BBQ Black Bean Flatbread Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.For a truly delectable, savory dinner, packed with robust flavors and plant protein, I make this BBQ Black Bean Flatbread Recipe. I use whole wheat flatbread, black beans, and BBQ sauce to create this simple and nourishing meal, with sweet and smoky flavors, that comes together in just 30 minutes.
For a fresh and wholesome take on pizza night, I love making this BBQ flatbread. Much like my mushroom flatbread, this meal has all the comforting and familiar flavors and textures of a classic pizza but with more mindful ingredients, which can easily be swapped out for plant-based alternatives. Whether you are a vegetarian, vegan, or a meat-eater, I highly recommend trying out this BBQ Black Bean Flatbread recipe for your next homemade pizza night.
This BBQ flat bread is like the shy, but sturdier cousin of my vegetarian Mexican pizza, which is part of the reason it exists. I had planned on making the Mexican pizza for dinner, but I was not organized enough to check that I had everything I needed, including the energy to make refried beans. Instead, I threw this pizza together thanks to some ready-made pizza dough and a few pantry staples. To this day, my family has no idea that what is now one of their favorite meals was a last-minute experiment. Ha!
👩🏽🍳 Why I Love This Recipe
My BBQ Black Bean Flatbread goes beyond any ordinary pizza. It is a complete and balanced meal, and the fact that it is delicious is a bonus. And as a busy mom, that is the kind of thing I love. The black beans are rich in plant-based protein and fiber, which support digestion and help keep my family fuller for longer. I use whole wheat pizza dough instead of white dough for some added fiber, complex carbohydrates for energy, and a slightly nutty flavor. Adding in fresh ingredients like red peppers and corn adds a crunchy sweetness while also providing vitamin C, antioxidants, and essential minerals.
Making this pizza entails a specific but easy method that ensures that my flavors stay bold, my base is crispy, and each layer adds a distinctive flavor, which bakes into one unified meal. I saute the beans with spices to build a warm, smoky base, before layering them over the sauce, and covering with melty cheese. Baking at a high temperature allows the crust to crisp up, and finishing with an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce reinvigorates the sweet and tangy flavors.
I have made this BBQ flat bread pizza more times than I can count, and I can always rely on my family to leave their plates empty. Once I made it for a casual dinner along with a few other things, and a friend of a friend pulled up his nose, stating that he was not a fan of mixing sweet with savory, especially BBQ pizza. Fair enough. I was not offended. I did, however, take that chance to tell everyone that Elvis Presley was famously known to love this iconic flavoring on pizza. And if it was good enough for the King, then there is no reason why you should not be enjoying it too!
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🥘 Ingredients
All I need is a few simple and fresh ingredients, along with carefully selected seasonings, and I can make this BBQ flatbread black bean pizza. This is what I use:
Whole wheat pizza dough: For this recipe, I use ready-made store-bought whole wheat pizza dough, or I make my own low calorie pizza base.
BBQ sauce: Store-bought BBQ sauce works well, just make sure it is low in sugar. If I have the time, I like making and using my vegan BBQ sauce instead.
Mozzarella cheese: I add a light layer of shredded mozzarella to bring everything together.
Black beans: For convenience, I use canned black beans, which have been rinsed and drained.
Corn: Canned corn works well for ease, but cooked fresh or frozen corn works too. Just be sure to pat off any excess moisture.
Red pepper: Finely diced red pepper adds a crunch and a sweetness that complements the BBQ sauce.
Red onion: I include a small amount of finely diced red onion for color and a savory bite.
Olive oil: This is used to saute the beans and onions.
Chili powder: I use this for a mild smoky spice. If you prefer to leave out the chili, then use smoked paprika instead.
🔪 How To Make
Making this BBQ Black Bean Flatbread is as quick and easy as it gets when it comes to homemade pizza. This is the step-by-step process I follow:
Prep oven and dough: First, I preheat the oven to 450F, and press the dough onto a pizza pan. Next, I spread a layer of BBQ sauce over the surface of the dough, making sure to leave a border around the edge.
Saute beans and onion: I heat olive oil in a pan, and saute the black beans, red onion, and chili powder over a medium-high heat until warmed through and fragrant. Then I reduce the heat to medium and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the onions are caramelized.
Spread beans: Then I spread the black bean mixture over the BBQ base, making sure it is well spread out.
Add cheese and vegetables: I sprinkle the mozzarella over the beans and then layer the diced red pepper and corn over the cheese.
Bake pizza: Then I place the flatbreads in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the edges of the crust are lightly golden brown.
Add extra sauce: Once I have removed the pizzas from the oven, I let them rest for 1-2 minutes, drizzle over 1 tablespoon of BBQ sauce, and serve.
💭 Expert Tips
My #1 Secret Tip for this BBQ flatbread recipe is to pre-bake your base before adding the sauce and toppings. Whenever I have the time, I take a few extra steps to ensure that my crust crisps up and does not get soggy. First, I heat up my pizza pan, or pizza stone, in the oven and place my rolled and shaped dough on top. Then I bake the dough for 2-3 minutes in the oven to get a head start on crisping it up.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Keep cuts small: I chop the toppings finely so that they cook quickly without releasing too much excess moisture, which may make the base soggy.
- Spread fillings out: Do not pile the fillings up in certain areas, as this will cause them to steam as they bake, and lead to soggy toppings and base.
- Use less cheese: I like to let the toppings shine through in this recipe, so I make sure to keep my cheese layer light.
- Roll out dough between parchment: If the baking tray is preheated, roll the dough out between 2 pieces of parchment. This will prevent it from sticking and make it easier to transfer to the pan.
- Handle the dough gently: I keep a light hand when working with the dough, as overworking it affects the gluten, and the crust may end up hard and chewy instead of crispy.
📖 Variations
The great thing about this BBQ Black Bean Flatbread is that you can try almost any variation and it will still taste delicious. These are 3 versions I have made, which I recommend trying:
Jackfruit topping: Instead of black beans, I use 1 can of jackfruit and cook it the same as I do for my BBQ jackfruit burrito bowl. Then I spread this over the cheese with the other veggies and baked it to resemble a classic BBQ chicken pizza. This takes a bit more time and effort, but it is absolutely worth it.
Tropical mix: For an extra layer of sweetness, I omit the corn and add in 1/2 cup of diced pineapple along with the peppers. I like using tinned pineapple as fresh pineapple may become bitter in the oven. My husband loves this sweet and savory combination.
Ranch drizzle: Everyone knows that ranch on a pizza is a genius combination, but have you tried ranch on a BBQ pizza? It is amazing! I drizzle 2 tablespoons of my homemade vegan ranch dressing over the pizza just before I serve it. My kids love it so much that they add extra.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Typically, pizzas are not served with any kind of side dish, but this BBQ Black Bean Flatbread does really well with a few extra trimmings. Since the ingredients and flavors are closely aligned with Mexican cuisine, I recommend serving this with some fresh pineapple pico de gallo. The tartness will enhance the BBQ flavor while adding a sweet and spicy crunch. My healthy guacamole has also been a huge success when paired with this pizza, adding a creamy contrast to each bite.
The last time I made this black bean pizza, my kids were both away at playdates, and my husband and I decided to have a grown-up lunch. We paired our pizzas with a big bowl of my fresh avocado cucumber tomato salad. My kids have never taken kindly to pizza and salad. Ha! And to top it all off, we each had a glass of my Bloody Maria drinks, which we could enjoy since my sister would be bringing my kids home.
🧊 Storing And ♨️ Reheating
Refrigeration: I store leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: I freeze individually wrapped slices in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Reheating: To reheat, I place the pizza slices in the oven at 350F until warmed through, and the crust becomes crisp again. If frozen, I reheat it straight from the freezer without thawing.
❓Recipe FAQs
What could I use in place of store-bought pizza dough for extra convenience?
I have made this recipe using ready-made naan and pita bread, and both of these work perfectly. Naan gives a slightly chewier, thicker base, while pita is a bit thinner and crispier. Since they are prebaked, I recommend reducing the cooking time to 8-10 minutes.
How do I balance out my BBQ sauce if it is too sweet?
If you have tasted your sauce before adding it, add a splash of apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of lemon to a portion of the sauce, and mix it. If the sauce is already on the pizza, you can counteract the sweetness with a sprinkling of smoked paprika and a drizzle of hot sauce.
Can I use dried black beans instead of canned?
Yes, you definitely can! This would just require a bit more time and preparation. When I use dried black beans, I soak them overnight in plenty of cold water. Then I drain and rinse the beans and simmer them in fresh water for 45-60 minutes until just tender, and allow them to cool completely before frying. For this recipe, I would recommend using 1 1/2 cups of dried beans.
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🎥 Watch How to Make It
BBQ Black Bean Flatbread Recipe
For a truly delectable, savory dinner, packed with robust flavors and plant protein, I make this BBQ Black Bean Flatbread Recipe. I use whole wheat flatbread, black beans, and BBQ sauce to create this simple and nourishing meal, with sweet and smoky flavors, that comes together in just 30 minutes.
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 190kcal
Ingredients
- 1 package Whole wheat pizza dough I like Trader Joe’s fresh pizza dough!
- 4-5 Tbsp Barbecue sauce Try to get one with the least amount of sugar!
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 15 oz can black beans
- 8 oz can corn
- 1 red pepper diced
- 1 small red onion diced
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp olive oil
Equipment
- Pizza Pan
- Large Spatula or Wooden Spoon
- Cooking Brush
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread out the dough on a pizza pan, spread the barbecue sauce on top
- Heat a large pan over medium heat, add 1 tsp olive oil, black beans, diced red onion and chili powder – cook until heated through and onions begin to caramelize (5-10 min)
- Spread black bean mixture over barbecue sauce
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Then sprinkle diced red pepper and corn on top of the cheese.
- Bake in oven for 10-15 min (depending on pizza dough and heating instructions)
- Remove from oven, drizzle 1 Tbsp barbecue sauce over the pizza. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for this BBQ flatbread recipe is to pre-bake your base before adding the sauce and toppings. Whenever I have the time, I take a few extra steps to ensure that my crust crisps up and does not get soggy. First, I heat up my pizza pan, or pizza stone, in the oven and place my rolled and shaped dough on top. Then I bake the dough for 2-3 minutes in the oven to get a head start on crisping it up.
- Keep cuts small: I chop the toppings finely so that they cook quickly without releasing too much excess moisture, which may make the base soggy.
- Spread fillings out: Do not pile the fillings up in certain areas, as this will cause them to steam as they bake, and lead to soggy toppings and base.
- Use less cheese: I like to let the toppings shine through in this recipe, so I make sure to keep my cheese layer light.
- Roll out dough between parchment: If the baking tray is preheated, roll the dough out between 2 pieces of parchment. This will prevent it from sticking and make it easier to transfer to the pan.
- Handle the dough gently: I keep a light hand when working with the dough, as overworking it affects the gluten, and the crust may end up hard and chewy instead of crispy.
Nutrition
Serving: 1slice | Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 547mg | Potassium: 299mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g
The bbq sauce on this is a game changer! We loved it!
I know right?? It’s so delicious! So glad you liked it!
This really looks delicious! I can’t wait to make this for our next pizza night.
Yay! I can’t wait to hear how you all like it Colleen!
So many incredible flavors packed into this BBQ flatbread pizza! I love how easily it all comes together too. Yum!
Aw thanks so much Tara!! Enjoy!
This pizza is bursting with so much flavor. It’s perfect for my family.
Yay! So happy to hear that Julie!
Wow, this pizza is LOADED!! I am definitely going to be trying this for the summer. Thanks so much for the recipe! 🙂
Thanks so much Cathleen! I’m sure you will love it!
I’m eating this “pizza” right now. I cannot believe how delicious this tastes! For my daughter, I skipped chillies and bbq sauce drizzle. She’s actually enjoying this pizza. With vegetables!!
Thank you, thank you so much!
Yay!! I’m so happy to hear that Shanny! Thanks for letting me know!
This would be perfect for dinner in my family!
Hooray!! I can’t wait to hear how your family likes this!
A healthier version of the normal pizza! I love it!
Totally! And it’s so delicious too!
How can this be made to contain less calories?
Hi! You could use a sprouted wheat tortilla or a cauliflower crust as the base instead of regular pizza dough!
This looks delicious! I love black beans but have never had them on a pizza. I can’t wait to try this.
Thank you so much!! I know I was skeptical at first too but it really is great! 🙂
I have never tried this combination on a pizza, sounds so good!
Yay!! I’m sure you will love it Gemma!
I LOVE corn on pizza! My hubby and I just made one the other night w/corn, bell pepper, and italian sausage. I called it the farmer’s pizza. Will have to try this BBQ bean version next. YUM.
Yes!! I do too! Another combo I love is corn, fresh cherry tomatoes, basil, pesto and parmesan – so good! 🙂 Can’t wait to hear how the BBQ version turns out for you!
This recipe looks sooooo good!! I need to try it asap. Such a good flavor combo.
Yay! I’m sure you will love it Katie!
These photos are very useful and this pizza looks so good!!
Thanks so much!! Enjoy!
This looks really tasty and the whole family loves corn so looking forward to trying out this recipe!
Awesome!! This really is super family friendly so I’m sure it’ll turn out great for you guys!