Preheat the oven to 180°C (356° F). In a small bowl soak the chia seeds in water. Use three tablespoons of water for each tablespoon of chia seeds and allow soaking for 10 minutes or until the seeds expand and develop a gelatinous texture.

In the meantime, add the oat flakes, brown sugar, cocoa powder and baking powder in a food processor bowl and blitz until the ingredients are mixed and oat flakes ground into flour. 

Next, add the soaked chia seeds, the black beans - drained and rinsed - and the vanilla extract. In the food processor blend until you have a smooth paste. If the batter is too thick, add two tablespoons of lukewarm water.

Chop the dark chocolate into chunks and place them in an oven-proof bowl. Melt in the microwave or set the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Don’t stir the chocolate before is melted or it will become hard and thick. Allow cooling for 2 minutes and then pour in the bowl with the beans mixture. Stir well with a spoon to incorporate the chocolate.

Line a 20 cm square baking tin with parchment paper and evenly spread the brownie mixture with the help of the back of a spoon. Sprinkle over your favorite topping, like chocolate chips, oat flakes, dry coconut or chopped roasted nuts.

Bake for 25 minutes in the middle shelf. The brownies should be hard at the top but soft inside. Remove from the oven, transfer on a wire rack and allow cooling down.

Cut into small squares and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Et voila! Gluten-free brownies ready to slurp 😃.