Protein Black Bean Brownies

I know, I know, black beans. But I promise you can’t even tell they’re there, and they help give these brownies the best fudgy texture! These are the best healthy brownies RICH with chocolate flavor and packed with fiber and protein!

I have been working on perfecting this black bean brownie recipe for quite some time now. I have made multiple batches, changing the types and amounts of ingredients here and there. The brownies were always yummy, but I was chasing AMAZINGNESS. I mean, I was seeking “the last healthy brownie recipe you will ever need.”

I wouldn’t say I’m a perfectionist (most days at least 😆 ), but I did want to make sure this recipe was stand-up level before posting. Multiple attempts later and stand-up level is HERE y’all.

Why You’ll Love These Brownie

  • They are thick, dense and FUDGY, just like every brownie should be!
  • No hassle and easy to make – just all the ingredients into a food processor
  • Each brownie is only 100 calories
  • Packed with protein and fiber
  • They don’t taste healthy…at all. And you are sure to fool everyone 😉

What You Need

  • Black beans – and before you ask, no you do not taste them at all!
  • Canned pumpkin
  • Maple syrup
  • Egg
  • Protein Powder
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Oat flour – I love the texture the oat flour brings, but you can substitute with all-purpose, almond, or gluten-free flour too.
  • Hot cocoa mix – a different ingredient than usual but it brings loads of chocolate-ness to these brownies! If you need to sub, the best substitute would be chocolate jello pudding mix.
  • Baking powder

How To Make

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
  2. In a food processor or high-powered blender, add the black beans, pumpkin, syrup and egg and blend until smooth. Add in the protein powder, cocoa powder, hot cocoa mix, flour and baking powder and blend again until ingredients are mixed thoroughly. Fold in half of the chocolate chips.
  3. Pour the batter into the baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Be sure to watch carefully so it doesn’t over-bake – toothpick inserted in center should come out with a few wet crumbs. The brownies will seem a tad underdone but they will continue to bake in the hot dish after they’ve been removed and this ensures the most fudgiest brownie texture!
  4. Take out and let sit for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy warm or let sit in fridge overnight for even fudgier brownies! (10/10 would recommend eating chilled!)

As always, if you try, tag me on Instagram (@LaurenFitFoodie), because I love seeing your yummy recreations!

Yield: 12

Protein Black Bean Brownie

Protein Black Bean Brownie

I know, I know, black beans. But I promise you can't even tell they're there, and they help give these brownies the best fudgy texture! These are the best healthy brownies RICH with chocolate flavor and packed with fiber and protein!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 (15-oz.) can black beans, rinsed & drained
  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (122g) - or banana
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup (120g)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup vanilla or chocolate protein powder (62g)
  • 3 Tbsp cocoa powder (15g)
  • 2 reduced-calorie hot cocoa packets (22g) - can sub for chocolate jello pudding mix
  • 1/2 cup oat flour (60g)
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips (60g)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
  2. In a food processor or high-powered blender, add the black beans, pumpkin, syrup and egg and blend until smooth. Add in the protein powder, cocoa powder, hot cocoa mix, flour and baking powder and blend again until ingredients are mixed thoroughly. Fold in half of the chocolate chips.
  3. Pour the batter into the baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Be sure to watch carefully so it doesn't over-bake - toothpick inserted in center should come out with a few wet crumbs. The brownies will seem a tad underdone but they will continue to bake in the hot dish after they've been removed and this ensures the most fudgiest brownie texture!
  4. Take out and let sit for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy warm or let sit in fridge overnight for even fudgier brownies! (10/10 would recommend eating chilled!)

Notes

MFP entry: LFF Black Bean Brownies

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1 brownie (58g)

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 159Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1.5gCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 4.5gSugar: 11.9gProtein: 9g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram and tag me @LaurenFitFoodie! 

54 Comments

  1. Lauren choices for healthy desserts are amazingly delicious 😍😍 and is gonna be way better than eating a naughty dessert 😈 that could stop your progress.

  2. This is literally the exact recipe I needed. I’ve always been interested in black bean brownies but was always too scared to try. Trying these ASAP 🙂

  3. I am soooo excited to make these this weekend! Been craving chocolate and this is perfect!!!! Fabulous Macros and Great taste? I’m in!!! 🙌🏽🥰😍

  4. Girl these look phenomenal! I’ve made chickpea brownies one other time but your recipe looks so amazing. I’m going to hopefully try to make them this weekend !!

    • I love chickpea brownies too!! So awesome how you can sneak beans into a dessert right!? I can’t wait for you to try! (:

  5. I have always wanted to make black bean brownies! These look delicious and will be making them this week!! Love that they’re only 100 cal 😍

  6. Putting these on my list! Think I’ll make some for my frens! They will knock their socks off…and they really like their socks! 😍

  7. Would love to try these!!! Brownies are my weakness and these seem like the perfect healthy alternative! I’ve been skeptical of black bean brownies before but will definitely be making these soon!!

  8. Oh man, trying these ASAP! I will have to wait until my kids are in bed though because I don’t want to share. They are all mine!

    • Honestly I’m not so sure about black beans in my baked goods because I wouldnt want to taste the black beans but these look absolutely delicious and fudgy! I trust you and your recipes so I’m gonna try them out this weekend 🙂

  9. These brownies are incredible and you can’t even taste the black beans in them! When non vegetable eating college students go for seconds you know it’s good! Thanks Lauren for the amazing recipe!

  10. Honestly I’m not so sure about black beans in my baked goods because I wouldnt want to taste the black beans but these look absolutely delicious and fudgy! I trust you and your recipes so I’m gonna try them out this weekend 🙂

  11. Has anyone made them with vanilla protein powder Instead of chocolate? I want to try these tonight, but not sure if it will taste as chocolatey as it needs to! It will probably still be good, I love my sweets!

  12. Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
    I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss and would
    love to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would enjoy your work.
    If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.

  13. Yum I made these today and they are seriously so good!!! Way better than I was expecting, taste just like a regular brownie I am gonna have to try not to eat the whole pan

  14. I just made these last night and I put low fat sugar free vanilla frozen yogurt. It just made it perfect!

  15. These are AMAZING! So delicious! The consistency is amazing and the times I have made these they didn’t last longer than like 2 days. Highly recommend

  16. I made these today and they are the bomb! I could literally eat the entire batch. I used the peanut butter cup PEScience instead and holy moly😍 You’re the best Lauren!!

  17. I have all the ingredients except oat flour–but I do have whole wheat flour–do you think that would work?
    I’m excited to try these!

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