These rich tahini brownies have the perfect chewy texture. They taste like your favorite chocolate dessert, but with more protein! This tahini brownies recipe makes for the perfect gluten-free treat.
Rich Tahini Brownies
Chocolate cravings are one of the most difficult cravings for me to ignore. When I start thinking about chocolate, I just can't stop. Sometimes I'll munch on a square of heart-healthy dark chocolate. Other times, I make these brownies.
Not only are these brownies completely gluten-free, but they are also really high in protein and fiber. You won't get that annoying spike and dip in blood sugar when you enjoy a bite of these fudgy brownies. The energy from these brownies will last!
I don't really like to follow diet trends or such, but if you are looking for keto-friendly brownies, these are not going to work. I used maple syrup and chocolate chips with sugar in them.
But, I will say that it's really easy to make them low in carbs. Just use a liquid sugar-free sweetener and sugar-free chocolate chips!
Keep reading and learn more about these incredible brownies! You'll be proud to share them with your friends - they are so good for you!
Ingredients In Chocolate Tahini Brownies
Forget about the boxed mix! You'll use only whole ingredients in these chocolate brownies. Here is a bit more about what I used. All the exact amounts are listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Almond Flour: This is the only type of flour I used. Whenever you bake, use almond flour - not almond meal. Almond meal has bits of the nut's skins mixed in and will leave your brownies with a grainy texture. You only need ½ a cup to make the entire pan of brownies.
- Cocoa Powder: The cocoa powder is what makes these brownies so rich and fudgy. Use ¼ of a cup in the batter.
- Baking Soda: This gives them the cakey texture, so use ½ a teaspoon.
- Salt: You only need a little pinch of salt - about ¼ teaspoon.
- Eggs: They help all the ingredients bind together. Use two large eggs.
- Tahini: This gives the brownies the fudgy texture and is the source of healthy fats that is essential. You'll need an entire cup of tahini.
- Maple Syrup: I like to use maple syrup as a sweetener because it is so rich and dissolves really well. I used ½ a cup, but you can use less if you like it to taste less sweet.
- Vanilla: Use an entire teaspoon. Vanilla adds a deeper flavor profile to the brownies.
- Chocolate Chips: Use ½ cup of your favorite chocolate chips in the batter. They are optional but I love how they tastes, especially hot out of the oven.
Kitchen Tools Required For This Dessert
If you have ever made cookies or brownies before, you probably already have everything that you need. Here is what I used when I made them.
- 8x8 Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Wood Spoon
- Toothpicks
For measuring you will need 1 cup, ½ cup, ¼ cup, 1 teaspoon, ½ teaspoon, ¼ teaspoon.
How To Make Brownies With Tahini
This is one of the easiest recipes you'll ever make. All the exact steps are listed out in the printable recipe card.
Always preheat your oven before you begin mixing up the batter. This way, it will be ready when you are! For this recipe, preheat the oven to 350F.
While you are doing your prep work, line an 8×8 baking sheet with parchment paper. If you don't have parchment paper, spray it down with nonstick spray.
Now you are ready to bake! Start by mixing the following ingredients in a small mixing bowl: almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Set that aside and grab a large mixing bowl and whisk eggs, tahini, maple syrup, and vanilla in it until it is smooth.
Finally, add the dry ingredients to the wet ones in the large mixing bowl. Stir until it is really well combined. The last step is to add the chocolate chips.
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 24-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Recipe Tips
Below are some common brownie-baking questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!
What are some other healthy ingredients I can mix into my brownies?
This all depends on what you like. There are a bunch of different things you can mix into (or on top of) your brownies.
Add some of your favorite chopped nuts. Walnuts are popular choices to add to brownies. You could also add some unsweetened coconut flake to the batter.
If you like toppings for brownies, either add a scoop of your favorite ice cream, some healthy whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel or chocolate syrup.
What is tahini?
Tahini is basically toasted ground hulled sesame seeds. It's the main ingredient in lemon garlic hummus too. You'll find it in the grocery store near the hummus.
Is tahini good for you?
Yes, tahini is known as a superfood because it has so many health benefits. It has lots of healthy fats that your body needs for muscle and brain development. It's also a good source of antioxidants that helps your body prevent certain diseases.
Tahini also has anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce things like heart disease.
Storing leftovers
You can keep these brownies out at room temperature for 1-2 days, as long as you keep them wrapped tightly with foil or a lid.
Brownies are easy to freeze too. To freeze them, just place them in a single layer in a resealable freezer-safe bag. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up 6 months.
Substitution Tip
Wondering if you can use different ingredients in these brownies? There are a few ways you can.
Use either honey or agave syrup in a 1:1 ratio to replace maple syrup.
To give the brownies a richer flavor, use dark chocolate cocoa powder. If you do this, add a little fewer chocolate chips because this will make your brownies extra sweet.
If you liked this recipe, you'll want to try these!
Here are some more of my favorite chocolate dessert recipes. Enjoy!
- Healthy Chocolate Sheet Cake
- Chocoalte Chip Cookies
- Vegan, Paleo Chocolate Truffles
- Kitchen Sink Chocolate Bark
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Tart
Photos by Moriah Sawtelle and recipe by Erin Antoniak.
Healthy Tahini Brownies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350F and line 8x8 baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick spray
- In a small bowl, combine almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, tahini, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into pan and bake for 24-26 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Ula Tondos says
These were amazing! I used honey instead of maple and they took 23 minutes to bake. They're just as amazing as regular brownies
Erin says
Hi Ula, so happy you loved them and made them your own!!
Sophia Koehl says
Absolutely perfect! Loved! Baked closer to 28 mins. Really enjoy the suddle sesame flavor. Not too sweet or rich. Just right! GREAT way to use extra tahini!
Erin says
Hi Sophia, so glad you loved them! 🙂
Susan G. says
Just made these as I had extra homemade tahini to use and I can’t have sugar (honey and plant based sugar appears to not effect me which is awesome!) My husband, the chocolate fiend, absolutely loved these! He said he couldn’t tell the difference between regular brownies and the tahini ones. I did use honey in place of the maple syrup (which I didn’t have) and sugar free dark chocolate chips. First time in two years I’ve had any type of dessert or sweets! Thank you Erin for this great recipe!!!!
Erin says
Hi Susan, so happy you loved them and made them your own! 🙂
Nicole says
Looking forward to making these. If I want to add a scoop of protein powder (whey isolate), do you know if I'd need to adjust any of the other ingredients or cooking time?
Erin says
Hi Nicole, it should be okay. Let me know how they come out!
Marianna says
They were delicious. I have tried many brownie recipes, and all of them were terrible. This one fit the bill. Thank you.
Erin says
Hi Marianna, so happy you loved them so much!! 🙂
Beth says
The BEST BROWNIES EVER!
Erin says
Hi Beth, so happy you loved them!! 🙂
Nancy says
Just made these! They are amazing! Thank you so much for this incredible recipe❤️
Erin says
Hi Nancy, so happy you loved them!!
Allie says
These brownies are DELICIOUS! Every time I make a recipe of Erin’s I am blow away at how great everything always is. Will definitely be making these again…and again and again!
Erin says
Hi Allie, so happy you loved them! 🙂
Dan says
We liked it! A great healthier treat. I cooked it for 30 minutes. Once I saw some cracks in the top I removed it from the oven, even though the toothpick didn’t come out clean. I kept it in the baking dish on a rack until dessert, so it would continue to cook while it cooled. Very moist and tasty.
Erin says
Hi Dan, so glad you enjoyed them!!
DD says
We liked it! A great healthier treat. I cooked it for 30 minutes. Once I saw some cracks in the top I removed it from the oven, even though the toothpick didn’t come out clean. I kept it in the baking dish on a rack until dessert, so it would continue to cook while it cooled. Very moist and tasty.
Erin says
Hi, so happy you loved the brownies! 🙂
Dayna S. says
I really wanted to like these, but I couldn't bring myself to finish it. I've loved most of Erin's other recipes, and I figured this would be no different, but the taste was not brownie-like to me. The taste was closer to a protein bar and I was unable to cut them or have it retain it's shape, even after it sat and cooled for an hour.
Erin says
Hi Dayna, I'm sorry that you did not like the recipe! I've heard tons of good things about this one, bummed it didn't work out for you.
Alyson says
My 3 year old and I made these together. We both absolutely loved them! The flavor and texture are great!
Erin says
Hi Alyson, so happy you both love them! 🙂
Jennifer Burns says
OMG these are da bomb!! Do people still say that???? 😂 Soooo good! So soft & delicious!! Even almost a week later!! Love love love ♥️
Erin says
Hi Jennifer, so happy you loved them! Thank you for your support! 🙂
Anushka says
These were amazing! Thanks for the recipe!
Erin says
Hi Anushka, so happy you loved them! 🙂
Emmalee says
These brownies are amazing. To me, “just as good” as conventional brownies but honestly better because the nuttiness from the tahini. Look no further. The tahini makes the difference! I tried a different recipe tonight and it was not as good. Should never have strayed!
Question, can you sub monkfruit sugar for maple? If so, what would I need to do to make up for the missing liquid? Water?
Thanks!
Erin says
Hi Emmalee, so glad you loved them and that should be okay. I haven't tried that sub but yes try adding a little water and just add until the consistency is the same as when you made it with the maple syrup before.
Kristen says
Overall I loved these! Did anyone else have an issue with baking for 26 mins? I ended up doing probably 45 mins total, pulling them out to check every 3-7 mins. They were for sure wet after my initial 25-30+ mins, and seemed a little more cake-like as they baked, but they turned out delicious and brownie texture in the end 🙂
Erin says
Hi Kristen, so glad you loved them! Sorry you had some baking issues. It is definitely possible because every oven is a little different. Also just triple check you made them to a T. Hope you can make them again soon!!
Lori says
These brownies are amazing!! I typically shy away from "healthy" things...especially in baking...my niece is gluten intolerant so I wanted to bake her something good for her birthday...we had made the white chocolate peppermint cookies were fantastic so I took a chance...so thankful I did! I quickly made these for myself a week later! Much appreciated!
Erin says
Hi Lori, so happy everyone loved them so much and great idea!! 🙂
Noel says
Great brownies! Delicious. Very rich and deep flavor, the almond flour provide a nutish texture. Will try them again but with dark coco powder and dark chocolate chips! Thank you!
Erin says
Hi Noel, so happy you loved them so much!!
Noel says
Delicious! Very rich and deep flavor, the almond flour provide a nutish texture. Will try them again but with dark coco powder and dark chocolate chips! Thank you!
Erin says
Hi Noel, so glad you loved them and great idea!!
Kerry says
Wow these are delicious! Great flavor!
Erin says
Hi Kerry, so happy you loved them!!