Do you crave a rich, fudgy brownie, but also want to fuel your body with nourishing ingredients? Same. Unfortunately, all too often those two desires are at odds with each other. Most brownies are primarily refined sugar, refined flour, and butter. But what if you could enjoy a decadent, chewy, and chocolatey brownie, knowing that it was made from whole-food ingredients that are actually good for you?
This is the ULTIMATE healthy, plant-based brownie recipe because it's a comprehensive brownie nutrition overhaul, rather than just a single ingredient swap. These grain-free brownies feel indulgent and special, yet they're essentially just fruit and nuts. The primary ingredients are dates, nut butter, soy or nut milk, and cocoa. They're entirely plant-based, grain-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free. They also contain protein and healthy fats, so they're a treat that's actually satisfying.
What are you waiting for? These healthy vegan brownies are better for you than any other recipe you'll find. They're easy to make, delightfully indulgent, and nostalgic. They have a wonderfully fudgy, chewy, moist texture that you'll want to keep coming back to again and again. Let's get baking!
Unlike the classic, these grain-free brownies are loaded with good-for-the-body ingredients. In fact, they're basically just fruit and nuts. In this recipe, you'll ditch the refined sugar and refined flour in favor of a very special ingredient that provides both sweetness and structure: whole dates! You'll also ditch the usual oil in favor of peanut butter, which provides healthy fats and protein. In case you're keeping track, those swaps mean that these healthy vegan brownies are grain-free, gluten-free, oil-free, fruit sweetened, high in protein, and made from nourishing whole food ingredients.
Despite those healthful ingredients, these brownies are still delicious and indulgent. Adding generous vanilla extract, rich cocoa powder, and a bit of espresso powder (which serves to highlight the chocolate) gives these brownies fabulously decadent flavor. Adding in satisfying dark chocolate chips and crunchy macadamias takes them over the top.
This plant-based, grain-free brownie recipe is already friendly for most diets. If you can't eat peanuts, feel free to use another nut butter instead; almond butter works especially well. To make these brownies entirely nut-free, use sunflower butter and omit the macadamias. If you want to give these brownies a protein boost, use unsweetened chocolate protein powder in place of the cacao powder.
If you love baked treats but want to eat nourishing ingredients, then I definitely have you covered. There are a lot of recipes online for "healthy" treats, but generally those treats contain one healthy swap (maybe mashed banana in place of oil), but they still contain all the other usual suspects. Not here! I have cookies, bars, and breads that are actually made from simple, whole-food ingredients.
If you're in the mood for cookies, these healthy monster cookies are my personal greatest love. If brownies are more your style, you'll definitely want to check out these vegan samoa brownies and these vegan snickers brownies, both of which have a date brownie base with creative toppings. If you're craving bread, you'll be amazed by the ingredients in this protein banana bread. And of course one of the most popular recipes here on the blog are these decadent tahini chickpea blondies.
Maybe no-baking is more your style? I've got you covered there too! One of my favorites is this decadent yet healthy freezer fudge. I also adore these colorful raw vegan carrot cake cupcakes and these raw vegan brownies with a matcha icing. Clearly, I'm a big believer that dessert is a very important part of life!
Here's what you'll need for this plant-based, grain-free brownie recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
I think these brownies are great proof that baked treats can still be good for the body. Unlike the classic version, which is essentially just sugar, butter (or oil), and chocolate, these grain-free brownies are made from entirely plant-based and whole-food ingredients. They're actually satisfying too, thanks to some protein, some healthy fats, and fruit-based sugar. There are no blood sugar spikes, sugar headaches, or heaviness associated with these decadent-seeming bars.
Happy baking! These healthy vegan brownies have been a staple in our house for years and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
You'll be amazed by these healthy vegan brownies. They're rich, indulgent, and fudgy, despite the fact that the ingredients are mostly just fruit and nuts. I think this is the single most nourishing brownie recipe on the internet. You NEED to try these!
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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