5 Plant-Based High-Carb Recipes for Endurance Athletes

Sweet and Spicy Black-Bean Brownie Recipe

  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons canola or coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, depending on how spicy you like it
  • 2 tablespoons toasted coconut, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and combine until smooth. Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish and fill with batter. Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you like more fudgy brownies, bake for 20 minutes and remove. Cool for 30 minutes before cutting and serving.

More: 5 Ways Chocolate Boosts Your Workouts

Peanut Butter and Bean Bars Recipe

  • 1/4 cup adzuki beans,* cooked and pureed
  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup chickpea flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup peanut butter chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. In a large bowl, combine pureed adzuki beans and peanut butter until well combined. Beat in eggs, brown sugar and vanilla.
In a small bowl, whisk together chickpea flour, baking powder and salt. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. Stir in chips, if using, and spread batter evenly into pan.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 30 minutes before cutting and serving.

*Adzuki beans are small red beans grown in East Asia and the Himalayas, and are typically found in Japanese and Chinese cuisines—most often in desserts. You can find canned or dried adzuki beans in Asian markets, online and in the ethnic aisle of some grocery stores.

Carb Boost: 1/4 cup of adzuki beans contains 26 grams of carbs.

More: 5 Best Carbs for Athletes

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About the Author

Sabrina Tillman Grotewold

Sabrina Tillman Grotewold is the former running editor for Active.com, and the creator of the Active Cookbook. She runs nearly every day, enjoys cooking and developing recipes, and taking her son for long walks in his stroller.
Sabrina Tillman Grotewold is the former running editor for Active.com, and the creator of the Active Cookbook. She runs nearly every day, enjoys cooking and developing recipes, and taking her son for long walks in his stroller.

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