8 Healthiest Brownie Mixes on Grocery Shelves—and 3 To Avoid

Mmm… brownies. Who doesn't love diving into a freshly baked pan of these ooey, gooey treats? When you purchase a packaged baked goods mix, whether it's for cake, muffins, or brownies, it's easy to recreate bakery-style desserts with a single mixing bowl and just a few ingredients. Typically, some water, oil, and an egg or two are all you need, and voila!—You've whipped up dessert. It's the very best of homemade-meets-convenience baking. Today's brownie mixes offer a wide variety of both taste and nutrition. Some store-bought options are surprisingly healthy (relatively, anyway!), while others take their fudginess a bit too far into high-fat, high-calorie territory.

To help you narrow down the options available, we talked with dietitians about the best and worst brownie boxes on grocery shelves in terms of nutrition. Here's what they had to say.

How we chose the best brownie mixes:

• Total calories: At first glance, brownie mix calorie totals don't look too over-the-top—typically in the range of 100-200 calories. But keep in mind that once you add oil and eggs, calories will go up significantly. That's why we looked for mixes on the lower end of the calorie spectrum.

• Shorter ingredient lists: To mimic homemade flavors, some manufacturers engineer their mixes by including extra preservatives, fats, and even artificial colors. For health, simpler is generally better. We looked for shorter ingredient lists.

• Lower added sugars: Added sugars are associated with various health problems, including obesity and heart disease risk. We stuck to brands that keep sugars on the lower side.

Read on to see what dietitians chose for the healthiest and unhealthiest brownie mixes on the market. Then, check out these 30 Low-Calorie Desserts to Buy Under 150 Calories.

The Healthiest Brownie Mixes

Best: Simple Mills Brownie Mix

If you're gluten-free, you may have come to count on Simple Mills for tasty products that won't disrupt your GF lifestyle. Their brownie mix is no exception. "Simple Mills brownie mix is a delightful treat that is packed with nutrient-rich almond flour, offering a guilt-free indulgence," says Jasmin Ilkay, MBA, MPH, RDN. "With just 100 calories per serving and 6 grams of fat, it is a smart choice for satisfying your sweet tooth."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Best: Birch Benders Organic Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix

You'll find only five organic ingredients in Birch Benders's new Organic Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix: organic cane sugar, organic wheat flour, organic cocoa powder, salt, and organic natural flavor. Not only are these brownies deliciously fudgey, but they're also the only boxed brownie mix made with entirely organic ingredients.

Best: King Arthur All-American Fudge Brownie Mix

We'll grant that King Arthur's All-American Mix isn't the most low-calorie or low-sugar choice—but it stands out for an important benefit: its simplicity. Here, you won't find any funky ingredients. The mix contains just five ingredients: sugar, flour, cocoa powder, sea salt, and baking powder. It's one of the least processed brownie mixes on the market.

 20 Chocolate Brands That Use the Highest Quality Ingredients

Best: Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Brownie Mix

Another GF favorite, Bob's Red Mill Brownie Mix is made with a unique blend of alternative flours. "Bob's Red Mill Gluten-free brownie mix is a gem because it's not only gluten-free but also made with whole grain ingredients like brown rice flour and sorghum flour," says Alyssa Simpson RDN, CGN, CLT, owner of Nutrition Resolution in Phoenix, AZ. "I recommend it to my clients concerned about digestive health, particularly those seeking low-fermentable sweet treats, as it's also low FODMAP."

 12 Best Low-Sugar Desserts on Grocery Shelves

Best: Miss Jones Baking Co. Everyday Delicious Double Chocolate Brownie Mix

"This is the type of brownie you will crave and feel good about!" says Baird. "Made with simple ingredients, Miss Jones Baking Co. brownies are full of goodness." This double chocolate chip brownie baking mix contains high-quality ingredients such as real sugar and cocoa powder, and it's entirely gluten-free thanks to the brand's use of tapioca starch, rice flour, and potato starch. But don't be fooled—these GF brownies will still rival those gluten-containing options!

Best: Kodiak Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix

"Whoever said brownies have to be a guilty indulgence has never tired of these decadent and delicious brownies by Kodiak," says Brooke Baird, RDN, LD, of Simply Divine Nutrition. Believe it or not, these brownies are made with 100% whole grains and even have a sizable pop of protein! You'll get 5 grams in each serving (1/16th of the package).

 11 Best Healthy Desserts on Grocery Store Shelves

Best: Great Value Fudge Brownie Mix

Not every healthy brownie mix has to break the bank. One of the best options is this bargain-priced mix from Walmart. At just 100 calories and a mere half gram of fat per serving, it's a low-calorie (and low-cost) way to enjoy your favorite chocolatey dessert.

Best: Simple Truth Plant-Based Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix

Vegans and vegetarians, rejoice! There's a healthy brownie mix just for you. Still, you don't have to be a vegan to enjoy this choice. Simple Truth's plant-based brownie mix has plenty to offer for plant-based eaters and omnivores alike. Besides being low in calories and sodium, it's a sustainable, carbon-neutral choice.

The Unhealthiest Brownie Mixes

Worst: Pillsbury Funfetti Brownie Mix with Candy Coated Chips

These party-themed brownies may not be very high-calorie, but don't be fooled—they're not a healthy choice. Their ingredient list includes multiple artificial colors and hydrogenated palm kernel oil, a source of trans fats. Though the FDA technically phased trans fats out of foods as of 2020, small amounts remain in the food supply. This fat has been linked with harmful health effects like heart attack, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

 6 Healthiest Cookie Doughs on Grocery Shelves—and 4 to Avoid

Worst: Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge

"My worst pick is Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge," says Lisa Andrews, MEd, RD, LD, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Health Insiders. This brand contains palm oil, a controversial fat that's been linked to both environmental and health concerns. Plus, Andrews points out that, when looking at nutrition info, it's easy to forget you'll be adding calories and fat when you stir in oil and eggs. "The fat, calories, and cholesterol will certainly be higher once other ingredients are added in."

Worst: Betty Crocker Supreme Triple Chunk Brownie Mix

With a name like "Supreme Triple Chunk," you wouldn't expect these brownies to be healthy food—and you'd be right. This option provides almost no protein or fiber, getting most of its calories from the low-quality carbs in refined sugar and white flour. If you're really craving this mix, try sprucing up its health factor by subbing half the added oil with applesauce, mashed avocado, or Greek yogurt.

This story has been updated to include new information, fact-checking, and copyedits.