Healthy Zucchini Brownies

Sweet Treats

May 24

These healthy zucchini brownies defy every baking rule. They’re rich without butter. Fudgy without eggs or flour. And decadent, even though the main ingredient is zucchini.

Do Zucchini Brownies Taste Good?

I never quite understood zucchini brownies. Why would anyone ruin an utterly delicious dessert with vegetables? But after two failed recipe attempts and a lot of brainstorming, I finally figured out how tasty they can be! Here are my top secret tips on how to make the best zucchini brownies.

The Key To Fudgy Healthy Zucchini Brownies!

The essential ingredient to delicious zucchini brownies is almond butter (or any nut or seed butter). The high-fat content of the almonds makes it an excellent substitute for butter. Additionally, the high levels of protein give the brownies structure (even though there is no flour in the recipe). The naturally sweet flavor of almonds compliments the cacao powder well. I love making homemade almond butter, I learned how to make it here.

Pro-Tips:

To be completely honest, the first few attempts were a little rough: The first batch was undercooked, and the second had a distinct zucchini aftertaste. But the third try… absolute magic.

For the first batch, I added too much non-dairy milk. This resulted in wet, undercooked brownies. Instead, add just a quarter cup of milk. While you are mixing the batter, it may look dry. But once the ingredients are thoroughly combined, it will be a thick, creamy batter.

For the second batch, I used shredded zucchini. This resulted in brownies that tasted like zucchini. Gross! But a simple fix of using finely grated zucchini easily fixed the problem.

All my worries subsided when I tasted the third batch! These gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free zucchini brownies will satisfy any craving, and no one will know they are secretly healthy. And, the ingredients are pretty basic.

Ingredients You Will Love!

Wet Ingredients:

Zucchini: What would zucchini brownies be without zucchini? One cup of grated zucchini gives these brownies the perfect fudgy texture. Peel the zucchini first and use a fine grater to ensure recipe success.

Almond butter: As I wrote above, almond butter (or any nut/seed butter) is the essential ingredient to delicious zucchini brownies. The high-fat content of the almonds makes it an excellent substitute for butter. Additionally, the high levels of protein give the brownies structure (even though there is no flour in the recipe). The naturally sweet flavor of almonds compliments the cacao powder well. If you are allergic to almonds, you can substitute the almond butter for any nut/seed butter.

Apple sauce: It is a great dairy-free replacement for butter in baking, as it makes the baked goods moist. Look for a brand that is 100% apples with no added sugar or fruit juice.

Maple syrup: These brownies are sweetened with just 1/4 cup of real maple syrup. You can also use honey or agave syrup.

Non-dairy milk: It is a great alternative to cow’s milk for those who are allergic or prefer a dairy-free option. Most grocery stores offer a couple of non-dairy milk options, including almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, rice milk, oat milk, and hemp milk. My favorite is Malk Organics almond milk.

Vanilla extract: A teaspoon of vanilla extract may seem like nothing, but it is a crucial ingredient for the recipe. It enhances the other flavors in the recipe, like the cacao powder, preventing flat and bland brownies.

Dry Ingredients:

Cacao powder: I prefer cacao powder over cocoa powder as it is less refined. It also contains more protein, fiber, magnesium, and iron. However, cacao powder can be expensive, so if you are looking for a budget-friendly option, cocoa powder will work well.

Ground flaxseed: The ground flax acts as an egg in the brownies by binding the ingredients. Make sure to use ground flaxseed instead of whole flaxseed as it will be able to soak up the moisture in the recipe.

Baking soda: The small amount of baking soda in this recipe is just enough to create the perfect fudgy texture, without producing a cake-like one.

Sea salt: Ground sea salt enhances the flavor of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness in the healthy zucchini brownies.

Non-dairy chocolate chips: Everything’s better with chocolate chips! You can use any brand or kind of chocolate, but I love Enjoy Life semi-sweet chocolate chips.

& that’s it! 11 ingredients, one bowl, and 45 minutes for the perfect vegan zucchini brownies!