• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer top navigation
  • Skip to footer bottom navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Skinny & Fit is Always Delicious
Display Search Bar
Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Twitter! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on YouTube! Contact Cart
  • Client Login

Skinny Fitalicious®

Because skinny & fit always tastes delicious

  • Weight Loss Coaching
  • Weight Loss Coaching
    • Coaching / Free Consult
    • Client Testimonials
  • Free Class
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Best Calorie Calculator
    • Megan Recommends
    • Meal Plans
  • Podcast
  • Cookbook
  • About
    • About Megan
    • Policies
    • Contact

BONUS!

3 Smart Strategies To Stop Cravings So You Can Lose Weight!

Home » Blog » Desserts » Double Chocolate Quinoa Brownies {Low Cal, Vegan, GF}

Double Chocolate Quinoa Brownies {Low Cal, Vegan, GF}

Published: Jun 11, 2023 by Megan

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn qualifying purchases. Click here for more about this policy.

Healthy Quinoa Brownies are made with protein, healthy fats and chocolate. A surprisingly delicious treat that's better for you! You will never know they have no flour or eggs. Low Calorie + Vegan + Gluten Free

Healthy Quinoa Brownies are made with protein, healthy fats and chocolate. A surprisingly delicious treat that's better for you!

If you've never made brownies with quinoa, you need to do it! They're chewy, chocolate-y and best of all made with simple ingredients!

No flour, no eggs and just a touch of maple syrup to sweeten the deal these healthy brownies are simply yummy and they're also higher in protein from the quinoa.

A serious upgrade from your standard grocery store box brownies!

They're vegan friendly, gluten free and also lower in calorie. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

chocolate brownies on a baking rack

Why I Love Chocolate Quinoa Brownies

  • Higher Protein - Protein is the most overlooked macronutrient. It's the building block of the body and helps tremendously with controlling hunger and cravings. These brownies have almost 5 grams of protein per slice!
  • Higher Fiber - Each brownie has 4 grams of dietary fiber. Fiber keeps you fuller longer and most individuals are very deficient in fiber causing more hunger.
  • Lower Calorie - Each brownie is under 200 calories.
  • Gluten Free - The recipe is made gluten free.
  • Easy To Make - I know box brownies are easy to get at the store, but this healthy brownie recipe is actually simple. Just cook the quinoa, make the flax egg, mix the ingredients together in a bowl and bake!
  • Customizable - This recipe is versatile. I've made them many different ways throughout the years including with raspberries like this raspberry quinoa brownie recipe!

Quinoa Brownie Ingredients

bowls with brownie ingredients measured out

Here's what you need to make brownies with quinoa. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the blog post for the specific measurements, full instructions and nutritional data.

You will also need an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan for this recipe.

  • Quinoa, cooked
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Flax Meal
  • Coconut Oil
  • Almond Butter
  • Applesauce
  • Maple Syrup
  • Almond Extract
  • Sea Salt
  • Chocolate Chips

You can find swaps and substitutions for the recipe in the section below called substitutions.

Substitutions For Healthy Quinoa Brownies

Here are the substitutions you can make with this recipe. Remember when you substitute ingredients, it may change the nutrition data from what you see below in the recipe card.

  • Almond Butter - You can use peanut butter, cashew butter, sunflower butter, tahini or any nut butter you enjoy instead.
  • Flax Meal - Do not use flax seeds for the recipe. It will not become a flax egg unless you use flax meal. If you do not want to use flax meal or are not vegan, use 1 egg instead.
  • Almond Extract - Vanilla extract can be substituted.
  • Coconut Oil - I use refined coconut oil to prevent the coconut oil flavor in recipes. You can also use canola oil or olive oil in place of it.
  • Applesauce - Use pureed pumpkin (from a can) instead. You could use mashed bananas, but the brownies will have a banana flavor.
  • Cocoa Powder - I used unsweetened cocoa powder. You can use sweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder too.
  • Maple Syrup - Honey is an alternative or you can use a lower calorie maple syrup.
  • Chocolate Chips - I used dairy-free. If you are not dairy-free, regular chocolate chips work fine.

How To Make Brownies With Quinoa

four pictures of steps for making brownies with quinoa

Step One - Prepare the flax egg by combining the flax meal and and water together in a ramekin. Set in the refrigerator 30 minutes to set.

Step Two - Preheat the oven to 350 F. Prepare an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan by lightly spraying with cooking spray or lining with parchment paper.

Step Three - In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients including the flax egg and mix well.

Step Four - Transfer the batter into the baking pan and spread into an even layer.

Step Five - Bake 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick can be removed clean from the center of the brownies.

Step Six - Remove the from the oven and cool 30 minutes prior to slicing and enjoying.

brownies sliced on a wire baking rack

How To Store Brownies Made With Quinoa

  • Refrigerator: These brownies are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to 10 days. I do not recommend leaving them out at room temperature as they will get really gooey and sticky.
  • Freezer: I have not tested freezing these brownies, but I suspect they would freeze just fine. I would freeze them first by placing the brownies sliced and separated on a sheet pan. Then I would place them in a plastic storage bag or airtight container to freezer for 30 to 60 days.

Tips For Baking The Best Quinoa Brownies

  • Cool The Quinoa First - I recommend cooking the quinoa a day before or cooling it well before adding it to the batter. If your quinoa is too warm, it will cook some of the other ingredients and they will not combine fully.
  • Bake Fully - These brownies are gooey, but if they are undercooked in the center they will be super messy. Make sure you fully bake them and test the center by inserting a toothpick into it. If the toothpick comes out clean the brownies are done. If it does not come out clean, then the brownies need to bake longer.
  • Do Not Slice Before Cooling - I know it's tempting to eat brownies out of the oven, but with this recipe you will want to cool them at least 30 minutes in the pan at room temperature prior to slicing.
  • Slice With A Plastic Knife - I found using a plastic knife was easier to slice these brownies.
three brownies stacked on top of each other on a white plate
Healthy Quinoa Brownies are made with protein, healthy fats and chocolate. A surprisingly delicious treat that's better for you!

Double Chocolate Quinoa Brownies

Megan Olson
Healthy Quinoa Brownies are made with protein, healthy fats and chocolate. A surprisingly delicious treat that's better for you! You will never know they have no flour or eggs.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Cool Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 brownies
Calories 194 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 1/2 cups Quinoa cooked
  • 1/2 cup Cocoa Powder unsweetened
  • 2 tablespoons Flax Meal
  • 6 tablespoons Water
  • 1/4 cup Coconut Oil melted and cooled slightly (refined coconut oil is best)
  • 3/4 cup Almond Butter
  • 1/3 cup Applesauce unsweetened
  • 1/4 cup Maple Syrup
  • 2 teaspoons Almond Extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/2 cup Mini Chocolate Chips dairy free

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the flax egg by combining the flax meal with 6 tbsp water in a small bowl or ramekin. Set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set. Cook the quinoa according to package instruction if not already cooked.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 F. Prepare an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan by lightly spraying with cooking spray or lining with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well. Do not over mix.
  • Transfer the batter to baking dish and smooth into an even layer.
  • Bake 35-45 minutes in the oven or until a toothpick can be removed clean from the center of the brownies.
  • Remove from the oven and allow the brownies to cool in the pan 30 minutes before slicing. I used a plastic knife to slice the brownies cleaner.

Video

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1brownieCalories: 194kcalCarbohydrates: 15.5gProtein: 4.8gFat: 13.7gSaturated Fat: 4.7gSodium: 2.4mgFiber: 4.4gSugar: 5.6g
Tried this Recipe? Let me know!Let us know how it was!
Healthy Quinoa Brownies are made with protein, healthy fats and chocolate. A surprisingly delicious treat that's better for you!
Healthy Quinoa Brownies are made with protein, healthy fats and chocolate. A surprisingly delicious treat that's better for you!

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.

More Desserts

  • peach crisp on a white plate
    Low Calorie Peach Cobbler {GF, Paleo, Vegan}
  • Healthy Mini Protein Cheesecakes are a low fat treat made with Greek Yogurt, lower in sugar and delicious!
    Healthy Mini Protein Cheesecakes {GF, Low Calorie}
  • chocolate brownies stacked on top of each other on a plate
    Healthy Greek Yogurt Brownies {GF, Low Calorie}
  • white plate with strawberries and slice of baked good with whipped cream
    No Sugar Greek Yogurt Bake {Low Calorie, GF, Low Carb}
< Previous Post
Next Post >
4686 shares
  • Share565
  • Tweet

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Recipe Rating




  1. Brenda says

    December 24, 2022 at 7:37 am

    I'm not clear on the quinoa measurement. Do you measure 1 1/2 cups of quinoa and cook it, or do you measure 1 1/2 cups of cooked quinoa?

    Reply
    • Megan says

      December 24, 2022 at 10:25 am

      The quinoa is measured cooked. If you see in the ingredients list it says 1 1/2 cups quinoa, cooked. The word "cooked" is there to indicated it should be measured after cooking.

      Reply
  2. 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
  3. Alison says

    June 02, 2018 at 9:13 pm

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

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 03, 2018 at 7:18 am

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

      Reply
  4. Wendy says

    September 04, 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 05, 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
  5. 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 8x8 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
  6. 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
  7. Kim says

    September 07, 2015 at 8:54 am

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

    Reply
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

    March 09, 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
  12. Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together says

    March 09, 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
« Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

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!

Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Twitter! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on YouTube!
  • Weight Loss Coaching
  • Free Weight Loss Class
  • Podcast
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
© 2023 Skinny Fitalicious® Design by Melissa Rose Design Development by Once Coupled