These super fudgy and rich double chocolate flourless brownies are made with almond butter, maple syrup, and apple sauce. The perfect healthy and gluten-free dessert. No flour is needed!
Fudgy almond butter flourless brownies
Brownies are my favorite dessert! They are rich and chocolatey, and everyone always loves them. That’s why I have a lot of brownie recipes on my blog. This flourless brownie recipe was my FIRST and MOST POPULAR brownie recipe; I am just updating the pictures.
I love these oat flour brownies, or if I feel fancy, I make this extra gooey brownie skillet. But these flourless brownies are the perfect, no-hassle, super easy classic brownie recipe ready in under 30 minutes.
Flourless brownies are about to be your new favorite dessert! They taste better than boxed brownies and are still super fudgy, rich, and dense without adding flour to the batter. It’s impossible to tell if these brownies are gluten-free, dairy-free, refined-sugar-free, and healthy! All my “unhealthy” friends love them.
One of the best parts about these insanely fudgy flourless brownies is that they are made with simple and healthy ingredients like almond butter, apple sauce, maple syrup, and coconut sugar. They are sweet and chocolatey, without lots of white sugar and refined flour.
Why you’ll love this dessert recipe:
- No Flour: No flour is needed for these brownies!
- Best Texture: They are super fudgy and dense.
- Healthy Dessert: Best healthy brownie recipe.
- Allergen-Free: These brownies are gluten-free, dairy-free, & refined sugar-free.
- So Rich: They’re extra decadent and chocolatey.
- Refined Sugar-Free: They are sweetened naturally with maple syrup and a dash of coconut sugar.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes.
- Make Them Your Way: Customizable with lots of mix-in options.
- Try this super gooey flourless brownie skillet next!
Ingredients needed
These fudgy double chocolate flourless brownies call for straightforward ingredients like almond butter, apple sauce, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and eggs. This recipe is healthy, refined-sugar-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Here is a list of everything you need so you are prepared:
- Eggs: First, you need eggs to help bind these brownies together.
- Almond Butter: This makes the brownies super fudgy and dense without adding butter or oil. Use creamy, unsalted almond butter.
- Apple Sauce: You can use unsweetened or sweetened apple sauce. This is my secret ingredient to making these flourless brownies soft and moist without adding butter.
- Maple Syrup: I love baking with maple syrup because it naturally sweetens baked goods without adding refined sugar.
- Coconut Sugar: This helps sweeten the brownies without adding refined sugar.
- Vanilla Extract: A dash of vanilla does a long way flavor-wise!
- Cocoa Powder: There is NO FLOUR in these brownies! Instead, we use 1/3 cup of cocoa powder. Make sure to use a high-quality brand like Ghirardelli. I would stay away from the Trader Joe’s brand and Hersey’s.
- Baking Soda: You only need a little to help these flourless brownies rise. Do not substitute baking soda with baking powder; they are not the same things.
- Chocolate Chips: This is optional, but I love adding extra chocolate chips to my brownies to make them double chocolate.
Kitchen tools needed
Here is a list of kitchen utensils you will need to make these easy flourless brownies.
- 8×8″ Baking Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring Tools: 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, and 1/2 cup.
How to make flourless brownies from scratch
You don’t need flour to make these rich and fudgy double chocolate flourless brownies. Here are super detailed step-by-step instructions with pictures for visual reference so any level baker can make them. You’ll be in and out of the kitchen in under 30 minutes. The full recipe and ingredient measurements are at the bottom of this page in the recipe card.
Step 1:
First, preheat the oven to 350°F, lightly grease it, and line an 8×8″ baking pan with parchment paper.
Step 2:
Then, mix the eggs, almond butter, apple sauce, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium mixing bowl.
Step 3:
After that, add the cocoa powder and baking soda. Mix until just combined, then hand-fold in the chocolate chips.
Step 4:
Then, pour the batter into a greased baking pan and top with a handful of additional chocolate chips.
Step 5:
Finally, bake for 20 – 25 minutes, depending on how fudgy you want them. I usually do 22 minutes for a denser/gooier brownie. If you want more cakey brownies, bake them on the longer side.
Let your flourless brownies completely cool before slicing! Cutting them while they are still hot or warm will result in crumbly brownies.
Expert baking tips:
- Use good quality cocoa powder. This is my #1 baking tip for brownies, especially these flourless ones. Use a high-quality cocoa powder like Ghirardelli for the best-tasting brownies. If you use a poor-quality brand like Trader Joe’s or Hersey’s, your brownies will lack the chocolate flavor and can be chalky.
- Use room temperature ingredients. This is super important because if you use cold ingredients like apple sauce, eggs, and maple syrup, your brownies will take longer to cook.
- Don’t over-whisk the brownie batter. All the little air bubbles will get knocked out of your brownie batter if you overbeat brownie batter. Mix the batter until it is just combined to avoid this problem.
- Don’t substitute the ingredients unless expressly noted below. This is very important because flourless desserts can be tricky.
- Let your brownies cool before slicing. Make sure to let your brownies cool for at least 1 hour before cutting them into squares. If not, they will crumble and fall apart.
Easy ingredient substitutions:
Here is a list of the best ingredient substitutions for these flourless brownies. I only recommend making 1 or 2 swaps, so the original recipe stays the same!
- Almond Butter: If you need, you can substitute the almond butter with peanut butter, sun butter, tahini, or cashew butter.
- Nut-Free: Use tahini or sun butter instead of almond butter.
- Maple Syrup: You can also use agave syrup or honey.
- Coconut Sugar: You can use light or dark brown sugar instead of coconut sugar.
Mix-ins and variations
Make these double chocolate flourless brownies your own by stirring in or topping them with your favorite mix-in. Here are some ideas:
- Peanut Butter: Add some peanut butter chips or substitute the almond butter for peanut butter.
- Walnuts or Almonds: Add a little crunch to these brownies by stirring in 3 – 4 tablespoons of chopped walnuts or almonds.
- Caramel Sea Salt: Add 2 – 3 tablespoons of caramel and sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top after baking.
- Oreo: Add 1/4 – 1/3 cup of crushed Oreos to the brownie batter and sprinkle some on top before baking.
- Banana Bread: Substitute the apple sauce for mashed banana 1:1 to make these flourless banana bread brownies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the texture of these brownies?
These flourless almond butter brownies taste like a classic rich, dense, and chocolaty brownie. Once baked, these flourless brownies are dense and fudgy. They are not dry or chewy.
Can I substitute the almond butter?
Yes! You can substitute almond butter for peanut butter, cashew butter, tahini, or sun butter.
Can I make them nut-free?
Since there is almond butter in these brownies, they are not naturally nut-free. Feel free to substitute the almond butter for sun butter or tahini if you have a nut allergy.
How do you tell if brownies are done baking?
I pull my brownies out of the oven when they still look slightly underdone. You can tell brownies are ready to come out of the oven when the top is crinkly, and the edges have firmed up. Brownies will continue to cook as they cool, so pull them out before they have fully risen.
Are these brownies gluten-free?
Yes, these flourless brownies are 100% gluten-free since no flour is in them.
Can you taste the almond butter?
No, you cannot taste the almond butter in these brownies. They taste like a classic boxed brownie. The almond butter replaces butter or oil that is called for in classic recipes.
Are these flourless brownies dairy-free?
These flourless brownies are 100% dairy-free. There is NO BUTTER!
Why are my brownies crumbling?
There are three possible reasons your brownies are crumbling: (1) you overbaked them, and they dried out, (2) you added too much baking leavening, or (3) you didn’t spoon and level to cocoa powder and added too much.
How long do I bake brownies at 350°F?
Brownies will take about 20 to 25 minutes to bake at 350°F.
How to store, freeze & make ahead of time:
- Storing: For best results, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze these brownies for up to 3 months. Simply let them cool for at least 1 hour, cut them into squares, and then wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Finally, add them to a freezer-safe bag and freeze them for up to 3 months.
- Make Ahead: You can make these flourless brownies up to 2 days in advance. Simply store it in the fridge and let it come to room temperature before serving.
If you love this recipe, try these next!
- Oat Flour Brownies
- Fudgy Healthy Brownies
- Flourless Brownie Skillet
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes
- Almond Flour Chocolate Cake
- Avocado Banana Brownies
- Healthy S’mores Brownies
- Strawberry Brownies Recipe
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Flourless Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup creamy almond butter, (192g) unsalted
- ¼ cup apple sauce, unsweetened or sweetened (room temperature)
- ¼ cup maple syrup, room temperature
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder, (26g)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ cup chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease and line an 8×8” baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, almond butter, apple sauce, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract together.
- Add the cocoa powder and baking soda. Mix until just combined, then hand-fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into greased baking pan and top with a handful of additional chocolate chips.
- Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, depending on how fudgy you want them. I usually do 22 minutes for a denser/gooier brownie. If you want more cakey brownies, bake them on the longer side.
- Cool completely before slicing!
Notes
Nutrition
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Lilly says
So fluffy and moist! Crazy that there is no flour in them.
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Lilly! Wow, so happy to hear this. I had a feeling you would love these!
Shaye says
I am obsessed with Tati’s foodstagram and this was my first recipe (out of the 100s I have saved) that I have ever made. These were amazing! Super moist and easy to make! The perfect healthy/vegan-friendly alternative to traditional brownies. These were a hit with my non-vegan family members as well. Can’t wait to try more of her recipes!!
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Shaye, you just made my day!! These flourless brownies are truly the best – so soft and gooey! I am so happy you love this recipe and my blog.
Kailey J says
Not really sure how Tati made these so moist and fudgy without any butter or flour. They are SO YUMMY!!!
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Kailey, YAY!! So glad to hear this. This makes me so happy that you enjoyed this moist flourless brownies. One of my favs 🙂
Emma says
so moist & chocolate-y!
Tati Chermayeff says
YAY, Emma! So excited to hear this. I love these brownies so much 🙂
anna says
these are AMAZING! literally taste like ghiradelli brownies but with healthy ingredients ??!!
Tati Chermayeff says
Anna, I am so happy to hear this! I totally agree – they taste like Ghiradelli!
Annalisa says
These are so decadent and delicious!! You’d never know they’re healthy. We under baked them by a few minutes and they were the perfect treat. My whole family approved. Highly recommend trying this recipe!
Tati Chermayeff says
I am so excited to hear this, Annalisa! These are by far my favorite brownies too. So yummy.
Annabelle Keller says
Please tell me how these are flourless!? They literally taste like betty crocker but better! I tricked my entire family haha
Tati Chermayeff says
So happy you enjoyed these flourless brownies!
Lisa Cornett says
Best vegan brownies I have made! So easy and gooey and delicious! Paired great with cashew milk ice cream. I actually used half walnut butter and half almond butter in mine because I ran out of almond butter. 😋
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Lisa, I am so excited to hear this! Cashew milk ice cream sounds like the perfect pairing for these gooey, flourless brownies.
Wells Kate says
So so so yummy!!! How is there no flour!?
Alicia Lynde says
Made these this past weekend and absolutely loved them. They didn’t even last 4 days in our house. Definitely making them again and may even go crazy and add nuts next time 🥰
Elizabeth Dehler says
These brownies were hands down the best I’ve ever made! The ingredients are so minimal yet they taste the most similar to store bought batter. My roommates who are not healthy eaters whatsoever are obsessed and already asked me to make them again! So good <3
Grace says
These were SO fudgy, delicious, and easy to make! My friends and I consumed them all within 2 hours :))
Annick says
Everyone go make these brownies RIGHT NOW. They are so moist, rich, and insanely delicious and chocolatey. Honestly, probably the best brownies I have ever made. Not to mention the simple and clean ingredients! Highly recommend!!
Anna Duke says
These are absolutely amazing!!! SO fudgey, gooey, and rich. You’d never know that they weren’t from a Ghiradelli box mix 😉 I will definitely be making these again…. and again!
Tati Chermayeff says
Omg, thank you so much Anna!
Ananya says
I’ve followed Tati forever on insta and I love how tasty her restrictive-diet recipes are and I’ve always been inspired by how she manages to create so much amazing content as a college student! When I was diagnosed with about 50 food allergies, a chronic health issue, and food intolerances, I was sad that I could never eat tasty food again, but Tati’s recipes have been a saving grace and a go-to, especially her desserts! Thank you for everything Tati:)
Alyssa Thompson says
I have tried a lot of healthier brownie recipes to no avail – this one was the first that was truly delicious. Tasted just like box mix brownie. So good!!!
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Alyssa! This made my day. I am so happy you enjoyed these brownies!
Emily Mont says
Can you sub mashed banana for the apple sauce?
Tati Chermayeff says
Yes! The flavor of the brownies will change a little, but that works baking wise.