If you’re craving a treat that’s rich, chocolatey, and secretly packed with wholesome ingredients, you’ve got to try this Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites Recipe. These little bites are everything you love about brownies but with a fun, nutritious twist that sneaks in black beans for moisture and fiber without any bean flavor at all. The texture is pure fudgy deliciousness, perfectly sweetened with maple syrup and dotted with melty chocolate chips, making them an irresistible snack or dessert that anyone will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is a breeze, and each one plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect fudgy texture and rich flavor. From the simple oats that add subtle body to the coconut oil that keeps things moist, every component shines in this recipe.
- Black beans: The secret star providing moisture, fiber, and protein while keeping the brownies soft and fudgy.
- Cocoa powder (unsweetened): Adds deep chocolate flavor without any extra sugar or fat.
- Rolled oats: Serve as a wholesome binder and add subtle chewiness to the brownies.
- Salt: Enhances and balances all the sweet and chocolate notes in the bites.
- Pure maple syrup or honey: Natural sweeteners that add moistness and a hint of caramel flavor.
- Coconut sugar or regular sugar: Acts as an additional sweetener that also contributes to the chewy texture.
- Coconut oil (melted): Keeps the brownies moist and adds a gentle tropical undertone that works beautifully with chocolate.
- Vanilla extract: Boosts the overall flavor and adds warmth.
- Baking powder: Just enough to give a slight lift while keeping the texture dense and fudgy.
- Chocolate chips (dark or semi-sweet): Melt into gooey pockets of chocolate goodness throughout each bite.
How to Make Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Equipment
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s hot and ready once your batter is mixed. Grease a mini muffin tin or line it with paper liners to prevent sticking and make clean-up a snap.
Step 2: Blend the Ingredients
Combine the black beans, cocoa powder, rolled oats, salt, maple syrup, coconut sugar, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and baking powder in a food processor. Blend everything together until completely smooth, stopping once or twice to scrape down the sides so you don’t miss any chunks. The mixture should be thick and fudgy, almost like a brownie batter.
Step 3: Add the Chocolate Chips
Once your batter is smooth, gently stir in the chocolate chips by hand. This keeps them intact so they melt into pockets of chocolate when baked, adding delightful gooey bursts in every bite.
Step 4: Fill the Mini Muffin Tin
Evenly spoon the batter into your prepared muffin tin, filling each cup almost to the top. This helps the brownie bites bake evenly and develop a nice, firm top while staying soft inside.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, just until the tops are set but the centers remain fudgy. Let the bites cool in the tin for about 10 minutes so they firm up slightly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites Recipe
Garnishes
Top your Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites Recipe with a sprinkle of sea salt for a savory-sweet finish or a dusting of powdered sugar for a touch of elegance. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream also complement the deep chocolate flavor beautifully.
Side Dishes
Serve these brownie bites alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. The warmth and bitterness of the drink perfectly counterbalance the sweetness and richness of the brownies for a full dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party treat, stack the brownie bites on a tiered dessert stand or arrange them on a platter sprinkled with chopped nuts or edible flowers. You can also dip half of each bite in melted chocolate and let them harden for a more decadent look and flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover brownie bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This will preserve their fudgy texture while keeping the chocolate chips soft and melty.
Freezing
You can freeze these brownie bites for up to 2 months. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer to a resealable freezer bag to avoid clumping. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm before serving.
Reheating
Warm your brownie bites for about 10 seconds in the microwave or for a few minutes in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) to bring back that fresh-baked fudginess. Just be careful not to overheat as they can dry out quickly.
FAQs
Do black beans taste like beans in the brownies?
Not at all! When blended smoothly with cocoa and sweeteners, the black beans add moisture and texture without any noticeable bean flavor, making these brownies delightfully rich and fudgy.
Can I use canned beans or should I cook my own?
Canned black beans work perfectly for this recipe as long as you drain and rinse them thoroughly to remove excess sodium and any residual canning liquid.
Is this recipe vegan and gluten-free?
Yes! Using maple syrup and coconut sugar keeps it vegan, and rolled oats can be substituted with certified gluten-free oats to make the recipe gluten-free too.
Why do the brownies use both maple syrup and coconut sugar?
The combination provides balanced sweetness and helps achieve that fudgy, chewy texture. Maple syrup adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor, while coconut sugar offers structure and a mild caramel note.
Can I make these in a regular muffin tin instead of mini?
Absolutely, though bake time will increase. Expect around 18-22 minutes, but keep an eye on them to avoid drying out. The fudgy texture holds up well even in larger servings.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites Recipe, you’ll wonder how something so simple can taste so decadently delicious. It’s a brilliant way to enjoy brownies without any guilt, plus they’re fun to make and share. Whether for snack time, dessert, or a healthier treat, these brownie bites are a game changer you’ll come back to again and again.
Print
Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini brownie bites
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Fudgy Black Bean Brownie Bites are a delicious and healthy twist on traditional brownies, made with black beans for added protein and fiber. Sweetened naturally with maple syrup and coconut sugar, these bite-sized treats are rich, chocolatey, and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without any guilt. They’re quick to prepare and baked in mini muffin tins for easy portion control.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar or regular sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (dark or semi-sweet for a richer flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a mini muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the brownie bites.
- Combine ingredients: In a food processor, combine the black beans, cocoa powder, rolled oats, salt, maple syrup, coconut sugar, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and baking powder.
- Blend batter: Blend all ingredients until completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed to ensure an even mixture without lumps.
- Add chocolate chips: Stir in the chocolate chips gently to distribute them throughout the batter without breaking them up.
- Fill muffin tin: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared mini muffin tin, filling each cup almost to the top for nicely sized bites.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops are set but still fudgy to the touch.
- Cool: Let the brownie bites cool in the tin for 10 minutes to firm up slightly, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Use paper liners for easy removal and less mess.
- Dark chocolate chips provide a richer, less sweet flavor compared to semi-sweet chips.
- Store brownie bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These brownie bites can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
- For a nut-free version, ensure the coconut oil and chocolate chips are processed in nut-free facilities.
