Brownies are definitely my weakness. Especially if they are soft and moist, with a full chocolate flavour. I simply can’t refuse. I could even eat them for breakfast. In fact, that wouldn’t even be that bad, if you’re otherwise watching what you’re eating and following a healthy and balanced diet. Yet there is always that little voice in my head: shame on you! Well, then there’s only one option: creating a healthier version. And I think I (finally) managed: Vegan Breakfast Brownies.
Healthier indulgence
Even though this is a much healthier version than my ultimate brownies, it’s still an extra treat you should not eat very single day. But it contains much healthier ingredients. Or should I say: I’ve omitted or replaced some of the unhealthy ingredients. It makes them a healthy breakfast option and they are an ideal grab&go meal (take them with you to eat on the road or at work).
Granola
To make them all breakfast-worthy, I added granola to the mix. This granola is homemade and unsweetened and is more of a topping for your yogurt or smoothie bowl. Hence also perfect to use as an extra crunch in these brownies.
Several tries
It took me several tries to get the results I wanted. A deliciously moist brownie turning into a vegan and gluten free treat wasn’t quite as obvious. Sure, I got a few very tasty brownies, but one was too dry, another didn’t quite hold its stuff together (as in: totally crumbled between your fingers). Or they were too sweet or not sweet enough. Finally though, I made a brownie that I’m confident to actually call a brownie.
Ingredients
For the granola:
200 g oats (certified gluten free if necessary)
75 g roughly chopped unsalted cashews
50 g roughly chopped hazelnuts
50 g roughly chopped almonds
50 g quinoa pops
For the brownies:
100 g dark chocolate
15 g coconut oil (ca. 1 tbsp)
40 g arrowroot
4 tbsp cold water
200 g almond meal
½ tsp salt
75 g coconut blossom sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
150 g unsweetened apple sauce
50 g granola
Instructions
For the granola:
Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix all ingredients for the granola and spread evenly on the baking sheet.
Roast for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally so everything browns evenly.
Use the desired quantity for the brownies and keep the rest in a jar or airtight container for later use (great on yoghurt, smoothie bowl or fresh fruit).
For the brownies:
Preheat oven to 180°C and line a brownie or other baking tin with parchment paper.
Melt the chocolate together with the coconut oil.
Mix the arrowroot with the water until no lumps remain.
In a bowl, mix the almond meal, salt and sugar.
Add the chocolate, arrowroot mixture, apple sauce and vanilla to the dry mixture and mix well, using a spatula.
Then fold in the granola.
Press batter in the prepared baking tin and smooth out the top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Let cool completely before cutting into pieces.
Enjoy!
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Vegan Breakfast Brownies
Ingredients
For the granola
- 200 g oats (certified gluten free if necessary)
- 75 g roughly chopped unsalted cashews
- 50 g roughly chopped hazelnuts
- 50 g roughly chopped almonds
- 50 g quinoa pops
For the brownies
- 100 g dark chocolate*
- 15 g coconut oil (ca. 1 tbsp)
- 40 g arrowroot
- 4 tbsp cold water
- 200 g almond meal
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 75 g coconut blossom sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 150 g unsweetened apple sauce
- 50 g granola**
Instructions
For the granola
-
Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Mix all ingredients for the granola and spread evenly on the baking sheet.
-
Roast for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally so everything browns evenly.
-
Use the desired quantity for the brownies and keep the rest in a jar or airtight container for later use (great on yogurt, smoothie bowl or fresh fruit).
For the brownies
-
Preheat oven to 180°C and line a brownie or other baking tin with parchment paper.
-
Melt the chocolate together with the coconut oil.
-
Mix the arrowroot with the water until no lumps remain.
-
In a bowl, mix the almond meal, salt and sugar.
-
Add the chocolate, arrowroot mixture, apple sauce and vanilla to the dry mixture and mix well, using a spatula.
-
Then fold in the granola.
-
Press batter in the prepared baking tin and smooth out the top.
-
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
-
Let cool completely before cutting into pieces.
Recipe Notes
*Preferably at least 70%.
**Instead of this granola, you can use any preferred mix of seeds, nuts and/or dried fruits.
nicole orriens
May 29, 2018Deze brownies zien er erg lekker uit. En fijn dat ze ook best gezond zijn!
Nicole
May 29, 2018Dank je, Nicole! In verhouding toch zeker een stuk gezonder dan een gewone 🙂
Claudia Lamascolo
June 8, 2018I love all the nuts in this recipe. The brownies must have a delicious flavor and texture. What a great recipe they sure will be a nice change to the overly sweet ones.
Nicole
June 8, 2018Thanks, Claudia! It definietly has a lovely texture, not too crunchy and not too sweet 🙂
Lauren
June 8, 2018These sound perfect! I love texture in my food and when a recipe contains a mixture of all my favorite nut, I’m in!
Nicole
June 8, 2018Thank you, Lauren! At first, I just wanted to add some oats and stuff, but then I thought, nah, nuts too 🙂
Pavani
June 8, 2018wow, such healthy and delicious looking brownies these are. They look so moist and chocolaty – with all those healthy ingredients, they sound amazing.
Nicole
June 8, 2018Ah, thank you, Pavani! They are indeed deliciously moist and chocolatey!
Gloria
June 9, 2018You know, I am having the grandkids for 2 says a week this summer. Won’t gramma be a hit giving them brownies for breakfast!! Printing this recipe right now.
Nicole
June 9, 2018Hahaha, you will for be for sure, Gloria! The boys when I served this at breakfast, looking at me disbelievingly: you sure I can have this? 😉
Wajeeha
June 10, 2018Healthy brownies for breakfast? Totally count me in 😀
Nicole
June 10, 2018Almost too good to be true, right?! Almost… 😉
Eileen Kelly
June 10, 2018I just love everything about these vegan breakfast brownies. They are filled with great ingredients and using the granola adds flavor and nutrition. yummy!
Nicole
June 10, 2018Thanks so much, Eileen!
Marisa Franca
June 10, 2018That is so great you made them breakfast worth. I don’t eat a lot of sweets but sometimes for breakfast I’d like something that isn’t savory. Now, I used to be very picky when it came to my kids and sweets. And I’m a lot like that with the grandsons. These would be perfect. I would gladly serve the brownies to them.
Nicole
June 11, 2018We don’t eat a lot of sweets either, but just once in a while that sweet craving hits and these taste so decadent, you’d never think they are on the gelathier side.
Karyl Henry
June 11, 2018So I know that foods don’t “look” vegan. But I would never in a million years guess that this amazing looking brownie was vegan, or that it was full of oats! Wow, I am very impressed
Nicole
June 11, 2018Thanks, Karyl! Tasting them, you’d never think these are made without butter and eggs. The secret ingredient that makes these so fudgy: apple sauce 🙂
Natalie
June 11, 2018This brownies has all my favorite ingredients. It’s healthy too. I can’t wait to make this and surprise my family.
Nicole
June 11, 2018If they are anything like my family, they will gobble these right up 🙂
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