Fudgy Zucchini Brownies
The BEST healthy zucchini brownies you'll ever eat are gluten-free, deliciously fudgy, and the perfect way to bake with zucchini. These easy, gluten-free zucchini brownies are sweetened with pure maple syrup, coconut sugar, and your favorite chocolate chips. Top them with fancy sea salt to make them extra special!
Servings 16 brownies
Calories 135cal
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini shredded and squeezed of excess moisture with a paper towel (1 cup shredded zucchini)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup (115 grams) tahini*
- ¼ cup (78 grams) pure maple syrup
- ½ cup (77 grams) coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup (40 grams) 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 (60 grams) chocolate chips, dairy-free if desired
- Optional: ½ cup (56 grams) chopped walnuts
- For the topping:
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips, dairy-free if desired
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil
- Fancy sea salt, for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prep the zucchini: First, measure out 1 heaping cup of shredded zucchini, then place shredded zucchini in a paper towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out all of the moisture/water. This is very important! Add the shredded zucchini to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix the wet ingredients: 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.
- Add the dry ingredients: 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).
- Bake: Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the 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.
- Make 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.
Notes
To sub tahini: Instead of tahini, feel free to use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or cashew butter. I would not recommend peanut butter because it throws off the flavor. Tahini is best, though, and I have only tested the recipe using tahini.
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.
See the full post for tips, tricks, substitutions and storing instructions.
Nutrition
Serving: 1brownie (without nuts) | Calories: 135cal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g