If you’ve never heard of a Pinto Bean Pie, you’re not alone. This unique dessert, often associated with Southern cuisine, is a delightful surprise that’s sure to impress at any gathering. Made with simple ingredients like sugar, margarine, mashed pinto beans, eggs, and vanilla, this pie is a sweet treat that’s as unexpected as it is delicious. The pinto beans lend a rich, hearty flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the eggs. The result is a pie that’s sweet, yet not overly so, with a depth of flavor that is truly unique. Despite its novelty, the Pinto Bean Pie is relatively easy to make, with a preparation and cooking time of just under an hour. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover pinto beans you may have in the pantry! Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, the Pinto Bean Pie is a fun and tasty challenge that’s well worth the effort.
Ingredients
- 3 c. sugar
- 2 sticks margarine, melted
- 1 c. pinto beans, mashed
- 4 beaten eggs
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla
Baking Instructions
- Mix all ingredients; pour into 3 unbaked pie shells.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
Calorie: 460
Total cooking time:45 minutes
Difficulty level: Medium

The Pinto Bean Pie Saga
Hello, food enthusiasts! Gather ’round, for I have a tale of culinary experimentation that will tickle your taste buds and maybe even your funny bone. It involves sugar, margarine, eggs, vanilla, and the star of the show – pinto beans!
The Unlikely Pie Filling: Pinto Beans
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Pinto beans in a pie? Who hurt you?” But before you send me off to culinary rehab, hear me out. I love mixing up sweet and savory, and I thought, why not give it a whirl with pinto beans? So, off I went, armed with my 1 c. of mashed pinto beans and a dash of daring.
The Sweet and the Savory: Sugar and Margarine
Next up were the sweet soldiers of this culinary crusade – 3 c. of sugar and 2 sticks of melted margarine. Now, let’s be honest, there’s no skimping on sugar in this recipe. But hey, life’s too short to not enjoy some sweet indulgence, right? As for the margarine, it was more than happy to melt into a golden puddle, ready to marry the sugar and create the base of our pie filling.
The Binding Agents: Eggs and Vanilla
Time to introduce the peace negotiators of our pie saga – 4 beaten eggs and 1 Tbsp. of vanilla. The eggs, though a little shocked at being beaten, bravely took on the task of binding our sweet and savory elements together. As for the vanilla, it gracefully infused the mix with a scent so divine, I almost forgot I was baking with pinto beans!
The Process: Just Mix and Bake
Now that all the ingredients were ready, it was time to mix them all up. It felt like a high-stakes game of culinary roulette. I poured the concoction into 3 unbaked pie shells, praying that my oven wouldn’t disown me for what I was about to do.
With a deep breath and a leap of faith, I set the oven to 350° and slid the pies in. The next 35 minutes were a whirlwind of anticipation and second-guessing. Every tick of the clock echoed my racing heartbeat. Had I just created a masterpiece or a disaster?
The Verdict: Sweet Success or Savory Chaos?
When the oven timer chimed, I held my breath. As I opened the oven door, a warm, sweet aroma wafted out. I cautiously took a bite and was met with an explosion of flavors – the sweetness of the sugar, the creaminess of the margarine, the earthiness of the pinto beans, all tied together by the eggs and the subtle hint of vanilla.
Against all odds, the pinto bean pie was a success! It was a journey of culinary surprises, a dance of unlikely ingredients coming together in harmony.
So, my fellow food lovers, don’t be afraid to get a little adventurous with your ingredients. Who knows, you might just stumble upon a delicious secret like the pinto bean pie! Just remember, if you can dream it, you can cook it. And if it all goes sideways, there’s always pizza delivery!