These are simply the best Flourless Brownies I’ve ever made, and they’re healthy too! I’ve been tinkering around with them for 8 years now and I know you’re going to love these. They’re deeply fudgy, super easy to make, and just over-the-top delicious with a touch of flaked sea salt. They’re naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and made with nut butter – no strange ingredients in this recipe.
When I’m craving a brownie, what I’m after is a fudgy, ultra-chocolatey experience. A little bit of chewiness and a lightly crackling top are also necessary parts of the package. No fluffy or cakey brownies to be found here.
I found the perfect ‘better than the box’ recipe a few years ago. And I would make it from time to time for the occasional guilty indulgence. It was straight-up white sugar, white flour, and all the processed ingredients.
These days, I’m still wanting all that yumminess, but without the processed ingredients and loads of sugar. Now you might not think that would be possible, but I have the pictures to prove it most definitely is.
I originally saw the idea to use nut butter for baking from Elana’s Pantry. And ever since I baked my first brownies with nut butter, I’ve been using it to make all sorts of things ever since!
Nut butter acts as a ‘flour’ of sorts in baked goods. And I’ve had good success with everything from muffins to brownies and cakes. They’re all made with nut butter, and I’ve included them all below!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Nut butter – Each nut butter I’ve tried has produced a different texture in these brownies. But you will have success with whatever one you choose. I’ve even had reviews from those who have made these with sunflower butter to avoid nuts altogether and had great results. My favorite ever nut butter to use is raw cashew butter. It will give you the best crackly top, and it has a lighter flavor to let the chocolate really shine through. It tends to be a bit more expensive, so I stock up every time it comes on sale. These brownies also work really well with roasted cashew or roasted almond butter as well which is a bit more accessible. Peanut butter is my last choice for brownies because it has the most assertive flavor. But check out my brownie recipes below for the peanut butter cheesecake ones if you want a peanut butter cup experience! Be sure that any nut butter you’re using is plain nut butter, (no sugar, oil, salt, etc. added).
- Maple syrup – provides both a bit of liquid and acts as the sweetener.
- Egg – binds both the nut butter and cocoa powder together to create the right chewy texture.
- Avocado oil – is my choice to keep these dairy-free. And it also creates a great texture, especially with raw cashew butter. I’ve also used melted salted butter and melted ghee in this recipe as well. I’ve used melted coconut oil, but it does add a coconut flavor which is why it’s my last choice here.
- Baking soda – provides just a touch of leavening to keep these brownies fudgy, but not completely dense.
- Cocoa powder – works together with the nut butter to provide structure. It works like ‘flour’ in this recipe. And of course, it’s also responsible for the chocolate flavor here. It also means you get to make brownies without any refined sugar at all which is a nice bonus!
- Vanilla – just a touch of vanilla always enhances chocolate, and is a must in brownies.
How to make this recipe step by step
Step 1: Preheat the oven and add all of the listed ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Step 2: Next stir the brownie batter together until smooth with no nut butter lumps remaining.
Tip: room temperature nut butter mixes together much more easily.
Step 3: Finally spread the brownie batter evenly into a prepared pan. Then bake until puffed in the middle and just done about 20-25 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center will come out with moist crumbs, not gooey batter.
Step 4: Let cool completely before you slice and serve for the best-looking brownies.
Ways to serve this
- Feel free to dig in while they’re hot and serve them with my Best Vanilla Ice Cream or my dairy-free Coconut Ice Cream.
- Make ice cream sandwiches with the cooled brownies. Check out my Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches for step-by-step photos of how to make ice cream sandwiches.
- These brownies are the perfect base to build a bigger dessert if desired. Check out my Deep Dish Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownies, German Chocolate Brownies, or Cookie Dough Brownies.
FAQ’s
Flourless brownies have other ingredients that give them structure. Cocoa powder provides quite a bit of structure to this recipe and I also use nut butter to create an incredible flourless brownie.
Traditional brownie recipes need flour to give the brownies structure, it’s what creates their texture. In my flourless brownies, the texture and structure come from cocoa powder and nut butter working together to create a fudgy brownie.
These flourless brownies are a healthier choice than normal brownies because there are no refined ingredients, no refined sugar, and no refined flour. They are still a treat though!
Storing leftovers
- To store – place any leftover brownies into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Make ahead – these brownies are best the same day, but they store well in the fridge overnight before serving if desired. They are much softer without any crunchy edges after refrigeration.
- To freeze – these brownies store the best in the freezer for optimal freshness. Place them into an airtight container and freezer for up to 1 month.
Tips & Tricks
- To get deep-dish super thick brownies, make a double batch and bake them in an 11″x 7″ deep dish baking pan. It will take about double the cooking time, around 45 minutes. You’ll end up with brownies that are about 3″ deep and oh-so fudgy!
- If you want to be able to slice the brownies and put them on a serving plate, you’ll need to line your baking dish. The ones you see pictured below are a single batch baked in an 8″ baking dish. Line the baking dish with 2 strips of parchment paper. Then after the brownies have baked, let them cool on a wire rack until they’re firm enough that you can lift them out of the pan. Or turn the pan to a 45ยบ angle and carefully slide them out with the parchment paper.
- These freeze really well in an airtight container. If you want to stack them together in your container without them sticking, freeze them in a single layer first. Slice the cooled brownies, then set them apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze them until solid, then transfer them to a container where they’ll keep for at least a month.
More nut butter baking recipes
I hope you enjoy these best Flourless Brownies as much as we have! If you do make them, I hope youโll leave me a comment/rating below, I always love hearing from you here.
Flourless Brownies
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup nut butter - see notes
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 6 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: flaked sea salt to sprinkle on top
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 325F.
- Lightly grease a 8″ baking pan. Or cut 2 strips of parchment paper the width of the baking pan and place them into the pan crosswise if you want to be able to lift the brownies out of the pan.
- Add all of the ingredients listed into a medium sized mixing bowl. Mix until completely combined, then spread it evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake until puffed in the center and just done but still fudgy, about 20-25 minutes.ย
- Let the brownies cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to carefully lift them out. Otherwise let cool as long as you’d like before slicing and diving right in!
NOTES
nutrition facts
This recipe was originally published in 2013 but has been updated in 2023 to include more tips, new information, and brand new photos.
Kari! I just made these with sunflower seed butter (BF allergic to nuts) they are amazing!! (I added 1/4 tsp salt and used butter). Thank you for your personal replies and emails with any questions. I can see how much you like and care about food, as do I. I also used your oat crumble on an apple crisp and it was so good – Ive been looking for a good crumble for a while now – and just couldn’t get the right consistency with alternative flours and no nuts. Yours is a gem. Crispy and delicious and a tad nutty without the nuts. You are officially my go to for gf/sugar free deserts! Thanks so much!
Thanks so much for making my day! ๐ I’ve had the same problem with trying to make a crumble/crisp out of alternative flours, they always seem to taste funny to me, but one day I tried using all oats and it really worked out well (I thought they gave it a nice nutty flavor). It’s one that I go back to over and over again, especially when I know someone can’t have nuts.
What do you think about using peanut butter? I’m allergic to treenuts.. Thanks!
Peanut butter works really well, the brownies turn out a bit heavier and it’s almost like chocolate peanut butter fudge in the center. I have a brownie recipe similar to this in my Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownie recipe, if you just want brownies, you can skip the cheesecake part of the recipe. I hope you enjoy it, and be sure to let me know how it goes!
https://getinspiredeveryday.com/food/deep-dish-peanut-butter-cheesecake-brownies/
Yowsers, Kari!! This is YUMMY!! Unbelievable! I am a convert! Of course, if I the whole batch in one sitting, that would not be healthy but for sweet treat this more than gets the job done. It is sweet but then you’re not getting any refined carb with the syrup so you’re not getting totally hopped up..
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! I was aiming to make something similar to the brownies I grew up with, and these taste almost the same except I actually like them better. I’ve found that the few times I’ve tasted desserts made with processed ingredients after having made the switch that they taste really bland compared to whole foods desserts. ๐
I have one more question. My cashew butter is salted — does that work? Thanks, Kari.
I think salted cashew butter will work, I personally like a salty note in my desserts, so unless it’s super salty you should be fine.
Hi Kari, If I use two pie pans what size did you have in mind? 8″ or 9″. Or could I use a 11″ x 7″ pan?
Can’t wait to try this recipe!
I used 9″ pie pans or a 9″x13″ glass baking dish, and I updated the recipe to say 9″. I hope you enjoy the recipe, and be sure to let me know how it goes! ๐
Hello Kari,
today my Brother tried these Brownies, an he liked it. Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that he like them! They’ve been a real favorite with my husband and I because they’re so similar to the traditional brownies we both grew up with!
Today I made these Brownies. I made it with a mixture of Cashew, Almond an Coconutbutter, becaus I had bought to less, and we have in Germany very small Glasses (250 grams). Next time i will let them a bit longer in the oven, because they are now so moist, that I can’t get them out of the pan. But they are so tasty, and I hope, that my brother like them . My brother can not eat wheat, but loves brownies. I love your Blog.
These brownies are super moist and don’t quite hold together like traditional brownies, but baking them a little longer might help, I just enjoy mine super fudgy! ๐
I made these this weekend and they were a huge hit! Next time I will cook them a little longer but my coworkers loved them all gooey, none of them know they are Paleo!
I always consider a recipe a success when no one knows that it’s Paleo or healthy!
I have never written a response to a recipe Ive found on a blog before BUT! today I made this brownie recipe (although I halved the sweetner between maple & rice malt syrup). Wow – this is so delicious! I will save this one and expect it’ll become a household favourite treat. Thank you
I’m so glad you wrote to tell me how much you enjoyed these brownies because it totally makes my day! I just developed a chocolate mousse brownie recipe with these brownies as the base, so be sure to check back for more brownie treats!
I’m trying to go low carb/sugar…could I substitute the maple syrup (at least most of it) for unsweetened applesauce?
I’m not sure how it would taste if you substituted applesauce for the maple syrup, but I do know it will greatly effect the texture making the brownies more cakey and less fudgy.