While cleaning out my pantry, I took inventory of what we had in stock. I opened a bin full of different dry beans we purchased during the 2020 COVID lockdown.

I searched through the knee-high bin to see what I had, determined that none of it would go to waste. After pushing back huge bags of red kidney beans, I found a small bag of navy beans. The first thing to cross my mind was to make a bean pie, a staple of African American Muslim culture.

Bean pie is a sweet dessert pie that is made with navy beans and spices, giving it a rich and creamy texture that is both sweet and savory. This pie is not only delicious but also nutritious, making it a perfect treat for those who want to enjoy a sweet dessert while also taking care of their health.

The filling of a bean pie is made by blending navy beans, sugar, spices, and other ingredients together to create a smooth and creamy mixture. The most common spices used in bean pie include cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, giving it a warm and comforting flavor that is perfect for the cooler months of the year. Some variations of the pie may also include ingredients such as coconut milk or nutmeg, adding additional flavor and texture to the dish.

Not only does bean pie taste great, but it is also good for you. Navy beans are a good source of protein and fiber, which can help to keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals, such as iron, potassium, and magnesium, making this dessert a nutritious treat that is good for your overall health.

Bean pie is typically baked in a traditional pie crust, although some variations may use a graham cracker crust or a shortbread crust instead. It is typically served warm, and is best enjoyed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top.

La Bean pie is a popular dessert that is synonymous with Black American Muslim history heritage, especially during the Islamic holiday of Ramadan. Simply put bean pies are historical and cultural icons and date back to the 1930s. During the Black Muslim movement, Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam, encouraged his followers to shift to healthier diets and avoid things like pork. The bean pie emerged as an African American Muslim culinary product crystalizing the unique identity that merged racial and religious identities.

So if you want to learn more about Black Muslim history, the bean pie is a great place to dive in.

According to oral historian Zaheer Ali, the bean pie was part of the shaping of an African American Muslim identity. “Part of the Nation of Islam’s objective was to create a cultural identity that was independent of the legacy of slavery. The bean pie was created to replace the sweet potato pie. Just like people got an X in their name to signify a break from a slave name, they also broke away from what was called a slave diet.

“It doesn’t just come from African Americans; it comes from African American Muslims, specifically responding to their identity as Muslims. The bean pie is Islam in America,”Zaheer says.

Author Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins, explains that bean pies are part of a cultural foundation African American Muslims established. “Go to any African American Masjid in America with historical ties to the great migration led by Imam Warith Deen Muhammad, son of Elijah Muhammad, away from the Nation, and you will still find three things after Jumuah (Friday prayers)– fish sandwiches, bean soup and the glorious bean pie,” she says.

“Thousands of African American Muslim families converted to orthodox Islam in the 1970’s and although they separated from the ideology of the Nation, many of the cultural and significant practices migrated with them,” Ameenah explains.

Ameenah’s father and Imam Rudolph Ali launched the famous Ali Bean Pie company in the late 80’s to early 90’s. “My first job was wrapping thousands of pies,” she says. “My Uncle Harry manned the eight six-foot ovens, My Aunt Maryan stamped out the rectangle labels. I worked alongside my sister Shambra and cousins wrapping pies after they had been cooled in the walk-in freezer by Rahman, Imam Rudolph’s eldest son. The small pie – that you could fit in the palm of your hand – created an income for multiple families.”

Ameenah also has a recipe in her book Basheerah and The Amazing Bean Pie, which can be used to start a bean pie-making tradition in your home. However, Ameenah encourages people to put, “your own flava on it,” creating a unique version for their family.

“I make mine with a toffee layer on top, a trick I borrowed from Mecca Nandi Bey,” says Ameenah. “If you visit Abu’s Bakery in Brooklyn the bean pie has an eye-catching deep brown color. Supreme Sweets in Willingboro is lighter in texture and color.”

Across the nation, African American Muslims have fond memories of bean pies baked, consumed and shared.

“Growing up in the D.C. metro area, bean pies were definitely a part of the culture,” explains co-owner of halal, Texas-style smokehouse Le Petit Fumoir Layla Harrison-Williams. “It became the African American Muslim dessert of choice, in the same way apple pie is to Americans and sweet potato pie is to many southern African Americans.”

Layla shared early memories of buying bean pies while growing up in African American Muslim communities.

“In my community, someone was always selling incense, oils and bean pies,” she says. “I remember [being] as young as five or six years old [and] going to the masjid for Jumuah, a lecture or an Islamic event – there would always be someone selling bean pies. We would always get them.

“When I was older, I would carry money in my little purse or ask my parents for money to get a bean pie. It was part of the outing. It was part of what we did.”

In addition to smoked meats, Le Petit Fumoir includes bean pies on the menu. Layla says bean pie was a natural choice. “Bean pie was a no-brainer, being an African American Muslim,” she says. “Since bean pies are so iconic in African American Muslim communities, we chose to offer them.”

Over the decades, African Americans have made bean pie a staple dessert, creating their own versions of the traditional recipe. Layla’s company bakes bean pies using a unique recipe with quality ingredients.

“We try to use as many locally-sourced, fresh ingredients in all of our foods, including the bean pies,” Layla explains. “That means things like local eggs. Now we have our own chickens, so we use fresh eggs, straight from our backyard. We limit the amount of shelf-stable ingredients.

“Many customers have mentioned that our pies are smoother and silkier than other bean pies.”

Bean pie is a delicious and nutritious dessert that is perfect for anyone looking for a sweet treat that is both delicious and good for you. Whether you are looking to celebrate Ramadan or simply looking for a new dessert, bean pie is a great option that will satisfy your sweet tooth. So next time you are in the mood for a sweet and comforting dessert, give bean pie a try and experience the taste and goodness for yourself!

There are hundreds of bean pie recipes in the internet. I prefer All Recipe’s “No-Fail Bean Pie.” It’s what I used after finding my bag of dry navy beans. The recipe is below.

1 (14.1 ounce) package of double-crust pie pastry, thawed (Or make your own crust if you are so talented!)

2 (15.5 ounce) cans navy beans, rinsed and drained

1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk

2 ½ cups white sugar

½ cup butter, melted

2 large eggs

2 large egg yolks

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Place each pie pastry into a 9-inch pie pan.

Place navy beans and evaporated milk into a food processor. Add sugar, melted butter, eggs, egg yolks, flour, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg; pulse a few times, then process until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour the mixture into the prepared pie crusts.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown, about 35 more minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 1 hour before slicing.