This Fudgy KIDNEY BEAN Brownies recipe is the BEST! These brownies are easy to make, moist and made with red beans to make them more healthy! They have a thick chocolate frosting on top that everyone will love! This is a sneaky way to get your kids to eat more vegetables! Trust me, everyone will think they’re the best brownies ever!
A few days ago I was craving brownies (when aren’t I)? Because I always love some adding some vegetables to sweets, I went into the cabinet to grab a can of black beans to make my favorite black bean brownies but sadness hit, I was all out of black beans. So then I sat on the floor, pantry door open, and begun to think.. could I use another bean? So I grabbed a can of dark red kidney beans and these Fudgy Kidney Bean Brownies were made!
These brownies are incredibly fudgy, incredibly rich, incredibly chocolaty and made out of magic. Did I sell you on them yet? The kidney beans worked as a perfect substitution for the black beans. This recipe is now one of my favorite brownie recipes that I can’t keep my paws off of!
Because I love double chocolate, I added a thick layer of brownie frosting to the top of these that set perfectly. When you take a bite you’re just going to fall into chocolate heaven. So go ahead and make these….. I’ll meet you there!
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Looking for more brownie recipes? Try Vanilla Brownies or Black Bean Brownies!
Fudgy Kidney Bean Brownies
PrintIngredients
For the brownies
- 1 15 oz can of dark kidney beans - drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup creamy regular or chocolate peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut or vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
For the frosting
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the brownies
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips in a food processor. Pulse until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in chocolate chips and mix with spoon so they are equally distributed.
- Grease 8x8 pan and pour brownie mixture in it. Take a spatula to smooth out the top.
- Bake the brownies for 16-18 minutes and remove from oven.
For the frosting
- Combine milk, butter and powdered sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat, bringing to a boil. Allow to cook at a rolling boil for 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
- Add chocolate chips and vanilla to saucepan and stir until the chips are melted.
- Pour immediately over warm brownies.
- Put in refrigerator to allow brownies to set quickly.
- Enjoy!
laurasmess says
Ohhhh boy. Fudgy deliciousness indeed! I cannot believe how moist, chocolatey and gooey these look Pam. Those photos are absolutely drool-worthy. I’ve always been skeptical of bean brownies but I’ll try these as they truly look to-die-for. Hope that presentation for R+R at the conference went well. Those sorts of things scare the heck out of me!x
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
Love the beans, peanut butter and oats in these incredibly moist looking brownies!
Frankie says
Oh my god I’m dying over here, these look too good to be true! Wow…
Shiran @ Pretty. Simple. Sweet. says
The first time I heard about bean brownies I wasn’t sure I liked this idea, but it became so popular lately that I think I’m gonna try it 🙂 Thank you for convincing me 🙂 It looks delicious!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
Wow, I’ve heard of black beans but never would have thought you could sub in a different bean! Looks great Pamela! Have fun in Toronto!!!
Rachel @LittleChefBigAppetite says
Oh my god, I would devour these!!!!!
Sophie says
I know I love you now,…like forever!!! I know that beans in brownies work but never tried it with red beans,…A very nutritious brownie,…ooh yes! x
Your brownies look fantastic & I love that lovely frosting on top too! Yummmm! 🙂
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
You’re coming to Toronto?!!?! If you have time to say hi shoot me an email!!! Would love to see you. For resto suggesting I highly recommend Woodlot and Bar Isabel. And you must stop by fresh!
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
These look amazing! I hope you have a good trip 🙂
Sarah & Arkadi says
yum! look how moist these brownies are!
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
What a great bean substitution. They look so decadent and the frosting is just over the top. yum!
Koko says
I just made black bean brownies for the first time! Truth be told…they don’t look as good as this! The recipe I used didn’t have oats OR PEANUT BUTTER (whaaaa! pb makes everything better!) so they still tasted slightly beanie. Very healthy and still yum…but beany. 2nd attempt will be brooklyn farm girl-red bean- style!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
OK now I’m craving brownies too in a bad way!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
Well if you say black beans or red kidney beans are good in brownies, then I’ll just have to give them a shot! They look so rich and fudgy! And that icing! stop me now!
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says
Oh my goodness, this is SO happening. Your black bean brownies were the best and this version, with the brownie frosting, looks out.of.this.world. Pinning! You are so creative Pamela!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
I thought only Japanese use beans to make cakes. I was wrong! love the idea, the fudge is more nutritious this way. Enjoy your talk and Toronto… I’ve been there once, just for a few hours, unfortunately.
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
I’ve never made bean brownies before, but after seeing these, I need to start. They look so rich, moist and fudgy – yum! Pinned!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
So fudgy and awesome! Beans are a great way to add fibre and protein to our everyday meals.
miss messy says
Oh Pamela you genius! I can’t get black beans here but I can get kidney beans for 30p! Perfect. I’m so trying these!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
I am SO impressed, Pamela! Basically, there is hardly anything bad in these brownies. Even the sugar quantity seems pretty light. What a brownie-baking genius you are!
Michelle says
Those look amazing! I am missing the last three ingredients…clearly, I am not a baker! :p Have fun in Toronto! That sounds exciting 🙂
Kelly says
These brownies look so fudgy and delicious! I still really want to try making your black bean brownies and these ones sound just as amazing! Have lots of fun in Toronto, I moved about 2.5 hours away but Kensington Market and the shops along Queen Street from Bathurst to University Street for shopping are a must. Greek Town, Little Italy and China Town are great for hidden food gems. I’ll e-mail you a longer list – have a great time at your conference and wish I still lived close by to take you around:)
Pamela says
Your list was so great Kelly, thank you so much for all your suggestions! Definitely going to check them out!
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
Chocolate Heaven sounds like a wonderful place. Looking at these pictures I can see how one bite would send you straight there. They look absolutely divine!!
Have a great trip, can’t wait to hear the details. 😀
Beth says
Living in Toronto, I have loads of suggestions for you! My favourite mid-priced restaurant is Salt (great wine/Tapas bar). Some other places you might check out are Fresh (four locations, vegetarian), Le Select Bistro, Lula Lounge (Latin food and entertainment, great live music venue) … Woodlot and Ici Bistro are also terrific. If you’re interested in shopping, check out Made You Look (one of a kind jewelry) and Cabaret Vintage (where my daughter works!) on Queen Street. If you have any specific questions, email me; I’m in town today and tomorrow. Have fun!
Pamela says
Thanks so much Beth! Le Select Bistro sounds delicious!
Beth says
Tell me if you like it. We’re going there for Mother’s Day brunch!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
What a great idea to sub in a different kind of beans! I make black bean brownies all the time, but it really never occurred to me to try kidney beans. Thanks for test driving the idea for me 🙂 Have a blast in Toronto! I have never been there so can’t make any recommendations, but if you have the time to do a post summing up your trip after you get back, I’d love to read it!
Ashley @ My Midwest Table says
What?! These look amazing. I’m all about brownies. And these contain beans, so they’re most definitely healthy. 🙂 Have a fun trip!
ela@GrayApron says
Ah, nice! Brownie – re-bean-invented! How a good trip, I’ve been to Toronto many times, I think there is a Burger King at the airport 🙂 ela
Ashley says
I still want to try your black bean brownies … and now these too! They look awesome. Have a great time on your trip! I’ve never been to Toronto so no suggestions here : )
cheri says
Hi Pamela, these really look good, will have to try them. Have fun in Toronto this week-end.
Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
We call Pete our Kitchen-Helper-Kitty because he’s always in your face, in your photos, and demands to smell everything you cook. Sounds like a common fluffy-cat problem. These brownies look delish! You know how I feel about beans + brownies, they’re perfection.