Delicious Black Bean Brownies

We’re big fans of a good chocolate brownie—rich, fudgy, and deeply satisfying. But we also try to be mindful about what we put into our bodies, and we know that adding more fiber to our diet is one of those small, steady ways to support long-term health.

So while we’re never giving up our treats, we’re always looking for ways to make them a little more nourishing - maybe with ingredients like oats and even some sneaky black beans (which believe it or not you would never guess were in these brownies!). It’s not about perfection - it’s about finding that middle ground where pleasure and wellness can actually hang out.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked black beans
• 1/2 cup oats
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup demerara sugar
• 4 heaped tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup neutral tasting oil or melted butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt flakes
• 100g chocolate chips 

Step 1: Add your black beans to a blender (we use dried black beans which we cook in 500g batches, then freeze and use as required, but you can use tinned or boxed black beans if you prefer, just drain and rinse them before adding them to the blender).

Step 2:  Blend your beans - don’t worry if they do not all blend, the next steps should take care of blending them more evenly.

Step 3: Add three eggs to the blender.

Step 4: Blend again until your eggs and beans make a smooth mixuture.

Step 5: Empty your black bean and egg mix into a bowl, clean and dry your blender, and then blend your oats until they resemble a coarse flour.

Step 6: Add the blended oats to the bowl with the black bean and egg mixture, along with all of your other ingredients.

Step 7: Mix to combine all ingredients, it makes quite a stiff, thick mixture.

Step 8: Spoon the mixture into a tray - we are using the PlanetBox Silicone Trays

Step 9: Bake for 20 minutes at 180C, cool and store in an airtight container.  These are also perfect for freezing if you want to make a double batch.

These delicious brownies are perfect for packing for school lunches and picnics.

We love using the PlanetBox Silicone Baking Tray, because it means that the brownies fit perfectly in all of the PlanetBox Lunchboxes.

A Loving Note About Silicone + Dishwashers

We've been using our beloved PlanetBox Silicone Baking Trays for years now, always washing them by hand with ease and care. Recently, we welcomed a dishwasher into our home (what a blessing!), and I was so looking forward to letting it take over the tray-washing duties.

But alas, sweet friends, we learned an important lesson: silicone and dishwashers don’t always play nicely together. When run through the dishwasher, silicone can soak up the soapy essence, and that lingering taste can make its way into your baked goodies - not exactly the flavour of love we’re going for.

The silver lining? Mother Earth always provides a gentle remedy. If your silicone trays pick up that soapy taste, simply soak them in a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water, or coat them in a paste of baking soda and water. Let them sit, then rinse thoroughly - they’ll be back to their clean, happy selves in no time.

With warmth and wisdom,

Mama Oak 🌿