These black bean cookies with chocolate and beetroot are packed full of goodness. They're sweetened naturally with fruit and are suitable for vegans.
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These cookies are so incredible that I barely know where to start describing them.
Here's why they're so amazing:
- they contain a portion of veg (beetroot)
- and a portion of pulses (black beans)
- they're naturally sweetened (dates and bananas)
- packed with energy (oats)
- chocolate flavoured (always a winner)
- nut free (great for lunch boxes)
- they contain just 70 calories each
Great for kids - and adults
The cookies make a great after-school snack for hungry kids (anyone else's kids seem like they haven't eaten since breakfast after school?).
Good for lunch boxes
They're nut free, making them perfect for lunchboxes.
Plus they're a great way to get kids to eat more veg.
You might even find that you eat one or two yourself when they're still warm out of the oven - well it would be a shame not to try them, wouldn't it?
My family could not guess what these cookies were made from
I gave my whole family the challenge of guessing what was in these. Apart from chocolate they didn't guess any of the ingredients.
They had no idea that they were eating:
- beetroot
- oats
- black beans
- bananas, and
- dates!
Vegan friendly
These black bean cookies are free from dairy and eggs or any other animal product so are suitable for vegans.
Make them gluten free
If you use gluten free oats and baking powder they would be gluten free too.
Equipment
You will need:
- weighing scales - I prefer digital*
- food processor*
- baking tray*
- baking paper*
Baking with pulses
Baking with pulses such as black beans and chickpeas adds a healthy dose of plant-based protein to your bakes.
Here are some more recipes that use pulses that you might like:
- Chickpea cookie dough (no bake)
- Healthy gingerbread blondies
- Chickpea and peanut butter blondies
- Black bean brownies
If you like these you might also like these chocolate beetroot brownies or these tropical cookies.
How to make chocolate beetroot black bean cookies:
If you've made this recipe please a star rating and comment below. Thank you!
Please do not reproduce this recipe without permission.
Chocolate beetroot black bean cookies
Ingredients
- 240 g black beans drained and rinsed (1 standard 400g tin)
- 100 g oats
- 2 ripe bananas chopped
- 1 cooked beetroot chopped
- 8 dates* chopped
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder or cocoa powder
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (fan)/200°C/400°F/gas mark 6.
- Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.
- Place all the ingredients (tin of black beans, 100g oats, 2 ripe bananas, 1 chopped cooked beetroot, 8 chopped dates, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon cacao or cocoa powder) in a food processor.
- Pulse until well combined, pausing once or twice to scrape the sides down.
- Using two spoons (as it's quite a sticky mixture) place eight spoonfuls of the mixture on each baking tray, leaving a gap between them.
- Flatten with the back of a fork.
- Bake in the pre-heated oven for 15-18 minutes until set and slightly crispy on top.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly on a wire rack.
- Delicious warm or cold.
- Store for a day or two in an airtight container.
Notes
- *Medjool dates will work best in this recipe. If you are using another type of dried dates you may need to soak them in hot water for 20 minutes before proceeding with this recipe.
- Nutritional information is approximate and is intended as a guide only.
Nutrition
Pin chocolate beetroot black bean cookies for later:
HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?
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Jane Steele
Hi there - is it possible to make them without dates?
Mandy Mazliah
Hi Jane
I think you could probably use raisins or another dried fruit but I haven't tested this so can't say for sure. Dates usually work best because they're so sticky.
Let me know how you get on
Mandy
Natalie
Hi, I'm making these right now and just wondering if they will freeze? I like to freeze snacks for the kids so I'm never caught out!
Mandy Mazliah
Hi Natalie - I haven't experimented with freezing these so I'm not 100% sure but I can't see why it wouldn't work. If you do try it it would be great if you let me know how you get on.
ss
Hi if I use dry black beans, how many hours should I soak them ? Also, should it be cooked?
Mandy Mazliah
Hi yes, if you soak and cook the black beans according to the instructions on the packet then you can use the cooked beans in the recipe. Usually you will need to soak them overnight in cold water before cooking.
Nilou
I am so grateful for this website specially this recipe and so happy I accidentally found it. I’ve tried a million recipes to get my 2.5 year old eat veggies. Right now he’s eating the fourth cookie and wondering why I’m looking at him with such excitement
Mandy Mazliah
That’s so great to hear – I’m so happy to hear that!
Heike
Sounds delicious ? i would like to make iz but am using dry beans, what is the net weight of the beans after the liquid is drained ?
Mandy Mazliah
I've just double checked and it's 235g - hope it works!
Jo
Just made these as a new afternoon snack for my toddler and they've turned out great! I think I must've had quite a big beetroot as they're more purple than the pictures but they're a really good texture and just sweet enough to satisfy both my little girl and me. Very moreish! Thanks for the fab recipe.
Mandy Mazliah
I wish mine had been more purple! Haven't made this recipe for ages - will be making it again as soon as I hunt out a large beetroot 🙂
Cathy @ Planet Veggie
These are just my kind of cookie - the kind without loads of butter and sugar in them!
Mandy Mazliah
Oh well I like the other kind too but these are better as an everyday option!
Emma
Do you think Kidney beans could work?
Mandy Mazliah
I haven't tried it so I don't know but I don't see why not. It might change the colour a bit but should be fine. Let me know if you try it how it goes!
Lou
I was rather dubious about trying this recipe, I like all the ingredients individually but was a little unsure how they would taste together. I'm keen to try new things so gave them a go and I was very, pleasantly surprised. In all honesty, they're definitely not as good as a real, sugar laden, cookie but if you're looking for a healthy alternative with a nutritional boost then definitely give these a good. They taste delicious and will certainly satisfy your sweet tooth.
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks for your honesty Lou! I'm glad you tried them - I remember having a lot of doubts before trying baking with pulses for the first time but now we do it a lot. Glad you enjoyed them.
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain
Ooh, now that is a sneaky recipe Mandy - beetroot and blackbeans! Fab!
Angela x
TurksWhoEat
I love the idea of these, I'll definitely need to give them a try!
Mandy Mazliah
Let me know what you think!
Severien Vits
I love the fact that it can go in lunch boxes, must try!
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks so much - it can be tricky trying to make healthy bakes and avoid nuts at the same time!
Eb Gargano / easypeasyfoodie.com
P.S, Really loving your new site...and how much easier it is to comment!! 😀 Xx
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Eb - these were definitely a sneaky veg success! Glad you approve of the new commenting system 🙂 x
Eb Gargano / easypeasyfoodie.com
WOW! I love this idea...I love how many veggies and other goodies you've managed to sneak into these totally delicious looking cookies. You are a very clever lady!! And I love that you totally foxed your kids. Thanks for linking it up to #CookBlogShare 🙂 Eb x
Bernadette
Yummy! They sound delicious and also love the hidden nutrient boosters!
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Bernadette!
jenny paulin
such a healthy sweet treat Mandy - I love all of the hidden ingredients you managed to conceal inside them. x
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Jenny! This is a great one for sneaking in extra goodness x
Jo @ Jo's Kitchen Larder
This recipe looks amazing! Why bother buying sugar laden snacks for your little ones if you can whizz up these little morsels. I was honestly gobsmacked when I saw black beans on the list of ingredients but hey if it works, it works 🙂 Will be giving these a whirl as need something new to keep my two happy after school and nursery. Will report back!
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Jo - the beans work really well - I use pulses in quite a few bakes! Let me know what you think x
Kate
This looks like a very quirky recipe. I love the idea of using black beans and beetroot in a cookie recipe. I bet they go really well with the dates. I will have to give this a try next time I bake with my girls.
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Kate - I'd love to hear what you think x
Monika Dabrowski
I can't think of a healthier cookie recipe! The ingredients are amazing. Love every single one. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare:)
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Monika - it's probably as healthy as you can get!