Applesauce Brownies are ultra-fudgy and double chocolate, made without oil, butter, or refined flours. No weird ingredients, just rich, delicious flavor!
author’s note
How to Make Brownies That Don’t Taste “Healthy”!
I’m a huge brownie lover, and I’ve tried every version out there, healthy, not-so-healthy, even the ones with beans (yep, been there). The problem? Most of them don’t taste like real brownies. After testing batch after batch, I finally landed on this version. These brownies are soft, chocolatey, and just sweet enough. Honestly, they can give classic brownies a run for their money.
Funny enough, the first time I tested this recipe, my kids grabbed the whole pan before I could even take pictures. That’s when I knew I had something worth sharing!
Applesauce Brownies are rich, fudgy, and made with simple ingredients. No beans, no random hidden veggies, just a gooey, cake-like brownie with peanut butter-chocolate flavor that actually satisfies your sweet tooth.
Quick Tip
I also created a healthy brownie recipe without peanut butter for those who don’t love peanut butter.
Applesauce Brownie Ingredients
| Ingredient | Notes & Tips |
|---|---|
| Creamy peanut butter | Use smooth, not chunky. If natural, stir well so it’s not oily. |
| Honey | Helps sweeten the brownies. |
| Brown sugar | Not as much as most brownie recipes. Adjust as needed. |
| Unsweetened applesauce | Use one with no added ingredients. |
| Egg | Just one large egg needed. |
| Oat flour | See recipe notes for more details. |
| Cocoa powder | Use natural cocoa, not Dutch-process. |
| Baking soda, baking powder, salt | Make sure they’re fresh. |
| Dark chocolate chips | Use dark or your favorite kind. |
Quick Tip
Adjusting the brown sugar. Prefer sweeter applesauce brownies? Add more sugar. Okay with less? Use less. They’re great with 1/4 to 1/3 cup packed brown sugar.
Instead of white or whole wheat flour, these applesauce brownies use blended oats as flour. No need to buy oat flour—it takes seconds to make.
How to Make Oat Flour:
- Add old-fashioned or quick oats to a food processor or small blender.
- Blend until the oats look like flour.
- Stir to make sure no big pieces are left.
- Measure after blending, not before.
Quick Tip
Try more baked goods like Flourless Banana Muffins, Healthy Ice Cream, or Healthy Chocolate Cookies!
Applesauce Brownies Tips
- Line the pan with parchment, leaving extra hanging over the sides to easily lift out and cut the brownies.
- Check labels to make sure everything is gluten-free.
- Add some dark chocolate chips on top before baking so there’s chocolate in every bite!
Storage
Store leftover applesauce brownies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed container or bag for up to 3 months.
More Healthy Baked Goods:
Applesauce Brownies
Equipment
- 8 x 8-inch baking pan see note 1
- Small blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup oat flour old-fashioned oats that have been blended
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar lightly packed, see note 2
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder not Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips divided, or semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Pulse oats in a food processor or small blender until ground into a flour consistency. Measure 1/4 cup after blending.
- In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, egg, and applesauce until smooth. Once smooth, stir in oat flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and 1/2 cup chocolate chips until combined.
- Transfer batter to the lined baking pan, smoothing it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips and gently press them in. Bake for 20–22 minutes or until lightly puffy. Check doneness by seeing if the batter pulls away from the edges slightly or a toothpick inserted in the center (not in a chip) comes out clean or with moist crumbs or clean.
- Remove and allow to cool in the pan on a cooling rack for about an hour before cutting and serving. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Chelsea, I’m so happy you didn’t make us wait any longer for this creation you did! All about the skinny double fudgy-ness!
Yay for a skinny brownie with no beans! Anything with peanut butter and chocolate gets my vote. These look so moist and fudgy and I would totally have to hold back from eating the whole batch 🙂
great healthy brownies!
Couldn’t wait to see how you made these delish looking brownies!
Black bean brownies are amazing!!! Weird vegetables…that is funny.
Yes, skinny without weird! 😉 I’m always looking for new ways to use oat flour. My last brownies with oat flour, I didn’t grind them well enough … my family let me know that was not okay haha! I need to get some more applesauce! These are incredible, Chelsea. You nailed everything a brownie should be while still keeping it healthy!
I was so excited to see “no beans” in the title of these! Now these are some healthy brownies that I’m actually going to try!
These look so moist and fudgy! I laughed when I read “No beans!” in your title. Sometimes, it is just a little weird to put beans in dessert!
I love me a good brownie and I’m always looking for ways to make them “healthier.” I love how you added peanut butter and applesauce! Hehe, love your title “no beans.” I’ve not tried black bean brownies yet… mental block. I’m sure they’re not as bad as I picture and I will try them one day, but I’d rather go the route of PB and applesauce because it simply sounds tastier. These brownies look so fudgy and delicious! Love 🙂
I was skeptical about bean brownies too, but I tried these: http://www.peanutbutterandpeppers.com/2013/08/24/chocolate-zucchini-beanie-brownies/
And these:
http://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2014/04/healthy-flourless-black-bean-avocado-brownies-vegan-and-gluten-free/
And they were both SO GOOD!! I’m always looking for creative ways to get my chocolate fix; about to mix up a batch of these “no bean” babies, can’t wait to see how they turn out!!
Could I use green yogurt for the peanut butter , or what else would work? Can you taste the peanut butter ?
I was really wondering how is it possible to make such brownies without flour or fat 🙂