These gluten-free vegan brownies are not just for special occasions, they’re perfect for any time of the year! Whether you’re celebrating Mother’s Day, Easter, or just looking for a delicious, healthier snack, these brownies are a crowd-pleaser that everyone in the family will enjoy. Made with wholesome ingredients like unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup, and almond flour, these fudgy vegan brownies are not only easy to make but also hide the fact that they’re low in sugar. They’re the perfect treat for spring, and kids love them—without even realizing they’re made with healthier ingredients!
If you’re looking for a dessert that combines indulgence with clean eating, look no further. These brownies are vegan, gluten-free, and made with simple, nutritious ingredients that everyone can feel good about. Here’s how to make them, plus a few more sweet treat ideas that fit perfectly into a healthy lifestyle!
Ingredients for Gluten-Free Vegan Brownies
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp peanut butter (or almond butter)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 5 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips (vegan chocolate like Hu or vegan chocolate chip minis like Enjoy Life work great!)
- 1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
- 1 serving natural Easter-colored sprinkles (optional, for topping)
How to Make These Gluten-Free Vegan Brownies
- Preheat Your Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to ensure your brownies come out easily after baking. - Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In a mixing bowl, combine the unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup, peanut butter (or almond butter), and vanilla extract. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and well combined. - Add the Dry Ingredients:
Stir in the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until everything is fully combined and smooth. If you want a richer texture, feel free to add a pinch of coconut sugar for a slight caramelized sweetness. - Add Chocolate Chips and Walnuts:
Gently fold in the vegan chocolate chips and walnuts (if using). The chocolate chips will melt into the batter, creating pockets of gooey chocolate goodness. The walnuts add a perfect crunch and richness to the brownies. - Pour the Batter Into the Pan:
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Make sure the surface is smooth for even baking. - Bake the Brownies:
Bake at 350°F for 27-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. The brownies should still be fudgy in the middle, so a few crumbs on the toothpick are fine. - Add the Easter Sprinkles:
About 6 minutes before the brownies are done, sprinkle the natural Easter-colored sprinkles over the top. Gently press them in to make sure they stick, adding a colorful, festive touch to the brownies. - Cool and Slice:
Let the brownies cool completely before lifting them out of the pan. Slice them into 12 squares and enjoy this fudgy, chocolatey treat! They are sure to be a hit!
Why You’ll Love These Gluten-Free Vegan Brownies
These brownies are not just delicious—they’re the ultimate healthy treat! Fudgy vegan brownies are made without dairy or eggs, so they’re suitable for vegan gluten-free diets. The use of almond flour gives these brownies a rich, dense texture, while the maple syrup provides natural sweetness. With vegan chocolate chips and a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of brownies that’s full of flavor but still nutritious.
What I love most about this recipe is that it can be customized. If you’re looking to make them non-gluten-free, you can swap almond flour for whole wheat flour, or even use gluten-free 1:1 flour. If you’re using coconut flour, keep in mind that you’ll need to add more liquid to compensate for its absorbent nature—typically an extra tablespoon of liquid per 1/4 cup of coconut flour. This will help achieve that perfect fudgy texture!
Why You Should Choose Organic Flour Options: Avoiding Glyphosate and Bromated Flour
When baking, the quality of the ingredients you use matters, especially when it comes to flour. Choosing organic flour options is an important step in making healthier baked goods, and there are several key reasons why you should opt for organic over conventional flour, especially when you’re making treats like gluten-free vegan brownies.
Glyphosate: A Harmful Chemical in Conventional Flour
One of the main reasons to choose organic flour is to avoid exposure to glyphosate, a chemical herbicide used in conventional farming. Glyphosate is widely used in the farming process, particularly as a pre-harvest treatment to kill weeds and dry out crops before they are harvested. While glyphosate is effective in controlling weeds, it has raised health concerns due to its potential carcinogenic properties and its link to various health issues.
Non-organic grains, including wheat and other flours, are likely to contain traces of glyphosate. Choosing organic flour options ensures that you’re getting grains grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides, providing a cleaner, healthier product for your family.
Bromating: A Common Additive in Conventional Flour
Another reason to choose organic flour is to avoid bromated flour. Bromate is a chemical additive used in the flour milling process to strengthen dough and improve its baking qualities, helping it rise better. However, potassium bromate, the chemical used in bromating, is considered a potential carcinogen and has been banned in many countries around the world. It has been linked to various health problems, including kidney damage and cancer in animal studies. Unfortunately, bromated flour is still common in the United States, particularly in commercially produced flour.
By using organic flour, you can ensure that the flour you are using is free from bromate, giving you peace of mind about the safety of your baked goods.
King Arthur Flour: A Reliable Organic Choice
When it comes to choosing high-quality, organic flour, King Arthur Flour is always a great choice. Their organic flour options are known for being consistent, reliable, and made from carefully sourced, high-quality ingredients. King Arthur Flour is committed to producing non-GMO and pesticide-free products, which means you’re getting flour that is not only organic but also free from harmful chemicals like glyphosate and bromate.
King Arthur Flour is also widely available and offers a variety of options, including whole wheat organic flour, white whole wheat flour, and gluten-free flour blends. These options provide the perfect base for your baked goods, ensuring a healthier and safer final product.
Organic Flour for Better Health
By choosing organic flour, you are supporting your health and the environment. Organic grains are grown without harmful chemicals, and the flour made from these grains is free from toxic additives like glyphosate and bromate. Whether you’re making vegan chocolate chip cookies, gluten-free vegan brownies, or other baked goods, using organic flour will not only enhance the taste of your treats but also ensure you’re making healthier choices for you and your family.
Other Sweet Treats to Make for Special Occasions
If you love these gluten-free vegan brownies, why not try other healthy sweet treats that fit into your vegan gluten-free lifestyle? Here are a few more ideas:
These simple no-bake cookie dough bites are a delicious and easy-to-make treat. They’re made with Almond flour, maple syrup, and vegan chocolate chips, and are the perfect snack to satisfy your sweet tooth. You simply combine the ingredients, roll them into bite-sized balls, and chill them in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
For another wholesome, gluten-free dessert, try vegan carrot cake bars! These bars are packed with shredded carrots, oats, and a rich cinnamon flavor. Top them off with a dairy-free cream cheese frosting. They’re perfect for spring and make an excellent addition to any Easter or Mother’s Day celebration.
How to Make These Treats Even Healthier
While these brownies and treats are already made with wholesome ingredients, you can always make them a little healthier! Swap out ingredients to suit your needs:
- Coconut Sugar: If you’re looking to reduce the glycemic index of these treats, you can swap coconut sugar for regular sugar. It has a lower glycemic index and adds a subtle caramel flavor that pairs perfectly with chocolate.
The Best Way to Thank a Food Blogger
If you’ve made this vegan brownie recipe (or any of my other recipes) and loved it, the best way to show your appreciation is by leaving a review and rating the recipe! Your feedback helps others find delicious, healthy recipes and supports bloggers like me in continuing to share great content. Plus, it’s always nice to hear how a recipe turned out for you, and your feedback helps me improve future recipes!
Conclusion: Perfect for Spring, Mother’s Day, or Anytime
These gluten-free vegan brownies are perfect for spring, Mother’s Day, or any time you want a healthy, indulgent treat that everyone will enjoy. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or keeping a batch on hand for the week, these fudgy brownies are a great way to enjoy something sweet without all the sugar and processed ingredients.
They’re easy to make, customizable, and perfect for those following a vegan gluten-free lifestyle. I hope you enjoy these brownies as much as I do—and don’t forget to try other sweet treats like cookie dough bites and vegan carrot cake bars for even more delicious options!
Print
Gluten-Free Vegan Brownies
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 brownies 1x
Description
These gluten-free vegan brownies are a perfect treat for any occasion, made with wholesome ingredients like almond flour, maple syrup, and vegan chocolate chips. They’re fudgy, delicious, and surprisingly low in sugar—kids love them without even knowing they’re healthy!
Ingredients
-
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
-
2/3 cup maple syrup
-
2 tbsp peanut butter (or almond butter)
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
1/2 cup almond flour
-
5 tbsp cocoa powder
-
1/4 tsp baking powder
-
1/4 tsp baking soda
-
1/4 tsp salt
-
1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips (such as vegan chocolate or vegan chocolate chip)
-
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
-
1 serving natural Easter-colored sprinkles (optional, for topping)
Instructions
-
Preheat Your Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to ensure your brownies come out easily. -
Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In a mixing bowl, combine the applesauce, maple syrup, peanut butter (or almond butter), and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth. -
Add the Dry Ingredients:
Stir in almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until smooth. -
Fold in the Chocolate Chips and Walnuts:
Gently fold in vegan chocolate chips and walnuts (if using). -
Pour the Batter into the Pan:
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. -
Bake the Brownies:
Bake at 350°F for 27-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. -
Add the Sprinkles:
About 6 minutes before the brownies are done, sprinkle natural Easter-colored sprinkles on top and gently press them in. -
Cool and Slice:
Let the brownies cool completely before lifting them out of the pan. Slice into 12 squares and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 30
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