Easy Healthy Baked Brownie Donuts (Gluten-Free)

Baked Brownie Doughnuts Recipe

Brownies. Donuts. Baked goods…They all come together in this easy recipe for brownie donuts (often nicknamed “bronuts).

What my family loves about this recipe is that we don’t get a sugar high from it, only to come crashing down a few minutes later.

And that’s because this easy brownie donut recipe is also a healthy one.

It’s sugar-free.

It’s gluten-free.

And it’s high in protein.

…all of which makes this both a treat for your senses and your body.

But how is it this delicious and nutritious at the same time?

Let’s explore some ingredients…

Homemade Bronuts (Brownie Donuts) with Avocado

One of the very special ingredients in this healthy baked brownie donut recipe is avocado.

As you may have already noted when looking at healthy chocolate mousse recipes, avocado and chocolate seem to pair well.

There’s the creaminess of the avocado, and there’s the intense flavor of the chocolate–a flavor that also serves to mask any avocado taste for those of us who don’t prefer our avocados sweet.

In this recipe, however, the avocado also serves another purpose: adding healthy fats and other nutrients.

According to Healthline, “Avocados are a source of key nutrients, including healthy fats and fiber. They also contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds.”

And hey, we will take all the health benefits we can get in our chocolate treats. 😉

Double Chocolate Brownie Donuts

Dark chocolate is, in itself, a treat.

Add it to a brownie donut and you’ve got yourself a double-treat.

“Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health….Made from the seed of the cacao tree, it’s one of the best sources of antioxidants you can find” (Healthline).

We are especially grateful for the minerals that this delicious food provides. According to the Cleveland Clinic,

“Dark chocolate is packed full of important minerals, including iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and phosphorus. In your body, these minerals are used to support factors such as immunity (zinc), can help keep your bones and teeth healthy (phosphorus), and contribute to better sleep quality (magnesium).”

Brownie Protein Donuts

The final part of these donuts that we want to highlight is protein.

These healthy brownie donuts boast two whole eggs. For this size of a baked good, that’s a considerable amount.

Tools Needed to Make This Recipe

You will need one special piece of equipment to make this recipe work: a donut pan. Our favorite is the Trudeau Donut Pan because 1) the silicone makes it super easy to remove the donuts without breaking them and 2) the mold has a strong underlying structure, preventing spills.

Here is a list of all the tools you will need to make this easy bronut recipe:

• Trudeau Donut Pan
• a mixing bowl
• a spoon (for mixing)
• a spatula (for scraping the bowl)

Ingredients for Easy Healthy Brownie Donuts

• 1/3 cup avocado puree
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder (I use raw cacao powder for extra nutrition)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 eggs
• 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. almond extract
• 1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate, chopped (optional)

How to Make Healthy Bronuts

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Mix all ingredients together (or blend in a blender) until all are fully incorporated and no lumps remain. To prevent pockets of baking powder, I like to sprinkle the baking powder in a thin layer over the surface and then mix.
3. Pour into a donut tin. (We love our Trudeau Donut Pan, with its structured silicone molding, and highly recommend it!)
4. Bake for 15 minutes.
5. Let cool slightly before removing from the pan, as this will help the donuts retain their shape and not fall apart.

Variations and Substitutions

Here are some ideas for changing up the flavors and ingredients in this easy bronut recipe. If you try these ideas, let us know in the comments how your treats turn out!

• Instead of using all avocado puree, substitute half pumpkin puree.
• Use a very ripe banana in place of half the avocado puree.
• Substitute maple syrup for the honey.
• Add even more protein by using soaked chia seeds in the donut batter.
• Instead of butter, use coconut oil.
• Add some coconut flavor by adding a bit of desiccated coconut and using coconut oil instead of butter in the recipe.

After allowing them to cool completely, store these healthy bronuts in an airtight glass container.

They will keep well at room temperature for about a day.

If you plan to store them for longer periods of time, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Other Chocolate Snacks to Try

Fuel your chocolate craving with these delicious, healthy snack recipes!

• High-Protein Dark Chocolate Marshmallows
• Chocolate Covered Raspberry Bites (with Chia Seeds)
• Healthy No-Bake Double Chocolate Granola Bars
• Healthy Double Chocolate Walnut Brownies with Almond Flour