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These healthy brownies made with almond flour have a delicious, fudgy texture with rich chocolate flavor and dark chocolate bits in each bite.
From mixing the batter in the bowl to the aroma of brownies baking in the oven, your family will love this recipe, and it’s free of gluten, grains, and dairy.
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Chunky Fudgy Brownies Made Healthy!
These brownies taste like an indulgence with their rich chocolate flavor and irresistible texture, but they are made with healthier ingredients for a treat you can enjoy without guilt.
I’m a firm believer that we can enjoy making and eating our favorite desserts without having to ‘start over,’ and this recipe, along with the entire Clean Treats for Everyone cookbook, proves it.
It’s a collection of show-stopping desserts, no-bake treats, baked goods, and snacks made without refined sugars, grains, and dairy but still have that indulgent ‘flavor and feel.’
And these chocolate chunk brownies made almond flour, almond butter, and coconut sugar set a perfect example.
Healthy Brownie Ingredients
Let’s go over everything you’ll need to make these healthy brownies:
- almond butter: helps bind the ingredients and its natural sweetness reduces the amount of coconut sugar required.
- melted coconut oil: to moisten the brownies.
- coconut sugar: to sweeten the brownies.
- eggs: essential for baking with almond flour.
- vanilla extract: adds flavor.
- almond flour: a grain-free flour with nutty flavor and higher fat content that gives baked goods a tender, soft texture.
- unsweetened cocoa powder: is 100% chocolate and gives the brownies a more intense chocolate flavor without added sugars.
- baking soda: just an itsy bitsy amount to give these brownies a ‘lift’.
- salt: reacts with the baking powder and enhances the chocolate and sweet flavors.
- dark chocolate: chopped pieces of dark chocolate add a delicious surprise in each bite of baked brownie.
How to Make Healthy Brownies
Like my regular Fudgy Brownies, these are super easy to whip up in one bowl and bake to perfection. From start to finish, this recipe takes about 30 minutes (that’s if you don’t include cooling).
Here’s how to make a delicious batch of healthy brownies:
- Preheat the oven to 350F
Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. - Combine the wet ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk the almond butter, coconut oil, coconut sugar egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. - Add the dry ingredients
Stir in the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients until the batter is smooth. - Add more chocolate
Fold the chocolate pieces into the batter and pour them into the prepared baking pan. - Bake to perfection
Place the pan into the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the brownies are just set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. - Let them cool
Once you remove the pan from the oven let them cool slightly before slicing into 12 squares. Grab a tall glass of milk or non-dairy milk, and enjoy!
With the right ingredients, recreating your family’s favorite recipes into a healthier version that tastes just as good can be simple.
I’ve done it for years and even created the Family Kickstart Program to help parents eliminate processed foods from their family’s diet and reset the way they eat, one recipe at a time.
If it’s something you want to try but are not certain where to start, you can learn more about the 4-week meal plan and clean eating guide for families here.
A Family Approach to Healthier Eating
Tired of searching for healthy, family-friendly recipes?
Learn how many parents eliminate processed foods and sugars from their family's diet with the Family KickStart Program.
Healthy Brownie Texture
These brownies made with almond flour have a little more crumb to them than my regular brownie recipe and a chewy-fudgy texture that holds together just enough so that you can pick one up without it falling apart.
And depending on what temperature you eat the brownies, the chocolate chunks are either melted flecks of chocolate or softened bits you can sink your teeth into.
What Size Pan to Use?
The smaller the pan, the thicker and fudgier the brownie. I like to use a 9 x 9-inch square baking pan, but you can also use an 8 x 8-inch pan and bake them for a few additional minutes until the top is just set.
Baking with Almond Flour
I have an entire post on how to bake with almond flour that would be helpful, along with a few answered questions and pointers below that are specific to this recipe:
Don’t add/subtract/swap
Baking is science, and this recipe is a formula calculated for results that are just right and delicious. On top of that, recipes made with grain-free flours aren’t as forgiving, so I don’t recommend exchanging ingredients or changing amounts unless noted.
Let the brownies cool down
Recipes with almond flour have a more delicate texture, if you don’t let them cool off before slicing, then chances are your brownies will turn into crumbs.
Don’t pack the flour
You’ve heard this before with regular flour but it also applies to almond flour. To measure, spoon the flour into the measuring cup then use the back of a butter knife or spoon to scrape the excess flour from the top.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely? Double the recipe and bake them in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan if you want brownies galore.
Easy Healthy Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup almond butter
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- ¾ cup coconut sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9 x 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the almond butter, coconut oil, coconut sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and water until smooth. Stir in the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Fold in the chocolate pieces to evenly distribute into the dough.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool before slicing into 12 squares.
Laurie says
Hi, these look great. If I use a gluten-free flour blend that doesn’t include xanthan gum, would you suggest I add a bit when making these? Thanks in advance.
Laura Fuentes says
It really depends on the constitution of the gluten-free flour. if it’s mostly made from rice flours (sweet and white rice) or a denser flour like chickpea, add the xanthan gum it will help bind the flours.
Mama B says
I found this while looking for a recipe for brownies with prunes. I’d hoped that their addition would make them more moist. Instead, even after only 35 minutes, they were still cakey and slightly dry. But the chocolate flavour is completely on point, and with more butter I think it would be what I was looking for. Thanks for the inspiration!
Fran says
Can you freeze these brownies?
Laura Fuentes says
You absolutely can Fran!
Stephany says
I was really excited to make these but they ended up being less than exciting. I used oat flour and stevia instead of what was on the recipe list. They were soooo dry so I added a mashed up banana. Maybe it was the odd combination but it was bitter, yet fakely sweet tasting with a hint of banana. I will have to adjust the recipe before I consider making these again.
Laura Fuentes says
The recipes we provide are for maximum flavor. I can’t guarantee good tasting results with substitutions not listed on the recipes. sorry!