Why You'll Love This Recipe
Don't let the name fool you! Black beans are the secret ingredient that makes these cookies wonderfully soft and moist while adding a little extra protein and fiber. You'll taste rich chocolate and vanilla—not beans. Naturally gluten-free when made with oat flour, they're a wholesome treat the whole family will love. Best of all, they're easy enough for little helpers to make!
Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed well
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup melted butter or coconut oil
- ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1½ cups oat flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- ¾ cup mini chocolate chips, divided
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a food processor or blender, combine the black beans, eggs, butter, maple syrup, and vanilla. Blend until completely smooth.
- Add the oat flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Blend again until a thick batter forms.
- Fold in ½ cup of the chocolate chips.
- Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. The dough will be softer than traditional cookie dough, so gently flatten each mound with the back of a spoon.
- Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the tops.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers are just barely soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Nonni's Tips
- For the smoothest cookies, rinse the beans very well and blend them until silky before adding the dry ingredients.
- You can make your own oat flour by pulsing quick oats in a food processor.
- These cookies freeze beautifully for up to three months.
- If you prefer a more traditional Chocolate Chip cookie, omit the cocoa powder and add an extra ¼ cup of oat flour plus ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. The beans disappear into the dough, leaving behind only a soft, chewy cookie with little pockets of melted chocolate.
Little Helpers
Children can help rinse the beans – measure the ingredients – stir in the chocolate chips – scoop the cookie dough – sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top before baking.
Garden Connection
Did you know beans are garden superheroes? They're easy to grow, and their roots help return nitrogen to the soil, making it healthier for the plants that follow.
Final Note: Beans aren't just for soups and chili! They make wonderfully moist, wholesome baked treats, too. If you'd like to try more "bean" cookies, here are some of Nonni's favorite pairings:
- Black Beans – Brownies and chocolate cookies
- Great Northern Beans – Chocolate chip cookies
- Cannellini Beans – Sugar cookies and blondies
- Navy Beans – Vanilla cookies and muffins
- Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans) – Peanut butter and oatmeal cookies