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 cakey and want 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 Chocolate Brownies (100% whole grain, gluten-free, dairy-free options)
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 16 brownies
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) whole wheat flour or whole spelt flour or all-purpose flour or Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour for the gluten-free version
- 1/2 cup (45 grams) Dutch-process cocoa powder (using regular cocoa powder may result in cakey brownies)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (about 300 – 320 grams) peeled and grated zucchini
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips + 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips to sprinkle on top (for dairy-free, use Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips)
Directions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Pour the batter into the pan and even the surface with a spatula.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for 30 - 35 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.
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517 comments on “Zucchini Brownies (gluten-free, dairy-free options)” — Add one!
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thanks for the recipe! adding zucchini to my grocery list. yummers!
These look great! If I use AP flour, do you think it will effect moisture level? I know whole wheat absorbs more moisture…
I actually think they’ll be okay. I use the two flours interchangeably and have never had problems. I can’t guarantee it’ll work but I *think* it will. Good luck! :)
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a zucchini brownie look THAT mouthwatering. My God! These are right my alley, girl! Great giveaway, too.
Hi Erin, these look amazing! I was trying to pin them, but couldn’t get the button to work. Maybe it’s just me, but I wanted to let you know. Thanks for the recipe! :-D
Thanks so much for letting me know! I’m working on it. :) For now, Pin It button that you see when hovering over the pictures should work!
I will definitely be making these! It is so refreshing to find a better way to make the food you love healthy, for the people you love to keep them healthy!
My god, these look absolutely fantastic! I’ve been looking for more ways to use up all this zucchini i have in my fridge, and i’m definitely going to try these!
We have been making small changes that really add up, like less sugar, less gluten, less dairy. We have also been more intentional about listening to our body to notice which foods we are sensitive to, like pasta and beans. Excited to try this one! I love tricking my sweet tooth!
I’m going to add more whole foods and less processed foods to my meals.
We already eat pretty healthily, but occasionally there’s a take out pizza night…I’m hoping to keep the freezer stocked with homemade dough so that making pizza night at home is a cinch.
Going to try this one out, Trim Healthy Mama style :)
yum!
I want to cut down on our sugar intake.
Any time I can go ahead and devour a brownie guilt free is fine by me!! These look amazing Erin!!
I NEED GLUTEN FREE DESERTS.
This year I am definitely embracing these types of healthier recipes! Starting my masters program is going to take time away from creating/making dinners that are filling and desserts that quiet my inner baking beast! Having your blog is not only making our life easier…it’s so inspiring to watch you pour out healthier creations on so many recipes!!
Using whole foods more often in our diet and less boxed, pre-prepped “food” is the goal this year! And so far so grrrreat!
Lovely recipe:)
I am trying to bake using healthier ingredients, like whole wheat flour.
Though we do pretty well, the goal is to eat even less processed foods.
These look fabulous! Definitely making them!
We are eating more salads. I love zucchini brownies! These look good.
These look amazing! Do you think you could vegan-ize them by using flax eggs?
Thanks! And I’m not sure about vegan-izing them as I haven’t tried. If you do try flax eggs, please let us know how that comes out. :) Good luck!
They look incredibly gooey and chocolaty. And I love the reduced sugar. Thanks for the link. You’re awesome!
I am Gluten free. Can I use almond flour??? Or even my gluten free baking blend of rice flours, tapioca and potato starch??? I also have coconut flour but NO spelt. What do ya think???
Definitely don’t use coconut flour! I’d try your baking blend but as I haven’t tried it, I can’t promise they’d come out. How about doing the half batch in a loaf pan to see if they work out being using all those ingredients on a full batch? Let me know how it comes out and good luck! :) Oh and because so many people have asked, I’m going to make an almond flour brownie recipe. But they won’t have zucchini in them because I am so sick of zucchini at this point. ;)
Thanks Erin….will try 1/2 batch.Have lots of zucchini, also getting tired of it but this sounded better than the good old bread recipes. Look forward to any and all almond flour recipes. Can I find your recipes on Bran Appetit. Am new to this wed site.
Just found your web site I believe…Dinners & Desserts. I put myself on your e mail list!!!!!
I hope it works out well, Debbie! And I’m afraid you can’t find the recipes here on Bran Appetit. She posts her recipes and I post mine here. :) I hope you’ll come back for a visit!
A change I am making is less processed foods for my son! Most kids snacks are either boxed or bagged, trying to stay fresh :)
I let my kids pick out 2-3 healthy items in the produce section when we go grocery shopping. I then incorporate them into dinners for the week.
I have cut out enriched flour and have been eating whole wheat. This is a great recipe for that. My boyfriend hate zucchini, so I plan on trying these out on him.
These look delicious – will definitely be giving a try!!
These sounds delicious… I’m definitely making them… and they would be really easy to veganize too for my daughter!
Drink more water instead of soda
Try to eat more fruit as my snacks when I’m hungry. and make more things with whole-grain flours.
I’m trying to feed my family fewer processed foods and use less plastic for cooking/storing foods
Holy cow! I can’t even see the zucchini in these things! They look delicious, and I’m perfectly fine with the extra calories the chocolate chips add. Chocolate chips are gifts from the chocolate gods! :)
As for being healthy it will be tough since I will be at school for most of the day and I will have to watch what I eat for lunch since I don’t think I will be able to eat my usual turkey sandwich on toasted bread every day. But campus is big and so all the walking I do will counter balance most things I think.
So glad to have stumbled on your site! These brownies look amazing! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
wow! These look so moist and delicious!
These look dee-lish! I am starting to cook more baked foods for my family, rather than frying everything.
These look yummy!! we are going to try to eat healthier & exercise more!!
Can’t wait to try them!
yes, I agree.. looks great! But I am now GF and trying to get the rest of my family there this fall.. wondering if anyone has any GF flour substitute ideas that would work in this recipe?
I’m afraid that I don’t know how to make these GF. I just haven’t tried it yet with these brownies. You could try a GF baking mix, but I don’t have any experience with those. Sorry about that!
This looks delicious!
Looks so good
This is a great way to get my kids to eat more healthy!
I am going to make better breakfasts this year than the quick cereal and milk. Egg white scrambles with green peppers and tomatoes, healthy smoothies are on the menu!
These brownies look so delicious! Can’t believe how healthy they are :D Don’t have kids, but I need to start eating healthier. Please keep the healthy recipes coming!
More vegetables!
Less processed foods.
Make the time to prepare meals ahead of time (Sunday) so I dont take the easy route and pick up greasy, unhealthy fast food
I love your healthy recipes! Thank you for posting!
These look awesome! My son is on the GAPS diet so I can use grains or sugars or I would give these a try. Subbing honey for the sugar and almond flour for the wheat flour would probably completely wreck the texture, but I love having healthy things like zucchini in desserts.
We are eating vegetarian Mon-Fri. Meat only on the weekends.
I still have never made zucchini brownies! These might have to be the first. They look gooey and delicious, thanks for sharing! :)
OMG! I love you! I have a serious chocolate addiction and now I won’t feel as guilty when I eat a whole batch of these all by myself. Gonna share on my Facebook for all my fellow chocolate addicts/bakers.