled, cover them and let them rest overnight at room temperature. Yes, it’s hard to wait but this resting time makes a HUGE difference! The flavors blend together more, the texture becomes dense and fudgy, and overall, the brownies taste way better after sitting. Trust the process you won’t regret it!

Necessary Tools

• Food processor or blender
• Measuring spoons and cups
• 1 mixing spoon or spatula
• Lined square baking tray (around 8×8 inches)
• Toothpick (for swirling!)
• Oven

Serving Suggestions

• Dessert with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream
• Afternoon snack with tea or coffee
• Quick breakfast on busy mornings (yes, brownies for breakfast!)
• Lunchbox treat for kids or grown-ups

Fun Fact

Did you know black beans are loaded with fiber and protein? That means they help your digestion AND keep you full. Who knew brownies could be brainy too?

Conclusion

These Bean Brownies are a total game-changer. They’re proof that healthy treats can still taste crazy good. Whether you’re a chocolate lover, a plant-based foodie, or just curious to try something new, give these a go. You’ll be shocked at how something made with beans, oats, and fruit can taste like pure brownie heaven.

Thanks to Dr. Megan for the gut-friendly inspo and stay tuned for more plant-based recipes coming soon!

Now go bake and enjoy every bite!