Dark chocolate and fudgy with a ganache frosting, these avocado brownies are the best. Made with nourishing, healthy ingredients, they're also gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and vegan. Perfect for Valentine's Day - or any day!
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Why These Are the BEST Avocado Brownies
These avocado brownies are SO good and 100% the best I've ever tried! They contain really simple ingredients and are gluten-free, nut-free, egg-free, dairy-free, and totally plant-based and vegan. And while all those labels can be helpful if you have to eat a certain way for allergy or health reasons (no judgement, I have allergies and intolerances myself!), the best part about these brownies is that they're crazy delicious.
They're a rich, dark chocolate and are very fudgy. Admittedly, without frosting they don't look like the prettiest brownies, but the good news is, that means you can add the ganache-like frosting which makes them look beautiful and taste even more indulgent.
Oh, and one more thing? Don't let the instructions intimidate you. I try to be as detailed as possible in my instructions to ensure y'all get the most perfectly reproducible recipe possible, but this recipe truly is not complicated at all!
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- Ground flax seed (also called milled flaxseed - you can even find it at stores like Walmart and ALDI)
- Water
- Hass avocados
- Vanilla extract
- Cocoa powder
- Coconut flour
- Sugar (just regular, granulated cane sugar)
- Baking soda
- Chocolate or chocolate chips (use one of your choice based on what you need, like dark chocolate, allergy-friendly, sweetened with coconut sugar, or no sugar added chocolate chips )
- Milk of choice
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Spatula
- A mini food chopper, food processor, blender or immersion blender
- An 8" x 8" baking dish
How to Make This Recipe
- Begin by making your flax eggs: stir together ground flax seed and water in a small bowl then let sit for at least five minutes. The flax and water mixture will get thicker as it sits, to a somewhat gel-like consistency. While the flax egg is setting, prepare the rest of your ingredients and baking dish.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 8" x 8" baking dish with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper so it's easier to lift the cooked brownies from the pan to slice.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (cocoa powder, sugar, coconut flour, and baking soda). Set aside.
- When flax egg is set, add it and the vanilla extract and the pitted and peeled avocados to a food processor or food chopper. Pulse for a minute, until the avocado mixture is smooth.
- Add the avocado mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until evenly combined. It will be thick!
- Place brownie mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. I find the easiest way to spread the brownies evenly is to use damp fingers (wash your hands, then lightly dip your fingers into water to help keep the dough from sticking to you while pressing).
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool at least ten minutes.
- Prepare the ganache-like frosting by melting the chocolate and almond milk in a small microwave-safe bowl. Start by microwaving for 30 seconds, then stir. Continue to microwave in 15 second increments, stirring after each time, until the chocolate is smooth and perfectly melted.
- Pour the frosting over the brownies and use a small spatula to spread a thin, even layer over the brownies. Slice into sixteen pieces, serve, and enjoy!
Top Tips to Know
- The flax egg will take a few minutes. I've written this into the instructions, but to make your overall prep more efficient, make your flax egg first. Then while it's sitting and thickening, you can gather and prep the rest of your ingredients.
- Total transparency? The finished brownies on their own aren't super pretty or as sweet as traditional brownies - hence the chocolate frosting layer! I find the chocolate frosting layer necessary to make these not just look pretty, but provide additional sweetness that really make these brownies taste like a rich and fudgy dessert.
- You really need a mini food chopper, food processor, blender or immersion blender to make the avocado and flax egg mixture as smooth as possible. If you just try to mash it with a fork, there will likely be some larger avocado pieces that will be visually obvious in your brownies (read: green specks).
Ingredient Substitution Info
Flour Substitutes
Do NOT substitute other flours besides coconut flour. This recipe has not been tested with gluten-free measure for measure flour, all purpose or whole wheat flour, almond flour, quinoa flour, or anything except coconut flour. Coconut flour is highly absorbent and requires different measurements than other flours, so substituting any other flour besides coconut flour will not work with the measurements and recipe as written.
Milk Substitutes
You can substitute any milk of choice in the frosting.
Sugar Substitutes
And while I believe cane sugar in moderation can be completely fine for most individuals, if you prefer or need a dessert without added sugar, I've been told Swerve granular sweetener makes a great measure-for-measure substitute for cane sugar (but please note, I have not personally tried it in this recipe!).
If you're seeking other sugar substitutes, you can use granulated coconut sugar (I'm personally not the biggest fan because calorie-for-calorie it's the same as regular cane sugar, but I find it doesn't taste as sweet, personally). Liquid sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or agave have NOT been tested and I don't believe they will work measure-for-measure, since the batter is already fairly moist as it is.
Chocolate Substitutes (dairy free, coconut sugar sweetened, no sugar added, etc.)
You can use any chocolate or chocolate chips you prefer for the frosting (I love dark chocolate!). If you are looking to decrease the sugar content, try using Lily's stevia-sweetened chocolate or chocolate chips. (I'm not the biggest stevia fan taste-wise, but I actually love Lily's chocolate. I don't know how they do it!)
For allergy-friendly options, I always recommend Enjoy Life chocolate chips. The dark chocolate Hu gems are a coconut sugar-sweetened chocolate with very simple ingredients, too (coconut sugar, cocoa butter, cacao).
Serving Suggestions
These yummy gluten-free avocado brownies are perfect for a girl's night or for a fun treat for family movie night.
They also make a great homemade dessert for date night, especially since they can be made ahead and you'll have leftovers. 😉 Want a full date night in menu? Try these:
- Menu 1: Healthy chicken cordon bleu with prosciutto green beans and Instant Pot parsley potatoes
- Menu 2: Cast iron steak with easy, healthy sauteed mushrooms and air fryer baked potatoes
- Menu 3: Blood orange rosemary salmon en papillote with hasselback baby potatoes with orange basil pesto and air fryer broccoli.
Nutrition Highlights
Note that the nutrition information can vary based on the type of chocolate used, as well as if any sugar substitutions are used. With the recipe as written, making 16 servings, one serving contains:
- 131 calories
- 7 grams fat
- 2 grams protein
- 18 grams carbohydrates
- 4 grams fiber
Are they healthy?
To be clear, these fudgy, dark chocolate avocado brownies are a treat. But if you're new around here, professionally and personally I fully support healthy treats being included in moderation in a healthy, overall balanced diet.
Compared to traditional brownies, these are more allergy-friendly for those with specific ingredient concerns. They also have more fiber than traditional brownies, and overall contain more nourishing ingredients rich in healthy fats (like avocados and flax seed).
Know, too, that “healthy” is subjective. The foods that help one maintain their health may or may not work for you - and that’s okay! Honor the body you have. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I suggest eating a variety of nourishing foods that help you feel good and achieve or maintain your health, balanced with the foods you love. Remember - an election isn’t won with every vote, but the majority. Your health is the same way - the overall dietary pattern is what matters most.
Related Recipes
Check out these other avocado-based healthier dessert recipes:
Want another healthier baked good? Try these almond flour oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips!
Did you make this recipe? Give it a 5★ rating below! For more healthy recipes and tips to create your own balanced relationship with food and health, be sure to follow Nutrition to Fit on Instagram!
The Best Avocado Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon ground flax seed
- 5 tbsp water
- 2 hass avocados
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup coconut flour
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips (*dairy free if needed)
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk (or other milk of choice)
Instructions
- Begin by making your flax eggs: stir together ground flax seed and water in a small bowl then let sit for at least five minutes. The flax and water mixture will get thicker as it sits, to a somewhat gel-like consistency. While the flax egg is setting, prepare the rest of your ingredients and baking dish.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 8" x 8" baking dish with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper so it's easier to lift the cooked brownies from the pan to slice.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (cocoa powder, sugar, coconut flour, and baking soda). Set aside.
- When flax egg is set, add it and the vanilla extract and the pitted and peeled avocados to a food processor or food chopper. Pulse for a minute, until the avocado mixture is smooth.
- Add the avocado mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until evenly combined. It will be thick!
- Place brownie mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. I find the easiest way to spread the brownies evenly is to use damp fingers (wash your hands, then lightly dip your fingers into water to help keep the dough from sticking to you while pressing).
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool at least ten minutes.
- Prepare the ganache-like frosting by melting the chocolate and almond milk in a small microwave-safe bowl. Start by microwaving for 30 seconds, then stir. Continue to microwave in 15 second increments, stirring after each time, until the chocolate is smooth and perfectly melted.
- Pour the frosting over the brownies and use a small spatula to spread a thin, even layer over the brownies. Slice into sixteen pieces, serve, and enjoy!
Amanda says
I made this tonight for Valentines dessert. It. Was. Amazing. Instructions were simple. Prep was fast. It was the first time I have puréed avocado with my emersion blender, and it was easier than I expected.
The kids loved it. My husband and I loved it. It was ooey gooey goodness. We did eat it with a fork instead of with our hands like a true brownie. So it was a bit more cake like, which was totally fine.
Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, LDN says
YAY, so glad your family enjoyed this for a yummy Valentine's treat! Thanks for commenting, have a great day!
Rosemary Lowenkron says
Made these for dessert as my niece cannot eat dairy or nuts. They are SO good. Not too sweet and the texture was great. I did add 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tablespoon oil to the batter. So yummy. Also decorated each square with a raspberry and they looked decadent!
Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, LDN says
So glad you and your niece enjoyed them! And the raspberry decoration sounds like a lovely touch!