Beans Like You've Never Seen Them Before: Unexpected Ideas Worth Trying

Beans are usually associated with hearty stews, soups, and salads, but around the world they are also used in some surprisingly unexpected ways. From sweet desserts to unique beverages, these are unusual bean-based creations that are sure to surprise you.

1. Black Bean Brownies

Instead of flour, these brownies use pureed black beans as the base. The result is a rich, moist, intensely chocolatey dessert packed with extra protein and fiber.

2. White Bean Ice Cream

Cooked white beans are blended with heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract to create a smooth, creamy ice cream with a delicate flavor.

3. Shaved Ice with Sweet Red Beans

As unusual as it sounds, this is a beloved dessert throughout East Asia. Sweetened red bean paste is served over finely shaved ice, then topped with condensed milk, fresh fruit, and chia seeds for a refreshing summer treat.

4. Black Bean Chocolate Truffles

Pureed black beans combined with dark chocolate create decadent chocolate truffles that conceal their secret ingredient remarkably well. Many upscale restaurants in China serve black bean truffles as a gourmet dessert.

5. Red Bean and Watermelon Salad

In China, chefs have experimented with an unusual summer salad that pairs cooked, chilled red beans with sweet watermelon cubes. It may sound like an unlikely combination, but it has gained attention for its refreshing contrast of flavors.

The salad typically includes cooked red beans, watermelon, thinly sliced red onion, fresh mint, lime or lemon juice, olive oil, and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt.

Is it actually delicious? You'll have to try it and decide for yourself.

6. White Bean Cheesecake

White beans are blended into cheesecake batter, creating an exceptionally smooth, velvety texture while adding a generous boost of protein.

7. Bean Pizza Dough

Bean flour or finely ground cooked beans replace part of the traditional wheat flour, producing a pizza crust with improved nutritional value and added protein.

8. Black Bean Chocolate Cake

In this rich chocolate cake, black beans replace much of the flour, naturally adding moisture while creating a dense, fudgy texture.

9. Sweet Red Bean Soup

A traditional Asian dessert made from red beans, water, and sugar. It can be served either hot or cold, sometimes garnished with cilantro or even a touch of chili pepper for a surprising flavor combination.

10. Fruit Smoothies with Beans

Cooked white beans or chickpeas are blended into fruit smoothies, providing natural creaminess along with extra protein and fiber.

More Unusual Bean Creations

People around the world continue to find creative ways to use beans in unexpected recipes. Some examples include:

• Bean fudge

• Lima bean cookies

• Meringues made from aquafaba, the cooking liquid from beans, which serves as a substitute for egg whites

• Marshmallows made with aquafaba

• Bean pancakes

• Candies made from fermented beans

• Milk tea enriched with sweet bean paste, a popular drink in East Asia

• Sushi filled with sweet bean paste

• Rice served with sweet bean paste

Why Does It Work?

Although the idea of using beans in desserts may sound unusual, beans actually have a mild flavor that blends surprisingly well with sweet ingredients. They are naturally rich in protein, fiber, and essential minerals.

When pureed, beans create a smooth, creamy texture that adds moisture without overpowering the other flavors. That is why chefs and pastry makers around the world continue to incorporate them into creative recipes that delight and surprise even the most adventurous eaters.