Indulge in the rich, fudgy goodness of chocolate brownies without straying from your paleo lifestyle! These paleo chocolate brownies are not just guilt-free; they’re a delicious treat that brings the best of both worlds.
I have a thing or two to say about these chocolate brownies that just so happen to be PALEO, GLUTEN FREE, ANNNNND DOWNRIGHT DELICIOUS. Or should I say my sister, who first discovered these paleo brownies and has since made them at least a dozen times – has a thing or two to say about them.
These brownies are, and I quote, seriously the best brownies I have ever had. They’re ooey, gooey, extra fudgy, and irresistibly delicious. They’re the only dessert her paleo dieting husband will eat… and he will do so, day after day, because these brownies are on repeat in their house and THEY. ARE. JUST. THE. BEST. End quote?
So, yes, I blame my sister. For basically shouting from the rooftops that these almond flour brownies cannot be beat. For swearing up and down that EVERYONE, paleo or not, is going to love them. I blame her for single-handedly telling me I must not only make them but that they need a permanent spot on the blog. Afterall, I’m not the only one in my family who has a good taste in food. 😉
And so now I guess the onus is on ME to make sure that YOU know just how good these chocolate-y and super fudgy brownies actually are. That they have the perfect amount of dark chocolate chunks sprinkled throughout. That they have ooey, gooey centers with crackled crinkly tops. And that maybe, just maybe, my brownie loving sister was *dare I say it* rightttttttt…
YOU MUST GO MAKE THESE PALEO CHOCOLATE BROWNIES IMMEDIATELY!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE PALEO?
Being paleo means embracing a lifestyle inspired by the diets of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. It’s all about eating whole, unprocessed foods like meats, fish, fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds while steering clear of grains, dairy, and refined sugars. This approach aims to improve health by focusing on nutrient-dense, natural foods that our bodies are better adapted to digest.
So, when you’re going paleo, think simple, real food that’s as close to its natural state as possible!
CHOCOLATE BROWNIES PALEO INGREDIENTS
These carefully chosen ingredients create a treat that’s not only delicious but also aligns with paleo dietary principles, focusing on whole, unprocessed foods that are better for your body. Let’s get into them in a little bit more detail down below:
- Chocolate Chunks: I like using dark chocolate chunks for this brownie recipe which provide the rich, fudgy base for the brownies. Choosing high-quality dark chocolate ensures you’re getting more cocoa and less sugar, which aligns with paleo principles. You’ll be using part of these chips for melting into the batter and part for adding delicious chocolate chunks throughout. If you prefer chocolate chips over chunks or something other than dark chocolate, feel free to switch it up.
- Coconut Oil: A paleo-friendly fat that adds moisture and richness to the brownies. Melting and cooling the oil helps it blend smoothly into the batter, ensuring an even texture. You can use avocado oil or butter instead, if you prefer.
- Coconut Sugar: A paleo-friendly fat that adds moisture and richness to the brownies. Melting and cooling the oil helps it blend smoothly into the batter, ensuring an even texture. You can use brown sugar instead, if you prefer.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavour of the brownies by adding a warm, aromatic note. It’s a small but essential ingredient that helps to round out the chocolatey taste.
- Eggs: Act as a binder, holding the brownie batter together, and they also add moisture. Using room temperature eggs helps them blend more evenly into the batter, which can improve the texture of your brownies.
- Almond Flour: A paleo-friendly alternative to wheat flour. Made from finely ground almonds, it provides structure to the brownies while keeping them gluten-free. It also adds a subtle nutty flavour and extra moisture.
- Cocoa Powder: The raw, less processed form of cocoa powder and is rich in antioxidants. It deepens the chocolate flavour of the brownies without adding any extra sugar.
- Salt: A small amount of sea salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavour of the brownies. It also brings out the richness of the chocolate, making each bite more satisfying.
HOW TO MAKE PALEO BROWNIES WITH ALMOND FLOUR (KEY TIPS)
You can find full instructions for how to make this almond flour brownies in the recipe card down below, but here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:
- Use high quality ingredients. Opt for high-quality dark chocolate chips with a high cocoa content (70% or more) to get a rich flavour and fewer added sugars. Ensure the coconut sugar is finely ground or use a blender to avoid grainy texture.
- Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil over low heat or use a double boiler to prevent burning. Stir frequently until smooth and glossy.
- Bring your eggs to room temperature before mixing. This helps them blend more smoothly into the batter and improves the overall texture of the brownies.
- Be patient when creaming the eggs and sugar together. You’re looking for the mixture to thicken up, look creamy, and ultimately double in size. This could take anywhere from 5-7 minutes and is the key to achieving the crinkle top layer on these brownies. Using a stand mixer if you have one definitely comes in handy (and saves you from a heavy arm workout!). If not, just use a stiff whisk but know that you might need to put in a few additional minutes of work to get it to where it needs to be.
- Ensure the coconut oil is melted and cooled before mixing to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- Mix the wet ingredients thoroughly before combining with the dry ingredients. This ensures even distribution and prevents over-mixing once the flour is added.
- The batter should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick, you can add a tablespoon of water or almond milk to achieve the right consistency.
- Paleo brownies can be more delicate than traditional ones. Keep a close eye on them while baking. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting. This helps them set and makes cutting easier, preventing them from falling apart. EXTRA TIP: For perfectly clean-cut brownies, try using an extra sharp knife warmed under hot water. Wipe the knife clean after each cut and rewarm it to keep your cuts smooth.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, chocolate can be part of a paleo diet, but with some caveats. Pure, dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (70% or higher) is generally considered paleo-friendly because it’s minimally processed and contains less sugar. The key is to choose chocolate that is free from dairy, soy, and other non-paleo ingredients.
Raw cacao is even better, as it is less processed and retains more of the natural nutrients and antioxidants. While enjoying chocolate on a paleo diet, moderation is important to keep your sugar intake in check and maintain the diet’s health benefits.
Yes, you can definitely make paleo chocolate brownies without a hand mixer or stand mixer, but be prepared for a bit of an arm workout! Mixing by hand with a whisk or spoon works just fine, though it might take a bit more effort to get everything smoothly combined. Just make sure to mix the eggs and coconut sugar thoroughly until it’s thickened, creamy, and fluffy so your brownies have a nice, even texture.
Storing paleo brownies depends on how soon you plan to eat them. If you’re planning to enjoy them within a couple of days, keeping them in an airtight container on the counter is perfectly fine and will keep them soft and fudgy.
For longer storage, it’s best to keep them in the fridge where they can last up to a week. Chilling the brownies can slightly change their texture, making them a bit firmer, but they remain delicious. For even longer storage, you can freeze the brownies for up to a month; just let them thaw at room temperature or warm them up slightly before serving.
LOVE BROWNIES? THEN YOU HAVE TO TRY MY FUDGY AVOCADO BROWNIES NEXT!
MORE DELICIOUS DESSERT RECIPES
HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIES WITH MARSHMALLOWS
MOM’S FAMOUS CRACKER FRUIT CAKE
2 INGREDIENT PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
LOVE THIS RECIPE? PIN IT FOR LATER!
CHOCOLATE PALEO BROWNIES
Indulge in the rich, fudgy goodness of chocolate brownies without straying from your paleo lifestyle! These paleo chocolate brownies are not just guilt-free; they’re a delicious treat that brings the best of both worlds.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Dark Chocolate Chunks
- 1/3 cup Coconut Oil, melted and cooled
- 1 cup Coconut Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 3 Eggs, room temperature
- 3/4 cup Almond Flour
- 3 tbsp Cocoa Powder
- 1/4 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a pot over medium-low heat, melt 1 ⅓ cups of the chocolate along with the coconut oil, stirring constantly until the mixture is thin and silky smooth. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a bowl, beat the eggs and coconut sugar with a stand mixer, hand beater, or a sturdy whisk. Mix until the mixture doubles in size and becomes slightly thick and sticky, which usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving that signature crackled top layer!
- After beating the coconut sugar and eggs thoroughly, add the vanilla and melted chocolate to the bowl. Gently fold everything together with a rubber spatula until the chocolate is completely mixed in.
- Next, stir in the almond flour, cacao powder, and sea salt. Fold the batter gently until the flour is fully incorporated and there are no lumps remaining.
- Mix in the remaining chocolate chips (about ¾ cup) and stir the batter a few times to evenly distribute them.
- Pour the batter into a parchment-lined 8x8 glass baking pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the brownies to cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting them into squares.
Notes
If you're not using a glass baking dish, you might have to decrease the cook time by 5-10 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 515Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 101mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 5gSugar: 46gProtein: 7g
Nutrition is only an estimate and calculated using Nutritionix.
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