We didn’t start the not-terribly-bad-for-you-sweets trend, but we do intend to have the final word on it with this healthy chocolate brownie. Sweet potato. Black beans. The barest amount of flour possible just to bind the whole together. It’s even vegan!
But no one’s going to know or care about all that nutrition, for the simple reason that this is the fudgiest thing going, with a texture closer to mousse than cake. Our child can easily smash half the pan; you should make sure to bogart the rest so that doesn’t happen (and/or you yourself). It’s good. Really good. And, hey, if your child refuses vegetables and/or anything else healthy at dinner later in the day, don’t worry about it: he/she had a brownie, after all.
Check out our best healthy snack and treat recipes for kids!
Ingredients Overview
This recipe for “Healthy Chocolate Brownie” uses unexpected but kid-friendly ingredients — like puréed sweet potato and mashed black beans — to create a super fudgy, rich-tasting brownie that hides real nourishment. With minimal flour, dark chocolate (or cocoa), and a hint of vanilla, it still delivers a classic brownie mouth-feel, but with fiber and veggie power built in. New Dad’s Kitchen
Steps Summary
- Cook your sweet potato until soft and mashable. New Dad’s Kitchen
- Rinse and drain the black beans; melt the chocolate (or chocolate chips) with oil or butter in a bowl. New Dad’s Kitchen
- Blend the sweet potato, black beans, vanilla extract and the melted chocolate until smooth. New Dad’s Kitchen
- Stir in the flour, baking powder, a pinch of salt (if needed), and mix thoroughly. New Dad’s Kitchen
- Spread the batter into a baking dish, bake at approximately 350°F (≈ 175 °C) for about 15 minutes, then let it rest/cool for ~10 minutes before cutting and serving. New Dad’s Kitchen
FAQ
Q: Is this vegan or dairy-free?
Yes — the recipe is vegan and plant-based. New Dad’s Kitchen
Q: Can I swap the sweet potato or black beans?
The sweet potato and black beans are key to the texture and hidden-veggie benefit; you could experiment, but expect changes in texture or moisture.
Q: How toddler-friendly is it?
Very — it’s explicitly designed for toddlers/picky-eaters. The texture is described as “closer to mousse than cake.” New Dad’s Kitchen
Q: Can I add extras like nuts or fruit?
Yes, as long as they are age-appropriate for your child. Just note that adding nuts changes the allergen profile and may make the texture less pudding-like.
Q: How do I store or freeze?
After baking and cooling, you can cut into portions and freeze in a sealed container. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.
Links
What to Serve With “Healthy Chocolate Brownie”
- A dollop of plain full-fat yogurt or coconut yogurt (for dairy-free)
- Soft fruit slices (like banana or cooked apple) to pair with the fudgy brownie
- A warm glass of milk (dairy or plant-based) to turn this treat into a little dessert-moment
More Toddler-Friendly Recipes Like This
- “Pumpkin Chickpea Blondie” — another nutrition + veggies play on a sweet treat.
- “Carrot Cake For Kids” — uses veggies in a sweet treat format.
- “Healthy Banana Pudding For Toddlers (and Adults, too)” — another dessert-style snack that balances indulgence and nutrition.
A Healthy Chocolate Brownie for Kids: Sweet Potato + Black Bean Magic
Description
Looking for a kid-approved treat that’s secretly healthy? These black bean and sweet potato brownies are naturally sweet, rich in fiber, and perfect for toddlers and picky eaters alike. Great for snacks or lunchboxes!
Ingredients
Instructions
Prep
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Preheat oven to 350. Coat a small baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
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Rinse and drain the black beans. With a fork, poke holes all around the surface of the sweet potato and microwave until soft and easily mashable, roughly 6 minutes.
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While the black beans dry and sweet potato cooks, pour chocolate chips and a generous splash of oil or pat of butter in a large bowl and microwave until melted, roughly 60-75 seconds. Mix as needed until the chips form a thick sauce.
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Add the sweet potatoes, black beans, and vanilla extract; blend with a forceful stir or a hand mixer until potatoes and beans are integrated with the chocolate. Add the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt (if beans have no added salt) and stir until mixed. (If you want a denser texture, add your extra flour here.)
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Scoop the batter into the baking dish, spreading around so that all space is filled and the batter is evenly distributed.
Cook
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Cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow ten minutes to cool before cutting and serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 9
Serving Size 1 brownie
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 175kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 9g14%
- Sodium 55mg3%
- Potassium 250mg8%
- Total Carbohydrate 22g8%
- Dietary Fiber 4g16%
- Sugars 10g
- Protein 5g10%
- Vitamin A 700 IU
- Iron 1.4 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
User Reviews
Moist and delicious. So good!
Moist and delicious…so good