These healthy No Bake Brownies are fudgy, chocolaty and made with just 8 simple ingredients! Your family will never guess the secret!
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Years ago, I made black bean brownies and later thought why not make a no bake version?! Fast forward to the holidays, and it feels like the perfect time for these no bake brownies to make a comeback!
I love sneaking alternative ingredients into my brownies. In fact, almost every single brownie recipe on my blog has a hidden element that makes them a healthy dessert. Like healthy zucchini brownies, sweet potato brownies, and healthy pumpkin brownies.
So, don’t spill the beans (pun intended) about the black beans and applesauce. Let everyone try them first and watch their faces light up!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crowd pleaser: Readers and friends say no one ever tastes the black beans, and the brownies disappear in no time!
- Guilt-free: No bake brownies recipe skips the flour, eggs, and butter. Is naturally sweetened, gluten-free, and vegan.
- Quick and easy: This no bake dessert comes together in 10 minutes, then you simply pop it in the freezer.
- Instant enjoyment: You store them in the freezer and can enjoy them pretty much immediately, no need to thaw long.
Ingredients for No Bake Brownies
Here’s the short list of ingredients you will need.
- Black beans: The foundation of this brownie recipe. You can use canned beans or Instant Pot black beans. Just be sure to rinse and drain them first.
- Medjool dates: These naturally sweet and meaty dates add body and proper texture to the brownies. Make sure they’re pitted and don’t use any other kind of dates.
- Applesauce: Adds moisture and a hint of sweetness. You can use either sweetened or unsweetened applesauce. Also homemade applesauce like Instant Pot applesauce works.
- Cacao powder: Cocoa powder works as a substitute for cacao powder in any recipe. The main difference is that cacao offers more health benefits.
- Coconut oil: Melted coconut oil adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together. I also use it for the chocolate drizzle.
- Vanilla and salt: Classic baking staples that boost flavor and balance sweetness.
- Mini chocolate chips: You can use dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Hot water: Softens the dates, making the mixture smoother and easier to blend.
How to Make No Bake Brownies
Simply blend everything together, then pour the batter into a baking dish and freeze. I used my small Kitchenaid food processor.
- Blend the ingredients: In a food processor, combine black beans, dates, applesauce, cacao powder, coconut oil, vanilla, salt, and hot water. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape the sides and adding a little more water, if needed, to get it moving.
- Add chocolate chips and pour: Dump chocolate chips in and pulse a few times. Then, pour the batter into a parchment paper lined baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
- Make the drizzle: Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small bowl. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway. Drizzle over brownies.
- Freeze and slice: Freeze for at least 3 hours, then cut into 16 squares and enjoy!
Tips for Best Results
Here are a few key tips to follow when making this delicious brownie treat.
- Follow the recipe: I always say baking is a science, and the same goes for no bake desserts. The right balance of ingredients is key to the recipe’s success. Please do not make substitutions.
- Use only Medjool dates: They’re naturally soft and sticky which makes them perfect for blending. Other types of dates can be too dry and firm.
- Adjust consistency: If the batter is too thick, add more hot water to thin it out. If it’s too thin, add more cacao powder. The consistency should be like cookie dough.
- Don’t use blender: Unless it’s a Vitamix with a tamper, maybe. I managed to make it in my small Kitchenaid food processor, but really, you need a food processor for the best results.
- Enjoy from frozen: These brownies melt fast once they’re out of the freezer and are easy to bite into without waiting for them to thaw.
Variations
- Mix-ins: Chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts, freeze-dried fruit, coconut flakes or chocolate chips can either go in the batter or be used as a topping. Adding them to the batter will blend the flavors throughout, while topping them before freezing will give a crunchy finish.
- Add frosting: Instead of a chocolate drizzle, spread on healthy chocolate frosting.
- Thicker brownies: Add 1/3 cup almond flour to the batter.
- Flaky sea salt: A sprinkle of sea salt takes these brownies to the next level!
How to Store
Freeze: Keep these no bake brownies frozen! Store in an airtight container for 3-4 months. Enjoy straight from the freezer or let them thaw for 2-3 minutes.
It helps to line the layers of slices with parchment paper for easier separating when you want just one brownie.
FAQs
I haven’t tried any other beans. I think chickpeas may work, but the color of the brownies might be lighter. Red kidney beans have too much of a bean taste, so avoid those.
No, Medjool dates are the only choice for this recipe because they’re soft and meaty which helps create the perfect texture.
You can use pumpkin puree or butternut squash puree or mashed banana. Don’t use maple syrup, honey or agave as these brownies are already very sweet.
More Brownies Recipes to Try
Other No Bake Recipes
- Healthy chocolate coconut balls
- Healthy no bake cookies
- Homemade crunch bars
- No bake peanut butter oatmeal bars
- Coconut oil fudge
- Date bark
- Chocolate berry bars
No Bake Brownies
Ingredients
For the Brownies:
- 14 ounces can low sodium black beans drained & rinsed
- 13 Medjool dates pitted
- 1/4 cup applesauce unsweetened or sweetened
- 1/3 cup cacao powder
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4-5 tablespoons hot water
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
For the Drizzle:
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Line square 8×8 inches baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a food processor, add black beans, dates, applesauce, cacao powder, coconut oil, vanilla, salt and hot water. Process until smooth, pausing and scraping the walls and adding a bit more water if you mixture isn't going.
- Add chocolate chips and pulse a few times just to combine. Pour batter into previously prepared baking dish and level with spatula.
- To make the drizzle, in a small bowl, combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Melt in a microwave for 1-2 minutes, pausing and stirring. Drizzle on top of brownies and freeze for at least 3 hours.
- Cut into 16 squares and enjoy!
Notes
- Store: Keep brownies frozen at all times! Store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 – 4 months. Enjoy from frozen or let thaw for 2-3 minutes.
Olena, this was a lovely recipe. I just made it and enjoyed it so much! Although I think my healthy eating is starting to pay off … I found it a tad too sweet but can be fixed with one or two less dates next time. Thank-you for sharing the recipe.
Woohoo, that’s a great sign! That is so amazing to hear! Glad you enjoyed my recipe!
Would maple syrup or honey work instead of applesauce?? Thanks!
No, unfortunately it won’t. Need applesauce.
I do not see black bean brownies recipe for instapot?
Actually here in this video I make them – recipe below in description of video https://youtu.be/AdIJAyP-ohw
I made this it was not good .the only thing I did was use cocoa powder veg oil and butter everything is just like the receipe . It was to salty and not enough sweetness at all it tasted 2 salty can u tell me what I did wrong
Your usbtitution didn’t work because it is vegetable oil. You have to use only coconut oil as it is the only oil that is solid. You melt it for teh recipe and it solidifies to form brownies. Once you use coconut oil, brownies won’t be salty or under sweet. With baking it’s best to follow teh recipe. It’s a science. Not like soup where you can throw whatever is on hand and adjust to taste. Hope this helps in the future.:) Not today I know.
Thank you no not today I played with it I even put brown sugar in it did not get better I will try it another time later.i never thought the oil made a difference so cocoanut oil can not be sub.learn something new .I will try again later lol
Can you use chopped walnuts in the brownie
yes.
I will have to find a way to trick my husband to make him try this. He is soooooooo picky!
can i use noir dates instead of medjool dates?
I have never heard of noir dates. Generally, you could use smaller dates but you would need more of them and soak in hot water for a bit. Hope this helps.
Haha. Yes. Brownie cookie dough dip.:)