Vegan Black Bean Brownies (Flourless)

NO BEAN TASTE-just rich, fudgy goodness in every bite! If you love rich, fudgy brownies but want something that actually leaves you feeling good, these Vegan Black Bean Brownies deliver. They are deeply chocolatey, naturally sweetened, gluten-free, and have zero bean flavor-just a dense, brownie-like crumb that firms up beautifully as it cools.

Healthy black bean brownies in a glass baking dish.

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Nutritionist's Note

These brownies are vegan, gluten-free, and fiber-rich, with ingredients chosen to support steadier blood sugar and lasting satiety without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Why You'll Love These Brownies

Ultra-fudgy texture with no flour
Naturally sweetened (no refined sugar)
Vegan and gluten-free
Fiber-rich and more blood-sugar-friendly than traditional brownies
Easy to make with just a blender and a bowl
This is the kind of recipe you can serve to skeptics and only reveal the secret ingredient afterward.

Jump to:

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients & Health Benefits
🌾 Substitutions
📖 How to Make Vegan Black Bean Brownies
Black Bean Brownies Recipe
⚖️ Convert the Recipe to Metric (g & mL)
✔️ Storage & Reheating Tips
🍪 More Healthy Vegan Treats
🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
🛍️ Shop Recipe Cookware and Ingredients
👩🏽‍🍳 Made this recipe?
🥮 Related Recipes
💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients & Health Benefits

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, my goal is to highlight the health benefits of each ingredient. Below, I've included notes on the ingredients from a nutrition expert's perspective.

Baking powder, almond flour, vanilla extract, dates, cocoa powder, and black beans.

Black beans replace flour entirely, creating a moist, fudgy base while adding fiber and plant-based protein. Their soluble fiber helps slow digestion, supporting a more balanced blood sugar and longer-lasting fullness. When blended well, they add structure without any noticeable bean taste.
Almond flour is naturally gluten-free and packed with healthy fats, fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E. It's lower in carbs than traditional flour. Its rich, nutty flavor also adds moisture and depth to baked goods without the need for added oils.
Walnuts (optional) are rich in ALA, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid that supports heart health. Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and essential minerals.
Dates: Provide natural sweetness along with fiber and potassium. Unlike refined sugar, dates come packaged with nutrients that help moderate glucose response. They also enhance moisture and create a caramel-like depth of flavor.
Cocoa powder is packed with flavanols that may help support heart health. I use these tested brands. It adds rich chocolate flavor without added sugar.

See the printable recipe card below for quantities.

🌾 Substitutions

Dates - Use prunes instead for bone-healthy brownies.
Walnuts - Substitute with pumpkin seeds or omit them.
Almond flour - Use almond meal or oat flour instead as needed (reduce water to ¾ cup for almond meal, and 1 cup if using oat flour).
Water - Unsweetened non-dairy milk instead of water for a slightly richer texture.
Nut-Free - Use oat flour and omit the walnuts. Use pumpkin seeds instead for a crunch.
Chocolate chips - Add dark chocolate chips for a more decadent treat.

📖 How to Make Vegan Black Bean Brownies

This is an overview. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

Almond flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder in a glass bowl.

Whisk the dry ingredients thoroughly before adding the blended beans. This evenly distributes the cocoa and baking powder, so the brownies bake uniformly and avoid bitter pockets or uneven rise.

Dates, black beans, and vanilla extract in a blender.

Blend the dates with the wet ingredients until silky smooth. This ensures even sweetness and the best fudgy texture. If using oat flour or almond meal instead of almond flour, you may need slightly less liquid. (See recipe notes.)

Taste the blended mixture before mixing it with the dry ingredients. If you prefer sweeter brownies, blend in 1-2 tablespoons of maple or date syrup before baking.

When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until incorporated. Overmixing can affect the final texture in flourless batters.

Black bean brownie mix with chopped walnuts in a glass bowl.

Fold in the walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or chocolate chips, if using.

Vegan protein brownie mixture in a glass baking dish.

Bake until the top is set and springs back lightly when pressed, even if the center feels soft. These brownies firm up significantly as they cool.

Vegan protein brownies, gluten-free, and healthy with chia jam.

Make the Raspberry Chia Protein Topping, if using. I use this one-ingredient protein powder.

Black bean brownies in a glass baking dish next to a container of walnut cream frosting.

Or make my healthy walnut cream. Use this to frost the brownies once cool, or top with a dollop for serving.

Black bean brownies with walnut cream frosting served on a white plate.

⚖️ Convert the Recipe to Metric (g & mL)

Use these AI tools to do this:

✔️ Storage & Reheating Tips

These simple steps preserve flavor and texture.

Storage: Once cool, refrigerate leftover black bean brownies in an airtight container for up to 4 days; they actually improve in texture after chilling. Or freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Warm brownies in a 300°F oven for 5-8 minutes, or microwave for 10-15 seconds until just heated through. Or eat straight from the fridge for a dense, fudgy texture.

🍪 More Healthy Vegan Treats

These No-Bake Oat Bars with peanut butter and banana are my easiest healthy vegan treats.

My soft-baked Oatmeal Protein Cookies are nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and refined sugar-free.

This Healthy Sweet Potato Protein Mousse is a delicious high-protein breakfast, post-workout snack, or healthy dessert.

Try my 7-ingredient Baked Berry Oatmeal (32 grams of protein) for the perfect make-ahead breakfast.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Why do people use black beans in brownies?

Black beans replace flour and some of the fat in brownies, adding moisture and structure while boosting fiber and plant protein. When blended well, they create a fudgy texture without affecting flavor.

Do black bean brownies taste like beans?

No, when prepared correctly, black bean brownies have a rich, fudgy chocolate flavor without a noticeable bean taste. The beans contribute to the moist texture and add nutritional benefits without compromising the classic brownie taste.

Can I use canned black beans to make black bean brownies?

Absolutely. Canned black beans are convenient and work well in brownie recipes. Rinse them thoroughly to remove excess sodium or canning liquid, and drain well to avoid excess moisture in the batter.

Can I use a different type of bean?

Yes. Chickpeas or white beans can work, but black beans have the most neutral flavor and darkest color, which gives the best brownie-like appearance and taste.