Ready for a wholesome twist on a classic treat? Chocolate Black Bean Brownie Bites are soft, secretly healthy, and decadently chocolatey miniature brownies made with black beans instead of flour — but you’d never guess it! Perfect for snacking, sharing, and satisfying chocolate cravings, these little bites are rich, fudgy, and packed with plant-based protein. Once you try them, they’ll win a permanent spot on your dessert roster.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of pantry staples and a can of black beans, you’re moments away from your new favorite chocolate treat. Each ingredient brings something unique, creating a fudgy bite that’s just as delicious as it is nourishing.
- Black beans (1 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed): The secret to moist, rich brownies without any flour or gluten.
- Cocoa powder (1/4 cup): Unsweetened cocoa packs each bite with deep chocolate flavor.
- Rolled oats (1/3 cup): Blends in to give body and structure, making these bites super satisfying.
- Maple syrup or honey (1/4 cup): Natural sweetness compliments the cocoa and brings everything together.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Just a touch helps lift and lighten the brownies.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and intensifies the chocolatey taste.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the flavors with a warm, comforting note that makes these irresistible.
- Egg (1 large): Binds everything while lending a lovely texture; flax egg works for a vegan version.
- Mini chocolate chips (1/3 cup): For gooey pockets of chocolate in every bite!
How to Make Chocolate Black Bean Brownie Bites
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Muffin Tin
First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F to make sure it’s perfectly hot when your batter is ready. Grab a mini muffin tin and lightly grease it or line with mini muffin liners so your Chocolate Black Bean Brownie Bites pop out easily after baking.
Step 2: Blend the Wet Ingredients
In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine the black beans, egg, maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla extract. Blend until everything is completely smooth – you want no visible bean pieces for the fudgiest result.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Scoop in the cocoa powder, rolled oats, baking powder, and salt. Blend again until everything is thoroughly mixed and the batter looks thick, glossy, and oh-so-chocolatey.
Step 4: Stir in the Chocolate Chips
Remove the blade from your processor (safely!) and stir in the mini chocolate chips by hand so they stay whole and create those perfect melty bites.
Step 5: Scoop and Bake
Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, portion the batter into the prepared mini muffin tin. These don’t rise much, so you can fill each cup nearly to the top. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the tops spring back when lightly pressed and a tester comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Let your Chocolate Black Bean Brownie Bites cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to finish cooling. They’re amazing warm or at room temperature, and utterly delicious with a glass of cold milk or plant milk.
How to Serve Chocolate Black Bean Brownie Bites
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt brings out the chocolate and makes these bites look bakery-worthy. Add a few fresh berries for a sweet pop of color at serving time.
Side Dishes
Serve your brownie bites with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, dairy-free coconut nice cream, or fresh-cut fruit like strawberries and sliced bananas. For a snack plate, add some roasted nuts and dried fruit on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the Chocolate Black Bean Brownie Bites on a tiered dessert tray for a party, tuck into lunchboxes as a surprise treat, or skewer them with fruit for a playful, kid-friendly dessert kabob. For a special touch, serve in colorful mini cupcake liners or tie up small bundles in cellophane bags as edible gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Chocolate Black Bean Brownie Bites have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, pop them in the refrigerator and enjoy within 5 days — if they last that long!
Freezing
These bites freeze beautifully. Place cooled brownie bites in a freezer bag or container, separating layers with parchment if needed. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, let them thaw at room temperature or microwave briefly for a just-baked feel.
Reheating
For gooey, fresh-from-the-oven flavor, warm individual bites in the microwave for 10–15 seconds, or gently heat a batch in a 325°F oven for 5 minutes.
FAQs
Can I taste the black beans in Chocolate Black Bean Brownie Bites?
Not at all! The black beans blend right in, leaving behind their nutrition, but no bean flavor. All you taste is rich, fudgy chocolate goodness.
Can I make these vegan?
Absolutely! Swap the egg for a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2.5 tablespoons water, mixed and set until thickened) and use dairy-free chocolate chips or chunks.
Can I use a regular muffin tin instead of a mini?
You sure can! The result will be slightly larger brownies, so increase the baking time by 3–5 minutes. Watch closely and test for doneness.
Are these brownies gluten-free?
Yes, as long as your rolled oats are labeled gluten-free, this recipe yields gluten-free Chocolate Black Bean Brownie Bites perfect for almost any crowd.
What other add-ins work well?
Try chopped nuts, dried cherries, or even a pinch of espresso powder for an extra flavor punch. Just keep the ratio of mix-ins modest so the texture stays tender and fudgy.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a treat that’s big on chocolate flavor, secretly healthy, and impossible to resist, Chocolate Black Bean Brownie Bites are it. Give these a try—share them with your friends and family and watch their faces light up with every delicious bite!
PrintChocolate Black Bean Brownie Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini brownie bites
- Category: Dessert / Snack
- Method: Blending & Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Fudgy, bite-sized brownie treats made with black beans for hidden protein and fiber. Soft, chocolatey, and naturally flour-free—ideal for healthier snacking or dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup rolled oats (gluten‑free if needed)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (dairy‑free for vegan)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a mini muffin tin.
- Blend black beans, egg (or flax egg), maple syrup, and vanilla until completely smooth.
- Add cocoa powder, oats, baking powder, and salt; blend until thick and chocolatey.
- Stir in mini chocolate chips by hand.
- Fill each mini cup nearly to the top and bake for 10–12 minutes, until tops spring back and a toothpick shows moist crumbs.
- Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Notes
- Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle melted chocolate, or sprinkle flaky sea salt for a finishing touch.
- Serve with ice cream or fresh fruit for an easy dessert.
- Store at room temp (2 days) or in fridge (up to 5 days).
- Freeze in layers with parchment for up to 2 months; thaw before serving.
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