These high-protein Black Bean Peanut Butter Brownie Bites are fudgy, delicious, and packed with nutrients that you’ll want to make them on repeat. Made with black beans that you won’t taste, nuts, creamy peanut butter, maple syrup, and cacao, these energy balls come together in just a few minutes using a food processor, no baking, and yield about 16–18 snack balls.
I’ve made these more times than I can count, and I rarely get a full batch into the refrigerator before they’re half gone. They make an easy, satisfying addition to lunches that feels like an actual treat. My husband takes these to work almost every week, and it’s become one of his favorite go-to snacks. I love to snack on them in the afternoon when I’m hitting a low or get a craving for something to boost my energy.
Ingredients & Equipment
- Black beans
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Peanut Butter
- Maple syrup
- Cacao powder or nibs: cacao differs from cocoa, see “why these work” below for details.
- Food Processor
- Ice cream or cookie scoop, or spoon
How to Make These No-Bake Bites
Makes approximately 16–18 bites.
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- Add the almonds and cashews to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse for 5–10 seconds, until the nuts are finely ground.
- Add the black beans, peanut butter, maple syrup, and cacao powder. Blend until the mixture is smooth and holds together.
- Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out about 1–2 tablespoons of the mixture. Roll between your palms into a ball.
- Place on a parchment-lined plate or container. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to firm up.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. These also freeze well for up to 3 months. Just thaw for about 15-30 minutes before eating.
Why These Work
- These bites have solidly earned their place in your weekly rotation. The black beans and nut combination delivers a solid amount of plant-based protein per serving, enough actually to hold you over between meals. Peanut butter adds healthy fats that keep you satisfied, and cacao is one of the best food sources of magnesium, a mineral most of us don’t get enough of. Maple syrup keeps the sweetness real and simple.
- You’ll notice this recipe calls for cacao, not cocoa. They come from the same plant, but cacao is the raw, minimally processed version, meaning it retains more of its natural nutrients, including that magnesium. Cocoa is roasted at higher temperatures, which gives it a milder, more familiar chocolate flavor but reduces some of its nutritional value. Either will work in this recipe, but cacao has more nutrients.
- No baking. No refined sugar. No mystery ingredients. Just whole foods blended into something that tastes like dessert.
If you enjoy these black bean brownie bites, you might also like to try these high-protein Energy Balls that are sweetened with medjool dates. Or these Healthy Banana Cookies that have no-sugar, no-eggs, and are gluten-free!
This post may contain affiliate links by which I may receive a small commission. All product links are items I personally use in my kitchen.
If you make this recipe I would love it if you left a review below and tag me on Instagram!
Black Bean Peanut Butter Brownie Bites
Equipment
- Ice cream or cookie scoop, or spoon
Ingredients
- ½ cup almonds, raw unsalted
- ½ cup cashews, lightly salted or unsalted
- ⅓ – ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons cacao powder or nibs
Instructions
- Add almonds and cashews to the food processor and pulse to chop nuts until course.
- Add remaining ingredients and blend until you have a smooth texture. About 20-30 seconds. Adjust peanut butter and maple syrup to taste preference.
- Using an ice cram scoop or spoon that is about 1-2 tablespoons, scoop into hands and roll into a ball. Repeat.
- Store rolled brownie bites in an airtight container until ready to serve.
