• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Snacking in Sneakers
  • Home
  • About + Contact
    • About
    • Contact
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
  • Running + Triathlon
    • Free Training Plans
    • Running
    • Triathlon
    • Race Reviews
    • Fitness Tips & Workouts
  • Wellness + Travel
    • Nutrition
    • Health + Wellness Tips
    • Travel
  • Shop
    • Journey to Healthy Eating: 28 Day Nutrition Challenge
    • Printable Fitness Planner
    • Triathlon Art – Set of 3 Digital Prints
    • Sports Nutrition Book for Runners and Triathletes
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Chrissy
  • Recipe Box
  • Wellness + Travel
  • Fitness, Run & Tri
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Dessert

    Butter Bean Blondies! {Flourless, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free}

    January 6, 2016 by Chrissy Carroll 16 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I’m realizing that a lot of my recipes revolve around experimenting with beans and/or the liquid within a can of beans, haha.  What can I say – I’m a lover of legumes.

    I saw a post about flourless chickpea brownies on the Ambitious Kitchen blog recently and knew that I wanted to attempt some version of that.  When Devon refused to nap yesterday, it gave me a perfect excuse to let him crawl around my feet in the kitchen while I whipped up these bad boys.

    There were no chickpeas in my pantry, but I did have some butter beans – so I figured, what the heck?!  These should work.  And they did, beautifully.

    These butter bean blondies are the ultimate in healthy desserts! They’re flourless, gluten free, and vegan friendly. Easy to make with just 8 simple ingredients.| Healthy Dessert Recipes | Clean Dessert Recipe | Blondies Recipe | Blondies Bars | Dairy Free Dessert

    These butter bean blondies are the ultimate in healthy desserts! They’re flourless, gluten free, and vegan friendly. Easy to make with just 8 simple ingredients.| Healthy Dessert Recipes | Clean Dessert Recipe | Blondies Recipe | Blondies Bars | Dairy Free Dessert

    Speaking of which:  am I the only one that didn’t know that butter beans are a version of lima beans?  I feel like my only experience with lima beans was growing them in 3rd grade in a plastic cup by the windowsill, and of course I remember them as green.  While I was googling them to compare their nutrition info to chickpeas, I found out they are just a large, flat, whitish type of lima bean.  Who knew?!

    Anyhoo, I really liked these.  Terry said they weren’t his favorite, but still ate some right outta the pan, so I’m going to venture to say he meant “not my favorite when compared to super sugary calorie laden blondies.”  I seriously thought they came out great.

    Admittedly, they’re not like a super sweet blondie like you’ll get for dessert out at a restaurant (being real with you here) – but they’re still rich and chewy.  They’ve got a nice peanut butter flavor to them, but not too overpowering.  I feel like they’re a perfect sweet treat to indulge in guilt-free (4 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein in one?  Woohoo!). 

    And they are SO easy to make.  Just 8 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, mixed up in the food processor and baked for 20-25 min.  That’s it!  

    A note on the cooking time – if you prefer more gooey blondies, go on the 20 min end of cooking time.  If you prefer firmer, go a little longer for around 25 minutes.  

    Give ’em a try and let me know how you like them!

    These butter bean blondies are the ultimate in healthy desserts! They’re flourless, gluten free, and vegan friendly. Easy to make with just 8 simple ingredients.| Healthy Dessert Recipes | Clean Dessert Recipe | Blondies Recipe | Blondies Bars | Dairy Free Dessert

    These butter bean blondies are the ultimate in healthy desserts! They’re flourless, gluten free, and vegan friendly. Easy to make with just 8 simple ingredients.| Healthy Dessert Recipes | Clean Dessert Recipe | Blondies Recipe | Blondies Bars | Dairy Free Dessert

    These butter bean blondies are the ultimate in healthy desserts! They’re flourless, gluten free, and vegan friendly. Easy to make with just 8 simple ingredients.| Healthy Dessert Recipes | Clean Dessert Recipe | Blondies Recipe | Blondies Bars | Dairy Free Dessert

    *2017 Update – I’ve made these for a ton of people and they’re always a hit.  In fact, I’ve cooked them the last few semesters with my students for guests at the college where I teach.  They’ve become so popular that they’ve been added to the regular recipe repertoire for our hospitality department!  I think that says something about this delish treat. 🙂

     

    These butter bean blondies are the ultimate in healthy desserts! They’re flourless, gluten free, and vegan friendly. Easy to make with just 8 simple ingredients.| Healthy Dessert Recipes | Clean Dessert Recipe | Blondies Recipe | Blondies Bars | Dairy Free Dessert

    Butter Bean Blondies

    Snacking in Sneakers
    These butter bean blondies are the ultimate healthy dessert! They’re flourless, gluten free, and vegan friendly - but still rich and delicious. Easy to make with just 8 simple ingredients.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Servings 9
    Calories 221 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Ingredients:

    • 1 15-ounce can of butter beans, drained
    • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
    • 1/3 cup maple syrup OR honey (note honey is not vegan)
    • 2 tsp vanilla
    • 1/4 tsp salt
    • 1/4 tsp baking powder
    • 1/4 tsp baking soda
    • 1/3 + 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (double check label if diet restrictions; Enjoy Life chocolate chips are dairy free/vegan)

    Instructions
     

    Directions:

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8 baking dish or a pie plate.
    • In a food processor, puree butter beans until they form a smooth paste. 
    • Add peanut butter, maple syrup (or honey), vanilla, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to the bean mixture in the processor. Turn on processor for about 5-10 seconds until everything is well combined. Fold in 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips.
    • Place batter in baking dish and top with remaining chocolate chips.
    • Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until a knife/toothpick comes out clean. {If you prefer more gooey blondies, go on the lower end; for firmer blondies go on the higher end.}

    Notes

    Nutrition Analysis (approximate per serving):
    221 calories, 10 g fat (4 g sat fat), 311 mg sodium, 27 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 18 g sugar, 6 g fiber

    Nutrition

    Calories: 221kcal
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

     

    Share with me:  Have you ever made butter bean blondies or chickpea blondies?  Are you a fan of bean desserts like me?!

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll is a Registered Dietitian and USAT Level I Triathlon Coach. She specializes in sharing nutrition and fitness tips, as well as recipes, for runners, triathletes, and active women.Chrissy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
    Chrissy Carroll
    Latest posts by Chrissy Carroll (see all)
    • Greek Yogurt Macaroni Salad (Gluten Free) - May 25, 2023
    • Track Interval Pace Calculator - May 23, 2023
    • How Accurate is Age-Predicted Max Heart Rate? - May 12, 2023

    More Dessert

    • Healthy fruitcake with a slice cut into it on a white plate.
      Healthier Fruitcake Recipe
    • A pumpkin coffee smoothie in a mason jar.
      Healthy Pumpkin Coffee Smoothie
    • A hand dipping a graham cracker into a bowl of pumpkin greek yogurt dip.
      Healthy Pumpkin Greek Yogurt Dip
    • A stack of several strawberry watermelon rind mini pies on a plate.
      Mini Strawberry Watermelon Rind Pies
    262 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Let’s connect!

    Instagram
    Facebook
    Pinterest
    Twitter

    Looking for something?

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carla

      January 6, 2016 at 9:59 am

      Sharing but had to let you know first I think this is brilliant. I was raised on the black bean brownies and never would have thought of this!!!!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        January 8, 2016 at 7:09 am

        Thank you Carla!! I hope you enjoy them 🙂

        Reply
      • DeAnn

        August 3, 2021 at 3:40 pm

        5 stars
        These are fabulous!! Made this recipe twice. I love black bean brownies and was looking for some way to use up a can of butter beans. Made a slight modification by adding 2 tablespoons of water to achieve a creamy puree. Second time, I reduced maple syrup to three tablespoons and added Stevia, 3 packets or the equivalent of two tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of milled flaxseed and coconut oil. Very delicious! Toddler approved!

        Reply
        • Chrissy Carroll

          August 5, 2021 at 10:15 am

          Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review! 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed them and it sounds like you found some great modifications to suit your tastes, which is awesome.

          Reply
    2. Sarah @ BucketListTummy

      January 6, 2016 at 10:16 am

      I’m going to make these asap. They look delicious! I’ve done the black bean brownies before, but never blondies 🙂

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        January 8, 2016 at 7:10 am

        Awesome – Let me know how you like ’em Sarah!

        Reply
    3. Kalee

      January 6, 2016 at 12:00 pm

      Maybe it’s a Southern thing but my grandmother calls lima beans butter beans all the time. I had no idea they were comparable to chickpeas though!

      These blondies look so good. The restaurant ones you talked about are a weakness of mine!! Maybe this would keep me in check and still get in something sweet.

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        January 8, 2016 at 7:51 am

        My favorite dessert of all time at restaurants is the Applebees maple butter blondie. It is this super sweet blondie topped with ice cream and then drizzled with warm butter mixed with maple syrup. It is pretty much the unhealthiest thing ever, hahaha, but I like to get it once a year because it is so good.

        Reply
    4. GiGi Eats

      January 6, 2016 at 12:24 pm

      I need to try baking with chickpeas… Mmm! Beans will be incorporated a bit this year into some of my recipes…. But not tooooo much because I totally over eat them and no one wants to see me….. GASSY lol!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        January 8, 2016 at 7:52 am

        Hahaha! Very true Gigi. Sometimes people who are sensitive too them can build up their tolerance to beans so that they become less gassy eating them over time. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple

      January 6, 2016 at 2:40 pm

      LOVE baking desserts with beans!! So yummy 🙂

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        January 8, 2016 at 7:53 am

        I hope you give them a try Liz!

        Reply
    6. Rachel @ RachelMcMichael.com

      January 7, 2016 at 10:45 am

      I cannot wait to try this recipe!!! YUM!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        January 8, 2016 at 7:54 am

        I hope you like them Rachel!! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Cailee

      January 13, 2016 at 4:00 pm

      Oh my gosh these look amazing! What a great recipe and I just love how healthy they are! Thanks for sharing! I’m definitely about to pin them now 🙂 Love it!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        January 21, 2016 at 7:27 pm

        You’re so welcome Cailee! I hope you like ’em – after you make them be sure to shoot me a message or tweet and let me know if you did. 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Snacking in Sneakers! That’s me, Chrissy, and I’m here to share all my favorite fitness, food, & wellness stories & tips. I’m a dietitian, personal trainer, runner, triathlon coach, foodie, not-so-extreme couponer, and all around fun lovin’ gal.

    More about me →

    Latest

    • A bowl of greek yogurt macaroni salad with a wooden spoon in the side.
      Greek Yogurt Macaroni Salad (Gluten Free)
    • A woman in shorts sprinting on a track for running intervals.
      Track Interval Pace Calculator
    • A woman taking her pulse at her neck to check her heart rate.
      How Accurate is Age-Predicted Max Heart Rate?
    • A runner's shoes standing on a path in the fall.
      10 Week Half Marathon Training Plan (Beginner Friendly)

    Let’s Connect!

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll is a Registered Dietitian and USAT Level I Triathlon Coach. She specializes in sharing nutrition and fitness tips, as well as recipes, for runners, triathletes, and active women.Chrissy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
    Chrissy Carroll
    Latest posts by Chrissy Carroll (see all)
    • Greek Yogurt Macaroni Salad (Gluten Free) - May 25, 2023
    • Track Interval Pace Calculator - May 23, 2023
    • How Accurate is Age-Predicted Max Heart Rate? - May 12, 2023

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Snacking in Sneakers

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll is a Registered Dietitian and USAT Level I Triathlon Coach. She specializes in sharing nutrition and fitness tips, as well as recipes, for runners, triathletes, and active women.Chrissy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
    Chrissy Carroll
    Latest posts by Chrissy Carroll (see all)
    • Greek Yogurt Macaroni Salad (Gluten Free) - May 25, 2023
    • Track Interval Pace Calculator - May 23, 2023
    • How Accurate is Age-Predicted Max Heart Rate? - May 12, 2023
    262 shares
    • 3

    Want smoothie recipes to fuel your fitness?

    Sign up for our email list and access a free e-book with 10 healthy smoothie recipes + tips on creating your own!

    Invalid email address
    Thanks for subscribing! Check your email for your smoothie e-book.