Black Bean Brownies

You would never guess what the secret ingredient is in these Black Bean Brownies if you didn’t already know from the recipe’s name. Black beans, rich with fiber and antioxidants, not only give these brownies a nutritional boost, but they also contribute to the rich, fudgy texture. Plus they stand in for flour, making the brownies gluten-free. Instant coffee enhances the cocoa flavor that is deepened further by the chocolate chips. Keep reading for our expert tips, including what “add-ins” work well in these brownies. 

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Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• This recipe uses instant coffee, which is often used to heighten the cocoa flavors in chocolate cake and dessert recipes.
• You can include chopped nuts in the batter or as a topping for added flavor and crunch. Try toasted walnuts, cashews, pecans, almonds, peanuts or pistachios.
• If you bake the brownies in muffin tins, you’ll enjoy crispy edges in every bite—one of the best parts of any brownie!

Nutrition Notes

• Black beans add a healthy dose of plant-based protein and fiber to these brownies. Black beans are also loaded with antioxidants and have been linked to a healthy heart and brain.
• Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, adds more antioxidants to these brownies. Like the beans, dark chocolate supports heart and brain health—which means a treat that’s usually pretty void of nutrients beyond carbs gets a healthy makeover thanks to these two ingredients.