Fudgy Chocolate Avocado Brownies (No Butter)

Nobody at Mr F's office could figure out the secret ingredient. Fudgy, rich, deeply chocolatey, and they assumed butter. Lots of it. When I told them it was avocado, the silence was priceless. These chocolate avocado brownies swap out all the butter for one large ripe avocado, and the result is a brownie that's denser and creamier than the classic.

No butter, no baking soda, no electric mixer. Just a bowl, a spatula, and a ripe avocado that you'd otherwise be spreading on toast. The avocado flavour completely disappears into the chocolate, and the texture is almost mousse-like in the centre with clean edges when you slice.

Avocado on my breakfast toast or in pasta sauce? Sure. Avocado in smoothies? Hell ya! But when it came to desserts, I was sceptical-until I tasted a luscious chocolate mousse and then this indulgent brownie. Consider me converted!

Jump to:

• 🥘Ingredient Notes
• Steps to make this recipe
• 💡Tips
• ❄️Storage
• ☝️Avocado Brownie Questions
• More Related Recipes
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Comments

🥘Ingredient Notes

Brownies are as good as the chocolate and cocoa used, and for these chocolate brownies with avocado, you need a good ripe avocado too! Go semi-sweet, dark or milk, dutch processed or natural, whatever you have in hand. As a home cook, I tend not to be too hard on myself, because I know these chocolate-rich treats are great for my happiness chart.

• large ripe avocado: Fully ripe is non-negotiable. Press the skin gently; it should yield without being mushy. Cut open and check it's clean and string-free before using.
• chocolate chips: Semi-sweet or dark both work well. Any good chocolate bar without add-ins will also do. If you love baking with chocolate, try my chocolate lazy cake with tahini and pistachio - no oven required.
• Instant coffee: Optional but recommended. It deepens the chocolate flavour without making the brownies taste like coffee.
• white and brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a slight molasses depth. You can use all white, coconut sugar, or a liquid sweetener like maple syrup in equal parts.
• large eggs
• cocoa powder: Natural or Dutch process both work. Dutch process gives a slightly darker, smoother result.
• all-purpose flour: For a gluten-free version, swap with almond flour in equal quantity.
• vanilla extract: Use vanilla extract or vanilla sugar, whichever you have on hand.

See recipe card for details.

Steps to make this recipe

1. Prep: Get the ingredients ready to use, line the pan and preheat the oven. Mash the avocado well without any large lumps.
2. Melt: Use a stove-top double boiler or microwave to melt the chocolate.
3. Sweeten: Add the sugars to the warm chocolate and stir to dissolve.
4. Whisk: Add the eggs one by one and whisk them into the batter. Add the mashed avocado and mix gently.
5. Sift: Add the cocoa powder through a sieve to break any large lumps.
6. Fold: Add the flour, salt and vanilla sugar and fold until no trace of dry flour.
7. Bake, cool, slice and serve!
8. See the Recipe card below for a detailed recipe with print or save options.

💡Tips

When making these chocolate brownies with avocado, try to use ripe avocados for the best flavour and texture. Ripe avocados are softer and have a richer taste, which will blend seamlessly into the brownie batter, giving you that creamy and indulgent texture you're looking for.

Mash it completely smooth. Lumps of avocado in the batter won't bake out. Use a fork and mash until there are absolutely no lumps before folding it into the chocolate mixture. If your avocado is very fibrous, blitz it briefly in a small blender first.

❄️Storage

• To keep your chocolate brownies with avocado fresh and delicious, store them in a Tupperware container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• If you want them to last longer, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days.

☝️Avocado Brownie Questions

Can you taste the avocado in chocolate avocado brownies?

Avocado brownies do have a subtle avocado flavour that doesn't overpower the chocolate.

Can I use frozen avocado in chocolate brownies?

Absolutely! Thawed frozen avocado works well in brownies, just remember to drain any excess liquid before adding it to the batter.

How do I know when avocado brownies are done baking?

Avocado brownies are ready when a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Be cautious not to overbake them to keep them fudgy.

More Related Recipes

If you're looking for other wholesome chocolate treats, my dates and nuts energy balls are completely no-bake and naturally sweetened.

Looking for other sweet snack recipes like this? Try these:

📖 Recipe Card

If you bake often and are looking for brownie inspirations, I would highly recommend my dearest friend, Rafeeda's collection of brownie recipes.