Low Calorie Brownies with Almond Flour
These Low Calorie Brownies have only 60 calories and are the perfect sweet treat that is also good for you. The recipe is gluten free, refined-sugar free and can be made vegan friendly.
Who doesn’t love a good brownie?
Now, I am not one to restrict what to eat when I have these cravings.
HOWEVER, there are times, when I’m focusing on eating clean foods and reaching certain fitness goals. Fun fact, there are only 60 calories in each brownie!
These brownies are my go-to when I’m craving something rich, indulgent and full of chocolate flavor.
Ingredient Notes
- Canned Pumpkin – Make sure you are using Pure 100% Pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling
- Egg or Flax Egg – See FAQ section below for how to make a flax egg
- Almond Flour (or All Purpose Flour / Gluten-free Flour) – See FAQ Section below for instructions on swapping flours
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – There are a variety of cocoa powders on the market. The best option is what you have on hand or accessible to you, ideally unsweetened
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda – Helps add structure to the brownies
- Maple Syrup / Granulated Sugar / Monk Fruit Sweetener – I love using Maple Syrup in this recipe for a natural sweetener. It pairs well with the almond flour.
- Dark Chocolate Chips – You can also use milk or semi-sweet chocolate
- Flaky Sea Salt – An optional but highly recommended topping to the brownies
Why use Canned Pumpkin in Brownies?
When baking, it is always best to use canned pumpkin instead of fresh.
The canned pumpkin has a finer texture, leaving you with a smoother end result.
It is perfect in this recipe because it helps keeps these brownies moist while also replacing the oil/butter that is typically in a brownie recipe.
Pumpkin replaces oil at a 1:1 ratio making it easy to swap in and out of recipes!
Process for Making Healthy Low Calories Brownies
The full-detailed instructions are written out in the recipe card below. Use these images to help guide you as needed when following the directions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes swap the flour at a 1:1 ratio and the results will still come out delicious!
Use vegan friendly chocolate and substitute the egg for one flax egg.
A flax egg is made with 1 tbsp ground flax seed + 2 tbsp water. Mix and let sit for a minimum of 5 to 10 minutes before adding to the batter.
These brownies use clean ingredients that aren’t always found in a brownie. The most obvious is the canned pumpkin. The pumpkin puree replaces the oil/butter and egg that would typically be used in a brownie recipe.
There are 80 calories in each brownie when cut into 12 pieces.
Yes! Add anything you like or would typically add to your brownies. Nuts, seeds, nut butter and any type of chocolate/chocolate chip.
Store the brownies in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or in the fridge for 1 week.
Low Calorie Brownies with Almond Flour
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate baking chips, use your heart to measure 🙂
- flaky sea salt, optional topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper
- Add the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, egg and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl
- Once fully combined, add in the almond flour, unsweetened cacao powder, baking soda and baking powder. Mix until combined
- Fold in the chocolate chips
- Line an 8×8 square pan with parchment paper
- Pour the brownie batter into the pan and spread in an even layer
- Top with additional chocolate chips
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, rotating the pan 180 degrees halfway through
- Remove from the oven and immediately add flaky sea salt
- Let cool, slice and enjoy!
finally a low cal brownie recipe that still moist and tasty. thanks for this easy dessert
I am so glad you enjoyed! Thank you so much, I appreciate you 🙂
Jess
Can 1/2 cup almond flour be used inter of 1/4 c gluten free flour?
You could do that! The consistency may come out slightly different but not too much!
Hi I really want to make these but you didn’t specify how big your can of pumpkin puree is, like how much is in it? I don’t know if my pumpkin puree can is the same size as the one you used and I don’t want to mess up the recipe. Can you let me know a measurement of how much you used? Thank you 🙂
Hi Geo! I used a 15oz can of pumpkin and will make sure to add that in to the ingredients detail 🙂 Appreciate you and I hope you enjoy!
Jess
I love the idea! Does fresh pumpkin work the same, or does it have to be pureed?
Fresh pumpkin mash would work the same! I use a 15oz can of pumpkin which is just under 2 cups (about 1 7/8 cups)
I was looking for a recipe to use up my pumpkin puree in my freezer and I’m so glad I found your recipe! These brownies were so good, what a great idea!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed
These were fantastic! I love the hidden veggie too!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed
I have loads of pumpkin and butternut squash in my freezer from last season, and this sounds like a yummy way to use some of it! I need to sub for the almond flour since I’m allergic to almonds. Do you think that 1/2 cup of GF flour would work, or should I use some flax meal?
Thanks!
you can use regular gluten free flour! i hope you enjoy 🙂
What can I use instead of the pumpkin puree?
You can use mashed banana or mashed sweet potato! Use the same amount as the pumpkin puree would be.
Can you use something other than maple syrup? Also in first write up it mentiond adding 2 flours.Are u suppose to?
Just the almond flour! You can substitute for all purpose flour if needed.
Can I use apple sauce instead of pumpkin puree?
I haven’t tried this but it should work!
This was amazing! Even my little sister who is a chocolate connoisseur, and my brother who doesn’t like dark chocolate loved it and ate most of them before I can have more!
I’m so glad! Hope you can make another batch for yourself 🙂
Fantastic dessert. I can’t believe they’re only 60 calories each. Will be making this again for sure. Love the salt and dark chocolate that finishes it off. So good.
Yum! Can’t wait to try these, thank you for including a vegan option!
Gosh! that moist decadent brownie never showed signs of the hidden pumpkin. So good!