The Best Healthy Brownies

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 12 servings

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These are the BEST healthy brownies! They are SO fudgy and made with whole wheat flour, coconut oil, applesauce and have reduced sugar.

overhead image of healthy brownies cut in squares with chocolate chips on top

Recipe first posted on RecipeGirl.

So, here we are: January. How are those New Years resolutions going??

I’ll be honest, I don’t usually make much for resolutions. I try to just eat healthier on a regular basis, with the odd treat thrown in here and there. It just kind of turns out that around Christmas, there’s a lot more here and there, and here and there.

close up image of brownie square on parchment paper with chocolate chips on top

My goal this month is to bring you more healthy variations and makeovers of your favorite comfort foods, so that you can enjoy them all year long without feeling guilty about it! Yes, even treats.

Even chocolate.

Especially on Mondays.

I was blown away by how well these turned out on my first try. Dare I say, they were perfect the first time.

stack of two healthy brownies close up

My goal was to cut out most of the fat, sugar and use whole grains. I based this recipe off of my recipe for The Best Brownies Ever (because I know you already love that one!), but I reduced it to make only an 8×8″ pan. I did this because I was sure it was going to take me a few tries to get it right and I didn’t want 3 9×13″ pans of subpar brownies laying around.

Except it turns out, they were incredibly rich and fudgy and delicious.

close up of brownie piece landscape image

I was most nervous about cutting out a lot of the sugar. My normal recipe would have had 1 ¼ cups of sugar in an 8×8″ pan. This recipe has only ½ cup. It has a rich, dark chocolatey flavor but they are sweet enough. My kids loved them, so you know they still taste like a treat!

I used a combination of unsweetened applesauce (this helps to add a bit more natural sweetness!) and melted coconut oil. This was my first time using coconut oil, and I just wanted to try it and see! I know it’s getting to be A Big Thing (yes, I’m behind the times!) and I wanted to see how it would work to make super fudgy brownies. So well!

So if you’re looking for a healthier treat that doesn’t taste like a sacrifice? These are for you!

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The Best Healthy Brownies

4 from 9 votes
These are the BEST healthy brownies! They are SO fudgy and made with whole wheat flour, coconut oil, applesauce and have reduced sugar.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Servings 12 servings
Calories 140cal

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup refined coconut oil solid at room temperature, melted
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8×8″ pan with tin foil or parchment paper. Grease lightly with non stick spray.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together coconut oil, applesauce, vanilla and eggs.
  • Add in flour, cocoa, and sugar and stir until combined completely.
  • Spread into prepared pan, sprinkle with chocolate chips and bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out almost clean. The brownies should still be glossy on top in the middle, but look dry at the edges and the toothpick may have some moist crumbs.
  • Cool to room temperature before slicing.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 140cal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1.1mg

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Rachel Bryant says

    These were AWESOME!! I’m always looking for ways to satisfy my chocolate craving without regretting it later, and these were just the right thing. Super fudgy and delicious. Thanks for sharing.

  2. Christina says

    I made these and liked the way they came out. First bite on the edge was more cakey but the center was perfect!m. I think everyone needs to remember these are healthy brownies and may not be as gooey and sweet as those made with a ton of sugar and butter. This was enough to satisfy my craving for chocolate without going overboard!

  3. June says

    Agree with other commenters, it’s like eating a bitter, airy cake. The final product looked nice but was extremely bland. The texture (as with many “healthy” brownie recipes) is more cake-like than chewy brownie.

  4. Donna says

    Followed this recipe to the “T”. Texture and flavor is off. Definitely not a favorite in my house 🙁

  5. Julie says

    I replaced the sugar with coconut sugar and used cinnamon apple sauce and dark chocolate chips on top . The brownies paired well with vanilla frozen yogurt

  6. Danielle says

    Delicious ? I took a chance making this even though I only had cinnamon applesauce. I also had to use butter instead of coconut oil because I was all out. I did choose to use brown sugar instead of regular sugar. This recipe is great! We will definitely be making again. Thank you ?

  7. Jamie says

    I love this recipe and used 1/8 cup of brown sugar & 1/8 cup of coconut sugar instead of the granulated. This makes it less processed and more natural. I am also wondering how coconut or almond flour would do but I used whole wheat flour and these turned out great!! I also used 1/2 vanilla chocolate chips and 1/2 dark chocolate chips (65%) cacao (healthier chocolate).

  8. Chrissy says

    Ok they were better cooked than the batter tasted, still needed 25 minutes cook time. Overall 6 out of 10 taste wise

  9. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    Healthier brownies?! Sign me up! I never make resolutions either, but just try to stick to goals…much easier for me. This looks like something that I definitely need to try. Love that you used unsweetened applesauce in here, it’s one of my sneaky tricks, too! 🙂

      • Judy Thurston says

        Ashlry Fehr, These look so good, that its making my mouth water. I see you use coconut oil where can i get that kind of oil? Please Respond back and let me know, can i use unsweetened apple sauce in a can?

      • Ashley Fehr says

        Hi Judy! You can definitely use unsweetened applesauce from a can. You can get coconut oil in the health foods section of any grocery store! I use the refined and then it doesn’t taste like coconut.

      • prema dimauro says

        can another oil be used? I usually use a very light olive oil so it does not have a strong taste.

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