It is possible to bake brownies and still be healthy. There are many healthy brownie recipes including vegan brownies and gluten-free brownies. What makes a brownie recipe healthy depends on the type of diet you choose to eat. However, in general, healthy brownies may be lower in sugar and fat, and higher in fiber.
Black Bean Brownies
Black bean brownies have several things going for them as far as health goes. First, they are high in fiber. They are also gluten-free and vegan, as well as being relatively low in sugar and using healthy coconut oil.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tablespoons flaxseeds, ground into meal in a coffee grinder
- 6 tablespoons water
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup raw sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease one 12 cup muffin tin or two six cup tins.
- Whisk together flax meal and water until well combined. Refrigerate for an hour before using.
- Place all ingredients, including the flax mixture, in the bowl of a food processor and process for three minutes, until well combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the food processor occasionally.
- Divide mixture among 12 prepared muffin cups.
- Bake until brownie tops dry and brownies pull away from the edges of the pan, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes before unmolding.
Nutrition
The black bean brownies recipe makes 12 servings, with 100 calories, 5 grams fat, 2.5 grams protein, 15 grams carbs, and 4 grams fiber according to Self Nutrition Data.
Raw Brownies
Raw brownies meet several criteria for healthy. They are vegan, paleo-friendly, and contain no processed foods or sugar. They also contain healthy nuts and dates, as well as high-antioxidant cacao powder.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 cup dates
- 5 tablespoons raw cacao powder (find it at the health food store)
- 4 tablespoons shredded, sugar-free coconut
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Method
- Process pecans in food processor until they resemble sand.
- Add dates and process until well-combined.
- Add cacao powder, coconut, honey, and sea salt and process until well combined.
- Press the mixture into a 9x9 square baking pan.
- Cover and refrigerate for five hours or longer.
- Slice into brownies and store, tightly sealed, in your refrigerator.
Nutrition
The raw brownies recipe makes 16 servings, with Self Nutrition Data reporting each serving coming in at 129 calories, 6 grams fat, less than 1 gram protein, 20 grams carbs, and 3 grams fiber.
Paleo Brownies
Paleo diets eschew processed foods and sugar. Instead, they focus on foods that hunter-gatherer societies would have used. These brownies fit with a healthy, non-processed, paleo diet.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond butter
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted, plus more for pan
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
- Using coconut oil, grease a 9x9 inch baking pan.
- Whisk together almond butter, maple syrup, egg, melted coconut oil, and vanilla in a large bowl until well combined.
- Add cocoa powder and baking soda. Stir to combine.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake until brownies begin to pull away from the side of the pan and top is set, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes before cutting.
Nutrition
Self Nutrition Data finds there are 139 calories, 13 grams fat, 3 grams protein, 9 grams carbs, and 1 gram fiber in each serving out of 16 for the paleo brownies.
Healthy Sweet Treats
You don't have to be unhealthy to enjoy a sweet treat. The above brownie recipes are healthy for multiple types of diets, and they taste great!
