These are simply The Best Flourless Brownies I’ve ever made! 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!
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 part 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 things processed though.
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!
Now let’s jump in and talk about the ingredients for The Best Flourless Brownies!
- 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 here.
- 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 the raw cashew butter. I’ve also used melted salted butter, and melted ghee in this recipe as well. I’ve have 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 a ‘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.
Ok… let’s make The Best Flourless Brownies step by step in just minutes!
Step 1:
Start by measuring out all of the ingredients.
Step 2:
Then add all of the ingredients to a medium sized mixing bowl.
Step 3:
Next mix until the brownie batter comes together and no nut butter lumps remain.
Step 3 & 4:
Finally spread the brownie batter evenly into a prepared pan. Then bake until puffed in the middle and just done, about 20-25 minutes.
Tips & Tricks:
- To get deep dish super thick brownies, make a double batch and bake them in a 11″x7″ 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 you can lift the out of the pan. Or turn the pan to a 45º 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, them set them apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze them until solid, then transfer them to a container where they’re keep for at least a month.
And finally some more flourless baked goods, all made from nut butter!
And if you really love brownies, be sure and check out all of our brownie recipes! You’ll find everything from German Chocolate, to Cookie Dough, and Blondie S’mores Brownies too.
I hope you enjoy these as much as we have! If you do make them, I hope you’ll leave me a comment/rating below, I always love hearing from you here.
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The Best Flourless Brownies
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 16 – 2” brownies 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These easy to make brownies are super fudgy with deep chocolate flavor.
Ingredients
1 cup nut butter, see notes
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 egg
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon 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.
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
Raw cashew butter makes for the best crackly top and best chocolate flavor too. But I’ve also used roasted cashew butter and almond butter, and both are great. Just be sure the nut butter you choose doesn’t have anything added, (like salt, sugar, oils, etc.).
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Gluten Free Brownies, Dairy Free Brownies, Healthy Brownies, Paleo Brownies, Flourless Brownies
This recipe was originally published in 2013, but has been updated in 2021 to include more tips, new information, and brand new photos.
I’m such a dork. I saw your picture of a single pie pan of brownies and my mind said “sure, 1 pan, that’s a normal batch-size” and completely failed to see the directions that we should use two pie pans. Although I’m bummed about my first-time fail (full recipe, 1 pan, cooked twice as long – still just batter in the middle – boohoo), I’m actually really happy to realize that this is a double recipe. I felt pretty decadent using an entire pound of cashews to make a 9″ pie-sized dessert, but now that I know it’s actually two batches, I will halve the recipe and bring this (fingers crossed) to my next pot luck. The half-inch ring around the outside that actually cooked was really really good 🙂
So sorry that you ended up with the whole thing in one pan! I’ve been thinking about redoing this recipe just to be a single pan anyways since I can’t be trusted around that many brownies. 😉 I sure hope the next time goes well in 2 pans! 🙂
It did! I’ve made these a couple times since my original fail and the half recipe comes out great! I also made it once with double the eggs and it turned it into a great cake! Two yummy recipes in one. Win!
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! 🙂 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/deep-dish-peanut-butter-cheesecake-brownies/