Zucchini Brownies (gluten-free, dairy-free options)
The gooiest zucchini brownies ever! You’d never guess these are made a little healthier and made with whole grains (but can also be made with all-purpose or gluten-free flour) or that zucchini and that applesauce takes the place of oil! With gluten-free and dairy-free options.
I don’t like zucchini at all. I’m also not a fan of “hiding” veggies in my dessert recipes, because I can always tell that they’re in there. That’s not the case with these brownies!
These healthy zucchini brownies still have sugar in them, but they’re not quite as bad as your usual brownie recipe. If you want something especially naughty, try these gluten-free brownies, which are really the best brownies ever – gluten-free or not! They can also be made with whole wheat flour.
These chocolate zucchini brownies have no added fat* (except what’s in the chocolate chips) and are full of zucchini and whole grains (but really do not taste like it!) so you can feel good about giving these to your children.
* I love healthy fats and usually load up my recipes with them. But in this one, it’s just not needed!
Really, unless your kids watch you make these, or you grate the zucchini coarsely, there’s no way that they’ll be able to tell that these brownies have zucchini in them. Or that they’re whole wheat or whole spelt. The gluten-free version also doesn’t taste gluten-free!
Want some more kid-friendly recipes? Try my no-bake oatmeal cookies. They’re whole grain and naturally gluten-free + vegan. And perfect for the lunch box!
This whole wheat banana bread is also a favorite and you can always toss in some walnuts or chocolate chips for something different.
And if you have portion control issues, these brownies halve beautifully! Use a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan and bake for only 14 minutes.
I highly recommend not decreasing the amount of chocolate chips in the batter. You can definitely skip the ones on top, but these zucchini brownies rely on the sweetness and flavor from the chocolate chips!
I’m pretty sure you’d be disappointed if you didn’t use the chocolate in the batter. And I definitely don’t want that!
Be sure to use Dutch-process cocoa powder in these zucchini brownies. If you use the regular natural kind (like Hershey’s), these zucchini brownies will likely come out cakey instead of nice and fudgy like you see!
Besides, once you have some Dutch-process cocoa powder, you’ll be able to make these whole wheat chocolate cupcakes! They’re seriously just as delicious as traditional cupcakes made with all-purpose flour.
If you don’t mind the brownies being a bit cakey and prefer to use regular cocoa powder, then go for it! Some commenters have mentioned making them with regular cocoa powder and loving them.
Have more zucchini to use? This chocolate zucchini bread also looks great! As do these zucchini muffins.
Enjoy!
Zucchini Brownies (gluten-free, dairy-free options)
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs 50 grams each, out of shell
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar or unrefined sugar or granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup (125 grams) flour see notes
- 1/2 cup (55 grams) Dutch-process cocoa powder (using regular cocoa powder may result in cakey brownies)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (280 to 320 grams) zucchini peeled and grated
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips + 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips to sprinkle on top, for dairy-free, use Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C) and line an 8″x8″ pan with parchment paper or spray with baking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, vanilla, coconut sugar, and apple sauce and let this sit for 5 minutes to let the coconut sugar dissolve.2 large eggs, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 3/4 cup coconut sugar, 1/4 cup (60 ml) unsweetened applesauce
- In a separate medium bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder (sifted if lumpy!), baking soda and salt. Make sure there are no clumps before going on to the next step.1 cup (125 grams) flour, 1/2 cup (55 grams) Dutch-process cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Add the dry mix to the wet, gently stir until combined. Be sure not to over mix!
- Then fold in the zucchini and 1 cup chocolate chips.2 cups (280 to 320 grams) zucchini, 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Pour the batter into the pan and even the surface with a spatula.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for 20 – 30 minutes (14 minutes for the half batch) or until a toothpick inserted in the middle doesn’t come out gooey. It might still be sticky – just not have raw batter on it.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature or up to one week in the refrigerator. I recommend storing them in the refrigerator right from the beginning due to their high moisture content.
Notes
- Some commenters mentioned that baking soda doesn’t make sense in this recipe. I agreed with them and have tried this recipe twice without baking soda. They came out rubbery and absolutely disgusting both times. I don’t understand why, but baking soda definitely works and is absolutely necessary here! Please DO NOT try them without baking soda. Thanks!
- The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator.
Yum. I bought some zucchini today so I am going to try this tomorrow. It looks good.
I want to make healthier after school snacks instead of using prepackaged snacks. Thanks for your inspiration!
I am going to start making and freezing healthy options to have for a quick breakfast or dinner!
These looks Yummy!
Beautiful! Great theme to fight childhood obesity and wonderful giveaway!
I’ve been thinking about the combination of chocolate and zucchini lately,,,this time of year brings that out in me, lol! Your brownies look so good and I love that you’ve made them healthier!
Thank you for sharing such a great recipe.
I’m encouraging my family to focus more on fruits and vegetables for our snacks and even with our regular meals. :-)
Eating mindfully!
Our family is trying to eat more veggies and cook more
We’ll be eating more raw fruits and vegetables
Make things only with whole grains.
I’m trying to include more veggies, less carbs in our meals!
My family has adopted a low carb approach to meals. My husband and I are very low carb, but our little one is still growing so she gets a little more carbs than us. In one year, she has become more active and eating healthy has helped her weight slowly become more heatlhy and less overweight!!
These brownies look fantastic!! Brownies are my weakness so I am excited about giving these healthier ones a try!!
More high-quality dinners and less heavy dessert!
I’ve been cutting back on processed foods and trying to convince my boyfriend to go on walks at night instead of TV watching!
I’m trying to switch out regular sugar with stevia or other non-refined natural sweeteners! Trying to eat healthier altogether!
These look amazing! I’ll definitely have to try them because I’ve been really craving sweets lately.
Wow, these look fantastic! I am going to make these tomorrow STAT!
looks yummy
Make sure breakfast is eaten every day!