Soft, homemade, and secretly healthy zucchini brownies are the perfect treat for any occasion! With a moist and chewy texture, these brownies have the rich chocolate taste you love, but with an extra boost from veggies. Since this zucchini brownie recipe uses coconut oil and natural sweetener, you can enjoy a healthier alternative when you need something sweet. Add it to your rotation of zucchini recipes! I love sneaking vegetables into my desserts and snacks, and zucchini makes it so easy! If you’re a fan too, try my ultra moist lemon blueberry zucchini bread, chocolate chip zucchini muffins, or almond flour zucchini bread. Most people won’t even notice the veggies. 😉
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for chocolate zucchini brownies, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card. (Use code WHOLESOMEYUM for 10% off, just for Wholesome Yum readers!)
Zucchini – Shred it finely with a box grater or food processor. You’ll need 1 cup of shreds (measured after removing excess moisture), which is about 2 medium zucchini.Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour – Baking zucchini brownies with almond flour creates moist brownies without the gluten! This one is my top recommendation because it has the finest texture.Cocoa Powder – Make sure to select one that’s unsweetened and Dutch-processed to avoid bitterness — this one is my favorite.Baking Powder – Use the freshest possible for fluffy healthy brownies with zucchini. Don’t confuse this with baking soda, which is not the same thing.Sea Salt – Balances the sweetness.Maple Syrup – A liquid sweetener keeps this recipe moist. I often use sugar-free maple syrup to keep it low carb and completely sugar-free, but you can use regular maple syrup as well. Honey (regular or sugar-free honey) would also work.Coconut Oil – Measure it solid before melting. I used an unrefined coconut oil for a little extra coconut flavor and aroma, but flavorless refined coconut oil also works, as long as it’s the kind that’s solid at room temperature. You could also use melted unsalted butter or ghee.Eggs – Room temperature eggs prevent the melted oil from solidifying. If you need to make this vegan friendly, use flax eggs or other egg substitutes instead.Vanilla Extract – Use a high quality vanilla extract for the best gluten free zucchini brownies.ChocZero Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate Chips – I use these chips all the time for everything from snacking to baking. They are sweet and smooth, with no aftertaste! You could use conventional chips as well.
How To Make Zucchini Brownies
This section shows how to make zucchini brownies with chocolate chips, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftover almond flour zucchini brownies in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag at room temperature. For best results, consume within 1-2 days for maximum freshness. You can store them in the fridge for longer, but they may dry out.Meal prep: To save time, shred zucchini ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
Can You Freeze Zucchini Brownies?
Yes, you can freeze zucchini brownies. Cut into squares, wrap individually in plastic wrap (or place in an airtight container), and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. Follow these tips for the best zucchini brownie recipe:
Squeeze water out of zucchini. Squeezing out the moisture from zucchini is super important, otherwise the brownies won’t set and will be watery. Measure zucchini after squeezing. Make sure to measure AFTER squeezing out excess moisture. You’ll need 1-2 zucchini to make the 1 cup of shredded zucchini for the recipe. Don’t use granulated sweeteners. Subbing with granulated sugar or granulated sugar substitutes will make the brownies too dry. Do the toothpick test correctly. For fudgy brownies, a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with just a tiny bit of batter on it (but it should not be wet). For cakey brownies, a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
More Healthy Brownie Recipes
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Nutrition info uses regular maple syrup. If you use sugar-free maple syrup, sugar and carb content will be much lower.
