Healthy Zucchini Brownies
Healthy Zucchini Brownies (Vegan, GF): this chocolate zucchini brownies recipe yields moist, tender cakey brownies with rich chocolate flavor & a lightly fudgy texture.
Happy Saturday! Ahhh, that never does get old does it? I feel like a kid every time I get to shout that out loud (and type it, let’s be honest). Do you have any big plans for today? Perhaps a little kite-flying, perhaps a little baking, perhaps a little adventuring?
Whatever it is you do, I hope that it’s fun, joy-filled and totally awesome. 😉 In the meantime, it’s my sole job to get you excited about zucchini season!!!
Okay, I totally know that zucchini is available all the gosh-dang time, but this time of year is pretty much the best time to partake in all of the zucchini recipes: I mean, there’s Healthy Zucchini Bread, there’s Healthy Moist Zucchini Muffins, there’s even Zucchini–wait a minute, let me get back on point!
Now you totally have all the reasons to harvest the zucchini you’ve been growing in your backyard (go you), or put in a grocery delivery order for zucchini by the ton (or something).
Healthy Zucchini Brownies (Vegan, GF)
‘Cuz today, we’re making healthy zucchini brownies—vegan and gluten free! I’m so excited to share this super chocolatey chocolate zucchini brownie recipe! Are you ready for that, and potentially more exclamation marks? Hold onto your butts! (I just had to. Lol.)
Healthy Zucchini Brownies: the Taste & Texture
The taste & texture of these healthy zucchini brownies is beyond. You’d never know that they’re vegan; you’d never know that they’re made with all of the healthy ingredients.
These healthy zucchini brownies are moist, cakey brownies with a lightly fudgy texture, and oh-so-rich, deep chocolate flavor. The soft and tender crumb of these healthy zucchini brownies are what make them melt in your mouth—all while you bask in the melty chocolate chips in each and every brownie.
More Brownies to Love
If you’re looking for more chocolate goodness to indulge your cravings, be sure to check out my reader-favorite Best Vegan Brownies Recipe, these super easy 5 ingredient No Bake Vegan Brownies, and these ultra cute and totally irresistible Brownie Bites.
How to Store Healthy Zucchini Brownies
Room Temperature: I don’t recommend storing your healthy zucchini brownies at room temperature. The fresh nature of your zucchini (and its inherent juiciness) can cause the zucchini brownies to spoil if not refrigerated.
Refrigeration: store your healthy zucchini brownies in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. However, zucchini brownies are best the first day or two or three if you’re lucky. To revive your brownies, simply heat them up in 10-second increments in the microwave until just warm. Enjoy!
Recommended Tools for the Best Brownies
- Grater – Erik’s favorite grater–and he would know because he’s the resident BB Grater Dude. Yep, Grater Dude. 😉 According to Erik, “This grater is rad because you can grate everything from zucchinis to carrots super fast without risking injury bc the rubber-y platform holds still while the handle is easy to hold.” Thanks Erik!
- Sifter – My favorite sifter, and one that I have several of. Stainless steel, so sturdy and survives through 1,000s of baking sessions per year (and I’ve had these for years and years).
- Easy Brownie Slicer – A super fun tool for slicing your healthy brownies very, very quickly with just a few motions.
- Vegan Chocolate Chips – Since folks have been asking, I decided to share my favorite vegan chocolate chips! These are tasty, dairy-free and have rich chocolate flavor.
- Where to Buy Ingredients: Vegan Chocolate Chips | Gluten Free Rolled Oats for making Homemade Oat Flour | Raw Cacao Powder | Coconut Oil + Coconut Sugar | Golden Ground Flaxseed
Happy Saturday! Sorry, I just had to say it again. 😉 But didn’t it feel just as good the second time? I can’t wait to hear what you and your loved ones think of my recipe—be sure to comment below to let me know! I’m so thankful that you’re here, sharing in these kitchen adventures with me. ‘Til the next one…
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
☀ Click below to Pin ☀
📸 Did you make this healthy zucchini brownies recipe? Take a pic and share it on Instagram with the hashtag #beamingbaker & tag @beamingbaker. I’d love to see it! 📸
More yummy recipes
- Soft Baked Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Healthy Moist Vegan Zucchini Muffins w/ Chocolate Chips
- Ultimate Fudgy Paleo Vegan Brownies Recipe
- Fudgy Vegan Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies Recipe – Gluten Free, From Scratch!
- Vegan Gluten Free Brownies
- Moist Vegan Gluten Free Zucchini Bread Recipe
- My Favorite Gluten Free Brownies Recipe From Scratch!
- Vegan Banana Brownies Recipe
- Zucchini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Healthy Zucchini Brownies (Vegan, GF)
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12–16 brownies 1x
Description
Healthy Zucchini Brownies (Vegan, GF): this chocolate zucchini brownies recipe yields moist, tender cakey brownies with rich chocolate flavor & a lightly fudgy texture. Vegan, Healthy.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons gluten free oat flour – if using homemade oat flour, make sure it’s very finely ground (not coarse)*
- 1/2 cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee granules
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground golden flaxseed and 6 tablespoons water, whisked together, set for 15 mins)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Fold-in Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups grated zucchini
- 3/4 cup vegan chocolate chips or refined sugar-free chocolate (chopped)
Optional Topping
- 2–3 tablespoons vegan chocolate chips or refined sugar-free chocolate (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or greased foil. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, sift together all the dry ingredients.
- In a large bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Whisk until just incorporated, making sure no flour patches remain. Thoroughly press and fold in zucchini and chocolate chips, until zucchini is very well incorporated (about 30 seconds)—lightly smash the zucchini into the batter. The batter will be very, very thick—do not add additional liquids to thin out the batter.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pan. Using a rubber spatula, smooth batter into an even layer. The batter is very thick and sticky—you might need to grab a clean spatula to finish smoothing the layer. Optionally, press chocolate chips into the top of the batter.
- Bake for 28-38 minutes. Mine took 35 minutes. Insert a toothpick to check for doneness—once it comes out clean with just a few moist bits, it’s done.
- Allow to cool in the pan, placed on a cooling rack for about 1 hour. Lift out of pan, transferring brownies along with parchment paper directly onto the cooling rack. Allow to finish cooling for about 2 hours before slicing. Slice into 12-16 brownies. Enjoy!
Healthy Zucchini & Brownies Recipes (Vegan)
Notes
- Where to Buy Ingredients: Vegan Chocolate Chips | Gluten Free Rolled Oats for making Homemade Oat Flour | Raw Cacao Powder | Coconut Oil + Coconut Sugar | Golden Ground Flaxseed
- A Note on Homemade Oat Flour: *If using homemade oat flour, make sure to blend the flour until very fine and sift the flour to remove coarse bits of oats that could create less than ideal results. Store until needed, then measure the amount required for the recipe.
- Storing Notes: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Best the first 3 days. Heat in 10-second increments in the microwave to warm brownies before serving.
- Recommended Tools: Grater | Sifter | Easy Brownie Slicer | 8-inch Baking Pan | 4-Event Timer | Mis En Place
- Nutrition Information: is an estimate based on the ingredients listed in Where to Buy Ingredients. Also, it’s estimated based on 16 servings per recipe, made without optional ingredients.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 172
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
This post may contain affiliate links, which allow me to make a small commission for my referral, at no additional cost to you.
HOLY Haleakala!! ^o^
I made these for a boat trip out to the sandbar for some snorkeling with the ladies after grabbing fresh zucchini from a local farmers’ market. I was a little nervous taking out the maple syrup (which I would usually just swop for Agave anyways–but both are too pricey out here, for my brief island stay!). So, I incorporated a smidge of stevia instead, and tbh I’m not entirely sure how I maneuvered not messing up the consistency, but the reviews were just as deadly good as the brownies themselves–so I gotta make ’em again!! (I know, rough life, huh)
Thank you for such a delish and healthy (death-by-chocolate) treat, Demeter!!! It’s always such a relief to see I don’t have to figure out flours/cruelty-free exchanges or sacrifice taste to suit myself and others! ^-^
Oh YEAH!!! Oh my goodness, can I just say, your sandbar snorkeling trip sounds amazing!! I love that you were able to make a few adjustments with success. Also, who doesn’t love a second (and third and fourth) batch of brownies?! Happy baking (and eating!), Cait! 😀
Amazing! Thank you so much for going through the work to make sure these came out absolutely perfect. I made them just as the recipe states and they came out great. Definitely a make again and again type of recipe.
You’re so very welcome, Patricia. 🙂 I’m so happy that you loved my zucchini brownies recipe! I’m thrilled to have a recipe on your repeats list. Happy baking!
While I have previously commented on this delicious recipe that is a perfect balance of cake-like and fudgy, I’can now add that these are a time-after-time consistent crowd pleaser, without people even knowing they are gluten-free and healthier than any traditional brownie. They have recently gotten rave reviews from my 5-yr-old grandon , as well as my son, who never gave gluten free a chance, thinking that gluten-free meant compromising falvor and texture. (This time I added chopped pecans on top prior to baking, as we don’t have nut allergy concerns.) Look no further…this is THE go-to brownie recipe!
How wonderful to hear! 🙂 Just so you know, I’m beaming from ear to ear over here. Love that you can rely on my recipe & convince your grandson that GF can actually be yummy! Thanks for stopping by, Margaret. I can’t wait to see what you try next. 🙂
Hello, sorry I couldn’t find the comment form so that is why I’m replying! Was wondering if I could use monk fruit sweetener (granulated) instead of coconut sugar? Thanks! Excited to try this recipe!
Perfect! Perfect! Perfect! This is by far THE best brownie recipe! Everyone says that about their recipes, but this is my basis:
They rise like traditional brownies, which other recipes barely do if at all. They are a perfect balance of cake-like brownies with just enough moisture, richness and YUM! Equally important is that they are healthy! (There are only five stars, but these are a “ten.”)
I have made brownies with Almond and/or Coconut flour, and combos that included oat flour, but NOTHING compares to these in appearance, taste and texture! (I found my Nutribullet best for me in making very fine oat flour, which is key. I keep a premade jar of it handy.) Also, the sifting is a very valuable step.
I love them so much that I am going to prepare some containers with pre-measured dry ingredients, because when I am craving them again (and again), some of the prep work will already be done.
I cannot praise the perfection of this recipe and your explicit directions enough! Kudos to you!
(Btw…I am a retired professional baker.)
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Margaret. 🙂 I truly enjoyed and honestly beamed throughout reading your entire comment. I loved that you noticed that the texture of these brownies are just-right: in between cake-like and moist ‘n fudgy. <-- That's exactly what I was aiming for. I've got to try blending my oats in a Nutribullet some time! It truly makes me so happy to hear how wonderfully my recipe turned out for you (and the fact that you're a retired professional baker, well, that's just icing on the cake.) Can't wait to see what you try next!
These look lovely! I just ran out of coconut sugar and was planning to try these out tomorrow, it’s probably not ideal but do you think i could just double the maple -? want to keep it naturally sweetened… thaaaanks x
Thanks Katie! I think you *might* be able to get away with it since these are brownies (they can always stand to be a bit moist), but you might want to leave out a tablespoon? Good luck! Let me know how it turns out. xo
Hi. Is there any reason I couldn’t substitute carob for the chocolate?
Hi Jean! I haven’t tried it myself so I can’t say for sure, but it should be okay. If you try it out, let me know how it goes!
I always love zucchini and chocolate together! These brownies are so rich and flavorful, perfect treat!
Aren’t they such a yummy combo? Thanks Julie!
Hi, could you use any alternative flours? Almond or gluten free flour? Thanks!
Hi! Almond flour would require many diff measurements in the recipe, unfortunately. As for GF AP flour, I’ve noticed in testing that each brand works differently in recipes, so I’d be unsure of the results. You might be able to use the GF AP flour you have on hand and it *might* work. Hope this helps!
Delicious! You have the best recipes! My husband is Celiac and I have two boys with ample allergies, I appreciate that you incorporate alternate flours (and love the use of zucchini) instead of nut-based flours like many recipes. Thanks so much!
That’s so kind of you to say!! I’m so happy that your entire family can enjoy my recipes. 🙂 I’ve been working on more nut-free recipes, so I’m thrilled that you’re liking them! Happy Baking, Barbara! I can’t wait to see what you bake next.
These brownies turned out so moist and fudgy! A huge hit with my crew!
Yay! I’m so happy to hear it Wilhelmina! 😊
Hi Demeter
These brownies look awesome. Want to make them what can I substitute for coffee granules. I don’t use coffee.
Thanks
Maria
Hi Maria! The coffee simply enhances the chocolate flavor, so you’re fine to leave it out completely. Happy baking!
Yum! These brownies look so soft and chewy and, oh yes, chocolaty. I need a zucchini now.
Haha yes! They’re so totally satisfying! 😋
Woo-hoo! I have all the ingredients on hand to make these delicious zucchini brownies. I’ll be making a double batch this afternoon. My friend made these today and sent me here to get the recipe!
Oh how awesome! Sounds like you’ve got one awesome friend! 😄
Love this recipe! these were so easy and delicious! Will definitely be making again!
So awesome to hear Kim!
Oh I love the melty chocolate chips in this. I am adding this to my bake list for the weekend.
I know you’re just gonna love these! 😊
The perfect way to eat vegetables! haha 🙂 Love it! Super easy to make as well.
I know! 😂 It’s a total win-win!
Great recipe, love your creations. When you say ‘press’ Zucchini – I presume that means squeeze the liquid out? Thanks!
Hi Jacqueline! Nope, no need to squeeze the liquid out. By press I mean use the spatula to press and thoroughly incorporate the zucchini into the batter. Happy baking!
The zuke brownies sound yummy! I’ve made chocolate zuke cake so I’m eager tonmake these. One note, the vegan chocolate chips are no longer available on Amazon.
Oh yes it’s soo yummy! And thanks for letting me know about the chocolate chips—right now there are a lot of items coming in and out of stock online and in stores.