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

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

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!

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

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

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.

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.

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.