Gluten Free Brownies (Vegan Brownies Too!)

Decadent, fudgy, and absolutely irresistible, these allergy-friendly Vegan Gluten Free Brownies are made with just a few simple real food ingredients!  

Recipe By Leidi Rodriguez

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I’m a bit of a skeptic when it comes to anything labeled gluten free or vegan. It’s not that I don’t trust that there are plenty of delicious options, it’s that I don’t want to have to sort through the sea to find them. So, most of the time, I make my own kinda-sorta-healthy goodies at home! 

I’ve tested this brownie recipe more times than I’d like to admit. I’m just not willing to settle for less than perfection! No dry, tasteless, or grainy brownies here people. 

I’m very proud to say that these are single handedly the best brownies I ever made. Rich and chocolatey with the perfect amount of chew, my Fudge Brownies will give that box mix a run for its money! I even added some walnuts and flaky sea salt for the crunch this brownie was begging for. 

Perks and Highlights for The Best Vegan Gluten Free Brownies

Cuisine Inspiration: Inclusive Indulgence
Who says decadence can’t be inclusive? Inspired by a fusion of health-conscious and compassionate cuisine choices, these brownies ensure that dessert is a celebration for everyone.

Primary Cooking Method: Baking
These aren’t just any brownies; they’re a warm, chocolatey embrace from your oven. Baking transforms a humble batter into squares of joy, while keeping the kitchen smelling like a chocolate haven.

Dietary Info: Gluten-Free and Vegan
Wave goodbye to gluten and bid adieu to animal products! These brownies respect your dietary choices and allergies without compromising on taste or texture.

Key Flavor: Intense Chocolate
A rich, chocolatey euphoria awaits in every bite, with a depth of flavor that belies their vegan, gluten-free nature. It’s the alchemy of cocoa’s bitterness balanced by the subtle sweetness of plant-based ingredients.

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly
Perfect for baking novices or those new to gluten-free or vegan cooking, this recipe is a fuss-free passport to brownie brilliance.

Special Perks:

• Healthier Indulgence: Savor the treat without the wheat! Gluten-free means gut-friendly, and the vegan aspect ensures heart health and compassion towards all creatures.
• Texture Heaven: These brownies achieve that coveted crispy crust and fudgy center, making each bite a moment of pure bliss.
• Kid-Approved: Delectable and healthy, they’re a hit with the youngsters, even the picky eaters. Plus, what a great way to introduce kids to more inclusive dietary choices!
• Party Perfect: Whether it’s a birthday bash or a casual hangout, these universal crowd-pleasers make sure no one misses out on the fun.
• Customization Friendly: Feel free to jazz it up! Add nuts, vegan chocolate chips, or a swirl of peanut butter to make these brownies your own.

Ingredients

• Gluten Free Cup for Cup Flour- It’s important that you try out different kinds of gluten-free flours to find one you like best. Whichever you grab, make sure it has Xanthan Gum in its ingredient list. It helps to replace the elasticity and texture of gluten, preventing crumbly brownies. If your gluten free flour doesn’t have it, you can add ¼ teaspoon of Xanthan gum for every 1 cup of gluten free flour.  I used King Arthur Measure For Measure Flour for this recipe. 
• Cocoa Powder- this recipe will work with any cocoa powder you have on hand! I’d recommend sifting the powder to avoid large clumps. 
• Kosher Salt- Salt enhances flavor, so don’t dare skip it! 
• Water and Granulated Sugar- One of my biggest brownie pet peeves is a grainy texture. By dissolving the water into sugar we get the same sweetness while removing those pesky little bits. 
• Flax Eggs- Flax eggs are a great replacement for eggs! They add nutritious fiber and help to bind together the batter. 
• Oil- Using vegetable oil in brownies gives the fudgiest results. Vegetable oil remains liquid at room temperature, while butter turns solid. Using oil will yield a tender brownie that falls apart in your mouth as you bite into it. 
• Vanilla Extract- High-quality vanilla is a must for me; it enhances flavor and adds warmth. 
• Chocolate Chunks- To keep these brownies vegan, you’ll need to make sure to buy dairy-free chocolate. There are plenty of options available! 

• OPTIONAL: Walnuts- Walnuts are brownies’ best friend! Slightly bitter and earthy, nuts compliment the floral earthiness in chocolate. 
• OPTIONAL: Flaky Sea Salt – This is hands down my favorite ingredient in the kitchen. I sprinkle crunchy sea salt on just about every baked good! The added texture and flavor is phenomenal. 

How to Make Vegan Gluten Free Brownies

Picture this: it’s 10pm and I’m in my coziest pajamas bingeing The Bachelorette while sipping on a generous pour of Pinot Noir. It’s about this time of night that my belly gurgles and my brain can’t seem to shut out intrusive thoughts of chocolate chip cookies and about 74 pretzels. 

When the cravings strike, I need a super simple recipe to take me from hungry to chocolate drunk real quick. I don’t have time to mess with complicated ingredients and long baking times. And that folks is where this recipe comes in! 

These fudge brownies couldn’t be easier to make! All you’ve gotta do is make the flax eggs, dissolve the sugar in water, mix together, and bake! Sure there’s some measuring and mixing involved but I swear you could make this recipe with a hand tied behind your back. 

Brownie Variations

I like my brownies simple. Chocolate chunks, walnuts, and flaky sea salt are more than enough for me. But, if you’re looking to jazz things up or add your own personal touch, here are a few of my favorite mixins: 

• More chocolate chips or chunks (they can be white, milk, or dark chocolate!) 
• Pecans, peanuts, or almonds 
• Nut butter 
• Crushed oreos 
• M&M’s 
• Shredded coconut 
• Crushed pretzels 

How to Cut and Store Brownies

I am extremely guilty of slicing into freshly baked brownies. Like, I pretty much do it every single time. Can you blame me? A girl just wants a hot, fudgy dessert. 

But, unless you’re looking to make a pile of messy chocolate goop (yes, I’m into that), don’t follow my lead. Instead, allow the brownies to completely cool and slice them with a large kitchen knife in one fell swoop. 

DO NOT drag the knife through the brownies or you’ll have some major crumble issues. 

Store the cut brownie squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If preferred, wrap each square tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. These brownies can also be frozen for up to 3 months; defrost at room temperature for a few hours or in the fridge overnight. 

What to Serve With

These brownies are incredible with a drizzle of  Vegan Caramel Sauce to pair it with.

Brownie Recipes

• Skillet Brownie 
• Classic Fudgy Brownies 
• Turtle Brownies
• Caramel Pretzel Brownies