Healthy Peanut Butter Brownies

If you’re a dessert lover who’s on a mission to enjoy healthier treats, this Healthy Peanut Butter Brownies recipe is your answer. These brownies are everything you want in a dessert: fudgy, rich, chocolatey, and laced with the creamy goodness of peanut butter. The best part? They’re refined sugar-free, paleo-friendly, and made with wholesome ingredients like almond flour and coconut sugar.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through the recipe while giving you insights into why these brownies are a healthier alternative to traditional ones. Plus, I’ll cover some tips, tricks, and variations to make them your new go-to treat.

Why You’ll Love These Healthy Peanut Butter Brownies

These brownies are packed with flavor and have a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth texture. But they’re also:

• Refined Sugar-Free: Sweetened naturally with coconut sugar, they’re a better option than traditional brownies loaded with white sugar.
• Paleo-Friendly: With almond flour as the base, these brownies align with paleo dietary guidelines.
• Protein-Packed: The creamy peanut butter not only adds richness but also provides a protein boost.
• Simple to Make: From start to finish, you can have these brownies ready in just 40 minutes!

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Healthy Peanut Butter Brownies:

• Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the ingredients together.
• Coconut Sugar: Adds natural sweetness and a slightly caramel-like flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the chocolate and peanut butter flavors with added depth.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Melted to create a fudgy texture and deep chocolate flavor.
• Coconut Oil: Keeps the brownies moist and adds healthy fats.
• Creamy Unsalted Peanut Butter: Adds richness, nutty flavor, and creaminess; also used for the decorative swirl on top.
• Almond Flour: Acts as a gluten-free and nutrient-rich base for the brownies.
• Cocoa Powder: Provides a rich and intense chocolate flavor.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
• Optional Chocolate Chips: Mixed into the batter for extra gooey bites of chocolate.

For making the Healthy Peanut Butter Brownies, here are the essential tools you’ll need:

• Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a few mixing bowls in different sizes to combine the dry ingredients and wet ingredients.
• Whisk: A whisk is essential for blending the dry ingredients and whisking the wet ingredients until smooth.
• Electric Mixer: An electric hand mixer or stand mixer will help you cream the ingredients, ensuring a smooth texture.
• Spatula: A silicone spatula is perfect for folding the wet and dry ingredients together without over-mixing.
• Measuring Scale: To accurately measure all your ingredients in grams.
• Baking Pan: To bake the brownies.
• Parchment Paper or Butter: To grease to pan and prevent the brownies from sticking to the pan.
• Toothpicks: Toothpicks are handy for checking if the brownies are done.
• Long Knife: To cut the brownies into equal squares.

Here is the full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 120 g (⅔ cup) coconut sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 113.4 g (⅔ cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 54.5 g (¼ cup) coconut oil
• 86 g (⅓ cup) creamy unsalted peanut butter
• 84 g (¾ cup) almond flour
• 21.5 g (3 tablespoons) cocoa powder
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 53 g (⅓ cup) chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

Make & Bake the Brownies:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper to make removing the brownies a breeze.
2. Cream the Eggs and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room-temperature eggs and coconut sugar using an electric mixer. Whisk for about a minute until the mixture is pale and creamy. This step is crucial for creating the perfect texture in your brownies.
3. Melt Chocolate and Coconut Oil: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and coconut oil. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until fully melted. This ensures the chocolate doesn’t scorch.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients: Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Add the vanilla extract and beat until everything is well incorporated. Then, mix in the peanut butter until the batter is smooth and creamy.
5. Sift and Fold: Sift the almond flour, cocoa powder, and salt directly into the wet mixture. Gently fold everything together using a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter light and fudgy.
6. Optional Chocolate Chips: If you’re using extra chocolate chips, fold them into the batter for extra gooey bites of chocolate.
7. Swirl the Peanut Butter: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Add dollops of peanut butter on top and use a knife or chopstick to create beautiful swirls. This step gives the brownies their signature peanut butter swirl design.

Bake & Cool:

1. Bake: Place the brownies in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out with just a few crumbs, they’re ready!
2. Cool and Slice: Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing into squares.

Tips and Tricks:

Tips for the Brownies:

• Use High-Quality Ingredients: Opt for organic peanut butter and high-quality chocolate chips for the best flavor.
• Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on your brownies after the 20-minute mark to ensure they don’t dry out.
• Cool Completely: Cutting into warm brownies may cause them to crumble, so be patient and let them cool fully.

Variations to Try

• Nut Butter Swap: Replace peanut butter with almond or cashew butter for a different flavor profile.
• Add Nuts: Mix in chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture.
• Make Them Vegan: Use flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water) in place of eggs, and ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free.

More Baking Ideas:

• Chocolate Banana Bread – Rich, moist, and studded with chocolate chips, this Chocolate Banana Bread is a heavenly treat for chocolate and banana lovers alike.
• Frosted Oreo Cookies – Soft, chewy cookies crowned with creamy Oreo frosting—perfect for anyone who loves a cookies-and-cream dream!
• Tiramisu Cookies – Espresso and mascarpone come together in these elegant Tiramisu Cookies, delivering the flavors of the classic Italian dessert in every bite.
• Chocolate Banana Bread – Rich, moist, and studded with chocolate chips, this Chocolate Banana Bread is a heavenly treat for chocolate and banana lovers alike.

Watch the recipe video here. Let’s get to baking! Here is the full recipe: