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Double Chocolate Quinoa Brownies {Vegan, GF}

March 9, 2015

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Made with quinoa, chocolate and nut butter, this gluten free and vegan brownie is packed with protein, healthy fats and chocolate. A healthy treat made sinful, these Vegan Double Chocolate Quinoa Brownies are ones you can’t resist! Vegan + Gluten Free

quinoa_brownies-4

Hello! Hello! How’s your week? I know it’s only Monday but I’m already wishing it were Friday. I’ve been feeling that way a lot lately. Running around to many doctors and therapists during the week I feel like I’m in a circus relay. Does that even exist? By the time Friday rolls around, I’m exhausted.

Lately I’ve been feeling defeated by everything. I feel like I can’t doing anything right except maybe cooking and this blog. I’m sure others don’t see me that way but I’m such a darn perfectionist and hold myself to such high standards, if not impractical ones at times. I’ve finally surrendered to it all. I can’t do anything any better right now so why fight it. I’m one person and I can only do so much.

I need to focus my energy on recovering and getting my strength back from these injuries which by the way, recovering from injury is a million times harder than being injured. It’s made working out really hard. It’s physically painful strengthening weak areas making my workouts mentally challenging. Talking yourself into doing it something that hurts isn’t easy. You have to remind yourself why you’re doing it and push yourself through the pain to strengthen the weak bits.

There are days I feel so angry with the cards I’ve been dealt. I’ve had many people tell me they admire my determination to never give up. If only they knew, how many times I’ve wanted to give up or wondered why I’m bothering to workout at all. Then I remember my weight loss journey and realize I’m starting over.

quinoa_brownies

My journey with weight loss didn’t start with food, calorie counting or a fad diet. It began with fitness. It started with a simple walk on the beach every night. Doctors told me many years ago I couldn’t and shouldn’t do high impact activity because it might cause more damage to my femur. For years I lived in fear of what they told me and did no activity because of it.

Looking back, I regret living my life that way. Doctors are often mistaken especially when it comes to will power and determination and I have a lot of both. So I walked. I walked every single night.

As time went on, I fell in love with walking – the fresh air, the physical movement and those moments alone with my thoughts when nothing else was competing for them. Over time, I got stronger. I went faster. I went farther. Soon I was walking 10-12-14 miles. From there, my fitness bloomed.  I did all the things my body was meant to do. It was not planned or expected. Look at how thick these brownies are. 

quinoa_brownies-3

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about that time when I started walking. Part of me’s been wanting to give up, surrender to the pain and hard work and everything else life’s been throwing at me too. But then I realized, I’m not weak or incapable of being the fitness super star I once was. I’m just starting over. When I started walking, it wasn’t easy. It was the exact opposite. It hurt. It was hard.

My leg had to learn how to move with my body again, it needed time to strengthen in areas that hadn’t moved in years, gain range of motion and breakdown scar tissue. It took months of fighting through that before I built my fitness foundation to a level where I was comfortable, it didn’t hurt and was able to take it to the next level.

As I thought about this the other day, I realized the key is accepting that I’m starting over. That’s hard for me to do because it makes me feel weak. I have to be ok with where I am right now and accept that I’m not going to be anywhere near where I was a year ago. Someday I will, just not right this second.

quinoa_brownies-7

I think this applies to so many people out there who want to be healthier, lose weight and get into fitness. It can be overwhelming to the point you don’t even try or you give up because it’s not going the way you want it to go.

You shouldn’t give up. You should accept where you are right now, compare yourself only to where you are and let go of any expectations of where you think you should be.

I’m going to remind myself to read this post every time I want to give up. It’ll give me an excuse to drool over these brownies and dream about making them again. But seriously. Don’t give up. Once you’ve met your goal, treat yourself to some brownies.

You guys really need to try them. I’m not a brownie lover. I’m a muffin girl, but I swear these brownies transformed my life. I’ll be making brownies forever with quinoa. They’re thick, gooey and crazy chocolaty. They’re incentive enough for me to stick with my goals. I’m not giving up so don’t give up on yours. Take that Monday!

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Double Chocolate Quinoa Brownies

Made with quinoa, chocolate and nut butter, this gluten free and vegan brownie is packed with protein, healthy fats and chocolate. A healthy treat made sinful, these Vegan Double Chocolate Quinoa Brownies are ones you can't resist!

Author Skinny Fitalicious
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 brownies
Calories 194 kcal
quinoa_brownies-4
5 from 1 vote
Print

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups quinoa cooked
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder unsweetened
  • 2 tbsp flax meal
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil melted
  • 3/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter for non-Paleo
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tsp almond extract or vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips dairy free
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  1. Prepare flax egg by combining flax meal with 6 tbsp water. Set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare an 8x8 baking dish by lightly spraying with cooking spray.
  3. In a large bowl or standing mixer, combine all ingredients and mix well. Do not over mix.
  4. Transfer batter to baking dish.
  5. Bake 35-45 minutes until a toothpick can be removed cleanly.
  6. Allow to cool in the pan 30 minutes before cutting.
  7. Cut with a plastic knife for a clean cut.

Recipe Notes

  • My Amazon shop has more products similar to those used for this recipe and that I recommend to my weight loss clients.
  • If you love this recipe, check out my cookbook for more delicious recipes.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword brownie, chocolate, dairy free, egg free, flaxmeal, gluten free, healthy, low calorie, quinoa, vegan

Recipe Video

Nutrition facts per serving (1brownie)
Calories 194 kcal
Fat 13.7 g
Saturated Fat 4.7 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 2.4 mg
Potassium 0 mg
Carbohydrates 15.5 g
Fiber 4.4 g
Sugar 5.6 g
Protein 4.8 g
Vitamin A 0 %
Vitamin C 0 %
Calcium 0 %
Iron 0 %

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What I Used To Make The Recipe

      

Made with quinoa, chocolate and nut butter, this gluten free & vegan brownie is packed with protein, healthy fats and chocolate. A healthy treat made sinful, these Vegan Double Chocolate Quinoa Brownies are ones you can't resist!

Made with quinoa, chocolate and nut butter, this gluten free & vegan brownie is packed with protein, healthy fats and chocolate. A healthy treat made sinful, these Vegan Double Chocolate Quinoa Brownies are ones you can't resist! Vegan + Gluten Free

Made with quinoa, chocolate and nut butter, this gluten free and vegan brownie is packed with protein, healthy fats and chocolate. A healthy treat made sinful, these Vegan Double Chocolate Quinoa Brownies are ones you can't resist!

About Megan

Megan is a certified nutrition practitioner, author, freelance food photographer and fitness instructor living in Phoenix, Arizona. On her blog, Skinny Fitalicious she shares EASY, gluten free recipes for weight loss. Follow Megan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Sania Wasif says

    March 9, 2015 at 4:18 am

    yummy!

    Reply
    • Lorena says

      November 30, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      I just made these and I really like it, delicious!
      The only thing is how come the quinoa was crunchy? Also the top wasn’t smooth.

      Reply
      • Megan says

        December 1, 2017 at 8:58 am

        Quinoa is supposed to have a crunchy bite to it. If it’s too crunchy, then it was overcooked. The top not being smooth I have no way of knowing for sure. It could be the brand of nut butter you used.

        Reply
  2. tina muir says

    March 9, 2015 at 4:25 am

    ooooh megan!!! I have always wanted to try and bake with quinoa, and you keep whipping out these tempting recipes, it may be time to try! This sounds fantastic, and so good for you too! I love that we can use nuttzo, I am LOVING mine! Thanks so much for sharing! AS for expectations, I am working on that too, its really hard!!!!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:28 pm

      I’ll trade you soup for brownies? Seriously your soup sounds divine. I have to make it.

      Reply
  3. Meg Bollenback says

    March 9, 2015 at 4:43 am

    Love your story here and these brownies look DIVINE! So delicious…thank you for bringing some chocolate to my Monday. 🙂 And kudos to you…never ever ever give up. 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:27 pm

      Aww thanks Meg! Hope you get a chance to enjoy the brownies.

      Reply
  4. Ruthie@She'sWickedHealthy says

    March 9, 2015 at 4:45 am

    i LOVE the ingredients list on this recipe!
    I know it can be hard to accept things as they are, but it always helps to focus on what you CAN do about it given the circumstances! Happy Monday!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:28 pm

      Thanks Ruthie! So grateful for your support as always. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Taca @ A Side Of Dessert says

    March 9, 2015 at 4:52 am

    It’s extremely hard to give up on expectations but once you do, I at least feel much better. This recipe looks so delicious! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness says

    March 9, 2015 at 5:31 am

    Awww thank you for sharing! 🙂 I really think that we never start over. We are starting, yes, but never from the same place. We have more knowledge, more experiences and perhaps more determination. To keep me going I just try to think that if I did it when I knew less then I can do it now that I know more. I go back to my wisdom…. Take that Monday! 😉

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:26 pm

      You are so wise Elsie. Where did you get all your wisdom from? Seriously though. You’re so right about starting from a different place. I’m training smarting and slower now because of things. It’s taking more time though and I am not patient at all. Thanks for your wisdom. I needed it today.

      Reply
  7. Michele @ paleorunningmomma says

    March 9, 2015 at 5:36 am

    I can really relate to you, my friend, even though our life circumstances are quite different. I also hold myself to what I’ve realized are high standards and I’m always battling that somehow. It’s funny because I also will get angry about something I’ve been dealt, only to realize much of that anger is resentment toward the way I treat myself, which can sometimes be relentless. Accepting that you’re starting over with something is tough, I know that feeling!

    On a lighter note, you are really doing everything right with your blog! These look amazing, the ingredients, the photography, all of it. You deserve to give yourself credit for all of the hard work you put into everything 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:25 pm

      You’re so right about the relentless part. I really have beaten up on my body in the past. I think it knows that and is punishing me or teaching me a lesson. And THANK YOU for your sweet comments. I’ve been working like crazy to get it going. If it hadn’t been for my injury, I’m not sure all the blog stuff would have happened as fast as it did.

      Reply
  8. Sabrina @ Nutritiously Sweet says

    March 9, 2015 at 5:59 am

    These brownies look delicious! I love the crunchy look to the top, to me that’s a perfect brownie! 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:22 pm

      They really are the perfect brownie.

      Reply
  9. Pragati // Simple Medicine says

    March 9, 2015 at 6:13 am

    These look amazing! I’m totally craving a brownie at 9am 😛

    Reply
    • Pragati // Simple Medicine says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:15 am

      oops! I posted my comment before finishing it! I wonder if the recipe would work with stevia?

      Reply
      • Megan says

        March 9, 2015 at 6:22 pm

        I’m sure it would. I substitute with baking stevia all the time and never have had a problem.

        Reply
  10. Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner says

    March 9, 2015 at 6:20 am

    Megan I know exactly what you mean when it comes to recovery. I am dealing with my own issues and it sucks. The bad days bring you down so much that it gets hard to get back up. You have a wonderful story of weight loss that I am glad keeps you motivated. I look forward to reading your blog because you are true to yourself and can completely relate to what you are going through.

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:23 pm

      Aww thanks Daisy! That means the world to me. I hope all is well with you and things heal much faster than me.

      Reply
  11. Jill @ Champagne for Everyday says

    March 9, 2015 at 7:05 am

    These brownies look so flippin amazing! I have seen a ton of baking recipes calling for quinoa flour, but never whole quinoa. YUM! Also, in my years of fitness I have been derailed so many times. I totally know how you feel! But all of those times I have bounced back, and then some. It helps me to think of that when I get frustrated with being sidelined!

    Happy Monday!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:22 pm

      Aww thanks for the positiveness. I needed that today! I fear I will never bounce back since it been over 12 months now. Feels like forever.

      Reply
  12. Susie @ SuzLyfe says

    March 9, 2015 at 7:47 am

    I love cooking with quinoa–it adds such a fun texture!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:21 pm

      Right? It’s hard to describe, but I love it.

      Reply
  13. Deborah @Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    March 9, 2015 at 10:48 am

    oh wow how creative! I love quinoa and chocolate I’m into these! Thanks for linking up!!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:20 pm

      You know me…always looking for the sneaky stuff!

      Reply
  14. Nicole @ Fitful Focus says

    March 9, 2015 at 12:30 pm

    These look delicious! I’ve never used quinoa in a dessert before, so I’ll definitely have to give these a try!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:19 pm

      Quinoa is my new favorite in baked goods. It’s thick and delicious plus all the protein!

      Reply
  15. kristin | W [H] A T C H says

    March 9, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    these brownies look too good to be true! i have yet to find a GF brownie recipe that i love.

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 9, 2015 at 6:19 pm

      You’re gonna love this!

      Reply
  16. Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together says

    March 9, 2015 at 8:06 pm

    I haven’t seen cooked quinoa brownies yet… definitely pinned these to try soon!!

    I feel defeated a lot by work. It seeps into every other aspect of my life if I let it… definitely feel the struggle you do!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 10, 2015 at 7:58 pm

      Thanks Cassie! Many things can overcome us in life if we let them. The key is not letting them get the best of us. Glad you liked the brownies. Hope you give them a try!

      Reply
  17. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

    March 9, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    These look delicious! I’m so sorry you’ve been going through such a hard time. Recovery takes an emotional toll for sure. Sending healing thoughts your way. 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 10, 2015 at 7:56 pm

      Thanks Lauren!

      Reply
  18. Erin@BeetsPerMinute says

    March 10, 2015 at 7:02 am

    I am sorry to hear how frustrating things have been for you, Megan! Expectations are the cause of a lot of misery, I think. I am guilty (as much as the next gal) of placing expectations too high for myself. You’re right though, realizing how far you’ve come and why you work hard should always trump feeling defeated. Great post and those brownies, they look FAB! 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 10, 2015 at 7:54 pm

      Thanks, Erin! I’m trying. Day by day…

      Reply
  19. Heaven says

    March 16, 2015 at 11:31 am

    I had a hard time reading your story because my eyes kept wandering over to your brownies. They look fantastic. I’m always on the hunt for a quinoa recipe. Good luck with your goals. Your story is inspiring!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      March 16, 2015 at 6:22 pm

      Haha…I had that problem too when I was writing it. Glad you liked the recipe!

      Reply
  20. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    April 28, 2015 at 10:13 pm

    if you get 10000 hits from Australia, its me 😉 Just organising some recipe round ups and this looks delicious.

    Reply
    • Megan says

      April 29, 2015 at 3:49 am

      Thanks Arman! These are ridiculously good. Now that you reminded me I’m gonna have to make them again.

      Reply
  21. Kim says

    September 7, 2015 at 8:54 am

    these look uh-maze-ing!!! Can’t wait to try them:)

    Reply
  22. Sara says

    June 15, 2017 at 9:17 pm

    I LOVE quinoa but have not tried baking with it yet. These brownies look and sound so tasty! I’ll have to try them soon. They also look pretty simple, which I also love! If they are as good as they look, would you mind me sharing on my blog and linking back to your post? Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe and your story. Way to go. Life can be so trying at times. Kudos on pushing ahead and not giving up!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 16, 2017 at 6:13 am

      Of course! Thanks for sharing Sara!

      Reply
  23. Ann says

    August 16, 2017 at 10:21 am

    I’m drooling, just looking at the pictures of those brownies. Must make them soon!
    But, question: I’m not trying to be vegan. Can I use an egg in place of the flax meal? And what size pan did you use to bake them in?

    Reply
    • Megan says

      August 16, 2017 at 10:32 am

      It’s a regular 8×8 square baking dish. I haven’t tried using an egg, but I would imagine it would work. Might be a little more liquidly as flax absorbs some liquid so you may need a little less oil. If you use an egg, please respond back so I can update the recipe card for others.

      Reply
  24. Wendy says

    September 4, 2017 at 10:04 pm

    Hi Megan, can I replace the almond butter with peanut butter (I have a new bottle of peanut coconut spread from mayvers and am thinking to use that). Also is the applesauce absolutely necessary? Can I replace the maple with honey? Sorry for so many questions! Thanks in advance!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      September 5, 2017 at 3:38 pm

      Hi Wendy, yes you can sub with PB. I’ve done it myself. The applesauce is necessary yes for the moisture. As for the honey, I’m not sure how well that would work here. It may really alter the texture of them. Not sure. Let me know if you try so I can update the recipe card for others!

      Reply
  25. Alison says

    June 2, 2018 at 9:13 pm

    YUM!! Can the nut butter be substituted with something?

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 3, 2018 at 7:18 am

      You need some form of nut or seed butter to hold the brownies together. Tahini, sunflower, almond, etc.

      Reply
  26. Rebecca Robertson says

    June 23, 2020 at 3:46 pm

    I didn’t have apple sauce so I put an avacado in and I over measured my peanut butter and put in 1.5 cups! Oh my!

    Still turned out great. Super decadent and delicious!!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 23, 2020 at 3:54 pm

      Great thinking with the avocado substitute! I’m so glad you liked them.

      Reply

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Meet Megan

Megan is a nutrition practitioner, author of the Low Calorie Cookbook and podcast host of the Dish On Ditching Diets. Megan helps women over 35 lose weight after losing 80 pounds herself. Here you get low calorie recipes for weight loss that balance hormones. Learn more about my weight loss programs HERE!

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