This healthy baked beans recipe has no molasses or refined sugar. Most vegan baked bean recipes are loaded with unhealthy sugars and additives. But, this recipe gets its amazing flavor from a small amount of natural maple syrup and smoky chipotle paste.
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If you're British, you'll relate to eating baked beans as a mandatory addition to a Full English Breakfast. But, it thought of eating beans for breakfast is a little too foreign, enjoy them at your next potluck or BBQ. Serve them up with some vegan sausages and a vegan potato salad, and you're in cookout heaven.
If you've never made baked beans from scratch, you'll be surprised at how easy it is! Your oven (or slow cooker or Instant Pot) does all the hard work. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy the cozy smell of baked beans wafting through your house. Yummy!
This recipe calls for canned beans. It's so much simpler than using dried beans, which need soaking and a longer cooking time. I've made baked beans both ways, and honestly I can't tell the difference!
There are three different cooking methods you can use to make healthy baked beans from scratch: your oven, slow cooker or Instant Pot. All three work equally well, you'll find instructions on each method on the recipe card.
Ingredients:
- Beans: You will need three cans of navy beans (aka haricot beans).
- Chipotle Paste: Chipotle paste gives these healthy baked beans a smoky taste, and it's so much healthier than traditional recipes which call for loads of molasses.
- Garlic: Garlic adds that punchy background flavor that's so necessary in any baked bean's recipe.
- Tomato puree: Tomato puree (or tomato passata) is the healthier alternative to using ketchup.
- Onions: Onions and garlic are the base of this recipe. As is the case with most savory recipes, onions and garlic build depth and flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds a sweet, salty, umami depth. Substitute tamari sauce for a gluten free recipe.
- Maple Syrup: Not only is maple syrup the natural mate to beans, it's so much healthier than the loads of refined sugar you find in traditional baked bean's recipes. And, maple syrup is always my first choice as a honey substitute.
- Sea Salt: Makes all the flavors pop!
- Apple Cider Vinegar: We're aiming for that classic, tangy/sweet taste, and apple cider vinegar strikes just the right note. It's tangy without being too aggressive.
Instructions For Making Healthy Baked Beans:
The instructions here are for beans that are baked in the oven. For Instant Pot or slow cooker instructions, see the notes at the bottom of the recipe card.
- Preheat your oven to 175 C (350 F) and drain and rinse the beans.
- In a large ovenproof pot, heat your olive oil. Add in the onion and saute for 4-5 minutes.
- Now, add your garlic, chipotle paste and water. Let everything simmer for a few minutes.
- Finally, add in your beans, tomato puree, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce and salt. Give everything a good stir and transfer the pot to the oven to cook for 45 minutes.
- That's it! You've made healthy baked beans from scratch! Tuck in and enjoy. Have a look at my suggestions on creative ways to use your baked beans below.
Creative Ways To Use Healthy Baked Beans:
- Beans on Toast: This one is a British breakfast classic, and with good reason! Baked beans provide fiber and protein, meaning they're an ideal breakfast that will keep you energized all morning.
- Potato Boats: Bake a potato and top it with a few spoonfuls of tangy, healthy baked beans for a cozy and simple dinner.
- Baked Bean Dip: Put them in your blender, pulse for a few seconds and serve topped with coriander.
- Baked Bean Cottage Pie: Make a mashed potato topped cottage pie with this recipe from Bethany's Vegan Kitchen.
Did You Make This Recipe?
If so, I'd love to see it! Tag @thisdailydish on Instagram. Or, leave a comment below with feedback and suggestions for other readers.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Stored in an airtight container, they'll last for 3-4 days.
Absolutely! Allow them to cool before putting them in freezer safe containers. They'll stay fresh for six months.
Yes, all beans are naturally gluten free. Replace the soy sauce with tamari sauce, as soy sauce generally contains gluten.
Yes, you can! Use the same amount given for kidney beans in the recipe.
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📖 Recipe
Healthy Baked Beans - No Sugar Or Molasses
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon chipotle paste
- ½ cup water
- 3 cans navy (or haricot) beans drained
- ½ cup tomato passata/puree
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari sauce for gluten free
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
For The Oven
- Heat oven to 175°C (350° F).
- Heat olive oil in an ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven. Saute onion for 4-5 minutes.
- Add garlic, chipotle paste and water. Simmer over low heat for a 2 minutes.
- Add beans and remaining ingredients. Stir to combine and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the beans to the oven and cook for 45 minutes.
For The Slow Cooker
- Preheat the slow cooker.
- Heat olive oil in an a skillet . Saute onion for 4-5 minutes.
- Add garlic, chipotle paste and water. Simmer over low heat for a 2 minutes.
- Add beans and remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Transfer the beans to the slow cooker and cook on medium heat for 4 hours. Check periodically to make sure they aren't drying out. If the beans look dry, add 125ml (½ cup) of water.
For The Instant Pot
- Set the Instant Pot to saute. Once heated, add the olive oil and saute the onions for 4-5 minutes.
- Turn the Instant Pot off and add the rest of the ingredients. Set the vent to "sealing mode."
- Cook at high pressure for 15 minutes. Release the pressure carefully using the quick release method, about 5 minutes (or according to manufacturer's instructions.) Unlock and remove the lid.
Karen
Just made this yesterday and it turned out great! I used 1 tsp of dried crushed chipotle since that is what I had. Otherwise I followed the recipe exactly and used the instant pot. It came out great and this will be my go to baked beans recipe. Thanks so much for sharing!
Keri Bevan
Hi Karen, wonderful! Thanks for your feedback and for sharing your tips!
Tacy
If this comes thru , I already tried to rate this. Wonderful recipe, used xylitol and maple extract, used smoked paprika. Yumm and thank you!
Keri Bevan
Hi Tacy, Wonderful! Thank you for your feedback.
robert e
Hi, For the three cans of beans, what size can are we talking about?
Keri Bevan
Hi Robert, I used 415 gram cans, so approximately 14 Oz. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
robert e
Thank you! I had to make a lot of substitutions with what I had on hand: scallions for onions, gochujjang for chipotle paste, three bean medley for navy beans, rice vinegar for apple cider vinegar, crushed tomato for tomato puree... I skipped the salt because I felt the canned beans already had enough, but added cumin and oregano to make up for the missing chipotle, and a piece of kombu to make the beans more digestible. I would describe the result as a tasty, mild vegan chili. The batch I'm making now is much closer to your recipe. And I'm sure I'll make more batches in future. Thanks again!
Keri Bevan
Hi Robert,
Those are all great suggestions!
robert e
Hi Keri, Following your recipe more closely gave me just what I was looking for--tasty baked beans without too much sweetness. Still had trouble finding chipotle paste and tomato puree, so I subbed paprika, oregano and cayenne for one, and tomato paste + crushed tomato for the other. I've since read that some canned purees are simply diluted paste. Thanks again! Happy Holidays!
JONATHAN K BARROW
Needed a bit more water than a 1/2 cup, it wasn’t slightly soupy like shown in your first photo.
Used red onion instead of a yellow. It’s what I had, maybe it will add to the sweetness?!?
Used 1 can of chipotles in adobo sauce from Aldi as I couldn’t find chipotle paste locally. Tossed the chipotles, used all the sauce in the can.
Very tasty results.
Keri Bevan
Hi Jonathan, Thank you for letting us know. Ammendments always help other readers. I'm glad you liked the recipe!
Angeld
Oh-ma-goodness these were yummy and flavorful thanks to the reduction of sweetness (ie: brown sugar). I've made baked beans from scratch for years and found this recipe a welcome, wonderful change!
Keri Bevan
That's so lovely to hear. Thank you!
Anne
I love this recipe as I can’t tolerate much sugar after bariatric surgery but do eat a lot of pulses/legumes!
I made a couple of changes that I like. I add a couple of finely diced carrots with the onions (for a bit of additional sweetness along with some extra nutrition) and I add a dash of liquid smoke to give that bacon-y type flavour.
I also like to split step 4 into 2 steps. 4 a) adds all the remaining sauce ingredients and then I simmer the sauce a bit and taste it to adjust seasoning. Then add beans in 4b).
Thanks for a healthier alternative to sugar-loaded processed baked beans!
Keri Bevan
Hi Amne, Thpse are great suggestions! Thank you! So pleased the recipe has been helpful
X
Vivian Miller
77 calories per serving, but based on how many servings for this recipe?
Vivian Miller
OOPS, sorry, I see now. 6 servings.
Keri Bevan
Hi Vivian, yes, 6 servings!❣️
Lisa
Thank you for the tasty recipe!
I think there is more fiber than 1g with all those beanzzzz though! 🙂
Keri Bevan
Hi Lisa, wow! You are totally right. The nutritional information is automatically calculated. I'll go back and see what it missed! I'm glad you liked the recipe.
Tatiana
Hello, I really want to make this recipe but where can I find chipotle paste? Thank you 🙏🏼
Keri Bevan
Hi Tatiana, you should be able to find it at most grocery stores in the Mexican food section. I like Luchito , but any brand will do. You can also purchase it on Amazon. Hope that helps!
Robin
I’ve checked around and can’t find the chipotle paste. I have chipotle peppers in adobo sauce- could I use that instead?
Keri Bevan
Hi Robin, yes, that should work! Let us know how it comes out.xx
Colleen
Finally a baked bean recipe that isn't loaded with sugar! The chipotle is a delicious touch, too.
Keri Bevan
Hi Colleen, I'm glad you enjoyed the chipotle. It does make them a bit different without all the sugar. x
Laura
This was perfect. We normally buy canned baked beans but we wanted to start cooking our own and found this recipe. It was just perfect, never buying them again!
Tayler
I've made these baked beans several times and they always turn out amazing! You would never know they were the "healthier" version!
Linda
Regular baked beans are so cloying...so I was psyched to try your recipe! I think it has just the right amount of sweet (and I love maple syrup!). Used the slow cooker instructions and want to try the other methods, too!
Gloria
I agree, sometimes baked beans can be too sweet. Maple syrup is a staple in our house. These beans sound delicious.
Keri Bevan
I use maple syrup a lot too. I really prefer it to refined sugar. x
Karen
Great recipe! I’ve been looking for a healthier baked bean recipe for a while and loved this one! What a great side item for weeknight dinner or to bring to a potluck. Thanks for sharing .
Keri Bevan
Thank you, Karen! Glad you liked the recipe. x
Marilyn
Should the canned beans be drained?
Keri Bevan
Hi Marilyn, Yes, they should! Thank you for noting this. I will add it to the recipe card. Hope you like the recipe. x
Patty Hoban
Fabulous! I love this alternative to the canned yuck.
Keri Bevan
Hi Patty, I'm glad you liked the recipe! Thank you for letting me know.x
Katherine Gomez
Thank you for this delicious recipe. I recently was diagnosed with diabetes and this allows me to control the sagar. It was a great treat this Easter with ham, carrots, and potato salad.
Keri Bevan
Hi Katherine,
Thank you for your feedback, I really appreciate it. And, I'm so pleased everyone enjoyed the recipe:)
Jacqui
Such a fantastic healthy meal! I love that no sugar is added. I swapped the oil for a little bit of low sodium broth and it worked out great anyways!
Keri Bevan
Hi Jacqui, That's a great substitution. Thank you for letting me know it worked:)
Katie
These are perfect for summer! I can't wait to bring them to cookouts!
Anaiah
Loving this healthy baked beans recipe! Using maple syrup was an awesome idea. It's going to be a favorite to make for summer BBQs and potlucks.
Keri Bevan
Thank you Anaiah! I'm pleased you liked the recipe. These are always popular at BBQs and potlucks.
nancy
i didn't know beans could be so tasty! thanks for this easy recipe
Keri Bevan
Hi Nancy, Thank you:)
Kayla DiMaggio
These healthy baked beans were so delicious! I loved how easy they were and that they were sugar-free!
Keri Bevan
Hi Kayla, Thank you. I really appreciate your feedback!
Michelle
I'm always looking for new creative bean ideas and I love this one!
Keri Bevan
Thank you Michelle:)
Suzy
Love this upgraded version to baked beans! The chipotle paste is really a game changer!
Jess
Love this healthier option of a favorite summertime recipe!
Kristen
These baked beans are so good! Will definitely make them again!
Tavo
This came out delicious! Thanks for sharing! The flavor was spot-on! I love beans and will be making this often!
Keri Bevan
Thank you for your feedback. So pleased you liked the recipe:)
Pam Greer
I love that this uses maple syrup instead of refined sugar!! This will be my go to baked bean recipe!
Keri Bevan
Thank you, Pam!
Terri
Our family doesn't like spice/hot tastes in general. Is Chipotle Sauce necessary or can I sub with paprika? Also, soy sauce makes my son sick. Do we absolutely need it? We are a pretty simple family as far as tastes go - we don't go crazy with seasonings. I am just trying find simple ways to make things we eat healthier.
Keri Bevan
Hi Terri, You can sub the chipotle sauce for paprika. I haven't tried it, but that sounds like it would work. You can omit the soy sauce. If you want to, you could use miso paste or tamari, but it's fine to omit it entirely. Let us know how it goes with the paprika! Other readers are always intrested in substitutions.