These healthy pumpkin brownies are not only decadently chocolatey, they are gluten-free, dairy-free and low carb as well. Guilt free pleasure and ready in just 30 minutes!
With the leaves turning red and the chill in the air, I'm all about pumpkin right now. I love this sugar free pumpkin pie and I have just finished my last slice of this delicious keto pumpkin bread.
Do you know what made me smile today? These healthy pumpkin brownies.
This is a recipe I have been making for many years every autumn and it always goes down a treat with everyone.
I served the latest batch to my daughter and her sugar-loving friends and let me tell you, there were no leftovers. Lucky me that I anticipated it and kept 2 slices back for myself 😉
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Works
Simple. This is a really easy recipe that requires only 5 minutes of prep time and is ready in just 30 minutes. Even better, you don't even need a blender. We are stirring the ingredients together with a fork. It's minimal washing up.
Fabulous flavor and texture. Pumpkin in brownies is an absolute dream team. The pumpkin adds moisture and makes the brownies super fudgy. This recipe has the same texture as sweet potato brownies, only without the carb load.
Nutritious. Pumpkin brownies come with serious healthy credentials. Pumpkin is highly nutritious and packed with vitamin A. Also, there is no need for masses of butter in the recipe thanks to the pumpkin. This means that the fat content is low and one square contains just 166 calories. In addition to this, the recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, low carb and keto friendly.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need to make the recipe:
- Pumpkin puree - I used Libby's
- Almond flour - Super fine almond flour and ground almonds work equally well, I tested both versions
- Eggs - make sure they are room temperature
- Granulated sweetener - I used a golden eryhritol blend (Sukrin).
- Cacao powder or cocoa powder
- Coconut oil - or use butter
- Baking powder
- Pumpkin pie spice mix
- Sugar free chocolate - or dark chocolate, minimum 85% cocoa solids, for the drizzle
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
This section contains step-by-step instructions and photos that show how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities
Step 1: Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Option to also add a pinch of sea salt.
Step 2: Add the wet ingredients.
Step 3: Stir until a smooth batter forms.
Step 4: Line a baking dish with parchment paper and add the brownie batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 5: Drizzle with sugar free chocolate!
Expert Tips
My essential tips so your healthy brownies with pumpkin turn out perfectly every time.
Use room temperature ingredients. This way, the brownies will rise better. If you use cold ingredients, the oven time will increase as well.
Check the sweetness. Always taste the batter! I don't like my bakes too sweet, feel free to add more sugar substitute to taste.
Don't over-bake. The brownies will be very soft when hot, but they firm up once cool.
Recipe Variations
Below are suggestions how you can change the recipe to suit your dietary needs or simply tweak the taste.
Add-ins: You can fold sugar free chocolate chips or crushed nuts such as pecans, cashews or walnuts into the batter. Option to also add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
No pumpkin spice blend? Sub with cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg and allspice for more flavor.
Cake-like texture: If you prefer your pumpkin brownies a little less fudgy, add an extra 25 grams or ¼ cup of almond flour or 1.5 tablespoons of coconut flour.
Nut free: Use a 50 / 50 blend of sesame seed flour and sunflower seed flour.
Recipe FAQs
Canned pumpkin puree is readily available in the US and during pumpkin season (autumn-winter) in supermarkets such as Waitrose and Tesco. If you can't get it where you are, make your own homemade pumpkin puree.
Of course. However, if you bake these pumpkin brownies in a smaller pan, the oven time will increase. If you use a larger pan and make them flatter, the baking time will decrease. My baking pan measured 15 x 20 centimetres.
I used a granulated erythritol stevia blend. But any 1:1 sugar substitute will work. You can use monk fruit sweetener, allulose, xylitol or even Swerve. For paleo pumpkin brownies, use coconut sugar. Maple syrup is too liquid for this recipe.
No, this recipe needs to be baked. For a microwave version, check out this easy chocolatey Keto Pumpkin Mug Cake.
I have not tested this recipe with oat flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour yet. You would have to experiment with the quantities.
Storage
These brownies are best stored in the fridge. If you store them in an airtight container they will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
It is also possible to freeze them for up to 3 months. I pre-slice them and freeze the squares on a baking sheet. Then, I transfer them into a freezer bag. This way, the brownies do not stick together.
Thaw them overnight in the fridge or on the kitchen counter.
More Healthy Brownie Recipes
I love baking healthy brownies! Here are a few of my favourite recipes:
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
★ STAY IN TOUCH on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM for more great food and join my NEWSLETTER for the latest updates.★
Recipe
Healthy Pumpkin Brownies
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary.
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 cup pumpkin puree 250g, room temperature
- 1 cup almond flour 100g
- 2 eggs larger, room temperature
- ⅓ cup granulated sweetener 65g, or more to taste
- ½ cup cacao powder, unsweetened 45g
- ¼ cup coconut oil or melted butter 55g
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice optional
Chocolate Drizzle (optional)
- 2 tablespoon sugar free chocolate chips or 2 squares of dark chocolate
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil or butter
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 180 Celsius/350 Fahrenheit (electric) or 160C / 320F (fan).
- Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Add all wet ingredients. You can mix with a blender or even with a fork.
- Check the sweetness and add more sweetener if required.
- Line a baking tin with parchment paper (mine was 15x20 cm) and fill with the mixture.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a knife comes out clean. The brownies will be very soft in the beginning, but they firm up once cool.
- If desired, melt the sugar free or dark chocolate plus 1 teaspoon of butter/coconut oil and drizzle over the fully cooled brownies.
Mary
Hello. First time to bake these. I bought liquid coconut oil. Will it make a difference to my brownies?
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, it might make them softer. The coconut oil I used is firm at room temperature.
TLC
I made these today and they are delicious. I omitted the pumpkin pie spice and added 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. This recipe is a keeper.
Angelina Hapsari
So good omg to die for! Added a shot of espresso, 1tablespoon of almond flour, 1tsp salt , didn’t add any spices , turns out so so moist chocolatey and addicting!!!! Thank you!!
Patrícia
Hi, would like to try these brownies to hubby, who is making such a big effort to lose weight, he is on keto and intermittent fasting. Do you think this brownies will need more flour without the sweetener? He's not having any on is diet and I don't want to ruin it.
Thanks
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, I would probably add a little more to get the same texture.
Patrícia
It was my greatest success. Instead of boiled I did it with baked pumpkin and no sweetener at all. Thank you so much, all the family was able to enjoy a dessert together, my 5 year old. said I should work in the bakery
Linda J
Is one piece about 4 net carbs? Just starting Keto. Really want to make these.
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, I calculated 1 brownie is 4.3g net carbs.
Priti
So I made the brownies with all the ingredients as mentioned but for sweetener I used coconut sugar
Baked on a baking sheet but the bottoms are breaking
When I cut it in cubes and lift the bottom part crumbles what could I be doing wrong ?
Overall the taste is amazing and fudgy
Katrin Nürnberger
You need to line your baking pan with parchment paper so the brownies don't stick. And do not cut into slices until they are cold. Lift them out with a spatula.
Priti Kalra Gulati
Hi for your recipe it says 1cup 250gram pumpkin purée and 1cup 100gram almond flour
100 gram is 1/2cup + 2tbps
Pls confirm so I can prepare the ingredients accordingly
Katrin Nürnberger
Dear Priti, almond flour is much lighter than pumpkin puree. 100g of almond flour is 1 cup and 250g pumpkin puree is also 1 cup. Think about it - if you would fill your cup with feathers, it would not weigh 240g, right?
Priti
Hahaha! Great thanks ! That’s why we have bakers/experts
Will give this a try soon
Trisha F.
Can I use powdered sugar instead of granulated?!
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, that would also work!
Brenda Estes
These brownies are really good, already made them, thank you!
Kathy
Do you know how many points this would be on weight watchers?
Katrin Nürnberger
Hi Kathy, I have never done Weight Watchers so I don't know.