Easy Healthy Brownies Recipe
Let me tell you – this easy healthy brownies recipe turned out absolutely delicious! If you’re looking for a rich, fudgy treat without the guilt, you’re going to love these. Made with dates, nuts, and just a touch of chocolate, these healthy brownies are vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, and refined sugar-free. Even better? You can whip them up in just 25 minutes!
Why You’ll Love These Healthy Brownies
I’ve always had a soft spot for brownies, but I wanted to create a healthy brownies recipe that still delivered on gooey texture and rich chocolate flavor – without the overload of sugar, butter, or eggs. And guess what? These turned out even better than expected!
The secret? Dates, applesauce, and olive oil for a naturally sweet, moist, and satisfying result. Even with less chocolate than traditional recipes, they’re still deeply chocolaty and decadent.
What Makes These Brownies Healthy?
These healthy brownies are made with nourishing, plant-based ingredients that support your sweet tooth and your health goals:
- No refined sugar – naturally sweetened with Medjool dates
- No dairy or eggs – vegan-friendly with applesauce as an egg substitute
- Less chocolate, but all the flavor
- Heart-healthy fats from olive oil and nuts
- Spelt flour for a wholesome base
Simple Ingredients You’ll Need for Vegan Brownies
- Dates: Make sure to get soft dates or Medjool dates for the best results. It’s important to soak them beforehand, especially if they’re a bit firmer. This makes them much easier to blend.
- Applesauce: This serves as an egg substitute in the recipe. It adds moisture without an apple flavor coming through. I recommend using unsweetened applesauce for a healthier option. You can also substitute with bananas if you’d like.
- Spelt Flour: You can use any other flour if you prefer.
- Nuts: Instead of ground almonds, walnuts work beautifully in this recipe too.
- Cocoa Powder: Use a natural, unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Olive Oil: You can substitute with other oils like coconut oil or rapeseed oil.
- Chocolate: If you want to make these brownies completely sugar-free, opt for vegan unsweetened chocolate that you can melt. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can adjust the amount based on your taste.
- Plant-based Milk
- Baking Powder
- A pinch of salt: To enhance sweetness.
How to Make Healthy Brownies (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prep dates
Soak the dates in hot water for 10–15 minutes (or overnight). Drain and blend until smooth.
Step 2: Mix wet Ingredients
To the date paste, add olive oil, applesauce, and plant milk. Blend until creamy and smooth.
Step 3: Melt chocolate
Gently melt your chocolate chips using a double boiler or microwave (in 20-second bursts).
Step 4: Combine everything
In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, ground nuts, and salt. Stir in the wet mixture and fold in the melted chocolate until well combined.
Step 5: Bake
Grease a small brownie or baking dish (approx. 10.5 x 5 x 10 inches) and pour in the batter.
Bake at 175°C (350°F) for about 20–25 minutes. For extra fudgy brownies, check them at the 20-minute mark.
Optional Toppings
Want to get fancy? Here are some delicious toppings to try:
- Drizzle with melted chocolate
- Sprinkle with chopped nuts or shredded coconut
- Add fresh berries before serving
- Top with a dollop of nut butter or vegan whipped cream
- Frost with a creamy vegan chocolate ganache
How to store healthy brownies
In the fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days
In the freezer: Freeze in a sealed bag or box for up to 3 months
To enjoy again, just warm up in the oven or microwave for a few seconds!
FAQ – Healthy Brownies
Can healthy brownies taste like regular ones?
Yes! These are rich, moist, and chocolaty, all without refined sugar or dairy.
Are these brownies vegan and egg-free?
Totally! Applesauce replaces the eggs and there are no animal products.
What kind of chocolate should I use?
Use vegan semi-sweet chocolate or sugar-free chocolate depending on your preference.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, just use a gluten-free flour blend instead of spelt flour.
Can I skip the nuts?
Sure! You can leave them out or replace with oat flour or more cocoa powder.
More Healthy Plant-Based Snacks You Might Enjoy:
- Baked Oatmeal Carrot Cake (with Vegan Cream Cheese)
- Nutrient-Rich Pistachio Bars (Chocolate Dubai Style)
- Granola Bars Recipe with Cranberries and Nuts
- Blueberry Yogurt Muffins
- No Bake Blueberry Lemon Energy Balls
- Vegan Carrot Cake Bars Recipe (No-Bake Dessert)
- Vegan Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- Raspberry Coconut Chocolate Bars (Bountys)
How Do You Like This Recipe?
I’d love to hear your feedback! If you try out this recipe, please leave me a comment with a ⭐️ rating. Are you active on Instagram? If you post a picture of this recipe, be sure to tag me @plantiful.heart so I can see your creations!
Easy Healthy Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
- 200 g Pitted Dates
- 100 g Applesauce
- 100 g Spelt Flour
- 40 g Cocoa Powder
- 75 ml Olive Oil
- 50 g Ground Almonds or walnuts
- 70 g Melted Chocolate
- 100 ml Plant-Based Milk
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Optional: Soak the dates beforehand in a bowl of water (overnight or with hot water for 10–15 minutes) to make them easier to blend!
- Place the dates in a blender or food processor and mix them into a smooth paste. Add the applesauce, olive oil, and milk, and purée until creamy.
- Melt the chocolate.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the spelt flour, cocoa powder, ground almonds, salt, and baking powder.
- Gradually add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients while stirring. Then mix in the melted chocolate until everything is well combined.
- Grease the baking dish with a little butter. Spread the batter evenly in the dish and bake at 170°C (350°F) for about 25-30 minutes.
- Personally, I think 25 minutes is perfect for a moist brownie! If you prefer a fluffier texture, bake them a bit longer.
Nutrition
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