Nutritious Chocolatey Flaxseed Brownie Recipe (2024)

By

Laura Dolson

Nutritious Chocolatey Flaxseed Brownie Recipe (1)

Laura Dolson is a health and food writer who develops low-carb and gluten-free recipes for home cooks.

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Updated on March 11, 2022

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by

Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN

Medically reviewed byKristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN

Kristy is a licensed registered dietitian nutritionist and trained culinary professional. She has worked in a variety of settings, including MSKCC and Rouge Tomate.

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Nutritious Chocolatey Flaxseed Brownie Recipe (3)

(134 ratings)

Total Time: 55 min

Prep Time: 20 min

Cook Time: 35 min

Servings: 32

Nutrition Highlights (per serving)

127 calories

9g fat

10g carbs

3g protein

Show Nutrition LabelHide Nutrition Label
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 32
Amount per serving
Calories127
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g12%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Cholesterol 34mg11%
Sodium 132mg6%
Total Carbohydrate 10g4%
Dietary Fiber 3g11%
Total Sugars 6g
Includes 5g Added Sugars10%
Protein 3g
Vitamin D 0mcg0%
Calcium 55mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
Potassium 120mg3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet.2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Who would have thought that brownies can be nutritious and delicious? These brownies include flaxseed meal instead of flour, making them healthy, lower in carbohydrates, and gluten-free. And the agave syrup, cocoa powder, and unsweetened chocolate create a decadent, chocolatey treat while keeping the brownie naturally sweetened.

The most exciting part? They taste so amazing you wouldn't even think they have a good amount of fiber and omega-3s from the flaxseed, which is loaded with health benefits. Flaxseed is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, lignans, which have antioxidant qualities, as well as omega-3 essential fatty acids, which have heart-healthy effects.

Although this recipe uses the typical 9x13 pan, it makes 32 brownies—so don't be turned off by some of the ingredient amounts.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cupbutter (unsalted)
  • 3/4 cupagave syrup(or to taste, divided)
  • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs(room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate (melted and cooled)
  • 2 cupsflaxseed meal
  • 1 tbsp. baking powder
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 2/3 cup water

Preparation

  1. Heat oven to 350 F and coat a 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

  2. In a large bowl and using a mixer on a moderately high speed, cream the butter until fluffy. Add1/2 cup agave syrup and beat again until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla.

  3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Add the cocoa powder and salt and beat well.

  4. Add the melted and cooled unsweetened chocolate and beat until fluffy.

  5. Add the flaxseed meal, baking powder, cream, water, and up to 1/4 cup additional agave syrup if the batter needs it (some unsweetened chocolate is more bitter than others).

  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top springs back. (You also can test if they're ready by sticking a toothpick in the brownies. If it comes out clean, or almost-so, they're done).

  7. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack and then cut into 32 squares. If you eat one warm, know that the texture will be different once completely cooled. That's when they become like real brownies.

Substitutions and Variations

For a dairy-free version, try using coconut oil or vegan butter substitute and coconut milk in place of butter and cream. Just make sure the unsweetened chocolate is dairy-free as well.

If you like a more bittersweet brownie, however, you can cut down on the agave syrup. Honey or maple syrup could serve as a replacement for agave.

Mix in walnuts, pecans, or other nuts to the brownies for more texture, healthy fats, and protein.

Cooking and Serving Tips

  • Note that these really take on a brownie texture the day after you make them.
  • Serve with a smear of nut or seed butter for an extra treat.

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1 Source

Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Parikh M, Maddaford TG, Austria JA, Aliani M, Netticadan T, Pierce GN. Dietary Flaxseed as a Strategy for Improving Human Health.Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1171. doi:10.3390/nu11051171

Nutritious Chocolatey Flaxseed Brownie Recipe (4)

By Laura Dolson
Laura Dolson is a health and food writer who develops low-carb and gluten-free recipes for home cooks.

See Our Editorial Process

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Nutritious Chocolatey Flaxseed Brownie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are flaxseed brownies good for you? ›

These brownies include flaxseed meal instead of flour, making them healthy, lower in carbohydrates, and gluten-free. And the agave syrup, cocoa powder, and unsweetened chocolate create a decadent, chocolatey treat while keeping the brownie naturally sweetened.

What's the difference between chocolate brownies and cocoa brownies? ›

Cocoa and chocolate brownies differ the most from an ingredient standpoint when it comes to the type of fat used: cocoa brownies often use oil, and chocolate brownies use butter. This, partnered with the flavor that cocoa and chocolate each give their brownies, is the biggest difference in the texture of either type.

What are vegan brownies made of? ›

Vegan Brownie Ingredients

Flour: This vegan brownie starts with all-purpose flour. Sugar: Make sure the package is labeled “vegan,” as some store-bought white sugars aren't strictly vegan. Cocoa powder: You'll need ¾ cups of good-quality unsweetened cocoa powder.

Which sugar is better for brownies? ›

Using caster sugar in brownies also helps to get a super crinkly top. Caster sugar has a smaller grain size than granulated sugar, so it dissolves better in the egg mixture, to give that nice crinkly top. If you only have granulated sugar on hand it will still work fine particularly if you are in the US.

What is the biggest disadvantage of flax? ›

The NCCIH add that consuming flaxseed with too little water can worsen constipation and may lead to an intestinal blockage. Also, too much flaxseed or flaxseed oil can cause diarrhea.

Who should not use flaxseed? ›

Ask your doctor before taking flaxseed if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Men with prostate cancer should ask their doctor before taking flaxseed. People with a bowel obstruction, inflamed bowel, or narrowed esophagus should not take flaxseed. It is high in fiber and could make the condition worse.

Are brownies healthier than cookies? ›

One chocolate chip cookie also has considerably fewer calories than a brownie, with the average brownie containing about 130 calories. Considering that brownies and chocolate chip cookies have comparable nutritional profiles, neither is better for you than the other.

What are the three types of brownies? ›

Brownie textures fall into three general camps… Cakey, fudgy and chewy. Cakey brownies, like the name implies, are light, moist and airy, with a slightly fluffy, cake-like interior. Fudgy brownies are moist, dense and gooey, with almost the texture of fudge, but not quite as compact.

What is the old version of brownies? ›

Did you know that Brownies were originally called 'Rosebuds'? Rosebuds was established in 1914 for girls to join before they became Guides.

What is a vegan substitute for butter in brownies? ›

What are good vegan butter substitutes? In baking, you can use vegan butter, applesauce, dairy-free yogurt, coconut oil, coconut butter, olive oil, nut butter, mashed banana and mashed avocado. In cooking, you can use olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable stock, or avocado oil to replace butter.

What is a vegan substitute for eggs in brownies? ›

1 egg = 1/4 cup (62 g) applesauce

Using unsweetened applesauce is my favorite vegan egg replacement for vegan pancakes, breads, and if I don't have yogurt, then cakes as well! I actually prefer applesauce to yogurt in brownie recipes as well. Applesauce is a wonderful way to lock in moisture in cakes and cookies.

Can vegans eat eggs? ›

People who follow a vegan diet don't eat any animal foods, including dairy, eggs, and honey. About 3% of Americans follow a vegan diet. Their reasons for eating this way vary. Some vegans do it to improve their health, as research shows that a plant-based diet could lower the risk of certain diseases.

What is the healthiest sugar to use in baking? ›

  • Natural Sweeteners. Our top picks from GOOD GOOD, sweet leaf stevia drops and Sweet Like Sugar Granulated alternate sugars, blend the authentic sweetness of stevia and erythritol in every baking pan. ...
  • Mashed Bananas. ...
  • Applesauce. ...
  • Coconut Sugar. ...
  • Honey. ...
  • Maple Syrup. ...
  • Agave Nectar. ...
  • Molasses.
Mar 12, 2024

What is a good substitute for sugar in brownies? ›

Maple syrup

A natural substitute for sugar, maple syrup is derived from boiled tree sap. Because it's in a liquid state, you'll have to reduce the amount of liquid in your recipe by 3 tablespoons. For every cup of white sugar, try ¾ cup of syrup.

What happens if I use brown sugar instead of white in brownies? ›

You'll likely notice a more robust flavor, and the finished baked goods' color may also be darker. These color, flavor, and texture alterations come from how brown sugar is made.

What happens to your body when you start eating flax seeds daily? ›

Flaxseed is commonly used to improve digestive health or relieve constipation. Flaxseed may also help lower total blood cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol levels, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

What are the benefits of flaxseed in baking? ›

Function. A broad range of functional benefits are attributed to flaxseed in baked goods including: Thickening: due to both the meal and flour's high water absorption, moisture binding and lubrication capacities. Stabilizing: its mucilage is a good stabilizer for foam and protein based emulsions.

Do flax seeds lose nutrition when baked? ›

Adding flaxseeds to your diet boosts your intake of fiber, protein and omega-3 fatty acids. You can put raw, ground seeds in smoothies or sprinkle over cereal. You can also benefit from consuming baked goods containing flaxseeds. Heating flaxseeds does not measurably change the nutritional content.

What does flaxseed do to your gut? ›

Flaxseed may help support a healthy balance of bacteria in our gut microbiome. The soluble, mucilage fibre in flaxseed is thought to act as a prebiotic to change the abundance of these beneficial probiotic bacteria, which in turn has health benefits throughout the body.

References

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