Healthy Butternut Squash Fudge Brownies: Gluten-Free, Vegan

These Healthy Butternut Squash Fudge Brownies are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and made without refined sugars. They get their natural sweetness and irresistibly moist, fudgy texture from wholesome butternut squash and pure maple syrup. Whether you want a nutritious dessert or a delicious snack, these refined sugar-free brownies will satisfy your sweet tooth. 

Butternut squash is one of my favorites. I love curling up with a creamy butternut squash soup or enjoying roasted butternut squash with garlic aioli sauce during the colder months. I had a can of butternut squash sitting in my pantry and planned to use it for a soup recipe over the weekend. Of course, I never got around to using it, and it sat there for a few days. When I was about to make chickpea blondies and was battling a sweet tooth, I glanced at the can and thought, “Hmm, this might make some delicious brownies!” I’ve made brownies with pumpkin puree before, and butternut squash puree isn’t too different. I’m so glad I gave it a try because these brownies are DELICIOUS!

Even though I love the taste of butternut squash, you won’t notice its flavor once it’s transformed into brownie batter.

Why add butternut squash to a brownie recipe? Butternut squash is so good for you! It’s a powerhouse squash with so many health benefits. I love finding ways to add butternut squash to my diet. 

Is Butternut Squash Healthy?

1. Rich in Vitamins: Butternut squash is an excellent source of vitamins A and C.
2. High in Fiber: It’s a great source of dietary fiber. Fiber helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels and digestion. 
3. Contains Antioxidants: Besides vitamins A and C, butternut squash contains other antioxidants like beta-carotene and lutein, which help fight oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
4. Supports Heart Health: Butternut squash’s potassium content helps regulate blood pressure and supports heart health by balancing sodium levels in the body.
5. Promotes Healthy Skin: The high vitamin A content supports skin health by promoting cell turnover and repair, helping to keep skin healthy and vibrant.
6. Improves Immunity: The combination of vitamins A and C, along with other nutrients, strengthens the immune system, making it easier to ward off illnesses.

Incorporating butternut squash into your diet can contribute to overall health and wellness!

How to Make Healthy Butternut Squash Brownies

This recipe is so easy. You only need a large mixing bowl to prepare the ingredients—no electric mixers or blended!

Step One: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking dish with parchment paper and spray the parchment paper lightly with cooking oil (I used avocado cooking oil spray). I used a 9 x 5 oven-safe baking dish, but that is okay if you don’t have that exact size! If your pan is larger or smaller, keep an eye on the baking time. 

Step Two: Open the butternut squash can and add it to a large mixing bowl. Pour in the pure maple syrup, peanut butter, and vanilla.  Mix well! 

Ingredient Swaps for Brownies:

Butternut Squash— I know this is a recipe for butternut squash brownies. Still, if you want to try something similar, you can always replace the butternut squash puree with pumpkin puree or 15 ounces of smashed extra-ripe bananas. 

Peanut Butter— Any nut butter works as a replacement. I use creamy organic peanut butter, but you can substitute that with almond butter, sunflower butter, or cashew butter. 

Maple Syrup—  I love using maple syrup in recipes because the taste is mild, and most ingredients mask the taste of maple. I love a maple flavor, but sometimes I want my brownies to taste like brownies and not maple brownies. You can substitute maple syrup with regular sugar, monk fruit, agave, date syrup, or honey. Honey is my second favorite all-natural sweetener. 

Dark Chocolate Chunks—I found a delicious dairy—and sugar-free chocolate chunk bag at the grocery store. The brownies are sweet enough, and I do not need these, but I love adding them to the top for an extra sweet addition. Another one of my favorite toppings for brownies is walnuts! I highly recommend mixing walnuts into this recipe because that extra crunch is so delicious! Plus, walnuts are so good for you!

Step Three: Add the cocoa powder, baking soda, and sea salt to the bowl and mix until the batter is creamy and all the cocoa powder is dissolved.

The brownie batter tastes like the most delicious pudding or silky mousse! I thought about just canceling out making brownies and adding the batter to cute glasses with homemade whipped cream. If you’re looking for a dairy-free and vegan pudding recipe, maybe stop now! I wanted to eat the entire bowl up, and since it didn’t have raw eggs, I could have! I let my son have a few bites, and he kept asking for more!

Can I add flour to these brownies?

Some prefer a cakier-style brownie that is less fudgy. These are made with many all-natural ingredients and no all-purpose flour, so they’ll remain on the fudgier side, which is why I love storing them in the refrigerator. Add 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour or 1 cup of almond flour to the batter to make your brownies thicker and cakier. A gluten-free all-purpose flour also works as a replacement.

Step Four: Pour the brownie batter into the lined baking dish. Spread evenly with a spatula. 

You only need 7 wholesome ingredients to make these butternut squash brownies! I love a recipe with minimal steps and ingredients. 

Only 7 Ingredients for Healthy Butternut Squash Brownies

• Butternut Squash Puree
• Creamy Organic Peanut Butter
• Pure Organic Maple Syrup
• Vanilla
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• Baking Soda
• Sea Salt
  
  (dark chocolate chips are optional!)

 Step Five: Top with dark chocolate chunks and bake for 50-55 minutes.

Step Five: Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing into them, as they are super fudgy! If you do not want to wait, dive right in with a fork.

How to Store these Butternut Squash Brownies?

They are best stored in the refrigerator or the freezer. This keeps the fudgy brownies extra firm, and the chilled temperatures bring out the rich, chocolatey flavor!

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE HOW EASY IT IS TO MAKE THESE HEALTHY BUTTERNUT SQUASH BROWNIES!

Watch the Butternut Squash Brownies Video Tutorial

Kid-Friendly Brownie Recipe

I love that this brownie recipe incorporates hidden nutrients from peanut butter and butternut squash. My son absolutely LOVED them and thought they were a rich and indulgent treat. This is a fantastic kid-friendly brownie recipe, but keep in mind that cocoa powder contains traces of caffeine, so it should be consumed in moderation. If you’d like to reduce the cocoa powder, you can cut the amount in half and substitute it with ½ cup of coconut flour, almond flour, gluten-free flour, or all-purpose flour.

You may also love some of my other healthier dessert recipes:

Healthy Peach Crumble

Hidden Veggie Muffins

Peanut Butter Chickpea Blondies

Healthy Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

Blueberry Baked Breakfast Bars

Apple Cinnamon Blender Bars

Healthy Low-Carb Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Muffins

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Low Carb Cheesecake Bars

Low Carb Grain Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Low Carb Grain Free Lemon Poppy Muffins

I hope you enjoyed this Healthy Butternut Squash Fudge Brownies recipe as much as we did! These brownies are gluten-, dairy-free, and vegan, making them a perfect treat without compromising taste. The hidden nutrients from butternut squash and peanut butter make them nutritious for the whole family.

Feel free to explore other healthy dessert recipes on the blog for more delicious and wholesome options. I’m always experimenting with new ways to bake healthier treats, so stay tuned for more exciting recipes.

Questions for you!

1. Do you like a fudgier brownie or a more cake-like brownie?
2. What dessert would you like to see me make healthy next?
3. Are you ready for fall recipes (or too soon?)