Chocolatey Flaxseed Brownies Recipe

By
Laura Dolson
Laura Dolson
Laura Dolson is a health and food writer who develops low-carb and gluten-free recipes for home cooks.
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Updated on March 11, 2022
Reviewed
Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more.
 by
Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, CDN
Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, CDN
Reviewed by Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, CDN
Kristy is a licensed registered dietitian nutritionist and trained culinary professional. She has worked in a variety of settings, including MSKCC and Rouge Tomate.
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3 brownies on a table
Jack Andersen / Getty Images
Total Time: 55 min
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 35 min
Servings: 32

Nutrition Highlights (per serving)

127 calories
9g fat
10g carbs
3g protein
Show Nutrition Label Hide Nutrition Label
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 32
Amount per serving  
Calories 127
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 34mg 11%
Sodium 132mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 6g  
Includes 5g Added Sugars 10%
Protein 3g  
Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
Calcium 55mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 120mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Who would have thought that brownies can be nutritious and delicious? These brownies include flaxseed meal instead of flour, making them healthy, lower in carbohydrates, and gluten-free. And the agave syrup, cocoa powder, and unsweetened chocolate create a decadent, chocolatey treat while keeping the brownie naturally sweetened.

The most exciting part? They taste so amazing you wouldn't even think they have a good amount of fiber and omega-3s from the flaxseed, which is loaded with health benefits. Flaxseed is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, lignans, which have antioxidant qualities, as well as omega-3 essential fatty acids, which have heart-healthy effects.

Although this recipe uses the typical 9x13 pan, it makes 32 brownies—so don't be turned off by some of the ingredient amounts.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter (unsalted)
  • 3/4 cup agave syrup (or to taste, divided)
  • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate (melted and cooled)
  • 2 cups flaxseed meal
  • 1 tbsp. baking powder
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 2/3 cup water

Preparation

  1. Heat oven to 350 F and coat a 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

  2. In a large bowl and using a mixer on a moderately high speed, cream the butter until fluffy. Add 1/2 cup agave syrup and beat again until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla.

  3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Add the cocoa powder and salt and beat well.

  4. Add the melted and cooled unsweetened chocolate and beat until fluffy.

  5. Add the flaxseed meal, baking powder, cream, water, and up to 1/4 cup additional agave syrup if the batter needs it (some unsweetened chocolate is more bitter than others).

  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top springs back. (You also can test if they're ready by sticking a toothpick in the brownies. If it comes out clean, or almost-so, they're done).

  7. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack and then cut into 32 squares. If you eat one warm, know that the texture will be different once completely cooled. That's when they become like real brownies.

Substitutions and Variations

For a dairy-free version, try using coconut oil or vegan butter substitute and coconut milk in place of butter and cream. Just make sure the unsweetened chocolate is dairy-free as well.

If you like a more bittersweet brownie, however, you can cut down on the agave syrup. Honey or maple syrup could serve as a replacement for agave.

Mix in walnuts, pecans, or other nuts to the brownies for more texture, healthy fats, and protein.

Cooking and Serving Tips

  • Note that these really take on a brownie texture the day after you make them.
  • Serve with a smear of nut or seed butter for an extra treat.

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1 Source
Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Parikh M, Maddaford TG, Austria JA, Aliani M, Netticadan T, Pierce GN. Dietary Flaxseed as a Strategy for Improving Human Health. Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1171. doi:10.3390/nu11051171

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