Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites Recipe
Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites are the answer to every chocolate lover’s craving when you want your sweet treat with a bit less guilt. This recipe transforms humble black beans into incredibly moist, perfectly bite-sized brownies bursting with deep cocoa flavor and just the right amount of sweetness. Whether you’re feeding kids, surprising a skeptical friend, or just looking for a healthier dessert to savor all week long, these brownie bites are sure to become your new go-to—trust me, you’d never guess there are beans involved!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites is that you need only a handful of everyday ingredients, but each one plays a role in creating dense, satisfying richness and intense chocolatey goodness. When you blend these staples together, you get a dessert that tastes classic, but with a wholesome twist!
- Black beans (1 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed): The secret ingredient for moisture and fudgy texture—plus a boost of plant protein and fiber.
- Eggs (2 large): Essential for binding the brownies and giving them that classic soft chew; swap with flax eggs for a vegan version.
- Melted coconut oil or butter (1/3 cup): Adds richness—coconut oil keeps them dairy-free, while butter brings old-school flavor.
- Granulated sugar or coconut sugar (2/3 cup): Sweetens each bite and balances out the cocoa’s deep bitterness; coconut sugar makes it refined sugar-free.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (1/2 cup): The star of the show—choose a good-quality cocoa for the most decadent chocolate experience.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): A splash of vanilla rounds out the flavors and gives that bakery-fresh aroma.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Gives your bites just the right amount of lift so they’re fudgy without being dense.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Brings out the chocolate notes and keeps the sweetness in check.
- Mini chocolate chips (1/3 cup + extra for topping): Scattered throughout and on top for perfectly melty chocolate pockets!
How to Make Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat
Start by getting your oven ready—preheat it to 350°F so it’s perfectly hot when it’s time to bake. Lightly grease a mini muffin tin, or line it with mini paper liners if you prefer easy cleanup and cute presentation. This nonstick base is key for releasing your Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites intact, with those beautiful domed tops just waiting for a sprinkle of extra chocolate chips!
Step 2: Blend the Batter
Pop your drained and rinsed black beans into a food processor or high-powered blender, followed by the eggs, melted coconut oil, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt. Blend everything together until the batter is completely smooth—don’t be afraid to stop and scrape down the sides a couple times! You want an ultra-silky batter so no one ever suspects you snuck in some legumes.
Step 3: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Once your batter is silky and evenly blended, gently stir in the mini chocolate chips, saving a few for the topping if you like. This addition ensures you get melty chocolate in every bite, making these Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites extra luscious. Folding by hand keeps the chips from getting pulverized by the blades and maintains their oozy texture when baked.
Step 4: Fill the Muffin Tin
Evenly spoon the batter into your prepared mini muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. If you reserved extra mini chocolate chips, sprinkle a few on top of each brownie bite. This little finishing touch turns each one into a mini indulgent treat that looks as good as it tastes.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake the brownie bites for 12 to 15 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the tops look set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs clinging—just the way you want it for ultimate fudginess. Let the brownies cool in the pan for about 10 minutes (they’ll be delicate straight from the oven), then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before diving in.
How to Serve Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites
Garnishes
Make your Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites bakery-worthy by finishing them with a light dusting of powdered sugar, an extra drizzle of melted chocolate, or a few flaky sea salt crystals right before serving. Not only do these touches look stunning, but they also bring out the cocoa flavor and offer that irresistible contrast of sweet and salty.
Side Dishes
These bites are sensational on their own, but for a crowd or special occasion, try pairing them with a bowl of fresh berries or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. A scoop of vanilla ice cream turns them into an instant brownie sundae—just the thing for a summer barbecue or a whimsical weeknight dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, stack the cooled brownie bites on a tiered cake stand, or skewer them with fruit for dessert kabobs. You can also freeze them and use as “brownie croutons” to sprinkle over a bowl of froyo or yogurt. Their petite size makes them perfect for gift bags or lunchbox surprises—just wrap individually or pack up in a cute box!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, tuck your Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites into an airtight container and pop them in the fridge, where they’ll stay moist and fudgy for up to five days. The texture actually becomes denser and more brownie-like after a day, making them even more satisfying as they sit.
Freezing
These brownie bites freeze beautifully! Arrange them in a single layer on a tray until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag or freezer container. When that chocolate craving strikes, just grab one or two straight from the freezer—they’ll thaw in about 20 minutes at room temperature, or you can enjoy them chilled for an extra fudgy treat.
Reheating
If you love your brownies a bit warm and gooey, pop a few Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. Be careful not to overheat; just enough to get the chocolate chips gently melted and the bites soft again. This is especially dreamy when paired with a cold glass of milk or coffee.
FAQs
Do these really taste like brownies, or can you tell there are beans in them?
Surprisingly, most people can’t detect the beans at all—the unsweetened cocoa and chocolate chips mask the flavor, leaving you with classic brownie taste and a super-fudgy texture that’s honestly hard to beat.
Can I make these vegan?
Absolutely! Just substitute the two eggs with flax eggs (2 tablespoons flaxseed meal whisked with 5 tablespoons water), let the mixture sit for a few minutes, and proceed with the recipe as written. Use coconut oil and vegan chocolate chips to keep them fully plant-based.
Which variety of black beans should I use?
Canned black beans are the most convenient—just drain and rinse them well to remove the brine. If you want to cook your own from dry beans, just make sure they’re cooked until very soft for the smoothest batter.
Can I make these as regular-sized brownies instead of mini bites?
You sure can! Spread the batter into a greased 8×8-inch pan and bake at 350°F for about 20–25 minutes. The texture will still be fudgy, but keep an eye out—don’t overbake, or you’ll risk losing that signature gooiness.
How do I keep my Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites from sticking to the tin?
Use a nonstick mini muffin tin, give it a light coat of oil or nonstick spray, or line each cup with mini paper liners for 100% mess-free removal. Letting the brownies cool for 10 minutes in the pan also helps them come out cleanly.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give these Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites a try! They’re unbelievably rich, perfectly portioned, and a fantastic way to get a little nutrition from your dessert. Whether for a weeknight treat, a special gathering, or just to wow some friends with your healthy baking magic, these are sure to bring smiles.
Print
Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 mini brownie bites 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these rich and fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites that are not only delicious but also gluten-free. Made with wholesome ingredients like black beans and cocoa powder, these mini brownies are a healthier alternative to traditional brownies.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil or butter
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar or coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (plus extra for topping if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a mini muffin tin or line with paper liners.
- Prepare the batter: In a food processor or blender, combine black beans, eggs, melted coconut oil, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, baking powder, and salt. Blend until smooth. Fold in mini chocolate chips.
- Bake: Spoon batter into mini muffin cups, top with extra chocolate chips if desired, and bake for 12–15 minutes until set. Cool before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- These brownie bites are naturally gluten-free.
- For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flax eggs (2 tablespoons flaxseed meal + 5 tablespoons water).
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie bite
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
