FatFree Vegan Kitchen

Simply delicious oil-free vegan recipes

Simple Black Bean Burger

By 440 Comments
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Privacy Policy.

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

Vegan and oil-free, these simple black bean burgers are made with only 8 ingredients and can be on your plate in about 30 minutes. Gluten-free option, too!

Simple Black Bean Burger

Let’s face it: When you follow a plant-based whole foods diet, there are some things you miss. I’m not talking about rich desserts and fried snacks. What I sometimes miss is the convenience of packaged foods, especially the ease of pulling a veggie burger out of the freezer and cooking it in the microwave in under two minutes. That’s why I decided to create a faster, easier black bean burger.

Maybe I shouldn’t be confessing this on my food blog, but the older I get, the less time I want to spend cooking. Often, it’s just a mental hurdle—once I decide what I want to make and get into the kitchen, I enjoy putting a meal together, especially if my husband is available to help with the chopping.

But for some reason, not having a child around to cook for has made me less eager to spend more than about 30 minutes on meal preparation. Maybe I’m just getting old; maybe I miss daughter E’s critical palate. Who knows? The upside is since she went away to college, I’m creating more Ridiculously Easy recipes for those of you who feel the same way about cooking. Like this recipe for 8-ingredient black bean burgers (7 if you skip the corn.)

Simple Black Bean Burger

I have lots of incredible burgers in my archives, but all of them require some vegetable chopping or cooking some ingredients in advance. My African-Inspired Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burgers, for instance, are amazing, if I do say so, but they require cooking sweet potatoes and chopping 4 different vegetables.

Instead of all that chopping, this easy black bean burger uses prepared salsa and just a few potent seasonings to create a burger that is firm yet moist, simple yet flavorful, in the least amount of time possible. I start by slightly grinding regular oatmeal so that some of it becomes powdery, helping the burgers stick together without added thickeners like flour or cornstarch.

I’ve made these burgers twice now—first on the bake setting and then on the air fryer setting on my Breville Smart Oven Air—and they came out equally well both baked and air-fried.  Since all of the ingredients are already cooked (or don’t require cooking, like oats and corn), they only need to be cooked long enough to crisp up the exterior and warm the interior; letting them “meld” in the fridge for at least 15 minutes insures that they will hold together.

Simple Black Bean Burger

The first time I made these chipotle-flavored black bean burgers, I skipped the usual condiments and topped them with Green Tomato Pepper Butter, a tangy sweet-sour sauce that brought out their spiciness. (Check out the recipe plus a photo of our new puppy!)

The second time, I treated them like regular old burgers and topped them with ketchup and mustard. I think you’ll love them with whatever condiments you use.

P.S. I made the oil-free fries in my little Phillips air fryer, making this a two air fryer meal. I simply cut thin fries (I use a food processor) from Yukon gold potatoes, toss them with about a tablespoon of aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas) and some seasonings. Then I air fry at 360F for 18 minutes, tossing and stirring every 6 minutes.

Simple Black Bean Burger
4.86 from 147 votes
Print Pin Add to Recipe Box

Simple Black Bean Burger

Gluten Free
Nut Free
Soy Free
Sugar Free
The chipotle chile powder gives these burgers smokiness with an edge of spiciness. If you'd rather them not be spicy, substitute mild smoked paprika.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6
Author Susan Voisin

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cups rolled oats (old fashioned oats) (use certified gluten-free oats to assure that the burgers are gluten-free)
  • 16 ounces black beans (1 can, well drained)
  • 3/4 cup salsa
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari or 1/2 teaspoon salt, for gluten free)
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons mild chili powder
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder (more or less, to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen and thawed) optional

Instructions

  • Place the oats in a food processor fitted with an S-blade and pulse 5 or 6 times until they are partially chopped (some will be powder, some will be whole.) Add all ingredients except the corn and pulse until most of the beans are blended.
  • Pour bean mixture into a bowl and stir in the corn. Cover and refrigerate for about 15 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Form bean mixture into six patties using a scant 1/2 cup for each. Bake for 20-30 minutes, being careful not to overcook and dry them out. They're done when the outside is beginning to get crispy and they hold together well.

Air Fryer Cooking Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to around 375F. Place the burgers in a single layer and air fry until slightly crispy on the outside, about 15 minutes. (They have a tendency to stick, so consider using perforated parchment paper underneath them.)
    Simple Black Bean Burgers in Breville Air Fryer

Notes

These are easy to freeze either baked or unbaked. Just shape the burgers and wrap them tightly to store in the freezer for about 3 months. Thaw unbaked burgers well before cooking.
Each burger is 2 Weight Watchers Smart points.
Nutrition Facts
Simple Black Bean Burger
Amount Per Serving (1 burger)
Calories 158 Calories from Fat 12
% Daily Value*
Fat 1.3g2%
Sodium 690mg30%
Potassium 351mg10%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 9g38%
Sugar 2.7g3%
Protein 8g16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutritional info is approximate.

Have you made this recipe?Mention @SusanFFVK and tag #fatfreevegankitchen in your photos on Instagram.
Share on Facebook Pin This Recipe

Enjoy!

Susan

Please pin and share:

Vegan and oil-free, these simple black bean burgers are made with only 8 ingredients and can be on your plate in about 30 minutes. Gluten-free option, too!

Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links to products I bought with my own money. When you buy something through my links, I receive a commission that helps support this site at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your purchase!

Sign up for our newsletter for updates on recipes and more!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. KathyD

    You are not alone. I, too, find that I want simpler recipes. I think it is just because I prepare all of my own food. I also want recipes that can be doubled so that I can freeze some for later.

    Reply

    • Risa Graves

      I subscribe to your newsletter!
      I thoroughly enjoy all your recipes, and these two look especially yummy! I’m new to veganism and really appreciate you.

      Thanks for all you do,
      Risak

      Reply

  5. Molly

    This looks amazing! I’ve followed you on Instagram and Facebook for ages, and I was so excited when you started the newsletter way back when. By having all 3 outlets, I’m sure to never miss a recipe, even in my busiest months!

    Reply

  9. Joseph E Dante

    I subscribe to your newsletter and I’m making your black bean burger recipe tomorrow unless work gets in the way…again.

    Reply

  12. dara

    Yummy again Susan! You never disappoint! You are my #1 go-to vegan cooking resource! &… I subscribe to your newsletter!:)

    Reply

  13. Agnes DeRoma

    I marked this to my saved recipes which means I will be trying it this week for dinner. My husband and two sons are a big fan of yours, subscribe to your newletter and make your recipes daily!

    Reply

  17. Dawn

    I, too, have a daughter away at college and am not too eager about cooking! Hubby is not vegan so that doesn’t help. I’ve been looking for a good. Lack bean burger that holds together well. This looks like it will do the trick! Can’t wait to try it!

    I do subscribe to your newsletter and would love a chance to win the cookbook!
    Thanks!

    Reply

  19. Janet

    LOL I follow you both on Facebook and Instagram an I subscribe to your newsletter. Better yet I make your recipes and love them! Thank you.

    Reply

  20. Jackie

    Hi Susan, well I don’t have FB and I don’t do Instagram. I do however receive your news letter. I will try the black bean burger. I do your thanksgiving meatless loaf. I love it and I actually bake it in muffin cups. I have them for lunch with potatoes and gravy and veg. Or I’ll mush it up and use it as a sandwich filling. Love, love, love it!!!
    Happy puppies!! I also have just adopted 2!!

    Reply

  24. Cathleen

    Hello – I follow you on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to your newsletter. Would love to win a book. 🙂 Happy Holidays!

    Reply

  29. Tina

    I subscribe to your newsletter.

    These look great! Can’t wait to try.
    The older I get, the more I want simple and basic, too.

    Reply

  32. marti

    hi susan
    i’ve been following your blog for several years
    and have thoroughly enjoyed selecting the recipes that appeal
    you’ve utilized so many different cuisines and veganizaed them
    thanks
    unfortunately, Mexican is not one of my favorites
    so, i made your burgers with the beans, corn, oats
    and then slid east
    i included ginger, chopped garlic, and a bit of miso
    it worked!
    thanks for the springboard

    please do enter me in the cookbook contest
    thanks for that too

    Reply

  34. Kathy Baker

    I subscribe to your newsletter! And, I can’t wait to try this recipe! I love corn but it’s nice that it’s an option because my family doesn’t. I can put corn in mine and not theirs 😉

    Thanks for inspiring me in this whole food plant based life I’m living!
    Kathy

    Reply

  35. Luisa Bertoli

    I subscribe to your newsletter. You have some great recipes especially the black bean burger. Sounds wonderful

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.