These Healthy Pumpkin Brownies are rich, decadent and full of chocolate flavor! Best of all, you can enjoy them warm or cold, no matter what you’re in the mood for!
Looking out for other healthy pumpkin recipes? Try these healthy pumpkin bars, healthy pumpkin chocolate chip bread, or healthy pumpkin muffins!
Table of contents
If you’ve been around for a while you’ll know that I don’t restrict myself from having treats! But I do try and make a healthier version of my favorite desserts like these zucchini brownies, black bean brownies, or sweet potato brownies!
These healthy pumpkin brownies, however, are one of my favorites when weather cools down. They’re the perfect fall treat made with far less sugar than traditional brownies and several healthy ingredient swaps.
These are highly addictive, but that’s OK because they’re so much healthier than anything store-bought brownies. So whip up a batch and indulge your sweet cravings with a brownie or two!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy and wholesome ingredients without refined sugars.
- It can also be made vegan.
- Easy to make!
Simple Ingredients Needed
- Coconut oil
- Semi sweet chocolate chips
- Cacao powder
- Maple syrup
- Canned pumpkin purée
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Salt
- Whole wheat flour
- Cooking spray
How to Make Healthy Pumpkin Brownies
Step 1
Turn the temperature to 350 degrees F and line an 8×8 baking dish with unbleached parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray. I use Misto, which is a reusable sprayer that allows me to add my olive oil to it.
Step 2
Over low heat, add coconut oil and chocolate chips to a medium pot and melt them both while whisking constantly. The coconut oil will help to create a beautiful sheen.
Step 3
Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the cacao powder, maple syrup, pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Keep whisking until smooth.
Then, add the flour and whisk to combine. Fold in the remaining chocolate chips with a few stirs.
Step 4
Pour brownie batter into the prepared baking dish and level it out into a smooth even layer using a spatula. Bake for 25 minutes and allow it to cool for a few hours.
Enjoy this pumpkin brownie recipe warm for a cakey texture or cold for that extra fudgy experience. Slice into 16 squares and try not to eat them all at once!
Above are stacks of brownies made from the same batch.
On the right are cold and fudgy pumpkin brownies straight from the fridge. They taste exactly like truffles but are loaded with healthy fats and complex carbs.
See these greenish pockets? That is solid coconut oil colored by pumpkin puree. Yum!
And on the left are warm freshly baked brownies. Your choice!
Optional Add-In’s and Variations
- Chopped nuts: Walnuts, pistachios, peanuts, almonds, or pecans could be amazing.
- Swap the pumpkin purée for mashed sweet potato, applesauce, or squash.
- Top with extra chocolate chips.
- Use cinnamon instead of pumpkin spice.
- Cocoa powder can be used instead of cacao powder, either unsweetened or Dutch processed.
- For vegan healthy pumpkin brownies, use Enjoy Life vegan chocolate chips.
FAQs
It makes baked goods extra moist without extra eggs or oil.
Without the added pumpkin pie spice, you probably would have a difficult time tasting the pumpkin. However, with it added, there’s a delicious flavor infused in there. It’s perfect!
I haven’t tried any other flour, so I can’t be certain. I don’t see why you couldn’t try different options and report back to me!
How to Store Brownies
Refrigerate: Keep brownies stored in an airtight container to maintain moisture for up to 5 days.
Freeze: These brownies will last up to 3 months in the freezer when stored in an airtight container. Thaw them in the fridge and enjoy cold or warm them up.
More Brownies Recipes to Try
More Healthy Pumpkin Recipes
- Low fat pumpkin pie
- Healthy pumpkin cake
- Healthy pumpkin cookies
- Almond flour pumpkin bread
- Healthy pumpkin bread
Healthy Pumpkin Brownies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut oil measured solid
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips divided (use Enjoy Life for vegan version)
- 1/3 cup cocoa or cacao powder
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 14 oz can pumpkin puree
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice substitute
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp whole wheat flour
- Cooking spray I use Misto
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, line 8×8 baking dish with unbleached parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- In a medium pot, add coconut oil and 1/2 cup chocolate chips; melt on low heat, whisking constantly.
- Turn off heat and add cacao powder, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and salt; whisk until smooth. Add flour and whisk until well combined. Add remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips and give a few stirs.
- Pour into previously prepared baking dish, smooth with a spatula and bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few hours. Cut into 16 squares and enjoy warm if you like brownies cakey moist or cold for extra fudgy experience.
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Up to 3 months in an airtight container.
- Flour: I have not tested these pumpkin brownies with any other flour so can’t recommend on substitutes.
can I use olive oil instead of coconut?
On the line of husbands, I am totally spoiled. he does all the sweeping, always makes Sunday supper, and helps with the dishes. In the garden, he is in charge of potatoes and sweet corn. after I harvested the carrots, he helped wash and peel. we had 44 cups that are in the process of being preserved.
Unfortunately has to be coconut oil as it is the only one that solidifies.
Sounds like you have a winner!:)
As always, another wonderful recipe Olena. My granddaughters are learning how to bake and this is a perfect, healthy and easy recipe for me to teach them. Thanks so much!
What great memories you are making with them!
I made this! I LOVE it. Actually so does my 5 year old. We are both chocolate lovers. It satisfies our chocolate craving. I substituted maple syrup with agave and whole wheat flour with almond meal. It took longer than 25 minutes. It actually took 1hour. Maybe that’s just my oven.
These were so delicious!
Dear Olena,
I can’t wait to make these. I already have some experience with vegan brownies but these ones just seem awesome. I’m going to use canned pumpkin and eventually sugar instead of maple syrup. It will be less “clean” that way but maple syrup is not that common in Serbia. 😉 Do you have a suggestion on how to use sugar or honey instead?
Thank you! 🙂 Greetings from Belgrade
Hi Milena. You can substitute maple syrup with honey 1:1. Because sugar is a dry sweetener, I can’t say how much of it you need. I don’t think it would throw off the consistency of the recipe because it is pretty forgiving since it freezes, but you can add slowly to taste. Happy Holidays!
Oh yum! They look incredibly delicious. I think I need to make them soon… I love reading your blog posts! I check them daily because I don’t want to miss anything…
🙂 Thanks, Ilona!