What would happen if a dense and fudgy chocolate brownie had a baby with a light and fluffy chocolate brownie? These low calorie pumpkin brownies! Magically, they're the perfect blend of fudgy and fluffy at the same time and come in at just 85 calories each for a great big brownie. After just one bite of chocolatey deliciousness, you'll never make another healthy brownie recipe ever again, I promise.
![plate of temping pumpkin brownies stacked in a tower](https://happyhealthymotivated.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/healthy-pumpkin-brownies-low-fodmap-dessert-1.jpg)
Quick and easy healthy pumpkin brownies
These healthy pumpkin brownies are honestly so quick and easy to make. Here's all you need:
Ingredients
- Sugar
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Eggs
- Pumpkin puree
That's just 6 ingredients for some of the best healthy pumpkin brownies you'll ever taste in your life!
Equipment
(It gets even better here!)
- 1 baking traw
- 1 bowl
- 1 whisk
- Parchment paper
I guess you need an oven, too, but people rarely include that kind of equipment!
Other healthy brownies with pumpkin
The internet is bursting with low calorie pumpkin brownies that involve throwing a box mix and some canned pumpkin puree into a bowl. While those healthy pumpkin brownies are really easy, the result is more meh than marvellous. I think you deserve oh so much better. Don't you?
Regardless of whether you're following a low FODMAP diet, it's always a good idea to know what you're putting into your body. When you bake with premade mixes and canned goods, you've got no idea what you're actually eating. Unless you read the label. In which case you'll find out that it's a hell of a lot of fat, sugar and calories, amongst plenty of other nonsense you can't even pronounce. #NoSurpriseThere
But never fear! The alternative isn't spending hours slaving away in your kitchen for bakery-worthy brownies. The solution is to grab 1 bowl (yes, just 1) and make these low calorie pumpkin brownies in 30 minutes. Throw in the dry ingredients. Mix in the wet ingredients. Bake the batter in the oven. And you're all set. Easy peasy.
The result is a low FODMAP dessert that's entirely gluten-free, dairy-free and just 85 calories per great big brownie. Plus, you'll know exactly what went into each and every mouthful you shovel in.
Fat-free healthy pumpkin brownies
As well as being gluten-free and dairy-free, I also say these healthy pumpkin brownies are entirely fat-free because there's no added oil or butter. All the yummy fudge-like bit comes from super-healthy pumpkin puree. A few disagree and say these brownies do contain fat because the batter calls for 2 eggs.
If you want a healthy pumpkin brownie recipe without any oil, butter, or eggs, check out my recipe for the fudgiest fat-free healthy pumpkin brownies in the world. They're not low FODMAP or gluten-free, but they are dairy-free and even lower in calories than these healthy brownies. They're just 80 calories each.
Ingredient substitutions
If you're not following a restricted diet and are happy to eat all the gluten and dairy you can get your hands on, you can totally adapt this recipe and make it with the stuff you have in your cupboards.
The gluten-free flour can easily be replaced with ordinary all-purpose flour. And if you're not avoiding dairy, feel free to throw in a handful of chocolate chips.
If you are following a non-dairy diet, you can still sprinkle some chocolate chips into the batter! These non-dairy chocolate chips are 100% vegan and paleo-friendly and add a yummy chocolate hit to these brownies.
Just keep in mind that the calorie count will rise slightly. But when these healthy brownies are only 85 calories each, I think we can push the boat out a little, right?
One serving of these low calorie pumpkin brownies is a 9th of the tin. Not a 16th. Don't you just hate recipes where they cut an 8"x8" dessert into 16 servings instead of 9 to get the calorie count low? 1/16th of an 8"x8" dessert pan is never enough. It's a much better idea to use healthy ingredients, like pumpkin puree, to reduce the calories.
You could cut the calorie count down even further by using a powdered sugar substitute, like Stevia or Xylitol. But I've got no experience doing this so I can't really guide you. Leave me a comment and let me know how it turned out if you give it a shot!
Extra goodness
The low calorie count isn't the only good thing about these healthy pumpkin brownies. Each serving contains 27% of your recommended daily dose of vitamin A! Definitely not something you'd expect from a dessert recipe, right?
Vitamin A is super important for stuff like keeping your immune system healthy, maintaining proper eye function and supporting healthy bone growth. So just focus on that when you're reaching for your second brownie!
📖 Recipe
Low calorie pumpkin brownies
Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup gluten-free flour blend (you can substitute all-purpose flour)
- â…“ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 medium eggs at room temperature
- 5 tablespoons pumpkin puree
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F/175C and line an 8" square baking tray with parchment paper. Grab a medium bowl and stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder and baking powder.
- Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and crack in the eggs. Scoop in the pumpkin puree and beat with a hand whisk for 1 minute, until the ingredients form a thin batter.
- Pour the batter into the lined baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until the edges and the tops of the brownie are just set. Pull the brownies out of the tray using the parchment paper and leave to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
- When cool, slice the brownies into 9 squares and enjoy! Or wrap with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Nan a.k.a Granny Fabulosa
Yummy! Pinned it.
Nicola Quinn
Thanks so much for the pin, Nan!
Kristen
Desert does not get better than this for me! Fat free, gluten free and sugar free. Made these with the new Swerve ( 0 calorie sweetener made only from fruits and vegetables). So good and moist.... this is my new chocolate chow down recipe.
Thank you for such a charmer!
Kristen
Nicola
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Kristen! I'm so happy you love these brownies as much as I do and you've inspired me to give Swerve a try, too!
Krissy @ Pretty Wee Things
These look delicious! I can't say I have made many brownies, but I love the idea of adding pumpkin puree.
Nicola Quinn
Thanks, Krissy! I love brownies - but they're usually so packed full of sugar and butter. I love making healthier alternatives 🙂
Sarah
Ooh, I love the idea of switching pumpkin puree in place of the oils for brownies!
Nicola Quinn
It really does make the brownies much healthier and adds a seasonal taste 🙂
gigi
Those look awesome!!! Thank you!
Nicola Quinn
Thanks, Gigi! 🙂
Cecilia MyThriftStoreAddiction
These look wonderful! I have been experimenting with pumpkin recipes too 😉 Blessings, Cecilia
Nicola Quinn
Thank you so much, Cecilia! It's always fun to play with seasonal ingredients, don't you think?
Miz Helen
Your Pumpkin Brownies look amazing! Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
Mmmm, what a wonderful flavor combination! Featured at Be Inspired this morning. I love all your recipes!
Nicola Quinn
Thank you SO much for the feature, Sharon!
Carolyn
They look yummy! I just made them. Do you know how many Weight Watcher Smart Points one would be?? Thanks!
Nicola
Hi Carolyn!
I'd love to help you out, but I've never done anything to do with Weight Watchers before, so I wouldn't have a clue about Smart Points. So sorry!
Sandi
Do you happen to know the carb count? Thank you
Nicola
I certainly do, Sandi!
There are 171.2g of carbs in the whole recipe and 19g per brownie when you divide the batch into 9.
Lori
I had to add about a quarter cup+ of water to my recipe...I think it was because I substituted flax eggs for real eggs. Trying to cut down on calories. I also used half the sugar and they were still yummy.
I'm always trying healthier options in my baking- can't let my sweet tooth cancel out my vigorous workout routine!
Nicola
Kudos to you for being able to use less sugar and still enjoying the brownies! I try so hard to cut down the sugar content as much as I can in my desserts, but I always struggle to 🙂
Sara
Great recipe! I used some already cooked sweet potato that I had on hand from making baby food, instead of pumpkin and it worked well. I think maybe it made the batter a little thicker though so I also added half of a ripe banana to help smooth it out, although probably could have thrown in the whole thing. Also, cut the sugar to a 1/3 cup since my 4 year old insisted on adding about 1/3 cup of chocolate chips as well! It was all very yummy and not too sugary in the end.
De
Good recipe. However, they aren't FAT FREE, there are 2 eggs in them.
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
You are so right, one pan never makes 16 servings in this house! I love everything pumpkin, so these are going to happen here soon, and it's so nice to know they won't break the calorie bank 🙂
Nicola
Right?! It drives me crazy when a recipe says it makes a million brownies and it turns out each brownie is teeny tiny!
Julia
What a great recipe! Do you think I could use butternut squash for the puree instead of the pumpkin?
Nicola
You can 100% swap out the pumpkin for butternut squash! I've tried it before and it works great 🙂
Jagruti
Thank you for this recipe, a great idea for using pumpkin, sounds very tasty
Nicola
Thanks Jagruti! It's a great way to get some extra veggies into your diet while still treating yourself!
Michelle | The Last Food Blog
I love brownies, and I love that these are on the healthier side. They look delicious.
Nicola
Thanks so much, Michelle. I always love desserts that are a little healthier than others.
Vicky @ Avo
I'm all about skipping the box mix and making home made baked goods from scratch so am totally behind these healthy pumpkin brownies! Much healthier and more rewarding when made from scratch!
Nicola
I feel exactly the same way, Vicky! Glad to see we're both on team #fromscratch 😀
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
Ooooh 85 calories! They look yum. Great time of year to add pumpkin to everything too 😀
Nicola
Thanks so much! I swear, take just one bite and you'll never, ever guess they're just 85 calories!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
You're a woman after my own heart ~ pumpkin AND chocolate in one delicious treat, I can't resist!
Nicola
I'm really not a big fan of pumpkin, but mix it with chocolate and I'll gobble down the whole batch!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
These brownies look fun and delicious! I love pumpkin and chocolate and together they make a delicious dessert. I can't wait to try your recipe!
Nicola
Thanks so much, Elaine! I love the pumpkin and chocolate flavour combo at this time of year 🙂
Suzy
Love the idea of pumpkin brownies! Even better that they're healthier!
Nicola
Thanks so much, Suzy. I can never say no to a healthy treat!
Brian Jones
They look really tasty, fab bright and light pictures too!
Nicola
Thanks, Brian!
Natalie
These brownies look amazing and so healthy! Can't wait to try it!
Nicola
Thanks so much, Natalie. Hope you like them!
Amy | The Cook Report
Can't believe these are so low calorie!
Nicola
Yep - only 85 calories each!
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy
Saving this!!! I think if I can manage to substitute with flax 'eggs' I might be able to make these vegan too! Yaay!
Nicola
I think this would definitely work with a flax egg substitute. Go for it, Tina!
Liv @ Healthy Liv
Love the low FODMAP recipe for those with dietary restrictions! These would be perfect to make for my sister since she doesn't eat grains or dairy. Thanks for the recipe!!
Nicola
Thanks so much, Liv! I hope she enjoys it as much as I do 🙂
Stacy
Can you substitute the gluten free flour for almond flour?
Nicola
Hi Stacy! I'd love to tell you yes, but I really don't think almond flour would work in this recipe. Sorry!