Happy Fat Tuesday! It’s a little weird to have a “healthy” dessert for you on Fat Tuesday of all days. With Fat Tuesday and Valentine’s Day this week, I knew I had to bring you a chocolate recipe. And I guess I just can’t help myself, I went and made it healthy.
So what is it about this brownie that earns it the title World’s Healthiest Brownie? That quite a statement, right? All right, let’s talk about the ingredients.
Black beans. Probably not a new thing to many of you as there are countless recipes out there for black bean brownies. I first made a version of black bean brownies about 3 years ago and was happy that even Tim approved. Black beans work really well in brownies, adding a level of moisture and fudge-iness, not to mention fiber, iron, calcium, folate, and manganese.
Avocado. I cut out all butter or oil and added avocado as the fat in this recipe. So now instead of just (healthy!) fat, we’re getting more fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and magnesium.
No flour. Yep, I cut out the flour. There are some rolled oats, which give us even more fiber (have I mentioned these are high in fiber?), protein, manganese, zinc, and selenium.
Flax. Instead of eggs, I used flax for this recipe. The flax seeds add fiber, tons of minerals including calcium and iron, and the all-important omega-3 fatty acid.
So with all that healthiness, can these actually taste good? I’m not delusional when it comes to healthy desserts. These don’t taste exactly like a regular, white flour, butter, loads of sugar brownie. But I had a hard time eating just one. And my four-year-old said they were “suuuuper duuuper delicious!” so they work for this family. They are fudge-y, rich, and chocolatey.
So go ahead and eat your brownie and get your nutrients, too.
The world’s healthiest brownie {vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free}
- Total Time: 36 minutes
- Yield: Makes 1 9X9 pan of brownies 1x
Description
These vegan, gluten-free brownies utilize black beans, avocado, and flax to make an ultra-healthy, fudge-y treat! You can feel good about eating these healthy brownies for dessert everyday.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup quick cooking rolled oats
- 3/4 cup cooked black beans
- 1/2 cup mashed avocado (about 1 avocado)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal+6 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, divided (I use Enjoy Life brand, which is dairy-free and soy-free)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- powdered sugar for dusting, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9X9 inch pan and set aside. In a small bowl, mix together the ground flaxseed meal and water and set aside to give it time to form a gel.
- In a food processor, process the oats until they are a crumb. Add the beans and process until very smooth.
- Melt half of the chocolate chips (I do this in the microwave–30 seconds and then stir, additional 10 second increments as necessary.)
- Next add the avocado, cocoa powder, flaxseed mixture, vanilla extract, sugar, and melted chips to the food processor and again process until smooth.
- Add the salt and baking powder and pulse the processor until they are incorporated. Stir in the remaining chocolate chips.
- Transfer the batter to the greased 9X9 pan and use a spatula to smooth it out and distribute it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven 22-26 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. 22 minutes yields a gooey brownie, which is just how I prefer them. Allow to cool before slicing, dust with powdered sugar if you prefer, and then store in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 26 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 172
- Sugar: 19.5g
- Sodium: 117mg
- Fat: 6.9g
- Carbohydrates: 28.4g
- Protein: 3.3g
While these are delicious warm right out of the oven, I think the texture and taste actually improves the next day. I think you’ll agree if they last that long in your house!
Reader Feedback: What is your favorite “healthy” dessert?
I have been hesitant to try black bean brownies, and took the plunge this morning because of your recipe – anything I’ve tried so far has been very good 🙂 I am happy that my 3 year old is eagerly eating the batter despite knowing its full of beans. I used chia soaked instead of flax and xylitol in place of sugar (trying it for the 1st time) oh and almond flour because we don’t do grains, & I am super pleased with the results! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I’m glad to hear that this worked with almond flour! I’ll have to give it a try. 🙂
This is a yummy recipe. My kids (9, 7, and 4) loved the brownies. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! My daughter keeps asking me to make these again and again. 🙂
Hi Maryea,
This recipe sounds wonderful!
But, I was wondering about ‘Gluten-free’ part of this recipe if you are using oatmeal? I’ve read that oats have gluten.
Thanks,
Fiona.
Oats are naturally gluten-free. The way they are processed, however, can cause cross-contamination, so if you have a problem with gluten be sure to use certified gluten-free oats. Also, I have heard that some people with Celiac’s disease have trouble digesting even certified gluten-free oats. It depends on the individual and their specific sensitivities.
Today is a snow day and I’m baking these just as soon as Jackson goes down for his nap! ….Hope that all is well with you and your two little blessings! 🙂
Yay for snow days!! Meghan had one, too. Although here it was actually an “ice day” as we don’t have any snow. 🙁 Not quite as fun!
sounds great for my daughter who is allergic to dairy, wheat, peanuts and some tree nuts. ughhh. anywho…i read that flaxseed is connected to the tree nut family so i stay away from them. would i use 1 or 2 eggs instead?
That’s interesting–I’ve never heard that about flax seeds. You would use 2 eggs for this recipe. Enjoy! 🙂
Ooh, I’ve been wanting to try black bean brownies… these are exactly the kind of “healthifying” steps I take, too. 🙂 Excited to try them!
Gotta love a brownie you can feel good about eating. 🙂
These were delicious. I had them warm with fresh strawberries…. Amazing…. Can’t wait to actually share with my family 🙂
Thanks, Alicia!
I think it is much healthier of you will use an organic bread on those lovely desert, but this is according to what I’ve read from http://products.mercola.com/zinc-supplements/ since it is rich in zinc that is good for us. this is my opinion though! So can you do some recipe from wheat bread?
I don’t understand your suggestion. Using bread with dessert?
wow these look amazing and i’ve never heard of avocado in a brownie recipe before but i bet that gives it great chewy texture. i need to try it!
my favorite healthy dessert is chickpea cookies. sounds awful, tastes delicious! 🙂
I actually just posted a recipe for cookies using chickpeas a few weeks ago so I don’t think that’s weird. 🙂
these sound great! I just got a new food processor so I’d love to try it out on these! I think the kids would approve 🙂
Yay for a new food processor!! Your life in the kitchen will be forever changed. 🙂
Wow, it’s amazing you created this from scratch! I’m impressed, and thankful as it’s allergy-friendly for my son. Definitely adding this to my to-bake list.!
I hope you and your son enjoy these!
Just what I made today a little different recipe bt it sure is supe yummy
Sounds suuuuuuper duuuuper delicious to me too.