Vegan zucchini brownies which are soft, moist, gooey, fudgy, and very chocolaty! The recipe is plant-based, gluten-free, easy to make, and delicious! Enjoy this vegan chocolate cake with your family and friends. Kids will love this healthy chocolate dessert.
Healthy Vegan Zucchini Brownies
Do you also love moist and gooey brownies, especially when they are pretty healthy? Well, I do for sure, because these vegan brownies don’t taste healthy at all and you won’t taste the zucchini, trust me! They taste like a rich and soft chocolate cake which will make your mouth water!
Some reasons, why I could never say no to these vegan zucchini brownies:
- They are vegan, gluten-free, and healthier than most other brownie recipes
- Kids will love these brownies because they taste chocolaty and yummy
- The recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients
Zucchini Brownies Are Great For Kids
I love “hiding” veggies and legumes in brownies and cakes because they aren’t noticeable due to the intense chocolate flavor. Also, isn’t it so much more enjoyable making desserts with healthier ingredients, instead of using the same boring (and not so healthy) ingredients over and over again?!
Kids won’t notice a difference either and you don’t even need to tell them that these brownies contain zucchini! 😀
How To Make Vegan Zucchini Brownies?
This is a “throw it all together recipe” that everyone can easily make in a food processor.
- Line a 6×9 (15×23 cm) loaf pan or a slightly bigger pan with parchment paper or grease it with vegan butter or oil.
- Process all dry ingredients (except the chocolate chips) in a food processor.
- Add all wet ingredients and blend again until the batter is smooth.
- Finally, add the chocolate chips and stir with a spoon.
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan and add more chocolate chips on top.
- Bake in the oven for about 35-40 minutes. For fudgy brownies, I recommend a baking time of 35 minutes or less. And for cakey brownies, I recommend a baking time of 40 minutes or a little more. You can also insert a toothpick in the center of a brownie after 30 minutes and if it comes out clean/slightly crumbly the brownies are done. If the toothpick comes out very sticky/wet, then the brownies need more baking time.
- Let the brownies cool completely. They will firm up once they cool and taste even better on day two!
Great For Breakfast Or Dessert
You can enjoy the vegan zucchini brownies for dessert or breakfast. They are also great on the go or for school, travel, work! If you want to make the chocolate cake brownies even healthier and furthermore oil-free, simply leave out the chocolate chips. You can add raisins or any other dried fruit as a substitute!
Simple Ingredients
These easy zucchini brownies contain only simple vegan ingredients which are as follows:
- Zucchini
- Ground oats (gluten-free if needed)
- Granulated sweetener of choice
- Cocoa powder
- Nut butter or seed butter of choice
- Baking powder and baking soda
- Salt
- Dairy-free chocolate chips
- Plant-based milk (I used canned coconut milk)
- Vanilla extract
- Instant coffee powder (optional)
Find the exact measurements below in the recipe card!
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake
I used rolled oats for this easy brownie recipe which I processed in an electric coffee/spice grinder to make oat flour. You can use regular rolled oats or gluten-free oats and process them in a blender (or grinder). Of course, you can also use store-bought oat flour.
To make the zucchini brownies oil-free, simply leave out the chocolate chips. 🙂
These Vegan Zucchini Brownies Are:
- Plant-based (dairy-free, egg-free)
- Gluten-free
- Can be made refined sugar-free (by not using chocolate chips)
- Can be made oil-free (by not using chocolate chips)
- Rich
- Moist
- Soft
- Chocolaty
- A great breakfast or dessert
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
Should you give these vegan zucchini brownies a try, please leave a comment and rating below and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I love to see your remakes! 🙂
If you like healthy brownies and chocolate cake, definitely also check out the following delicious gluten-free & vegan brownie recipes:
- Sweet Potato Brownies
- Cheesecake Brownies
- Caramel Chocolate Brownies
- Best Vegan Brownies
- Healthy No-Bake Brownies
- Flourless Brownies
Vegan Zucchini Brownies
Ingredients
Dry ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sweetener (see notes)
- 1 1/2 cups (135 g) rolled oats, ground into flour (see notes)
- 1/2 cup (90 g) dairy-free chocolate chips + more for the top
- 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp (50 g) cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/3 tsp salt
- 1 tsp instant coffee powder (optional)
Wet ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups (200 g) shredded zucchini tightly packed
- 1/2 cup (120 g) nut butter of choice (see notes)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) plant-based milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- I recommend using a kitchen scale for this recipe. This recipe has a video for easy visual instructions (see below).
- Line a 6x9 (15x23 cm) or a slightly bigger pan with parchment paper or grease it with vegan butter or oil and preheat the oven to 360 °F (182 °C).
- Process all dry ingredients (except the chocolate chips) in a food processor.
- Add all wet ingredients and blend again until the batter is smooth.
- Finally, add the chocolate chips and stir with a spoon.
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan and add more chocolate chips on top.
- Bake in the oven for about 35-40 minutes. For fudgy brownies, I recommend a baking time of 35 minutes or less. And for cakey brownies, I recommend a baking time of 40 minutes or a little more. The baking time also depends on the size of the pan! You can insert a toothpick in the center of a brownie after 30 minutes and if it comes out clean/slightly crumbly the brownies are done. If the toothpick comes out very sticky/wet, then the brownies need more baking time.
- Let the brownies cool completely. They will firm up once they cool and taste even better on day two! Enjoy! Keep leftover zucchini brownies covered in the fridge. You can also freeze them!
Notes
- Granulated sweetener: You can use coconut sugar, Erythritol, Xylitol* or regular sugar. *Desserts with Xylitol should be never given to dogs.
- Oats: I used rolled oats for this recipe which I processed in an electric coffee/spice grinder to make oat flour. You can use regular rolled oats or gluten-free oats and process them in a blender (or grinder). Of course, you can also use 135 grams of store-bought oat flour.
- Nut butter: You can use almond butter, cashew butter, peanut butter or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version. If you don't have nut butter, you could possibly use oil instead. Please note that I never made this recipe with oil, however, I would suggest about 1/4 of a cup (please report back if you give it a try).
- Nutrition facts are for one of eight brownies (1/8 of the recipe).
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
Laila
You’re my star! It’s delicious, super fudge and helps me at the „special time of the month“ with my cravings. Love it! Looking forward to your next recipe
Ela
Aww, thank you, Laila! I am so glad you love these brownies as much as I do. 🙂
Nini
These are yummy! Are there any diabetic-friendly recipes also available?
Ela
Hello, since I am not a medical professional and don’t know what is allowed and what causes problems for diabetics, I cannot really answer your question. Please have a look at all my dessert recipes. I am sure there are some which might be suitable. https://elavegan.com/category/desserts/
Delynne
I was wondering if I could use coconut flour instead of oats.
Ela
No, that’s not possible. It would completely dry out the brownies. Buckwheat flour might work or almond flour. I haven’t tried it though.
Div
Can I use frozen zucchini?
Ela
I never tried frozen zucchini. I would be afraid that it makes the batter too wet. Maybe use less than what the recipe calls for.
Mary
Hey Ela,
Silly question maybe but do you cook the courgette first or just shred it raw? Thanks!
Ela
Hey Mary! No, please don’t cook it. You need to shred it raw! 🙂
Sue
Hi Ela, this brownie turned out amazing. Let me correct that and say it was “the bomb”! Both my hubby and daughter couldn’t stop eating it. Thank you for showing us a healthier way to make brownies!
Ela
That’s awesome, Sue! I am so glad you and your family loved this recipe. 🙂
Amy
Hi! Can I use regular flour for this recipe or does it have to be oat flour ?
Ela
Since I never use regular flour, I cannot tell you how it will turn. But normally it should work just fine.
Bianca
I love any sweet chocolate desserts with zucchini! Will try your recipe too! ?❤️
Ela
Zucchini is such a great veggie and perfect in desserts! Thanks, Bianca ?
Keshia Pope
Hey. You need to design an app where I can log in and save my favorite recipes. Often times I see stuff on tour page I want to try but can’t right away and wished I could save them for future reference.
Thanks for sharing these recipes with us.
Ela
Thanks for your feedback, Keshia. 🙂
jacquie
this look great but unfortunately zuchinni is not in season here now. Do you think i could swap it for somthing else? Maybe carrots?
Ela
Pumpkin would work great! 🙂
Nicky
Hiiii there…. If I don’t have food processor can I blen all the ingredients ?
Ela
Yes, that should be fine, Nicky! 🙂
Catalina Enache
Dear Ela,
I discovered your website 5-6 days ago.
I took a quick look here and a closer one on Instagram. I found many recipes which fit to my taste, but the Vegan zucchini brownies has just sticked to my retina and I was salivating for the past days.
Yesterday evening I baked it and, in this morning I had a portion for breakfast. OMG!!! Absolutely deeelicious!
I like it more than the brownie made from red beans.
You have not only my congratulations and thanks for this recipe but, also the ones of my fitness trainer as, i shared with him a slice too!
Well done!
Best regards,
Cătălina
Ela
Aww, that’s awesome! Thanks so much for your lovely feedback, Cătălina! I really appreciate it. 🙂
Kasia
This brownie tastes insanely good! Thank You, Ela for this recipe. I didn’t add chocolate chips 🙂
Ela
I am so glad you liked them, Kasia! Thanks for your feedback. 🙂
Brenna
Hi! I haven’t tried this yet…
Was wondering Nd if I needed to make adjustments for high altitude I live in Colorado.
Or was it just ok to make based of the ingredients listed ?
Thank you?
Ela
Oh, I am afraid I can’t answer your question, Brenna. I live in the tropics close to the ocean with high humidity. I would say, if you believe the batter is too dry, simply add a little more plant-based milk. 🙂
Katharina Renn
I made these yesterday as a dessert for your lasagna roll recipe. Both was so yummy. I cooked for 6 people, we are 2. We just had enough leftover for lunch 😀
Ela
Awesome! Thanks a lot for your great feedback, Katharina. 🙂
Jan franich
Hi do you have to squeeze the moisture from the zucchini thankyou can’t wait to make these
Ela
No, you shouldn’t. 🙂 Just blend all ingredients in your food processor, it’s very simple. 🙂
Monique
Looks good! I will try it with the sweeteners you mentioned but what about dates as a sweetener instead of the the ones you suggested? Think dates would work?
Thanks
Ela
Hi Monique, dates will most likely change the texture of the brownies because they are very sticky and moist. Since I never tried to make the recipe with dates, I cannot tell you how the brownies are going to turn out, so you would need to experiment. 🙂
Julie
Ela, I was thinking of trying this with dates too. Did you try it out?
Ela
Hi Julie, no, I didn’t try it out. 🙂
Jen
Is there any way you can use almond flour instead? Or would the texture be different?
Ela
Hi Jen, I think it could work! They might turn out a bit softer but I believe they will be even more rich! Could you please report back if you try the almond flour version? That would be awesome! 🙂
Rachna
Hi Jen
Did you try the recipe using almond flour? How did it turn out? Thanks!
Analia
These were so chocolate rich and moist, This recipe is a keeper, nobody even noticed they were made with zuchini and oatmeal. Also I had no sugar, but used splenda instead, perfect!
Ela
Sounds great, Analia! I am so glad you all loved the recipe. 🙂
Elizabeth Belden Handler
I took these to a meeting today, and they were devoured. I just measured out two cups of rolled oats, instead of whirring and then measuring, upped the vanilla to two teaspoons, and used coffee extract instead of instant coffee, because that’s what I had. Baked in a 8×8” brownie pan, they were absolutely delicious.
Ela
I am so glad you loved the brownies, Elizabeth! Thanks for your great feedback. 🙂
Xyra Tunay
Wow ? my daughter didn’t even know it was a zucchini brownies!!! ? what an easy but really delicious recipe!!!! Thank you Ella ?✨
Ela
Wonderful! I am glad you both enjoyed these zucchini brownies. Thanks for your feedback, Xyra! 🙂
Lana
These are absolutely delicious! Definite keeper . I omitted the chocolate chips and used oat milk. Next time I’ll bake them for 25 min instead of 30 to leave them more gooey/fudgy. Yum!
Ela
Yay! So happy you liked the recipe, Lana. Thanks for your great feedback! 🙂
Ika
Yummy
Ela
Yes, Ika! They are very yummy. 🙂