These Easy Vegan Black Bean Brownies with Walnuts are the most delicious “healthy” brownies you will ever taste. They might even be some of the most delicious brownies, period! A bold statement. I know.
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Sharon Palmer, a fellow registered dietitian and food blogger, inspired me to make these yummy vegan black bean brownies.
Sharon generously gave me a copy of her book, Plant-Powered for Life, to review and let me pick a recipe to share. Her book has so many yummy plant-based recipes, including these scrumptious brownies I know you’ll love!
Vegan Black Bean Brownie Ingredients
To make these scrumptious vegan black bean brownies, you’ll need a few simple ingredients and pantry staples, including:
- Canned black beans. Choose low or no-sodium beans.
- Sweetner. Sharon’s recipe calls for honey or agave nectar. I used maple syrup instead.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder. Choose CocoaVia for extra cocoa flavanols, which may support heart health.
- Chia seeds.
- Pantry staples: vanilla, vegetable oil, and baking powder.
- Dairy-free dark chocolate chips.
- Walnuts. Feel free to swap with other nuts of your choice.
Vegan Black Bean Brownies Instructions
These brownies are ridiculously easy to make. After you’ve gathered your ingredients, all you need to do is:
- Put all the ingredients (except chocolate chips and walnuts) in a blender. Blend on high-spreed until the ingredients are well combined.
- Spread the brownie batter in a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and walnuts on top and gently stir them into the batter.
- Bake, cool, slice, enjoy!
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list in the recipe card below!
Easy Vegan Black Bean Brownies with Walnuts
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- One 15-ounce can black beans, no salt added, rinsed and drained (or 1 3/4 cup cooked)
- 1/2 cup honey or agave nectar, or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons canola oil, or avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup dairy-free, dark-chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, I used pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Spray an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the black beans, sweetener, cocoa powder, chia seeds, vanilla, canola oil, and baking powder in a blender. Process until smooth. Scrape down the sides halfway through blending if needed.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips and walnuts evenly across the top of the brownies.
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the edges pull away from the side of the pan and the brownies are firm.
- Cool for a few minutes, and slice into 16 squares.
Notes
- Reprinted with permission from Plant-Powered for Life by Sharon Palmer.
- To keep the nuts from getting too brown or burning, either stir them in to the batter, or place a piece of aluminum foil on top of the brownies half way through baking.
Nutrition
Tips for Eating More Plants
Looking to embrace more plant-based foods in your diet? Plant Powered for Life has excellent tips and a delicious assortment of plant-based recipes for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike! Here are three tips from registered dietitian Sharon Palmer:
- Take meat off the center of your plate. Some of the healthiest diets worldwide are centered around plants, and meat is used as a “seasoning” rather than the main event. When you plan your menu for the week, try adding one or more plant-based meals or centering your meals around plants, using meat as a condiment.
- Make variety your motto. If you eat the same foods repeatedly, you may miss out on key nutrients, as one veggie may be rich in calcium while another may be a good source of iron or vitamin C. Want to know the best way to add more variety to your diet? Join my Eat More Plants Challenge!
- Shop thoughtfully and purposefully. Ignore statements on the front of the box and read ingredient lists and nutrition facts panels instead. Choose products with ingredients you recognize, understand, and cook with at home.
Buy the book: Plant-Powered for Life by Sharon Palmer, RDN
Let’s Chat! Have you made vegan black bean brownies before? Have you tried other bean-based desserts? Do you try to include many plant-based recipes in your diet?
Did you make this recipe?
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