These paleo zucchini brownies are a delicious low carb, healthy dessert made from almond flour, chocolate chips, and maple syrup – you won’t even know there are veggies in them!
Zucchini in brownies? I know what you’re thinking. But trust me on this one when I say that these brownies are rich, decadent and everything you want in a traditional brownie.
I’m a sucker for a good brownie, and I’m going to need that brownie to be chewy, fudgy, and slightly dense. I want to bite into it and immediately feel like I’m taken back to my childhood when I used to eat those Duncan Hines brownies from the box. Those seriously used to be my favorite.
What makes these brownies paleo?
So to make a paleo brownie, there cannot be any regular flour that comes from a grain, so no oat flour, no white flour, no spelt flour. It basically has to be a gluten-free flour, and typically one that is lower in carbs.
To keep them gluten-free and low carb, the only flour that is used is almond flour. So that handles the flour aspect, but we also need to use a paleo certified sweetener, such as coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey.
So in order to keep them refined sugar free, the only sugar were going to use here is maple syrup.
Are these zucchini brownies healthy for you?
Yes! And the best part of it is that you can’t taste that they are healthier either. The zucchini is actually blended in to nicely and just adds a veggie boost to your brownies.
I love making traditional sweet treats and finding ways to make them healthier for everyone to enjoy. Seriously, I made these last week for Tom’s roommates to enjoy ( 3 guys!) and they all gobbled them up.
Ingredients in paleo zucchini brownies:
- zucchini
- almond flour
- almond butter
- maple syrup
- cocoa powder
- eggs
- coconut oil
- vanilla
All you truly need is one bowl (can use two if you wish!), and about 25 minutes and then you’ve got the most perfect fudgy zucchini brownies.
How to make these brownies
They are seriously easy to make. Like most things of mine, they don’t require a lot of steps or ingredients because I like to keep things as basic as possible.
You’ll need to shred a zucchini as fine as possible. I actually used my food processor for this because there is an attachment on the processor that grates things. This still wasn’t fine enough for my liking so I ran it through the regular food processor for a few pulses to get it small enough.
You’ll want to squeeze it with a paper towel, too, just to remove any extra moisture. I just wrap it up and squeeze.
You’ll then combine all of your wet ingredients in one bowl, whisking together the eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil, almond butter, and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. The almond flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stir till combined, and then add in the zucchini and the chocolate chips.
Stick them in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until baked through when a tooth pick gets inserted and comes out clean.
STORE THEM IN THE FRIDGE!!!! They get so fudgy and delicious.
Enjoy!
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment below and let me know how it was! Also tag @erinliveswhole on Instagram and use the hashtag #erinliveswhole so I can see it and feature you!
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Paleo Zucchini Brownies
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 brownies 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
These paleo zucchini brownies are a delicious low carb, healthy dessert made from almond flour, chocolate chips, and maple syrup – you won’t even know there are veggies in them!
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup finely shredded zucchini, squeezed to remove extra moisture (I grated it, then pulsed it through my food processor for extra fine texture) *no need to peel the zucchini.
- 1/2 cup chocolates chips + more for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line an 8×8 with parchment paper and non-stick spray. I use both for no sticking.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and maple syrup.
- Whisk in coconut oil, almond butter, and vanilla.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together almond flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir till combined.
- Add in the shredded zucchini and chocolate chips.
- Pour into 8×8 dish and top with more chocolate chips if desired.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick or knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool before cutting.
- STORE THEM IN THE FRIDGE!!!! They get so fudgy and delicious.
- Category: gluten free, paleo, baking
- Method: baking
Keywords: paleo brownies, paleo zucchini brownies, zucchini brownies, healthy brownies,
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Hello hello… Step aside Duncan Hines, there is a new sheriff in town. These brownies are actually insane and so fudgy. I could eat an entire tray because they are so good. Best brownies I’ve ever had!
★★★★★
Hi! Would ripe bananas work instead of the eggs?
I’ve never tried that way so I’m not sure, but they might?!
Can’t wait to try. Do you peel the zucchini?
Nope! No peeling needed 🙂
Hi what can i substitute to maple syrup? Please response our messages.. Thank you!
Honey is the best replacement!
I made the mistake of peeling my zucchini but my brownies turned out so delicious. This recipe is better than regular brownies. My daughter loved them! Thanks for sharing a wonderful recipe.
★★★★★
Thank you for sharing!! I think peeling the zucchini is ok – and I’m so glad it turned out!! 🙂
These brownies far exceeded my expectations! They are absolutely delicious! My quest to find a recipe for the most perfect brownie is officially over! Thank you, Erin, for sharing this recipe!
★★★★★
I’m so glad you love these!! Enjoy em 🙂
Hi Erin! These brownies are absolutely delicious!!! This will now be my “go to” recipe. The zucchini is such a surprise ingredient…no one would ever know. Thank you so much for sharing.
I’m so glad you liked them Stacie!! It’s great to hide veggies and to never even realize 😉
They were insanely yummy! My kiddos loved them! Thanks for this one and all of your other wonderful recipes which are all superb as well!
★★★★★
Aw, so glad you are loving these brownies!! And even better that your kids loved them too!!
Could you replace coconut oil with olive oil?
Yes, olive oil has a stronger taste but it could work.
Does it matter using creamy or smooth almond butter?
Either will work!!
Sooooo delicious!!! I didn’t have maple syrup so I used honey but man! These things are so good!
★★★★★
Thanks for sharing Cathrine!! Love that you love them!!
Would peanut butter work if not following paleo?
It will work great!!
Hi Erin!
Are the semi sweet chocolate chips considered Paleo?
You’ll have to find certified Paleo chocolate chips if you are strictly on the diet.
Hi Erin!
Can I substitute cacao for the cocoa??
Yes! Just may be a little more bitter.
Do you think it would work to double in a 13×9 pan?
Totally! Will be great!
How long do you think you should bake a doubled recipe in a 9×13 pan?
I would add an extra 8-10 minutes but keep an eye on it and test with a toothpick.