Best Healthy Zucchini Brownies
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These chocolate zucchini brownies are the best brownies ever. Even though they're a healthy brownie recipe, you'd never know it. They're rich, fudgy, chocolatey, and totally delicious.
You are only 30 minutes away from digging into the best brownies you've ever eaten. Do I have your attention now? I thought I might!
There are days that I have trouble taking my job seriously. Like today. Does this look like a real job? It looks a whole lot more like a big pan of ooey, gooey, fudgy, delicious chocolate than anything resembling work. Not that I'm complaining. The only thing that I have to complain about right now is that it is gone. All of it. All I have left are these pictures I'm sharing with you, a few tiny crumbs, and some chocolate on the corners of my lips.
What you'll love about zucchini brownies
- Everything! But seriously, everything.
- They are little bites of magical, chocolatey heaven.
- Unbelievably rich and fudgy.
- Made with honey so they are refined sugar-free.
- Almond flour keeps these both gluten-free and paleo AND gives them the best texture ever.
- Since the ingredients are basically almonds, zucchini, eggs, and antioxidant-rich dark chocolate, you can feel great about treating yourself.
Making these healthy brownies
These deliciously rich brownies have a whole zucchini snuck into them. Don't worry, they don't taste like vegetables. In the same way that carrots keep carrot cake moist, zucchini does the same thing for these brownies.
This recipe is easy to make and very flexible. I've both meticulously measured the ingredients and at other times simply eye-balled them. It's pretty much impossible to mess up this recipe.
Three tips for making the best zucchini brownies
- The only step that is different from making regular brownies is that you need to grate a zucchini. I like to use the small holes on my grater as the zucchini completely blends into the brownies this way. It takes about an extra minute to grate with the small holes, but it's totally worth the tiny bit of extra time.
- Once you have your grated zucchini, you'll want to ring out as much of the liquid as possible. I simply pick up a handful and squeeze it with my hands held over my kitchen sink.
- Don't overbake them. This tip is applicable to all brownie recipes. To test if they're done, insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies. If it comes out clean, they're done. If you're not sure, it's always best to err on the side of undercooking them.
How to make healthy chocolate glaze
It's so easy!
To make the most beautiful chocolate glaze, you need 2 ingredients:
- Chocolate
- Coconut oil
All you have to do is melt the two together over low heat. It will turn into a chocolate glaze that you can easily pour over your tray of brownies. Once it cools, it will set soft.
How to make paleo brownies
To make paleo brownies, we need to make a few swaps to a regular brownie recipe.
- Almond flour instead of all-purpose flour. Almond flour works amazingly in dessert recipes that have a dense texture, like brownies. When I make these, no one guesses they're made with a flour alternative.
- Honey instead of sugar. Since refined sugar is a big no-no on a paleo diet, I like to use honey in this recipe. I've also tested it with coconut sugar and that works well, too.
- Coconut oil instead of butter. Technically, you can use grass-fed butter, if you eat paleo. But I love the light coconut flavor the oil gives these brownies.
- Dark chocolate chips instead of regular. Use refined sugar-free chocolate chips and you'll be set!
Mmm ♥ healthy chocolate zucchini brownies!
Because of all the dark chocolate chips and moist zucchini, these brownies have a really rich fudge texture. Even a small piece will do wonders towards satisfying your sweet tooth.
Happy healthy dessert eating!
More Brownie Recipes
- Dark Chocolate Rhubarb Brownies
- Peanut Butter Brownies
- Sweet Harvest Pumpkin Brownies
- Salted Caramel Vegan Skillet Brownie
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Favorite Healthy Summer Desserts
- 3-Ingredient Chocolate Banana Ice Cream
- Chocolate Blackberry Crumble
- Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream
- Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler
- Amaretto Peach Cobbler
- Healthier Blueberry Jam Bars
Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini (about 1 lb.)
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (divided)
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
The Chocolate Glaze
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper, letting a little hang over the edge. Grate the zucchini (without peeling) using the fine holes on your grater. Squeeze the grated zucchini to remove as much liquid as possible.1 medium zucchini
- Place the coconut oil and ½ cup of the dark chocolate chips in a small frying pan over medium heat and let them melt. Once they have melted whisk them together and remove the pan from the heat.½ cup coconut oil
- While the chocolate is melting add the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and sea salt to a large bowl and whisk them together.1 ½ cups almond flour, ¼ cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon sea salt
- In a small bowl whisk together the eggs, grated zucchini, honey, and vanilla.3 large eggs, ¼ cup honey, 2 teaspoons vanilla
- Once the chocolate has cooled slightly, add it to the bowl with the eggs and whisk to combine. Pour this into the bowl with the almond flour and stir everything together. Stir in the remaining ½ cup of dark chocolate chips.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it around so that it covers the pan in an even layer. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes then remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper and let them cool completely.
- While the brownies are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small frying pan over medium-low heat melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Whisk and set aside.¼ cup dark chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- Pour the glaze over the cooled brownies, let it set, then cut into 16 pieces.
Video
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
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