Fudgy Avocado Collagen Brownies (AIP/Paleo/Coconut Free)

I’m not a chocolate addict. In fact, I’m much more likely to choose raisin cake over chocolate cake, or a chai latte over a hot chocolate. BUT every once in awhile, I get a strong craving for chocolate. Like I need it now kind of craving!

I tried to reintroduce cacao back into my diet several times, but it’s been fail after fail. I always react with a headache. As sad as that is, I’m ok with it, because I actually really enjoy carob. I find it to be very close to the taste of chocolate but it also has a natural sweetness to it, which works perfectly in AIP treats. Thank goodness for carob! 

I’ve been waiting to share this recipe with you for quite awhile now. I made it a couple times, tweaking the recipe till it was just right, and then before I could take pictures, they were ALL gone! Between myself and my daughters there were gobbled up quickly.  So I waited until I had all the ingredients stocked up again before I remade and photographed them so I could share the brownie healing goodness. But I hope the wait was worth it, because these are LEGIT!

These most definitely have a spot on my top healing treats list, here’s why:

Avocado

If you aren’t aware that avocados are a superfood, you haven’t been paying attention! Avocados are high in fat but the GOOD fat, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), which is especially good for your heart! 

Collagen 

Gosh I heart this supplement. Not only is it extremely healing to that leaky gut lining, but it also has a positive effect on skin, hair and nails. In this recipe I’ve successfully used:

  • Regular pasture-raised collagen, my fave is Further Collagen (for 10% off use discount code AIP10).
  • Collagen Veggie Blend by Vital Proteins, this one adds even more health benefits since it contain fruits and veggies). 

Banana flour

In the paleo/aip world there are loads of treat recipes that use coconut flour. This isn’t a bad thing because coconut flour is a healthy substitute and is readily available. BUT I know there are many out there that cannot tolerate coconut. Banana flour is filled with potassium and other vitamins and minerals that are found in bananas, of course.  It works great in baked goods, doesn’t taste anything like bananas, it doesn’t really have any taste, and the results mimic wheat flour!  Since the flour is made from green bananas, it is high in resistant starch, meaning it’s not going to spike your blood sugar like a ripe banana would. 

In summary, avocado gives the healthy fats, collagen the healing protein, and the banana flour offers resistant starch as well as vitamins and minerals. YES it is a completely balanced healthy treat but it tastes like a brownie! 

Fudgy Avocado Collagen Brownies (AIP/Paleo/Coconut Free)

Yield: 4-6 servings

Fudgy Avocado Collagen Brownies (AIP/Paleo/Coconut Free)

Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
25 minutes
Additional Time:
10 minutes
Total Time:
45 minutes

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 small-medium avocados (approx 1/2 cup mashed)
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Icing (optional)

Instructions

    1. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, set aside.
    2. Mix wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
    3. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, and mix until combined.
    4. Place batter onto a parchment lined square glass pan, and spread with a spatula until approximately an inch thick.
    5. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.
    6. Allow to cool completely. Store in refrigerator.
    7. Mix icing ingredients together making sure there are no lumps of avocado. Add to a ziplock bag, snip corner and squeeze icing onto brownies.
    8. Enjoy!

57 Comments

  1. Thank you!!! I’ve had a bag of banana flour in my cupboard and I haven’t had time to figure out how to use it. I’ve looked for AIP recipes that use banana flour, but not a whole lot comes up. These brownies look amazing!!

  2. These are very tasty! Super moist and not too sweet. I used green plantain flour and cake out really nice.

  3. Can these be frozen?

    • I haven’t tried as they don’t last long around here but I would think so. Instead of reheating, I would let them defrost in the fridge to keep them cool. I think they are much better cold!

  4. LOVE Avocado brownies! Such a genius invention… these ingredients sound amazing and the texture looks perfect.

  5. What could I use to replace the banana flour? I’d love to make these but can’t access affordable banana flour. Thx!

    • Hi Sara,

      I have only tried these with banana flour. Although I will be testing other flours, since there seems to be a lot of interest. I just haven’t gotten to it yet! I’ll update the post once I do. Others have suggested using tigernut flour or cassava flour but I’m thinking you may need a bit more of these, perhaps 1/2 cup? Again, I haven’t tried these yet, so if you do try please report back with the results!

      • Hi! Did you ever try it with coconut flour or other flour? Thanks!

        • Hi Silvi!

          You know I hadn’t tried it with just coconut flour, but your comment had me curious, so I tried it last night! And I’m happy to report, it does work. The texture is slightly different and I must say I do prefer the green banana flour. However, if you’re looking to reduce the carbs/starch or are unable to get green banana flour, I think coconut flour is a good option.

  6. Did I miss it? What size glass pan?
    I look forward to trying. Thank you.

    • Hi Judith,

      I use an 8 inch glass pan, although the batter doesn’t exactly fill the pan. As long as it’s in a pan on parchment paper and the mixture is spread to be approx an inch thick, Can wait for you to try 🙂

      • Hi. I found out I am allergic to apples. Is there anything I can try as a sub for applesauce?

        • I’ve only tried it with applesauce so I can’t guarantee it will work, but if I were to bake it with a substitute I would try mashed banana or mashed sweet potato or pumpkin puree but add a 1/2 tsp of apple cider vinegar to activate the baking soda. Hope this helps and if you give it a try, let me know how it turns out!

  7. Hello! Would cocoa powder work for these? I know it isn’t AIP but we have a legume allergy and cannot do carob. Great recipe, thanks for sharing!! Can’t wait to try it.

  8. Is maple sugar Aip?
    Thanks

  9. Hi, I think you have done a wonderful job on your website! I am not (officially*) Paleo/AIP, etc; however, I do bake for customers and my family. I have recently come across TigerNut Flour/Seeds/nuts, etc. and I am looking for recipes (that is how I landed at your website). Now, on the Fudgy Avocado Brownies, they look like they would be something I would try (for me!!) however, I am allergic to bananas (and some other fruit!!) I can’t seem to find alternatives for the banana flour in your recipe. Do you have any other ideas? My allergies are to fruits (banana, papaya, kiwi, etc) they have real-serious reactions, and an Epi Pen; so it is just not something I can consume.

    (Oh, and I noticed the yummy Banana TigerNut cookies you have as well… and the banana is used to make it all stick together… any other ideas)?

    I appreciate your help.

    Tracy (in Eastern Ontario)
    * a NP one time said that it would be a “good diet to look into, but don’t go extremist” LOL

    • Hi Tracy,

      So nice to see fellow Ontarians here 🙂 hmmm that’s a tough one to substitute, I’ve only tried the recipe with banana flour. IF you are ok with plantains, plantain flour would work. Others have suggested cassava flour or tigernut flour, but I think the recipe would need some tweaking for it to work. Same goes with the tigernut flake cookies, I’ve only tried it with bananas but plantain should work. Hope this helps!

  10. Susan Smith

    I just made these yummy brownies with cassava flour since I did not have green banana flour on hand and had some very ripe avocados to use up. I used the same amount of cassava flour as green banana flour that was called for in the recipe, and these turned out just fine. I plan to purchase some green banana flour in the future and give that a try and see if I like the recipe any better. I’m finding these fudgy brownies rather addictive along with a glass of cold coconut milk!

    • Thanks for your comment Susan! SO glad you are enjoying the brownies. I made these this weekend as well and just had one for my lunch dessert!

  11. What does the collagen do in this recipe? Or will they work without it?

    • Hi Karen,

      The collagen adds protein but also helps with the texture of the brownies. I have not made these without the collagen so I’m not sure how it would turn out. But if I were to try, I’d add another 2 tbsp of banana flour. Hope this helps!

  12. What is the brand of vanilla you use that is AIP compliant?

    • Hi Lorie,
      I use Simply Organic vanilla, which is AIP as long as it is in something baked/cooked, so the alcohol is cooked off. If you’re using vanilla without cooking, in order for it to be AIP, you need to use vanilla bean powder. Hope this helps!

  13. Megan Townsend

    Is it possible to substitute gelatin for collagen, as I react to collagen?

    • Hi Megan,

      I don’t think substituting gelatin will work in this case. You can try omitting the collagen and adding a bit more banana flour, that may work, but I haven’t personally tried it. Hope this helps!

  14. Hi! Do you have an estimate on how many this recipe makes? Needing for a bridal shower!
    Thanks!

  15. This looks so good! Does a banana flavor come through this flour?

  16. Thanks for sharing! Do they keep long?

  17. Hey Rebecca, Could you tell me if the collagen provides any function in the recipe other than the added nutritional value? Will this recipe work with bone broth powder is what I’m wondering, or even if it’s left out?
    Thanks!

    • Hi Kae!

      It helps with texture. I haven’t tried making it without the collagen so no guarantees but I bet it would work with bone broth powder, or if you leave it out, I would recommend adding an extra 2 tbsp of banana flour. Hope this helps!

  18. These are SO good! I made “trial run.” I will make them next time for a special party where there will be some gluten free eaters in addition to me on paleo. Thank you!

  19. Cindy Roberts

    I wonder if you can do this without the green banana flour and collagen. I’m not into buying isolated items for just me that I’m not going to use except once in a blue moon.
     

    • Hi Cindy,

      You may be able to substitute them withcoconut flour but you’d have to adjust the measurements. I haven’t tried it though, so no guarantees! For me, it’s only turned out well when I make it with banana flour and collagen.

  20. This is legit one of the worst things I’ve ever tasted and I have 75 food sensitivities so I know how to appreciate a healthy thing. I do not understand how everyone here is thrilled with their results. For me, the definition of Pin fail. One bite and I had to throw it away. Prior to the toss, I even made a cream cheese frosting to help it go down, which did help but Yikes, truly was rooting for this win…

    • Whoa harsh much Michelle? lol! I’ve noticed this recipe is a love it or hate it kind of recipe and I think it’s safe to say you are in the hate it category. But you’re right there are plenty of people who like it, including my kids! I really hope whatever you make next turns out wonderfully!

  21. Julie Anne Butlig

    The cooked avocado made the brownies bitter. How did you solve this?

    • hmm I don’t find they are bitter at all. But you could try a bit more maple syrup or even add a bit of coconut sugar if you find them bitter.

      • Julie Anne Butlig

        Thanks for the suggestions, Rebecca! What changes do I need to do with the dry ingredients if I add in more maple syrup? I am not so keen on coconut sugar

        • Thanks for this recipe Rebecca! I have reintroduced cocoa so I made it with that and it turned so good! I reduced the amount of cocoa by a little and added a bit more sweetener. I also threw in some pure chocolate chips cause, why not? Lol. I found they were even better the next day straight out of the fridge. Yum!!

          • Oh the addition of chocolate chips would be delicious for sure! So glad you enjoyed the recipe, thank you so much for commenting <3

  22. These are incredible! My partner said he’d take it over a standard chocolate cake any day. Lovely texture, not too sweet, really passed the test for me on a PMS day craving chocolate brownies. So hard to find coconut-free AIP (I’m intolerant) so very grateful thank you!

  23. This is a recipe I’ve never heard of! What a great way to get some collagen and good fat from avocados.

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