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Delicious, good-for-you brownies do exist! These healthy fudge brownies are naturally sweetened, gluten-free, and include a “hidden ingredient” for added protein!

I know…a “healthy” brownie doesn’t sound very appetizing. But I want to let you in on a little secret: these are the fudgiest brownies I have EVER made, and they don’t even require sugar, flour, or eggs! AND, there is a very unexpected ingredient, which provides a beneficial protein punch to your body.

Now are you curious?

Before I spill the beans (ahem), all I ask of you is that you try ’em before you knock ’em! 🙂

Not Your Ordinary Brownies

This recipe is somethin’ special. While it only uses regular pantry ingredients, it yields a surprisingly rich and decadent pan of brownies—without the preservatives and junk found in the usual store-bought mixes. I honestly think you’ll start to turn up your nose at the boxed brownies (and their ingredients) after you make these!

Here are the features of this recipe:

• Oats replace the usual flour (the oats break down into a powdery form in the food processor or blender)
• Healthy coconut oil instead of traditional vegetable oil
• Pure maple syrup or honey sweetens the brownies naturally
• Cocoa powder and chocolate chips add to the fudgy, chocolate deliciousness (I realize that there is sugar in the chocolate chips, but I HIGHLY recommend you do not omit them! You may use less if you want to reduce the already low sugar content. I prefer these non-GMO dark chocolate chips or organic cacao nibs.)
• Aaaaannnnddd….the secret ingredient you’ve been waiting for is (drumroll, please): black beans! (I know, it sounds gross, but pretty pretty please just trust me on this one!!)

We have served these secret-ingredient brownies to many families we’ve entertained in our home, and we never tell them about the black beans until AFTER they’ve eaten the brownies and had time to “mmm” and “ooohh” over them! Usually, without us even prompting, someone will ask “What’s in the brownies?” or, “How did you make these?”, and I’m able to respond with a laugh and the secret ingredient without pushing it on them without fair warning.

I find it to be a fun little experiment to serve these to new friends, neighbors, and anyone we invite over for dinner. We’ve never had anyone guess the secret ingredient OR say they didn’t like the brownies! Rather, our guests (including picky teenage boys) went back for second and third helpings, even after knowing what they just ate!

So I reiterate: Just try ’em before you knock ’em! 😉

Healthy Fudge Brownies (Gluten Free)

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Serves: 16-20

Delicious, good-for-you brownies do exist! These healthy fudge brownies are naturally sweetened, gluten-free, and include a "hidden ingredient" for added protein!

10 minPrep Time

18 minCook Time

28 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

• 1 cup oats
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup pure maple syrup (or honey)
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed (about 3 cups)
• 2/3 cup chocolate chips or cacao nibs (I prefer dark chocolate)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a food processor or high-powered blender, combine all ingredients except chocolate. Blend until ingredients are completely incorporated.
3. Spread the batter into a greased 9x13 baking pan. Sprinkle chocolate pieces over the top and bake 18-20 minutes. (Note: A toothpick poked into the center may not come out clean after the full bake time; the batter will continue to set up after baking.)
4. Allow brownies to cool 10 minutes before cutting them (or enjoy warm, gooey, fall-apart brownies immediately!).

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