These Vegan Fudge Pops are naturally-sweetened, protein-packed frozen chocolate dessert made with a secret ingredient... beans! This healthy fudgesicle recipe is the perfect icy cold treat on a hot day for kids and adults alike!
Okay, okay... I know what you're thinking.... a healthy fudgesicle recipe sounds pretty good, right? But BEANS in it?! Have you lost your mind, Nutrition Lady?
Yes, friends, I have. I've lost my mind with joy because these Black Bean Fudge Pops are so freaking delicious.
I had an idea rattling around in my head for a long time for a healthy fudgesicle recipe, and figured I could riff from this Chocolate Black Bean Smoothie recipe, which is one of the most popular recipes on this entire site. And you know what? I was right.
I tinkered with the recipe some, reducing the liquid to make it thicker and more dessert like, adding an avocado for healthy fats and creaminess, and pumping up the sweetness just a bit with some extra dates. You guys, these are SO GOOD!
If you're looking for a healthy chocolate dessert to give your kids, hand to my heart, this is the one. They'll love it, you'll love that it's so healthy, and if you're not spooning the leftover fudgesicle batter directly into your mouth, I'll give you your money back.
Just kidding. There are no refunds on HNL.
So just to recap, what we have here is:
- A naturally-sweetened fudgesicle recipe
- A dairy-free fudgesicle recipe
- A vegan fudgesicle recipe
- A homemade fudge pop recipe that will blow your freaking mind
- Chocolate fudge pops with BEANS!!!
What's in this healthy fudgesicle recipe?
Alright, should we make some black bean fudgesicles already?!
Here's what you'll need:
- A banana --> The riper the better. Please note I do not recommend using frozen bananas in this recipe.
- An avocado --> Very ripe, please.
- Black beans --> Yup, we're doing this. Related: How to Cook Black Beans From Scratch
- Medjool dates --> Some nice and soft ones.
- Cocoa powder --> Or cacao, if that's how you roll.
- Cinnamon --> Optional, but delicious.
- Plant-based milk --> I've tested this recipe with almond and oat milk. Both are delicious.
How do you make homemade fudgesicles?
Easy as 1, 2, 3, my friends!
Step 1: Place all of the ingredients into a food processor blender. Blend until very smooth.
Step 2: Pour the vegan fudgesicle mixture into popsicle molds. I have these ones, and I love the way my popsicles come out.
Step 3: Freeze your healthy fudgesicles until firm. I recommend overnight if you can wait that long, but your fudgesicles should be ready in a few hours if not.
That's it! You're done!
Do these fudgesicles taste like beans?
Let's be honest, if you are expecting these vegan fudge pops to taste exactly like legit fudgesicles you will be disappointed. These bad boys are sweetened with banana and dates, not refined sugars, so they're not ridiculously sweet.
The texture is a tad icier than a classic fudgesicle, but if you let 'em soften up a bit it's pretty close.
Do they taste bean-ey? Not even a little bit. Avocado-ey? Nope. Banana-ey? Maybe a touch. But mostly they're cool, creamy, chocolately goodness that you can feel virtuous about.
And my toddler was totally enthusiastic about them which made me happy because it means he's eating Beans! Bananas! Avocados!
Hey Nutrition Lady, tell me more about beans!
Folks, I'd be glad to!
Black beans are a good source of folate, dietary fiber, protein, phosphorus, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium and vitamin K. The protein-plus-fiber combination in black beans is one of the things that makes them special.
A one cup serving contains 15g of fiber (over half of the daily recommended intake), and 15g of protein.
Much of the fiber in black beans is indigestible, which supports digestive health, particularly in the lower part of our digestive tract. The protein-fiber combination is also key in stabilizing blood sugar levels, as both protein and fiber move through our digestive systems at a moderate pace.
Black beans are also rich in soluble fiber, which is helpful for lowering blood cholesterol levels and supporting cardiovascular health.
Do beans give you tummy troubles? It might be FODMAPs! If you're looking for some tasty snacks that will be kind to your gut, here are 10 Low FODMAP Snacks.
Other healthy dessert recipes you might enjoy
Roasted Strawberry Yoghurt Popsicles
Vegan Chocolate Mousse
Chocolate Energy Bites
Gluten-free Mug Cake
Black Bean Fudge Pops
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large banana the riper the better
- 1 large avocado very ripe, please!
- 1 cup black beans if canned, well rinsed and drained
- 4 large medjool dates pitted
- 4 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cups almond milk or other milk of choice
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Carefully pour into popsicle molds, place sticks half way down, and freeze until completely firm - preferably overnight.
- To release the fudge pops run the popsicle mold under hot water for a few seconds and wiggle to release.
Notes
-My popsicle mold makes 10 standard popsicles and I ended up with just a bit of the mixture leftover - just drink it down like a smoothie!
-Nutrition Facts are an estimate only!
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published July 25, 2017. It was last updated August 1, 2019.
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Sustainable Cooks - Sarah
Yuuuuuuuuuuuuum! My oldest has evolving issues with dairy and does a great job of self-regulating his intake. But missing out on fudgey popsicles during the summer is a hard pass for a nine-year-old. These were the perfect substitution for hot weather treats.
The avocado was genius to add. I would have never thought about that!
Holly
I see you mention one can use Amy milk. So I take it I could use cow's milk if it want- right? Or is there some chemistry that I'm not considering?
Katie Trant
Yep, any milk is fine. Cow, oat, almond, whatever you prefer.
Christine @ Happy Veggie Kitchen
Is there anything beans can't do? These look crazy delicious with so much goodness packed in! Can summer back now please so I can make them?
Maki
Super excited to try this recipe as I need to up my legume consumption!
I'm thinking these would be a great post-workout snack 🙂
Katie Trant
Definitely! And you can also try the black bean smoothie that inspired these, that would be perfect recovery food.