Collagen protein brownies (gluten-free, dairy-free)
These gluten-free and dairy-free brownies are packed with protein and healthy fats. They make an awesome healthy dessert, and have a fudgy texture. You’ll love them!
Hi friends! How are you? Thank you so much for all of Liv’s beautiful birthday wishes. I read so many of them to her and she said to make sure to tell you thank you!
t’s been quite a couple of weeks over here. P’s flu was absolutely horrible, and watching her feel so bad broke my heart into a thousand pieces. I spent about 7 nights not sleeping, constantly worried about her, and during the day, trying to entertain Liv and keep her healthy (thankfully madre was able to take Liv a few times to get her out of the house!), going to doctor’s appointments, and living off of peppermint bark and decaf coffee.
It felt really weird the other day when fever-free (knock.on.all.the.wood) P was happily playing with the dollhouse, and I wandered into the kitchen to create a recipe. You’d think that after eating a ton of chocolate over the past couple of weeks I would have made you a salad or a vegetable or something.
But no. More chocolate.
And this is RIDICULOUS chocolate.
So, about these brownies.
I have to admit that it offends me a little when I see a recipe online for healthy brownies and BEANS are the first ingredient. I’ve been thinking one day I’ll get brave and go for it, but I just can’t. Keep your beans out of my brownies. (But if you like beans in your brownies, rock on with your bad self. It’s just not my cup of tea. If I’m having beans, I want them wrapped in a tortilla.)
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a classic brownie if that’s what you’re craving, too! Sometimes your soul needs a brownie from the local bakery and you need to go.for.it. Over time, I’ve learned to distinguish whether I want something indulgently satisfying, or when I want something that tastes really good but doesn’t make my blood sugar crash.
And for those times, it’s something like this.
These taste like real, fudgy, dense brownies. The edges even get a little crispy — just how we like it. The secret is using almond butter as the base and building the flavors from there. The almond butter gives them a ridiculous creamy texture, just like in these beloved pumpkin bars.
The difference is that these brownies have collagen protein and protein powder for a little something extra. 😉 They’ll satisfy your sweet tooth and fill you up a little, too. The best part about these brownies is that they make a pretty awesome healthy snack on their own. You could also top them with your favorite coconut milk ice cream, crumble into a bowl with fresh berries, or crumble into a smoothie bowl or oatmeal.
It’s been a little while since I’ve made a recipe for the blog where I’ve been like YOU HAVE TO MAKE THIS NOW. This is one of those recipes!! You have to make these. Right now. I promise you’ll go crazy for them.
Collagen protein brownies (gluten-free, dairy-free)
Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: 15 brownies
1 cup almond butter (creamy unsalted, from a fresh jar)
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 egg
1 tablespoon MCT oil (you can also use melted butter or liquid coconut oil)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I used Garden of Life. Plant-based proteins work well; I’m not sure how they’d taste with whey or egg protein)
2 scoops collagen peptides (I used Vital Proteins)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup chocolate chips (for dairy-free, make sure to use dairy-free like Enjoy Life brand)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1. Preheat the oven to 325 and spray a 9×11-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or olive oil.
2. In a large bowl, stir the almond butter until it’s light and fluffy.
3. Add the remaining ingredients and whisk until smooth.
4. Spread the batter into the pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until fully cooked around the edges.
5. Allow to cool for 20-30 minutes even though it’s hard to wait!
Please let me know if you give them a try!
xo
Gina
Some more of my favorite healthy sweet treats:
Gf chocolate chip cookies with avocado oil
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I hear you on the bean thing but honestly these are so good they have just become my go to brownie recipe. I don’t do it because of the beans but because they are an awesome, fudge brownie. I don’t even tell people who eat them and, zero complaints or guesses that the beans are there.
https://minimalistbaker.com/vegan-gluten-free-black-bean-brownies/
that’s what everyone says but i can’t do it haha
maybe i’ll get brave and finally try them sometime!
I saw you tease these on IG yesterday, and not even knowing the ingredients, I said, “Yep, I need those in my life” and now they are on my baking list for this weekend. Impromptu pregnancy cravings are real. Thanks for the recipe!!
yessss i hope you love them!
Girl, you are right. Some times you just need a brownie (or the whole pan)! I made a batch last night from a box (because Wednesday night), the Miss Jones Baking Company mix… it was pretty good. Can’t wait to give these a try
yes, sometimes you definitely need a whole pan 🙂
please let me know if you give them a whirl!
The brownies look delicious, and I’m glad P is feeling better! My then 2 year old had the flu last January, and it broke my heart to see him so sick. I hope she’s back to normal now. 🙂
thank you! it was seriously the worst ever
I have everything but the chocolate chips! I will be making this tonight and getting for chips on the way home 🙂 this looks amazing!
Gina, I really appreciate your balanced approach to food. Since you have a high LMM% and are very active, it makes sense that you can be more relaxed about carbs, sugars and truly enjoy the art of cooking and eating because your lifestyle is healthy. A great goal and reward for others to aspire to. I also like watching how you adjust, with seasons, sickness, different goals, that is the true way to be successful…being an expert at adjusting. prayers for your household and tell Liv she has the perfect pose for that recurrong photo…i look for it every year;)
So relieved P is on the mend! So scary when those little ones get sick. Take care of yourself, too!
Definitely need to make these brownies! I just need more almond butter. I think they’d be a great workout snack! Wish I had one right now 🙂
What exactly is a scoop? Is it a tablespoon?
the protein powder is 27g and the collagen is 20g
Thanks! I don’t have a scale so I did my best guess. It’s in the oven so we’ll see…the batter tastes good!
please let me know how they turned out!
They were really good! I’m not sure if I got the measurements right for the protein powder and collagen but it tasted like real brownies. And I used chocolate whey protein since that’s all I had on hand. I did have to add a little water because the batter was almost too thick and taffy like, if that makes sense, but it came out delicious! My husband really liked them too!
These sound SO good!!!! I’ve had major chocolate cravings lately (I blame training for the Boston Marathon) so I can’t wait to make these!! Love the addition of collagen too!!
xo
Tried these last weekend and they were amazing! Kinda like amazeballs but better!! 🙂 Thanks for the awesome recipe
Had to look this post up again as a follow up to when I took a screen shot because they’re soooooo good!!
I’m doing a “soft roll out” this week before I start a challenge (no crazy restrictions or anything not sustainable, just more of a “reign it it, girl” reset with my bootcamp). I figured I’d make these and if I hit a “ I’ll die without something sweet, this would be my answer. Yup! Totally love em!
YESSSS. so pumped you love them, too!
I just made these and they are delicious!! My six year old said to write that they are good in “big, bold letters.” Haha. I subbed peanut butter and chocolate protein powder and still yummy! Than lmk you!
I can replace maple syrup with stevia to make them keto. Do you know how much stevia to replace maple syrup and do you think it would come out as well?
Hmm are you using powdered or liquid stevia?
My husband and I make these almost weekly! We both love them!!
so glad you like them! i’m making a batch tomorrow too 🙂
Thanks for sharing this! I recently got into collagen protein and I am not so keen on the flavor of other protein powders right now (for some reason the flavor is too intense). Will this work by increasing the collagen protein and leaving out the protein powder?