Nothing, which is why we’re sharing tips for making breakfast-friendly brownies, and it starts and ends with a recipe inspired by the Blue Zones. chocolate chunk and black bean brownie recipe which is full of protein and antioxidants. (If you’re new to the Blue Zones, these are the regions of the world where people regularly live to be over 100 years old in good health — and beans are a staple food in all of them.)
Ahead: How to Make a Batch of These Bad Beans and Why Their Ingredients May Support Healthy Aging and Are Even More Delicious brownie recipes to try if they become out of date. (Warning: They won’t.)
What Makes This Longevity-Increasing Protein Brownie Recipe So Tantalizing
This easy brownie recipe (originally inspired by The balanced blonde) contains several ingredients commonly consumed in Blue Zones and essential for healthy aging. It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan, so it’s also suitable for people with various types of dietary restrictions.
Let’s get straight to what makes this recipe so good. The eight-ingredient recipe calls for bananas, cocoa, agave, dry oats, dairy-free chocolate chips, almond butter, vanilla extract, and, the star of the show, black beans. A whole box. Thanks to a good portion of black beans, these brownies are packed with protein (almost 25 grams of proteindepending on the brand) and are beyond moist and rich – a win-win in our book.
Beans contain several key nutrients linked to healthy aging: they’re high in fiber, packed with many essential nutrients (folate, zinc, and potassium, to name a few), and help support a well-balanced microbiome. According to the founder of Blue Zones Dan Buttnerbeans are a key element of most century-old diets. Buettner actually shared that eating a cup of beans a day could extend your life expectancy by four years.
According to Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner, beans are a key part of most centenarians’ diets. Buettner actually shared that eating a cup of beans a day could extend your lifespan by four years.
Another element of this recipe that increases longevity is cocoa. You can remember the legacy of Sister André, a French nun who lived to be 118 years old. When asked what his secret was to living well beyond most, his answer was: eating chocolate and drinking wine regularly. (Love. Sound. Vibe.) And while cheeky, there is research to back up her claim that chocolate could be a key ingredient for increasing longevity. Indeed, research shows that cocoa can potentially help reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetesAnd dementia. This is largely because it contains polyphenolsa powerful antioxidant.
Vegan Chocolate Chunk Black Bean Brownie Recipe
Makes 10 servings
Ingredients
15 ounce can black beans (drained and rinsed)
2 whole bananas
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa (and/or cocoa powder)
1/3 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup dry oatmeal
1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
1/2 cup almond butter (or your favorite nut butter)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Butter an 8 x 8 mold and set aside. (It is recommended to grease the pan with coconut oil spray.)
3. Combine all ingredients except the oats and chocolate chips and blend in a high-speed blender or food processor.
4. Pour into a bowl and mix together the oatmeal and chocolate chips.
5. Pour the batter into the greased pan and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center. Let cool before serving.
Brownie recipe even richer in protein, I love it
If black bean brownies aren’t your scene, we understand. Beans in brownies can be difficult to understand. (But we highly advise you don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.) That said, now that we’re all in the mood for gooey, fudgy brownies, we’ve got a lot more options for you… which n do not involve beans.
For the Easiest Brownie Recipe on the Planet, Try These Three Ingredients Banana and Peanut Butter Brownies (which are also anti-inflammatory). They are as decadent as they are easy to prepare.
For a heart-healthy brownie recipe, try making fudge brownies with extra virgin olive oil: this makes them ultra-moist and packed with monounsaturated fatty acids, well known for their anti-inflammatory benefits. Time to put the oven together, right?
Gooey olive oil brownies coming soon:
