FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• My Zucchini Brownies Are Actually Rich And Fudgy
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Zucchini Brownies
• My Recipe Tips
• Zucchini Brownies (Easy) Recipe card
• More Healthy Brownie Recipes
• Recipe Reviews

My Zucchini Brownies Are Actually Rich And Fudgy

Many zucchini brownie recipes are too light for me, and in my opinion not like a true brownie. I’ve been making these zucchini brownies for years but wasn’t quite satisfied with them. So recently, I added more chocolate chips, replaced the maple syrup with honey, and adjusted the ratios to make them even better — and a lot more fudgy. I think you’ll love the improvement! Here’s why:

• Dense, fudgy, and full of chocolate flavor – These aren’t your cakey or light-and-airy kind of brownies. They’re dense, chewy, and loaded with melty chocolate chips. Always team fudgy over here.
• Wholesome ingredients that don’t “taste healthy” – They’re chocolate brownies with zucchini, not a salad! 😉 You’d never guess they have 6 grams of protein, nearly 10 grams of fiber, veggies in every bite (can’t taste ’em), and zero refined sugar. Did I mention they’re also gluten free and dairy free?!
• Zero squeezing involved – Yes, really! My zucchini brownie recipe comes together with quick prep, and unlike most baking recipes that have shredded zucchini, you don’t have to squeeze out excess moisture. In fact, you shouldn’t!

If you’ve tried my chocolate chip zucchini muffins or almond flour zucchini bread , you know I love sneaking in this vegetable. And these zucchini brownies might be my most convincing healthy dessert yet. Make them with me!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my zucchini brownies recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Zucchini – You’ll need 1 1/2 cups shredded, which is about 1 to 1.5 medium zucchini. Yellow squash would actually work, too.
• Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour – It’s super fine and blanched, so it will give your zucchini brownies the best texture. Many brands are too coarse.
• Cocoa Powder – I recommend Dutch processed, unsweetened cocoa powder . Other types are either too sweet or too bitter.
• Honey – I used to make these with maple syrup, but I’ve found it can leave a slightly bitter aftertaste with the chocolate. Now I use my Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey for a smoother flavor. Regular honey also works.
• Chocolate Chips – I use these sugar-free dark chocolate chips in everything , and they’re a big part of what makes these brownies so fudgy! Any brand you like should work, though.
• Coconut Oil – Measure it solid, then melt. I used this kind . I’ve also made these zucchini brownies with butter and they’re just as good.
• Eggs – Room temp eggs are key, so the oil doesn’t solidify. Feel free to swap in flax eggs for a vegan option.
• Baking Powder , Vanilla Extract , & Sea Salt

How To Make Zucchini Brownies

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Grate the zucchini. Use a box grater ( I have this one pictured below and love it), and pat it dry with paper towels. Don’t squeeze, just pat lightly!
2. Melt the chocolate and coconut oil. You can do this gently in the microwave or in a double boiler on the stove. Set aside to cool a bit.
3. Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, stir together the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
4. Mix the wet ingredients. In another bowl or a large glass measuring cup, whisk the honey, eggs, and vanilla.

1. Mix it all together. Add the wet mixture to the dry bowl and stir to combine. Pour in the melted chocolate and fold in the shredded zucchini. Stir to combine again. The batter will be thick!
2. Bake and cool. Pour the batter into a baking dish lined with parchment paper ( I used this one and it’s the perfect size). Add more chocolate chips on top if you like, then bake. See my tips below to get the texture just right! Let your zucchini brownies cool completely before slicing.

My Recipe Tips

• It’s best to shred the zucchini fresh right before mixing the batter. If you shred it in advance, it’ll release water as it sits, and we want it to stay inside.
• I recommend larger zucchini shreds. Initially I thought larger pieces might be too noticeable after baking, but they weren’t at all. When I tried smaller ones, they became very wet and mushy, and the texture of the zucchini brownies was worse. I use the large holes on my box grater .
• Avoid overmixing. If you whisk too vigorously or mix too much, you’ll introduce too much air, making your brownies airy instead of dense like they should be.
• Adjust the baking time for the texture you want. I usually bake for 22-23 minutes for fudgy zucchini brownies, or 25 minutes for cakey. If you want fudgy, they’re done when an inserted toothpick comes out with some gooey crumbs on it (it shouldn’t be wet, though). For cakey, bake for a few minutes longer until the toothpick comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake, or your brownies will be dry!
• When slicing, cut straight down. Don’t use a seesaw motion, which can make the brownies crumble. If your knife has a lot of crumbs on it, wipe it between cuts.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 6 oz Zucchini (shredded using a box grater, do not drain; ~1 1/2 cups when loosely measured) ▢
• 1 1/2 cups Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour ▢
• 3 tbsp Dutch processed cocoa powder ▢
• 1 tsp Baking powder ▢
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/2 cup Honey (I use my natural Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey ) ▢
• 2 large Eggs (at room temperature) ▢
• 1/2 tbsp Vanilla extract ▢
• 1/3 cup Coconut oil (or unsalted butter) ▢
• 1 1/2 cups Sugar-free dark chocolate chips (or any kind you like; plus more for topping if desired) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Line an 8×8” baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Shred the zucchini using a box grater . Pat lightly dry, but do not squeeze or drain. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl in the microwave or using a double boiler on the stove, melt the coconut oil and chocolate chips, stirring often. Set aside to cool slightly.
4. In a large bowl, mix together the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
5. In another medium bowl, whisk together the honey, eggs, and vanilla. Stir the mixture into the dry ingredients. The batter will be thick.
6. Stir the partly cooled chocolate mixture again, then pour it into the large bowl and stir until combined.
7. Fold in the shredded zucchini.
8. Pour the batter to the lined pan and smooth into an even layer. Optional: Top with a handful of chocolate chips.
9. Bake zucchini brownies for 22-25 minutes , rotating the pan halfway through. For fudgy brownies, a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with just a tiny bit of gooey crumbs on it (but it should not be wet). For cakey brownies, a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
10. Let the brownies cool completely before slicing.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 zucchini brownie

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best texture in your zucchini brownies, plus my best slicing tip.
• Storage: Keep zucchini brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. You can enjoy them cold, at room temp, or heat briefly in the microwave.
• Freeze: You can freeze these for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter before enjoying.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Zucchini Brownies

More Healthy Brownie Recipes

Did you like this zucchini brownie recipe? Here are a few of my other favorites to try next:

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Zucchini Brownies (Easy)

My easy zucchini brownies are extra fudgy and chocolaty! You’d never guess they’re gluten-free, with hidden veggies and no refined sugar.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/zucchini-brownies/

Ingredients

• 6 oz Zucchini (shredded using a box grater, do not drain; ~1 1/2 cups when loosely measured)
• 1 1/2 cups Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour
• 3 tbsp Dutch processed cocoa powder
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt
• 1/2 cup Honey (I use my natural Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey )
• 2 large Eggs (at room temperature)
• 1/2 tbsp Vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup Coconut oil (or unsalted butter)
• 1 1/2 cups Sugar-free dark chocolate chips (or any kind you like; plus more for topping if desired)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Line an 8x8” baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Shred the zucchini using a box grater . Pat lightly dry, but do not squeeze or drain. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl in the microwave or using a double boiler on the stove, melt the coconut oil and chocolate chips, stirring often. Set aside to cool slightly.
4. In a large bowl, mix together the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
5. In another medium bowl, whisk together the honey, eggs, and vanilla. Stir the mixture into the dry ingredients. The batter will be thick.
6. Stir the partly cooled chocolate mixture again, then pour it into the large bowl and stir until combined.
7. Fold in the shredded zucchini.
8. Pour the batter to the lined pan and smooth into an even layer. Optional: Top with a handful of chocolate chips.
9. Bake zucchini brownies for 22-25 minutes , rotating the pan halfway through. For fudgy brownies, a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with just a tiny bit of gooey crumbs on it (but it should not be wet). For cakey brownies, a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
10. Let the brownies cool completely before slicing.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 zucchini brownie

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best texture in your zucchini brownies, plus my best slicing tip.
• Storage: Keep zucchini brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. You can enjoy them cold, at room temp, or heat briefly in the microwave.
• Freeze: You can freeze these for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter before enjoying.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)