No-Bake Healthy Peanut Butter Brownies

This no-bake healthy peanut butter brownies recipe is delicious, sugar-free and a great alternative to regular brownies. So if you’re looking for a delicious guilt-free chocolate brownie recipe then you must try this one!

Is There Such a Thing as Healthy Brownies?

Traditional chocolate brownies are typically loaded with sugar but there are plenty of healthy brownie recipes out there. Depending on what you consider to be be healthy brownies, whether it’s gluten-free, sugar-free, fat-free or made with whole ingredients, you can certainly find a guilt-free brownie recipe to suit your needs.

While no chocolate brownie or dessert can ever be classed as a meal replacement, making homemade healthy brownies is much better for you because you know exactly what goes into the recipe. Sugar-free chocolate brownie recipes like this one are made from whole ingredients, which are packed with goodness and every ingredient has been carefully selected to act as a great replacement for traditional brownie ingredients.

What is a Healthy Substitute for Sugar in Brownies

There are many healthy substitutes for sugar in brownies, from honey, dates, maple syrup, bananas and more. For this recipe, the sweetness comes from the raisins and the honey. This recipe is sugar-free meaning that it does not contain refined sugar. In the pictures you will see that I have decorated the brownie with sugar-free chocolate chips – but this is completely optional. I have used 90% dark chocolate for this recipe (this is my favorite sugar-free dark chocolate here) but you can also use regular dark chocolate as well.

If you’re using regular dark chocolate that does contain sugar then I’d recommend opting for at least 80% dark chocolate, preferably 90%. The higher the percentage the better it is for you. Dark chocolate is full of healthy benefits, such as antioxidants, so it’s a great alternative to milk chocolate or white chocolate. Please bear in mind that unless you’re using sugar-free dark chocolate, you will find that regular bars of dark chocolate still contain sugar. For example, in 90% dark chocolate there is around 2 to 7 grams of sugar per 100g, which makes it significantly less than milk chocolate. I use unsweetened, no-salt peanut butter and 100% honey for this recipe, which also significantly decreases sugar content.

Other Sugar-Free Healthy Sweet Treats You Might Enjoy

Easy Sugar-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache

Healthy Peanut Butter Blondies Recipe

Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins Recipe

Easy Homemade Jam Sugar-Free No Pectin

How to Make No-Bake Peanut Butter Brownie Bars

To make these no-bake brownies, you can use either corn flour or semolina for this recipe. This gives the brownies a lovely chewy texture and helps to thicken the mixture. I have used both semolina and corn flour for this recipe and both work extremely well!

Ingredients (makes 12 bars)

½ cup peanut butter (I use this unsweetened no-salt peanut butter)

½ cup honey

¼ cup coconut oil

100g dark chocolate (about 3.5 oz)

¾ cup semolina or fine corn flour (to give body)

½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Pinch of salt

½ cup raisins (chopped if large)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Guilt-Free Chocolate Brownies

1. Melt the base: In a saucepan over a low heat, melt together the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil. Stir until smooth.

2. Add dark chocolate: Break the dark chocolate into pieces and stir into the warm mixture until fully melted and glossy. Remove from heat.

3. Add dry ingredients: Stir in semolina or corn flour (depending on which you’re using) salt, and vanilla (if using). Mix well – the semolina/corn flour will thicken the mixture as it absorbs.

4. Fold in raisins: Add the raisins and mix until evenly distributed.

5. Set in pan: Line a small square baking pan (8×8 in / 20×20 cm) with parchment. Spread mixture evenly, pressing down firmly. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to make chocolate brownie balls then roll the mixture into individual balls and place them on a lined baking tin to set. The mixture will be firm but sticky so I’d recommend using an ice cream scooper to make this easier.

6. Chill: Refrigerate for 2-3 hours (or freeze for 45 minutes) until firm.

7. Cut & serve: Slice into bars or squares. Store in the fridge (they’ll soften at room temperature).

Serving & Freezing Suggestions

These brownies can be frozen for up to 3 months in the freezer. I’d recommend portioning the brownies first before freezing and then place them into an airtight container. Make sure they are fully defrosted before eating when you take them out of the freezer. If you don’t plan to freeze them (they’re so delicious, why would you?!) then make sure that you keep them in the refrigerator.

Recipe Variations & Tips