These Vegan Zucchini Brownies have the best taste and texture, you’d never know they’re full of vegetables!
I used to be as skeptical as the next girl about veggies in my baked goods.
The church picnic is serving carrot cake? That’s not cake. The neighbor brought over freshly baked zucchini bread? I see those green flecks in there, don’t be trying to trick me into eating your salad.
But guys. I’m converted. Not only can veggies be hidden inside baked goods, but they can also be really GOOD. Like, OMG these brownies I can’t stop eating them and I don’t know what’s happening in my life right now.
What if I’ve been wrong about other things? What if I’m actually really good at singing and The Bachelor is the best show ever?? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
I shared a recipe for zucchini brownies a couple of years ago, at which time I used a 9×13 pan. Today I’m recommending an 8×8 pan. Which is totally dumb because I hate it when a brownie recipe calls for an 8×8 pan because technically you get fewer brownies.
But. We’re expanding our horizons here. We’re putting zucchini in dessert and baking it up TALL in this little 8×8 pan. That means more fudgy goodness in every somewhat-guiltless bite. If you really want to make a skinny little brownie, head to the original post to see how to pull that off.
This is what your first step should look like. The sugar, oil, and flour mix together to look like wet sand.
After adding the rest of the ingredients, if the batter still looks a dry, crumbly, or like cookie dough (pictured below), you’ll want to add a little more water. I add one tablespoon at a time and mix by hand until a smooth, wet batter is formed.
You can still bake the brownies if the batter is dry, the outcome will just be a little different (although still delicious!). The difference comes from how much water is in your zucchini/how much water you squeeze out. It’s not a perfect science, but it is easily corrected by just adding a little more water.
These brownies just so happen to be vegan. Of course if this is really important to you you’ll want to make sure the sugar you’re using is vegan (believe it or not, not all of it is, here is an affiliate link to my choice for vegan sugar).
And if you’re not vegan? Don’t let the label deter you. These will be the fudgiest most indulgent brownies you’ve ever eaten.
I actually prefer them as they age. That makes them sound moldy. What I mean is, they get even better on day two.
Stick some in the freezer and prepare to have your mind blown. Have I mentioned how chocolatey awesome awesome these vegan brownies are? Awesome.
Recipe
Vegan Zucchini Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup canola oil
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups shredded zucchini, lightly drained of excess moisture
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ¾ cup vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Coat a 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine sugar, oil, and flour until the mixture resembles wet sand. Turn the mixer to low and add cocoa, zucchini, vanilla, salt, and baking soda. Mix until well combined. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares and serve.
Irka says
This made a fluffy cake,not a fudgy brownie. I didn’t squeeze out the zucchini,so the batter was plenty wet.
Patricia says
Made them this evening with two substitutions – applesauce instead of coconut oil and chopped crystallized ginger instead of chocolate chips. I also added about 1/4 cup ketchup to enhance the chocolate flavour. Altogether delish, one of the best zucchini brownies recipes I have tried.
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks for sharing your adaptation, the crystalized ginger sounds genius! I’ve also never heard of the ketchup trick, I’ll have to try that!!
Laura says
Made these last night and they came out great!
Angela says
This is my go-to brownie with these changes: do 1 cup of flour, not 2! This will make it less cake-like. Can be less sweet, so reduce sugar by 1/4 cup. And add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Perfection!
Julie Gage says
Angela sounds like something I would do I will give it a try because I am not a fan of cake like brownies and I agree on less sugar the better but enough to give it some sweetness 🙂 oh and the cinnamon nice touch 🙂
Rebecca Collier says
Absolutely the best vegan Brownies ever – and I’ve tried alot of recipes!! I drained the courgettes over a bowl so I could add more liquid to the recipe and get the right consistency. I baked slightly shorter than stated but my oven gets super hot. Thank you for a lovely recipe!
Katie says
I have made these many times and they are delicious! Mine always turn out like a cake instead of brownies, but it’s a delicious cake!
Sarah says
I can’t remember if I have left a review or not yet, but I have made these so many times and they have turned out amazing each time so I am leaving one (possibly again).
So much love for this recipe! A crowd pleaser each and every time.
Thanks for the amazing recipes, Lindsay! Your zucchini muffins are in the oven right now and I look forward to seeing how they turn out. Someone gifted me a zucchini so big that I am making 2 loaves of vegan chocolate zucchini loaf, a double batch of your muffins, AND a double batch of these brownies. My husband isn’t thrilled the oven is on in this heat, but he sure will be happy when everything cools!
Lindsay Moe says
Thank you for the lovely review! I’m so glad you enjoy this recipe, my family does as well!