13 Bomb-Ass Healthy Brownie Recipes (2024)

You don’t have to rely on pre-made mixes for rich, fudgy brownies. It’s time to think outside the Betty Crocker box.

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These healthier recipes yield those same results for a treat that can satisfy gluten-free, vegan, or simply mindful eaters harboring intense chocoholic tendencies.

But don’t just take our word for it—see (and taste!) for yourself with these 13 better-for-you brownie recipes.

1. 3-Ingredient Flourless Brownies

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A brownie made from just three everyday ingredients, zero butter or oil, and free of added sugar? It seems almost too good to be true. This is one of those better-for-you and extremely easy recipes that, with one look, will make you want to sprint immediately to your kitchen to make it.

2. Flourless Double Chocolate Brownies

This brownie recipe may do away with the flour, but it makes sure to keep all the other essential elements intact with healthier alternatives to boot: The emphasis on quality chocolate, potassium-packed coconut sugar to sweeten things up, and of course, that all-important brittle top.

3. Coconut Flour Brownies

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These coconut flour-based goodies are low-carb but don’t compromise on taste. Instead, the focus is on healthy fats, from “good” cholesterol-boosting coconut oil to walnuts for added protein and a bonus crunch factor.

4. Healthy Brownies With Pumpkin

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Pumpkin takes over for flour in these gluten-free treats. As a result, each chocolaty square is loaded with vitamin A for healthy vision and cell function. All you’ll taste is the chocolate chips and cocoa powder, though, making this recipe another way to sneak more veggies into your (or any picky eater’s) diet.

5. Fudgy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Brownies

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These chewy brownies are made a bit more wholesome thanks to the use of natural nut butter (sans the heart-clogging hydrogenated oils) and applesauce instead of butter. And just in case chocolate chips and cocoa in the batter isn’t enough chocolate for you, the blogger calls for extra chips on top.

6. Fudge Brownies With Greek Yogurt

A faithful substitute for excess fat in baked goods, Greek yogurt does double duty here, stepping in for both butter and eggs to keep these babies from drying out while adding a boost of lean protein. You won’t miss the pound of butter when you take one gooey bite of the end result.

7. Zucchini Chocolate Brownies

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There’s a devious satisfaction that comes from biting into a chocolate-packed, chocolate chip-topped brownie, knowing that two cups of potassium-packed zucchini were packed into the batter. The hidden healthy ingredients don’t end there either: Whole-wheat flour adds extra fiber, and applesauce stands in for butter.

8. Grain-Free Sweet Potato Brownies

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Mashed sweet potatoes give your brownies a grain-free, superfood upgrade: While powering them up with cancer-fighting beta-carotenes, their natural sweetness cuts down on the need for too much sugar. Meanwhile, nut butter acts as the main fat source, lending a depth of flavor and heart-healthy benefits to each chocolaty bite.

9. Avocado Brownies

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With a mild flavor and chock-full of fiber and monounsaturated fat, avocados are the ideal alternative to butter for healthier baking. Here, they are joined by ground almonds—an equally nutritious source of fat—to create flourless brownies that are as rich as a classic recipe.

10. Double Chocolate Quinoa Brownies

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It’s not just for salads or an alternative to fried rice: Quinoa can do dessert too! The fiber- and protein-packed seed plays a central role in these sugar-dusted beauties. Kept moist with coconut oil and yogurt, this recipe defies anyone who says gluten-free treats taste like cardboard.

11. Fudgy Dark Chocolate Raspberry Brownies

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The tart raspberries stirred into this batter prevent it from crossing over into “cloyingly sweet” territory. A stevia-based drizzle on top makes the bars extra pretty without the sugar overload.

12. No-Bake Chocolate Brownies

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A silky chocolate frosting sits on top of a crunchy, cocoa-dusted base of dates and mixed nuts. These may be a bit denser than baked brownies, but rest assured, they’re bursting with good-for-you, mostly unsaturated fats. Plus, a small slice can go a long way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

13. The Best Healthier Brownies

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While a whopping one and a half cups of dark chocolate chips go into these brownies (and that’s just the batter, the chocolate frosting is another story!), coconut sugar and Greek yogurt keep the refined sugar level down and the protein quantity up. It’s a great example of not having to give up treats in order to keep things on the healthy side. Bonus: Check out the nifty how-to video that walks you through the recipe.

13 Bomb-Ass Healthy Brownie Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you make brownie mix richer? ›

One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.

How do you doctor up brownies? ›

Add Salt. If you've ever found boxed brownies to be too sweet for your taste, stir a pinch of salt into the batter before baking. This'll help bring out the deeper chocolate flavors. You can even try sprinkling some flaky sea salt on top of the brownies as soon as they come out of the oven.

Why are brownies a good snack? ›

Brownies are a great source of protein and fiber, which helps you feel full longer. Protein also works as an appetite suppressant, so you won't be as tempted to snack on unhealthy foods later on in the day. There are so many reasons why adding brownies to your diet is a great idea. First of all, they're delicious!

How do you doctor up a box brownie mix? ›

Adding a layer of cream cheese, marshmallow fluff, caramel, or peanut butter goes a long way towards turning a mix into something special. You can add this layer before or after baking the brownies.

What can you add to box brownies to make them better? ›

When the back-of-box instructions call for water, try some instant espresso or strong-brewed coffee for roasty, toasty notes that pair impeccably with chocolate. Or use milk or half-and-half for even more richness. And for cakey instead of fudgy brownies, add an extra egg for more lift and spring.

What does adding an extra egg to brownie mix do? ›

They give brownies a lighter, drier, and more cake-like texture. If you prefer this over the chewy variety, then go ahead and crack in that additional egg. On the other hand, too many eggs will yield brownies that are hard, heavy, and tough.

What happens if you use milk instead of water in brownie mix? ›

Brownie recipes traditionally call for water as it serves as a neutral liquid that hydrates the dry ingredients. However, using milk instead of water can impart a creamier texture and richer flavor to your brownies. The milk's fat content adds a smoothness that water cannot provide, resulting in a more indulgent treat.

What happens when you add milk to brownie mix? ›

Instead of adding in the recommended amount of water, substitute it for milk to give the batter a slightly different consistency. Milk is richer than water, so the brownies will be richer, and they'll be denser, like fudge.

How much butter instead of oil in brownies? ›

It couldn't be easier to substitute butter for oil using a 1:1 ratio. This should work with olive, canola, vegetable, and coconut oils. Simply melt and cool the butter to room temperature, then continue with your recipe. (If the recipe calls for ½ cup oil, use ½ cup melted and cooled butter.)

Can I use butter instead of oil in brownie mix? ›

You can absolutely substitute butter for the vegetable oil. Use the same quantity specified in the directions (for example, if it calls for 1/3 cup of oil, use 5 1/3 tablespoons of butter). Melt it down, then let it cool a bit. You might not ever go back to oil!

What happens if you add flour to brownie mix? ›

If you think about the main characteristic that stands out in a cake, it is probably its fluffy texture. Therefore, to get this extra volume, you want to have more little flour granules in your batter, all swelling together.

Can I eat a brownie everyday? ›

It isn't bad to eat brownies every day so long as you are mindful of the portion size and how brownies fit into your overall diet. If you'd like to indulge in the chocolatey goodness of a brownie daily, be sure to monitor your daily sugar and calorie intake to maintain a balanced and healthy diet.

Is brownie a junk food? ›

Brownies, like many baked goods, can be classified as junk food due to their high sugar and fat content, as well as the use of refined flour. These ingredients contribute to a high calorie content and a lack of essential nutrients.

How many brownies can you eat in a day? ›

Eating one brownie every day could fit into your discretionary calorie category. As long as you stick to only one, or maybe one-half of a brownie each day (though that can take a lot of willpower), the damage done by the brownies should be negligible.

What can you add to Betty Crocker brownie mix? ›

Betty Crocker™ Supreme original brownie mix, plus water, vegetable oil and egg called for on box. Stir-in options: Semisweet chocolate chips, white vanilla chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, toffee bits, chopped maraschino cherries, chopped cookies, chopped chocolate candy, chopped nuts and more.

Can you use milk instead of water for Betty Crocker brownies? ›

You only need to add milk or water to whip up this rich and chocolatey brownie mix in minutes. Follow the instructions to make the perfect amount of batter and spoon it into a muffin tin or baking pan. Don't let any brownies go to waste with easy and convenient Betty Crocker Batchables baking mixes.

How to make Betty Crocker brownies chewy? ›

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

To keep the edges moist and chewy, watch carefully to be sure you don't overbake the brownies. To ensure recipe success if using a vegetable oil spread, use a spread with at least 65% vegetable oil. To ensure recipe success, do not use self-rising flour in this recipe.

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