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.
I have tried the bean brownies and they are pretty good. But, they don’t feel like you’re eating a gooey delicious brownie. So, I tried this recipe and they turned out amazing! So delicious and much healthier than regular brownies. I will always have this recipe saved for when I crave a beautiful brownie 🙂
Chelsea, this makes me so happy! I”m so glad you enjoyed them! They are definitely my go to! 🙂
I made these on Monday, and finished the pan by Tuesday. By myself, my husband barely got any…But these were incredible!! and not “healthy” tasting, even my husband agreed! (He’s often suspicious of the ingredients used in my healthy baking attempts lol!) Also, I didn’t have any eggs on hand so I substituted a third of a banana (mashed) and these came out beautifully. I will totally be making these again! THANK YOU!!!
I LOVE getting comments like this!! So thrilled they were a huge hit and you couldn’t even tell how good they are for you 🙂 Thanks for the comment 🙂
I used natural peanut butter and it worked perfectly! These turned out great!
So happy you liked it! Thanks for the comment 🙂
Hi! Is there a substitute for the applesauce? Mashed banana perhaps? If I did used banana in these would they taste like banana do you think? Thanks in advance!?
If you use banana, I think these would definitely have a strong banana taste. What about trying pumpkin?
These were so good!! I subbed out vanilla with maple syrup and used half natural and half skippy PB and the brownies still turned out amazing!!! (I even did them in cupcake liners with a cooking time adjustment!) They were super chocolatey and delicious and MAYBE a bit underbaked but once cooled they were the most fudgey brownies I have ever had! Thank you so much for the recipe!
I’m so thrilled you enjoyed these Amy! Thanks for the comment 🙂
I love this recipe! I made a batch. ..they didn’t last long…I will make another one soon!!
So happy to hear that! Thank you Michelle 🙂
This recipe is now my go to recipe. I substituted the egg for egg substitute, the brown sugar for splenda and the peanut butter for powdered peanut butter. I also only used 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and they turned out fudgy and delicious. I plugged the recipe in with my substitutions and for 1/9 th of the recipe it was obly 114 calories! Best brownie recipe!
I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed these brownies Amal! 🙂 Thank you so much for the comment and sharing your substitutions!
I was not sure about the Flourless Applesause Brownies but still very excited to make them. My husband & I were shocked at hoe Delicious these brownies actually are. Very plesantly surprised. Id rated this recipe 5 stars. Thx Carole L. Cleveland Oh I meant how great these are.
Hi Carole! I’m so thrilled you and your husband enjoyed these brownies! Thanks so much for the comments 🙂
No beans AND no protein powder?! Amen for you and this recipe
Haha!! Thanks Cayanne!
These look amazing!! I’m always looking for ways to make my favorite sweet treats healthier! could you use powered peanut butter as a substitute for creamy peanut butter? has anyone tried it? Thanks!!
Thanks Emmy! I absolutely know for this recipe you can’t use powdered peanut butter as a substitute. Sorry, these just won’t work out without real peanut butter.