Aug 06
The BEST healthy zucchini brownies you’ll ever eat are gluten free, paleo, deliciously fudgy, and the perfect way to bake with zucchini. Top them with fancy sea salt to make them extra special!
Who wants to eat the most delicious, nutritious healthy brownies in all the land? YOU DO?
Oh good, I’m glad you’re here.
Welcome to Day #4 of #AKZucchiniWeek 2019. This recipe is technically from last year’s annual zucchini week — HOWEVER this zucchini brownie recipe is one of my favorites so I knew I just had to share it again to encourage you to bake these babies up.
So say WUD UP to my healthy zucchini brownies aka the BEST zucchini brownies out there. This recipe officially goes in my ‘best of’ series!
You know me, always trying to experiment with baked goods to make them both nourishing, wholesome and delicious enough for you jump on a couch like good old crazy pants Tommy Cruise (please reference this link).
This recipe just be one of my favorites of the entire week because these are SIMPLY INCREDIBLE. Fudgy, paleo, gluten free, packed with chocolate, naturally sweetened, full of zucchini and guaranteed to get you hooked!
What’s in these healthy zucchini brownies?
These healthy zucchini brownies are packed with nourishing ingredients, plus they’re naturally sweetened and both dairy free and gluten free. There’s no butter in this recipe either; instead these use nutrient dense tahini, a tiny bit of coconut oil and zucchini to keep them fudgy. It sounds crazy, but somehow these beautiful fudgy paleo brownies taste INCREDIBLE! Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
Zucchini: I mean it is zucchini week. So we’re putting zucchini in our brownies. JUST DO IT.
Tahini: you know, my latest obsession in life. If you aren’t into tahini yet, I’m here to convince you. I especially love it paired with chocolate since it happens to be just slightly bitter and earthly. It compliments these brownies very well. Here’s my favorite brand to use. (Don’t worry, you can also sub almond butter!)
Pure maple syrup: I adore pure maple syrup in baked goods because the flavor isn’t as noticeable as honey. It provides nourishing vitamins and it’s from the TREES. What more could you want in an all natural sweetener?!
Coconut sugar: the caramel-like flavor that comes from coconut sugar helps to make the flavor of these brownies outstanding. Similar to maple syrup, it’s an all natural sweetener! And yes, this recipe requires that you use both. If you don’t have coconut sugar, just sub brown sugar!
Coconut flour: you only need a little (2 tablespoons) but it will go a long way to keep these brownies the perfect fudgy texture. If you don’t have coconut flour, you can try using oat flour
Cacao powder: I’ve started to use cacao powder instead of cocoa powder in my recipes because it’s less processed but tastes exactly like cocoa powder. Each serving of cacao powder provides 25% of your daily magnesium, 10% iron and 18% fiber. This is the brand that I typically buy. If you don’t have cacao powder, use a good-quality unsweetened cocoa powder.
Coconut oil: you’ll only need two tablespoons for the entire recipe! If you don’t want to use coconut oil, feel free to sub melted vegan butter or regular butter.
Chocolate chips: I love using chocolate chips in these brownies. If you want to keep these dairy free, be sure to use dairy free chocolate chips (such as the Enjoy Life brand).
Alright enough talking, it’s time to bake these fudgy healthy zucchini brownies up.
Pro tip: Put them in the fridge for a delicious cold SUPER fudgy brownie! ENJOY!
SEE HOW TO MAKE THE BROWNIES:
See you back here tomorrow for another delicious zucchini week recipe! xo.
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- Serves: 16 brownies
- Serving size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 146
- Fat: 8.7g
- Saturated fat: 4.0g
- Carbohydrates: 17.7g
- Sugar: 12.9g
- Fiber: 2.6g
- Protein: 2.4g
- 1 cup shredded zucchini that’s been squeezed of excess moisture
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup tahini*
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup high quality cocoa powder (or cacao powder)
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons melted and cooled coconut oil
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips, dairy free if desired
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts
- For the topping
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips, dairy free if desired
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
- Fancy sea salt, for sprinkling on top
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, add your shredded zucchini, making sure it is squeezed of all excess moisture with a paper towel. This is very important. SQUEEZE IT AND GET ALL THAT WATER OUT!
- Next add in egg, tahini, maple syrup, coconut sugar and vanilla; stir until smooth. Gently stir in cocoa powder into the batter, mixing until well incorporated. Next add in coconut flour, baking soda, salt and finally the melted coconut oil. Stir until well combined. Fold in chocolate chips (and walnuts if you are using).
- Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out with just a few crumbs attached (it should not be completely wet, but a little gooeyness is just fine). Allow to cool completely. This will be tough, but it’s the best way to make sure the bars stay together perfectly since they will be moist.
- Once ready for the chocolate drizzle: Add 2 tablespoons chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until chocolate is melted. Drizzle over zucchini brownies. Sprinkle with a little fancy sea salt (trust me, it’s good!). Cut into 16 squares. Store covered in fridge -- they are deliciously fudgy when cold!
To make it vegan: I recommend using 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water). Let it sit in fridge for 5 minutes before using in recipe.
If you don't have coconut flour: regular flour will work, but you'll need to use 3-4 tablespoons to get the right consistency. You can also use gluten free oat flour. Please know that I have ONLY tested this recipe with coconut flour and I think it's the best option.
If you like these brownies you might also like:
Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread (vegan + allergy friendly)
Healthy Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Grain Free Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Zucchini Bread
Pin these zucchini brownies:
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These look INSANE! Now I can’t decide if I want to make these or the muffins you posted Monday! Ahh I have family visiting me from California this weekend so I want to spoil them with some baked goodies!
Also obsessed with all things tahini + brownies have my heart so these may win! I have a black bean tahini brownie recipe that I can’t stop making but I love that this recipe doesn’t deal with the hassle of blending the beans ya know! Do you think Bobs redmill all purpose paleo flour will work in place of the coconut flour? That’s whaat I have on hand…
They’re seriously sooo good!! I’d suggest muffins AND these 🙂 Bob’s paleo flour should work in here, too. Enjoy!
What’s the tahini brand? I don’t see it linked when you say here’s my favorite brand 🙁
Soom! Link is updated!
Mouthwatering! I will be making these this weekend for sure!
Hope you love them!!
Ah so ridiculously excited about these brownies! My favorite recipe of zucchini week so far! Plus it’s perfect I have so much zucchini to use up from my garden. Love how fudge these look…and how they are grain-free too! 🙂
YES they’re so good! Hope you love them 🙂
WUD UP! I love zucchini baked everything so these are at the top of my baking day bucket list!
Me too girl! Enjoy!
The brownies are very soft and sweet. The flavor of chocolate quickly dissolved in the mouth. That’s so great when seeing your recipe.
OMG! I love your hidden veggie sweet treats! Definitely saving all of them!
Thanks Kelli! The sneaky veggies make them extra special 🙂
I dos the brownies and rally are ver y ver y good. I can beleive it
Could you use granulated maple sugar in place of the coconut sugar?
That should work!
How about vanilla sugar?
Sure!
Coupla questions: should I measure the grated zucchini and then squeeze the water out OR squeeze the water out THEN measure? It seems there would be more post -squeeze. Also, yellow zucchini/summer squash would probably work equally well, do you think? I just LOVE zucchini and these recipes are so wonderful! Sometimes (well, lots of times) you check them in the garden and they are tiny and in 2 days are toddler-sized.
Jenny, I was wondering the same thing about measuring. Thanks for asking! Hope we get the intel soon. 🙂
Hi Gerise! You should grate the zucchini, squeeze it out of excess moisture, and then measure out 1 cup (no need to “pack it” into the cup).
Thanks, Monique! You’re the best (and your recipes are pretty killer, too!). 🙂
Sorry, I’m taking that the zucchini doesn’t need to be cooked..correct?
Nope! No cooking necessary.
Hi Jenny! Great questions. You should grate the zucchini, squeeze it out of excess moisture, and then measure out 1 cup (no need to “pack it” into the cup). I haven’t tried using yellow squash – it tends to have less moisture, but let me know if you do try it!
Love all things zucchini, too! Especially fresh from a garden (so crazy how fast they grow!)
They are freakin’ delicious!!!! Love them! Nobody could suspect the tahini or zucchini! Thank you Monique! 🙂
So glad you love them Stephanie!! The sneaky zucchini is the best 🙂 Enjoy!
Just made these tonight and they were delicious! I love making healthier treats that my girls (6 year old twins) love. You would never know there were hidden veggies. I swapped the coconut oil with avocado oil. So good!!
So happy to hear that!! The sneaky veggies are the best <3
These look delish! I am going to try with almond flour as my little one is allergic to sesame. However, my nut butters are usually quite stiff and wouldn’t stir smoothly together with the other ingredients. Any tips? Thank you!
Almond butter or cashew butter will work well in here! I’d look for an all-natural one that is nice and smooth so that it combines well with the other ingredients 🙂 Enjoy!
The BEST zucchini brownies ever? OMG! These look absolutely magnificent and I am delighted that there is a vegan-friendly alternative! I will definitely get my brownie game on soon and try baking these!
YES so delicious! Hope you love these 🙂
These look amazing. Can I substitute honey or coconut nectar for maple syrup?
Yes that should work!
I just made these, and the entire family gobbled it up. My husband said, “these are insanely good, what’s in it??” He couldn’t believe there was zucchini it in. I did make some modifications to go with what I had in my pantry: used almond butter instead of tahini, melted butter/applesauce combo instead of coconut oil, used cacao powder, regular flour (also increased to 3 1/2 tablespoons), added 1 table spoon chia seeds (gave it a nice crunch) and topped with pink sea salt once cool. These were so moist, fudgy and out of this world. Will def be making them again!! Thank you!!
The sneaky vegetables are the best! Glad you guys loved these ones, and that those modifications worked out for you.
Made them and they are amazing. My new go to brownie recipe for a healthy naughty treat. Thank you
YES love it!
Hi Monique
Is the coconut sugar in granulated or liquid form? Would date syrup be a good substitute to it?
Thanks and can’t wait to make them!
Hi! It’s granulated, so date syrup might change the consistency a bit in these.
Made them and they are amazing. My new go to brownie recipe for a healthy naughty treat. Thank you
So happy to hear that! The perfect treat.
These are so good! I’ve made them twice. Keeping them in the fridge is on point!!!
YES love them straight from the fridge!
Hi! Is it possible to sub the coconut sugar for something else granulated?
Thanks!
Hi! You can use brown sugar 🙂
These are so GOOD! I did not make the glaze and used 1/4 cup maple sugar and 1/4 cup organic brown sugar and added 1/2 tsp. espresso powder. Really awesome! And it makes a small pan so you can’t get in too much trouble 😉 !
Glad those swaps worked out for you! Love the idea of espresso powder in these too 🙂
Hi,
For the Tahini which flavor are you using? There are two showen in the link you provided.
Hi! I used the regular flavor of tahini in this recipe.
Made these to bring to a dinner party and they were a HIT. They were super fudgy and soft, kind of reminiscent of lava cake which paired well with vanilla ice cream. A sprinkle of salt with the drizzle was really key, and brought out the rich chocolate flavor. I was worried the tahini would make them taste a little too earthy/bitter and give away that they were “healthier” but all the flavors just came together amazingly!
So happy to hear that, Celia! LOVE these with a little vanilla ice cream. They’re also delicious straight from the fridge 😉
These aren’t just the best zucchini brownies, they’re the best brownies I have ever had! My daughter and I have made these twice and they are such a hit with the entire family. Thanks for a great recipe!
These are absolutely amazing! My kids love them. Your recipes are fabulous . Thank you!
So happy to hear that Allison! Such a great treat for the kiddos 🙂
These are INSANE!! May or may not have eaten half of the pan in one sitting. This is my new go-to brownie recipe!
YES love these! Glad you did too 🙂
These are INSANE!! May or may not have eaten half of the pan in one sitting.
Best brownies!
Just made these today since my twelve year old asked me to make a dessert AND he refuses to eat vegetables. I served him a brownie and said “these are vegetables!” We all loved them. I think I loved them a little too much, but they are oh, so good. Will definitely make them again. This was my first time using coconut sugar and flour. I made my own tahini from organic hulled sesame seeds before I started with the brownie recipe.
Amazing! So happy to hear that, Cindi. Love that you make your own tahini, too!
Can any other flour be subbed for the coconut flour?
Mixed these up, tasted the batter and thought to myself “ok these are going to be AMAZING” ….popped them in the oven just in time for the power to go out in my house 🤦🏻♀️ Will 100% be making them again when the power comes back on because that batter was so so delicious
Oh no! Hope you get a chance to bake them up soon!
Another TO DIE for recipe. I’m becoming more and more obsessed with your blog ;).
I didn’t have coconut flour so I used quick oats instead (without even blending them). And pecans instead of walnuts. The result was a combo of fudge and brownie. The most moist, addicting brownie I have ever tasted THANK YOU so much for what you do!
So happy you’re finding recipes here that you love! Noted that the quick oats worked here, too 🙂
These are SOOO good!! Definitely my new favourite brownie recipe, I still can’t believe they have zucchini and tahini in them!! Thanks for such a great recipe
So happy to hear that!! The tahini + zucchini are the best secret ingredients 🙂
Do you recommend anything I could supplement for eggs? I’m sadly sensitive to them and NEED to try these, lol.
Yes you can use flax eggs! Check the notes section of the recipe.
I use this recipe in a science project before compared to another recipe and gladly you’re recipe got the most likes! Thanks! 🙂
Amazing! So happy to hear that 🙂
Ok, you’ve outdone yourself with these!! These are amazing! So rich and decadent! I didn’t add the chocolate drizzle partly because I was lazy and partly because I didn’t want the extra sugar if they were rich enough and boy were they ever! I can’t taste any ‘Healthy’ in this dessert!! Thank you for this!! 💕
So glad you loved them!! They’re delicious even without the drizzle 😉
Legit THE BEST brownies!!! I love that the zucchini is in there so you know they’re healthy because they definitely taste guilty!!!
Absolutely!! Glad you love these (and the sneaky zucchini 🙂 )
These are amazing. I have to say, I was blown away when I took the first bite – THE TEXTURE IS EVERYTHING! I’m so happy, this will definitely become my go to brownie recipe. Thank you so much for the recipe! (I didn’t use chocolate chips, but I did put some raspberries and blueberries on top.)
So happy to hear that! Aren’t they the fudgiest?? Love the idea of raspberries + blueberries, too 🙂
I have made these twice. The first time I had to adapt my ingredients to what I had on hand. They were good, but when I followed the recipe as written they were really good. My advice is to follow the recipe as written. The full amount of tahini makes this recipe!! This recipe along with one other almond flour brownie will be my go tos. Outstanding healthy dessert recipe!! So yummy; my daughter and I ate them in two days…
So glad you both loved these! Following the recipe as written will always have the best result 😉 Hope you get a chance to make them again soon!
Hi Monique,
I’m curious if these freeze well or how long they keep in the refrigerator? I’m making for a very large group and would prefer to make about a week or 4 days in advance if possible to allow for me to save time leading up to the event/make sure I have all of my ducks in a row when it comes crunch time. If this doesn’t freeze well or keep in the fridge for a week, do you have a different zucchini chocolate alternative that you know will?
Thanks!
Hi Trish! You can freeze these, then just take out to thaw when ready. Or make them 2 days ahead and store in the fridge. Although I do recommend them fresh, just baked the day before. 🙂
Seriously amazing! I didn’t have coconut sugar on hand so I subbed with regular sugar. Didn’t add chocolate chips, but they still turned out great!!!!!!! Want to give a star rating, but not allowing me to.
Perfect!! Such a great treat. We’re working on a fix for the stars – thank you for the heads up!
Made these and they are delicious, another homerun from Monique!
Love these! Glad you did, too 🙂
Will almond flour work??
Yes that should be fine! I recommend using a few tablespoons!
These are INSANE. My new go-to brownie recipe, I didn’t even notice the zucchini !
Aren’t they incredible?? Best way to sneak in veggies 🙂
I don’t usually love brownies and I CANNOT STOP eating these.. Thank you!!!!!!
So happy you found this recipe! One of my fav brownies 🙂
As the zucchini are coming in FAST I made these today. AMAZING. My husband loved them too. He looked hard for evidence of that zucchini- NOPE! Cant wait to try another recipe!
Amazing!! Try out these recipes with zucchini next 🙂