Sink your teeth into these fudgy sweet potato protein brownies, where indulgence meets nutrition in every gluten-free bite. These healthy sweet potato brownies deliver a satisfyingly dense texture, matched with a rich, chocolatey flavor that belies their wholesome ingredients.
My journey with this recipe began in the kitchens of a holistic nutrition school, where the secrets of crafting sweets with substance were unveiled. From those first, simple ingredients to the current recipe, it’s been a labor of love and learning.
My little ones, with their picky palates and sweet cravings, inspired the added nutritional boost. By incorporating a clean, whole-food-based chocolate protein powder and swapping in almond flour, I’ve created a dessert that’s as nourishing as it is delicious without processed sugar.
For another protein treat, try our Snickerdoodle protein cookies!
For another way to incorporate sweet potatoes, try our sunrise sweet potato juice recipe for weight loss!
Setting a mindful intention as you prepare these healthier brownies can transform your baking experience. For guidance on how to infuse your cooking with positivity, don't miss our free guide on intentions and affirmations.
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Ingredients
Sweet Potato: The star of these fudgy brownies, sweet potatoes add natural sweetness and moisture; opt for organic to ensure purity and flavor.
Eggs: Helpful for binding the ingredients together, eggs contribute to the fudgy texture; free-range or organic eggs are recommended for the best quality.
Almond Flour: This gluten-free flour alternative adds a nutty flavor and helps achieve a cakey brownie texture; using finely ground almond flour will ensure a smoother consistency.
Protein Powder: A key player in boosting the nutritional profile, choose a high-quality, no-additive protein powder to complement the cocoa powder and enhance the protein content in these main ingredients.
Unsweetened Cacao Powder: For that rich, chocolatey taste that’s central to any good brownie recipe, select an unsweetened cacao or cocoa powder. Raw cacao is best for the most antioxidants.
Pure Maple Syrup: A natural and healthier sweetener than processed sugars, pure maple syrup adds a subtle sweetness; always choose 100% pure maple syrup for the best flavor and health benefits.
Coconut Oil (Unrefined): This healthy fat contributes to the moist texture, and using unrefined coconut oil ensures you get all its natural benefits.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Using pure extract instead of artificial vanillin makes a big difference.
Baking Powder: This helps the brownies rise and become lighter; ensure it's aluminum-free for a cleaner choice.
Dark Chocolate Chips: For those extra pockets of gooey chocolate, dark chocolate chips are perfect; opt for a higher cocoa content for less sugar and more of that beloved chocolate richness.
Sea Salt: We love pink Himalayan salt or Celtic sea salt.
The good news is that with these ingredients, you're not only creating delicious, fudgy brownies but also a treat that's packed with healthy benefits, staying true to the spirit of clean and mindful eating.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Cooking the Sweet Potato: Begin your healthy brownie recipe by heating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Thoroughly pierce the sweet potato with a fork for ventilation and place it on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake it for 45-50 minutes until it softens. Once done, let it cool, then cut it lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flesh from the skin.
Preparing the Brownie Mixture: After cooling the sweet potato, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, blend the sweet potato flesh with eggs, almond flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, baking powder, and a pinch of salt using an immersion blender. This step ensures a smooth and well-integrated brownie batter, which is key to the success of your healthy brownie recipe.
Adding Chocolate Chips: For an extra chocolatey touch, gently fold dark chocolate chips into the batter. This addition not only enhances the flavor but also adds a delightful texture to the brownies.
Baking and Cooling the Brownies: Grease an 8x8 inch brownie pan, then pour in the batter, spreading it evenly. Bake brownie in the oven for 25-30 minutes. After baking, allow the brownies to cool in the pan before slicing.
Substitutions and Variations
Making sweet potato protein brownies that suit your needs is simple with these easy swaps:
- Flour Choices: Out of almond flour? Try oat flour or coconut flour from your grocery store for a different flavor.
- Nut Butters: Almond butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter can add richness.
- Vegan Options: For vegan sweet potato brownies, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs.
- Protein Powder: You can use whey protein powder or a plant-based alternative.
- Sweet Potato: No fresh sweet potatoes? Use canned sweet potato puree, but ensure it's organic and pure. Pumpkin puree is another great substitute for sweet potato.
- Add-ins: Love chocolate? Toss in extra chocolate chips.
- Brownie Texture: For cakey brownies, bake in a loaf pan.
These substitutions allow you to cater to food allergies, personal preferences, and whatever you have on hand, ensuring delicious, healthy brownies every time.
Storage
To keep your sweet potato protein brownies fresh and delicious, the best way is to store them properly.
At room temperature, they'll stay good for a couple of days. Just make sure to place them in an airtight container to maintain their moistness and flavor.
. For longer storage, you can also refrigerate them in the same airtight container, which will extend their freshness for up to a week.
Top tip
The easiest way to ensure your sweet potato protein brownies are moist and fudgy is to not overbake them. Keep a close eye on the brownies in the last few minutes of baking and perform the toothpick test. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they're done. This simple attention to detail can make a big difference in achieving that perfect brownie texture.
FAQ
Each sweet potato brownie, when cut into 10 pieces, contains approximately 295 calories. This makes them a moderately calorific treat, perfect for those who are looking for a balance between indulgence and health-conscious eating.
Sweet potatoes are not particularly high in calories. They are a nutrient-dense food, meaning they provide a lot of nutrients for relatively few calories. This makes them an excellent choice for incorporating into healthy recipes like these brownies.
To make a complete protein with sweet potato, consider pairing it with foods high in the amino acid methionine, which sweet potatoes lack. Examples include dairy products, eggs, or certain nuts and seeds. In the context of these brownies, the addition of protein powder and eggs helps complement the protein profile of the sweet potatoes.
More Dessert Recipes
Looking for more healthy desserts? Try these:
Recipe
Double Chocolate Sweet Potato Protein Brownies
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking tray
- 8x8 inch baking pan
- Immersion blender (or food processor)
- Whisk
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato
- 2 eggs
- ⅔ cup almond flour
- 1 cup protein powder your choice of flavor
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup coconut oil melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Sweet Potato Preparation: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the whole sweet potato on a baking sheet and bake for 45-50 minutes until soft. Let it cool, then slice lengthwise and scoop out the inside.
- Brownie Batter: Lower the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, blend together the sweet potato, eggs, almond flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt until smooth.
- Chocolate Chip Addition: If using, fold in the dark chocolate chips to the batter.
- Baking the Brownies: Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper and pour the batter into it, spreading evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
- Cooling: Let the brownies cool in the pan before slicing them into squares.
Notes
- For vegan brownies, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of protein powder to find your favorite flavor combination.
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
We'd love to hear about your baking adventures and see how your batch turned out.
Please feel free to comment below and share your thoughts and experiences. It's always inspiring to hear how recipes turn out in different kitchens. And if you loved making these brownies, consider liking, sharing, and saving this recipe for later – it helps us a lot!
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Be well,
Natalie
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