These Flourless Sweet Potato Brownies are made with just 4 ingredients and are a healthy paleo, vegan-friendly dessert that everyone will enjoy! They're super moist and you can't even taste the sweet potato.
If there's one thing I love, it's brownies. But, if there's one thing I really love, it's recipes with just 4 ingredients, and recipes that don't leave you feeling guilty afterward. These sweet potato brownies are actually good for you because sweet potatoes are the main ingredient and they're made with zero refined sugar.
Here's the thing: I don't crave sugar nearly as much as I used to. But, when I do, I prefer things that are sweetened with maple syrup/honey/dates rather than a ton of sugar. I know it sounds insane, but it's true. These sweet potato brownies are fudgy and moist and loaded with chocolate so you can't even taste the sweet potato!
Why these sweet potato brownies are the best
- They're made with just 4 ingredients
- The main ingredient is sweet potato, so they really are healthy
- There's no refined sugar--just maple syrup and almond butter
Ingredients
- Sweet potato: 2 medium or 1 large
- Cocoa powder: Unsweetened 100% cacao
- Almond butter: Go for the most inexpensive creamy almond butter. I tend to love the store brand kind (i.e. Whole Foods 365 or Trader Joe's creamy almond butter.
- Maple syrup: I know it's more expensive, but real maple syrup is going to make these taste even better (by "real" maple syrup, I mean syrup with no additives).
- Chopped chocolate: This is optional, but I HIGHLY recommend adding it, as it makes these taste more like traditional brownies. Opt for your favorite chocolate bar or chocolate chips, but if you want to keep these Paleo and/or vegan, choose dairy free chocolate
Step-by-step instructions
Cook the sweet potatoes: Use a fork to pierce several holes into the sweet potatoes, then place them on a microwave-safe dish and cook for 6-7 minutes until they're soft. Then, slice them down the middle and wait a few minutes for them to cool off before scooping out the sweet potato and discarding the skins. After that, use a potato masher to mash the sweet potatoes until they're no longer lumpy (or as best you can) and scoop the potato mash into a 1 cup measuring cup, because that's how much you'll need.
Whisk ingredients together: Start by whisking the syrup and almond butter together, then add the cocoa and last, stir in the mashed sweet potato. At this point, you can fold the chopped chocolate into the batter as well.
Line or grease baking dish: Everyone has their own preferred method on whether to grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper. Personally, I like using coconut oil to grease the baking dish, but either method works!
FAQs and Expert Tips
Are these brownies vegan and/or paleo?
Yes! They're vegan because there's no eggs in them, and they're paleo because there's no flour or refined sugar. These brownies are going to be LESS sweet than traditional brownies because they only use maple syrup as the sweetener, so if you want them to be sweeter you can add 2 tablespoon coconut sugar OR simply add more chopped chocolate.
- Storage: I recommend storing these brownies in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Alternatively, you can store them in the refrigerator if you prefer your brownies cold like my husband does! With that said, be sure to wait at least 20 minutes after the brownies come out of the oven before cutting them.
- Substitutions: I haven't tried making any substitutions, so I wouldn't recommend it. With that said, if you aren't Paleo, you could use peanut butter instead of almond butter and that should work out just fine.
- Cooking sweet potatoes: When I'm using sweet potatoes in a recipe, I tend to microwave them because it's fastest. If you're not a microwave fan, you can cook boil them over the stovetop or roast them in the oven instead.
- Combining the ingredients: When baking, I usually reach for my electric hand mixer, but it's not necessary for this recipe! Instead, just grab a spatula and fold everything together that way.
More vegan/gluten free dessert recipes:
Flourless Sweet Potato Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (1 cup, mashed)
- 1 â…“ cup almond butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup chopped chocolate or more
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Use a fork to poke holes into the sweet potatoes, then place them on a microwave-safe dish and microwave for 6-7 minutes until soft. Then, slice them down the center and wait a few minutes for them to cool off before scooping out the sweet potato flesh and discarding the skin. Alternatively, you can peel and roast the sweet potato in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Use a potato masher to mash the cooked sweet potato and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk almond butter and syrup together; then, add the cocoa and the mashed sweet potato. Last, stir in the chopped chocolate.
- Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper (or grease with coconut oil) and pour batter into the pan. Bake brownies for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Wait 20 minutes before cutting the brownies and enjoy!
Jim says
Awesome recipe!
Thank you for sharing.
Erin says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Victoria says
These are perfectly fudgy and delicious. They have kept well in the refrigerator for a week as I snacked on them.
Mimi says
I have canned sweet potatoes. Would they work in this recipe?
Erin says
I think so!
Wahidah says
Hi
Can I use butter? If yes, same measurements?
Thanks!
Erin says
Hi! Maybe? I haven't tried it for this recipe, so I'm not sure how that would work out. If you DO try it, let me know!