The Absolute Best Way To Use A Can Of Beans

Beans are considered a superfood by dieticians and healthcare professionals — and for good reason. These legumes are an excellent source of an abundance of essential nutrients, including fiber, protein, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, according to WebMD. Beans are a staple pantry item around the globe due to their versatility, affordability, and of course, their ability to transform meals into flavor powerhouses. There are various styles of beans in the culinary world, including pinto, cannellini, red, kidney, lima, garbanzo, and black beans — all of which are incorporated into meals for an extra dose of nourishment, flavor, and color.

Black beans, for one, are a common ingredient in soups, salads, dips, enchiladas, vegetarian burgers, and so much more. They're known for their mellow flavor and creamy texture, which makes them a favorite among eaters. But there's one rather unexpected dish you can make with a can of black beans — and believe it or not, it falls within the dessert category.

Next time you're craving a tray of fudgy, ooey-gooey chocolate brownies, make sure you add black beans to your grocery list. That's right! In lieu of flour, you can swap in black beans to whip up a batch of chewy, sweet, and perfectly balanced brownies. This trick is being used more and more often by bakers everywhere, who swear by the clever, healthy, and surprisingly tasty substitution.

Food blogger Jennifer of Show Me The Yummy shares a black bean brownies recipe, which requires a few kitchen basics, including a 15-oz can of black beans, white vinegar, pumpkin puree, coconut oil, salt, vanilla extract, maple syrup, oats, baking soda, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips.

Taste of Home also offers a simple recipe for black bean brownies that calls for a can of black beans plus semisweet chocolate chips, oil, eggs, brown sugar, baking cocoa, vanilla extract, and baking powder.

All the chocolaty goodness of brownies with an undeniably wholesome element? Absolutely! The only thing you need to question is whether you'll reach for a corner or middle piece.