This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This healthy brownie skillet recipe is super-easy to whip up when you are craving chocolate. It’s gluten-free and surprisingly good for you too!
Simple & Healthy Brownie Recipe
Have you ever had a serious craving for chocolate and no idea what to do with it? I know I have! Whenever I crave chocolate, I tend to really want to just sink my teeth into a gooey brownie.
That’s why I created this recipe.
This recipe is totally guilt-free! It’s okay to indulge in a brownie, especially when you know it won’t make your blood sugar go crazy and has lots of protein and healthy fat in it.
These are some of the healthiest brownies you will ever make – but they taste just like your favorite treats from the local coffee shop. Trust me, you are going to love them!
Ingredients In This Healthy Brownie Skillet
All of the ingredients I used are whole ingredients that are good for your body. They are a mixture of good sources of protein and lots of healthy fats. This is a naturally gluten-free recipe. Here is more about what I used:
- Chocolate Chips: I melted 1-cup of chocolate chips into the brownie batter. Then, I sprinkled another 1/2-cup of chocolate chips on top of the batter. That last 1/2-cup of chocolate chips is completely optional.
- Coconut Oil: You’ll need 1/4-cup of oil to help the chocolate chips melt.
- Coconut Sugar: Use 3/4-cup of coconut sugar to sweeten the batter.
- Eggs: The 2 eggs will bind all of the ingredients together.
- Almond Flour: Make sure you use almond flour, not almond meal. You need one cup of almond flour for these brownies.
- Baking Powder: The 1/2-teaspoon of baking powder will give the brownies their amazing texture.
- Salt: You only need a pinch of salt, which is about 1/4-teaspoon.
Kitchen Tools Required For This Skillet Brownie
You don’t need very many tools or supplies to make these brownies. It is such a simple recipe. Here is a bit of information about everything you’ll use to make them.
- 6-inch Cast-Iron Skillet
- Small Microwave-Safe Bowl
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
For measuring, you will need a 1-cup dry measuring cup, 3/4-cup dry measuring cup, 1/2-cup dry measuring cup, 1/4-cup dry measuring cup, 1/2 teaspoon, and 1/4 teaspoon.
How To Make Healthy Brownie Skillet
All of the exact steps for making these gluten-free brownies are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. First, here is a super-quick overview of the recipe so you know what to expect.
First, you need to prepare the oven and the pans. So, preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 6-inch cast-iron skillet. You can also use an 8×8 pan instead.
Then, in a small bowl, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in 30 seconds increments in the microwave until it is fully melted. Set it aside and let it cool down.
In a large mixing bowl, add almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir them together until it is mixed.
Go back to your melted chocolate and whisk two eggs and coconut sugar into it.
Next, pour the melted chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients and mix everything together until it is combined really well.
Pour the batter into the skillet and top with more chocolate chips if desired.
Finally, bake it for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Recipe Tips
Below are some common skillet brownie questions. Don’t see the answer you are looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!
What kind of skillet should I use?
You need to use a skillet that is oven-safe. My favorite kind of oven-safe skillet is a cast-iron skillet. It’s really easy to care for and they seem to last almost forever.
Another oven-safe skillet is a stainless steel skillet. Make sure it doesn’t have any plastic on it and that it is rated to be safe for up to 500 degrees temperatures.
What can I use instead of a skillet?
If you do not have an oven-safe skillet, you can use any type of small baking dish. An 8×8 baking dish is the best size for brownies.
Another option is a loaf pan or bundt cake pan. The only problem with using these kinds of pans is that it will make the batter thicker, which means it might take longer to completely bake. Keep an eye on the brownies and use a toothpick to check its “doneness” if you use anything besides a skillet.
How do you melt the chocolate chips without a microwave?
Another really easy way to melt the chocolate chips with the coconut oil is on a double boiler. Basically, you boil water and then place a smaller pan inside the boiling water. The chocolate will slowly melt in the smaller pan.
The most important thing to remember is to melt the chocolate chips slowly so that it doesn’t burn.
Substitution Tip
Wondering if you can use different sweeteners or chocolate chips? There are a few ways that you can.
- Some people might be trying to eat less sugar. In that case, you can replace coconut sugar with a sugar-free sweetener such as Stevia or erythritol. Make sure you use either a granular sweetener or a liquid one because it will have the best texture in the batter.
- Instead of chocolate chips, you can use sugar-free chocolate chips.
- If the amount of sugar isn’t a concern to you, try using dark chocolate chips instead. It will really change the richness of the brownies.
Storing leftovers
There are three different ways to store leftover brownies and each with its own shelf life.
- You can store them at room temperature in an airtight container or with some foil or plastic wrap on top. As long as you keep the air off of the brownies, they should stay good for up to a week.
- Another idea is to refrigerate the leftover brownies. If you do this, keep them in an airtight container and they will last about 2 weeks.
- You can also freeze these healthy brownies. Either wrap them up individually in plastic wrap and then store them together in a sealed freezer-safe storage bag. Or, place all of the brownies in the bag unsliced.
When you are ready to enjoy them again, just place the frozen brownies in your refrigerator overnight. They should be thawed by morning.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Here are some more of my favorite chocolate recipes. Enjoy!
- Healthy Chocolate Sheet Cake
- Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Kitchen Sink Chocolate Bark
- Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Tart
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Healthy Brownie Skillet
This healthy brownie skillet recipe is super-easy to whip up when you are craving chocolate. It’s gluten-free and surprisingly good for you too!
Ingredients
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 6 inch cast iron skillet (can also use an 8×8 pan).
- In a small bowl, melt chocolate chips and coconut oil together in 30 seconds increments in the microwave until fully melted. Set aside and let cool.
- In a large bowl, add almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir until mixed.
- To the chocolate, whisk two eggs and coconut sugar.
- Pour into the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Pour into skillet and top with more chocolate chips if desired.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂
Karen says
This was surprisingly delicious. I am not a big fan of almond flour. I made this for my daughter inlaw who is gluten free . These brownies were delicious. I will definitely make again. You could not tell they were made with almond flour.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Karen, so happy you both loved it! 🙂
Pam says
Really good flavor but super crumbly.
★★★
Erin says
Hi Pam, I’m sorry that you did not love the recipe! I’ve heard tons of good things about this one, bummed it didn’t work out for you. Did you follow the recipe to a T?
Whit G says
This brownie recipe is incredible! My kids and I were craving some fudgy brownies and normally reach for a box mix, but alas, we had no box. So I came to ELW because I have a lot of the ingredients Erin uses and I know she’s got an amazing list of yummy things. This recipe did not disappoint! It was easy to make with minimal ingredients. I was worried my kids would notice the “healthy” stuff, but honestly it was a delicious brownie and the fact that it was easy and used things I had on hand was great. We will definitely reach for this recipe next time instead of a box!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Whit, so happy you all loved it so much! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Amy Gerber says
Is this correct that a 6” skillet serves 10???
Erin says
Hi Amy, yes, you can cut into 10 slices! Let me know how yours comes out!
Valerie says
I had to substitute the flour and oil since I am allergic to tree nuts. I didn’t think it would make much of a difference but it came out dry and crumbled as I cut into it. My friends liked it because it wasn’t too sweet and loved all the chocolate. I will have to try again.
★★★
Erin says
Hi Valerie, I am so happy you loved them and made them your own!!
Casey Colodny says
this was so cakey and delicious!!! thinking next time ill be topping with some chocolate icing and make it a skillet cake because yummmm!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Casey, so glad you loved it and yum great idea!
Kate says
OMGGGGG. One of my favorite ELW dessert recipes I’ve ever made (and that’s a lot). So chocolatey & cakey. The extra choco chips on top are the perfect touch.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kate, I am so happy you love it so much and yay! Never enough chocolate!