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Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies

October 2, 2020 by Lindsay 59 Comments

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These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are flourless, sweetened with dates and full of chocolate flavor. They taste so good you’ll never believe they’re a healthy dessert!

These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are flourless, sweetened with dates and full of chocolate flavor. They taste so good you'll never believe they're a healthy dessert!

*Originally published June 2014*

Hi Friends!

These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies have been a staple around here for over six years so I decided it was time to remind you about them in case you missed them the first time around! 
 
This is by far one of my favorite recipes on the blog because they’re so easy to make in the food processor, they taste great and no one will believe you when you tell them what’s in them!

To make these brownies you just need a few simple ingredients:

  • Medjool dates – if yours aren’t soft and squishy, try soaking them in hot water for 10 minutes first!
  • Mashed sweet potato – to make one quickly, stab a sweet potato all over with a knife and microwave 5-6 minutes.
  • Peanut butter- you could also use almond butter or another nut or seed butter
  • Eggs
  • Cocoa powder – unsweetened is best!
  • Applesauce – you could probably also sub mashed banana
  • Baking soda
  • Chocolate chips – we like Hershey’s special dark

That’s it! Minus maybe the dates, I bet you have all of the ingredients already in your pantry. If you’re feeling skeptical as to whether these will turn out without having any flour, you’re not alone…but believe me when I tell you they’re worth a try!

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies

Gluten-free sweet potato brownies with peanut butter drizzle and chocolate chips

 

Here’s the recipe:

Print

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies

Gluten Free Sweet Potato Brownies 5 1
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 9 reviews

These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are flourless, sweetened with dates and full of chocolate flavor. They taste so good you’ll never believe they’re a healthy dessert!

  • Author: Author: Lindsay L
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup chopped, pitted Medjool dates
  • 2/3 cup cooked sweet potato, mashed
  • 3/4 c peanut butter (or other nut/seed butter)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 c applesauce
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2/3 c dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Put the dates, sweet potato, peanut butter, eggs and applesauce in a food processor (or high-powered blender) and process until smooth.
  2. Add the cocoa powder and baking soda and pulse until combined.
  3. Add in the chocolate chips a pulse a few times to mix in.
  4. Spoon into a greased 9×9 pan and bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in comes out clean.
  5. Optional frosting: When cooled, top with nut butter, melt nut butter and more chocolate chips in the microwave, stir to combine and spread over brownies or top with your favorite frosting

Notes

To quickly get mashed sweet potato, stab a sweet potato all over with a knife and microwave 5-6 minutes.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

Aren’t they pretty?!

These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are flourless, sweetened with dates and full of chocolate flavor. They taste so good you'll never believe they're a healthy dessert!

 

I like topping them with peanut butter but you can also enjoy them plain or sprinkle some chocolate chips on top right when they come out of the oven and then spread them into a frosting once they warm up!

 

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

 

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Filed Under: Baking, Dessert, Healthy Muffins & Bars Tagged With: Applesauce, Chocolate Chips, Cocoa Powder, Egg, Peanut Butter, Sweet Potato

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says

    June 25, 2014 at 12:49 AM

    These look amazing! I love brownies. Pinning these to try!

    Reply
  2. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    June 25, 2014 at 2:21 AM

    Definitely pretty! I just wrote today how you take such pretty food photographs! Another job well done! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:42 PM

      thanks so much friend!

      Reply
  3. Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says

    June 25, 2014 at 3:09 AM

    These look great! Love the addition of sweet potato!

    Reply
  4. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    June 25, 2014 at 4:25 AM

    So glad you revamped this…not the biggest sweet potato fan but damn these look great- especially hidden in brownie form!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:42 PM

      you won’t even taste the sweet potato 😉

      Reply
  5. Sarah @RunFarGirl says

    June 25, 2014 at 5:12 AM

    These look really amazing! And I love that the recipe isn’t too complicated. These are definitely going on my “try” list.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:41 PM

      yay!! hope you love them!

      Reply
  6. Hollie says

    June 25, 2014 at 6:18 AM

    I think the nut butter really adds to the photo. I love the topping. They look amazing though and really caught my eye!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:41 PM

      yay! glad to hear it!

      Reply
  7. Danielle @ It's a Harleyyy Life says

    June 25, 2014 at 6:35 AM

    YUMMY! I really need this in my life! (:

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:41 PM

      agreed. you definitely do 🙂

      Reply
  8. Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says

    June 25, 2014 at 7:19 AM

    These brownies are simply amazing! I just so happen to LOVE brownies, so the fact that I can make a gluten free and healthy version is awesome! Great recipe!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:41 PM

      thanks holly!!

      Reply
  9. lindsay says

    June 25, 2014 at 7:28 AM

    way to make me hungry for brownies at 6am. Pre workout fuel, yes?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:41 PM

      agreed 🙂

      Reply
  10. Stephanie says

    June 25, 2014 at 7:31 AM

    Love these! My Boyfriend won’t let me put bananas in my baking either, these are going to be such a hit with him. I can’t wait to make them, in fact I know there’s some sweet potato lurking in the cupboards at the moment!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:41 PM

      yay! happy eating!

      Reply
  11. Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says

    June 25, 2014 at 7:36 AM

    OMG! yes please! I have some dates that need to be used….

    Reply
  12. Heather (Where's the Beach) says

    June 25, 2014 at 8:53 AM

    Yum just pinned! These look so decadent.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:40 PM

      thanks so much heather!

      Reply
  13. Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says

    June 25, 2014 at 9:37 AM

    I remember seeing these, but I never got around to making them. So glad you reminded me about them- the ingredient list is perfect for a treat for my 4yo, too!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:40 PM

      yay! hope she loves them!

      Reply
  14. jobo says

    June 25, 2014 at 9:48 AM

    YUM!! these look delish and uh, so pretty. I can’t make pretty desserts, I am incapable, but I shall try 😉

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:40 PM

      usually i just smear it on top, screw the drizzle 🙂

      Reply
  15. alicia says

    June 25, 2014 at 10:56 AM

    I love sweet potatoes – I’ll have to try these out! They look fabulous.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:40 PM

      t me know what you think!

      Reply
  16. Rebecca says

    June 25, 2014 at 11:04 AM

    These look delicious! Another added bonus they are paleo!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:39 PM

      win win win!

      Reply
  17. Medha @ Whisk & Shout says

    June 25, 2014 at 11:22 AM

    I love brownies sooo much! Definitely my favorite dessert. And with the healthy addition of sweet potatoes? I’m so in 🙂

    Reply
  18. Heather says

    June 25, 2014 at 12:03 PM

    Definitely trying these – thanks for reposting!

    Reply
  19. Brittney @ Sweets 'N' Greens says

    June 25, 2014 at 1:21 PM

    So glad you reposted these! They look amazing…Sunday brownie baking may have to happen this weekend…. 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:39 PM

      sounds like a great idea to me!

      Reply
  20. Dietitian Jess says

    June 25, 2014 at 3:00 PM

    Love sweet potatoes and brownies so these will be a must make win for me! I’m still using my iphone for food photography until I buy a real camera but it’s amazing to see the improvement in bloggers photos and what a difference a real camera can make, these look beautiful 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:39 PM

      thanks so much jess!

      Reply
  21. Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says

    June 25, 2014 at 7:57 PM

    I’ve made these multiple times from your first posting. I like the pretty new pics!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:38 PM

      thanks Angela 🙂

      Reply
  22. Matt @ Runner Savvy says

    June 25, 2014 at 8:05 PM

    Oh yum!

    Reply
  23. Jules says

    June 25, 2014 at 8:16 PM

    These look delicious. Do you have an suggestions for a nut butter substitute? Lots of but allergies in my family but I know sweet potato brownies would be a big hit!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:39 PM

      hmmm could you do sunflower seed butter? You might be able to try adding some coconut oil or avocado to replace some of the fat nut butter provides…or even a little butter or full fat yogurt?

      Reply
  24. Rachel says

    June 25, 2014 at 9:08 PM

    what a great idea! I never would have thought putting sweet potatoes in brownies! I love this blog 🙂

    Reply
  25. Ashley says

    June 28, 2014 at 12:38 PM

    Those brownies look yummy!

    Reply
  26. Aly says

    July 1, 2014 at 5:50 AM

    This is really nice looking recipe. Honestly, I have never tried anything like it but, well, there is always first for everything.

    Reply
  27. Maureen says

    October 3, 2014 at 9:52 AM

    As always, thank you for hosting! I pinned your GF sweet potato brownies! 🙂

    Reply
  28. Jill Gage says

    October 16, 2014 at 11:11 AM

    I made these for a work lunch and people were very impressed. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they binded and were moist. For those lookign to make these they are more like a cake brownie or least in my experience that is how they came out :)!
    Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 16, 2014 at 11:15 AM

      glad you liked them!

      Reply
  29. Kathleen says

    January 30, 2015 at 2:24 PM

    What could I use in place of dates?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      January 30, 2015 at 2:30 PM

      You could try replacing with sugar, i’d probably use less than the full amount or another fruit like applesauce or mashed bananas but i haven’t tried them with those substitutions!

      Reply
  30. Jen says

    March 11, 2015 at 3:49 AM

    Wow, I just made these and love ’em! 🙂 I even made them “eggless” by subbing with “flax eggs” (1 egg = 1 T. ground flax + 2.5 T. water). I didn’t have dark chocolate chips on hand, so I omitted them–really good even without! I think that a nice add-in would be walnuts 🙂 Anyway, I used almond butter which was perfect. My family loved them, too–feeling blessed! Thank you for such a healthy, yummy recipe!

    Reply
  31. renee says

    May 12, 2015 at 11:08 AM

    A sweet potato brownie! Never heard of anyone having done this. Very ingenious. I have to try this.

    Reply
  32. Brogan says

    February 19, 2016 at 3:45 PM

    What is nut butter? Is this the same as cashew or peanut butter?please could someone help

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      February 21, 2016 at 9:48 PM

      any sort of nut butter will work. peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.

      Reply
  33. Vibha Mahadeo says

    July 28, 2020 at 11:41 AM

    We followed this exact recipe and loved it!

    Reply
  34. chris says

    August 7, 2020 at 7:44 PM

    Delicious! My new favorite healthy brownie recipe. Thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply
  35. Jennifer says

    January 22, 2021 at 7:29 PM

    These are absolutely INSANE. So fudge-y and delicious! Seriously just as good (if not better) as a “regular” brownie, but bonus: it’s healthy!

    Reply
  36. Melanie Smith-Cervera says

    April 19, 2021 at 7:31 PM

    I have to admit I was skeptical about these brownies but they were amazing! I used milk chocolate chips instead of dark – delicious! These are going into regular rotation.

    Reply
  37. Olivia says

    November 20, 2021 at 8:39 PM

    My husband and I love this recipe! I’ve been making it for years and they are his favorite since he doesn’t like overly sweet desserts. I enjoy these so much and I really love that it’s full of good nutrients. I have a few hormone disorders so these are perfect for me since all of the ingredients are friendly for my dietary needs and they really satisfy the chocolate and sweets cravings!

    Reply
  38. Emily C says

    February 5, 2025 at 1:58 PM

    I’m a huge fan of these and almost always have a batch in the freezer (to be taken out and microwaved one at a time!).

    I used sun butter this time to try to get rid of a (very expensive) jar my child doesn’t like and there was no noticeable difference in taste. Perfect use of a pricey ingredient! They are also fabulous with regular peanut butter. Don’t skip the PB drizzle at the end. Perfect!

    Reply
  39. Chris says

    March 23, 2025 at 1:41 PM

    I love these brownies! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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Questions? Comments? Email me: [email protected]

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