The best gluten-free brownies (and the reviewers agree with me)! So fudgy, gooey, and incredibly easy to make. If you’re looking for a truly delicious gluten-free brownie recipe, look no further. They can also be made with all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour for a non-GF version. With a dairy-free option.
There are some bloggers who pretty much label every recipe of theirs as the best (The Best Cheesecake! The Best Chocolate Cake! The Best Everything!) which gets a mega eye roll from me, but here I am doing it.
I apologize for being a hypocrite but… yeah. I’m not changing my title. :D These really are the best brownies ever!
Simple, quick, no-fuss, super fudgy gluten-free dairy-free brownies. They’re also 100% whole grain (if you choose one of the two whole-grain options)!
By the way, if you’re very sensitive to gluten, check out my post on Are Chocolate Chips Gluten-free? to see which brands are safe for celiacs.
Different flour options
You’ve got several flour choices for these GF brownies. One that’s not listed below is coconut flour. If you want to use that, you’re in luck because I have a version of these gluten-free brownies that uses just coconut flour!
Check out these coconut flour brownies for that. Their texture is just as amazing as these. :)
I also have a version with all almond flour. These almond flour brownies are super gooey and hard to resist. Both the coconut and almond flour versions are paleo. If you love almond flour, also take a look at my almond flour chocolate chip cookies!
Your flour options for this recipe are:
- A gluten-free baking flour that’s a 1:1 sub for all-purpose flour
- Teff flour
- Buckwheat flour
- For a non-gluten-free version: all-purpose flour, whole spelt flour, white whole wheat or regular whole wheat flour
GF Baking Flour
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So for that first option, make sure it’s meant as a 1-to-1 sub for all-purpose flour. The one I always use is Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-free Baking Flour. It’s the one in the blue bag.
Commenters have said that they’ve used the gluten-free flour blends from Pillsbury, King Arthur Flour, Namaste with success.
Teff flour
Up next are the two healthier and whole-grain options. Teff comes in different varieties like white / ivory or dark and it’s said that the dark kind is earthier tasting (read: it tastes like dirt, like buckwheat).
I’ve used both white and dark teff flour in these gluten and dairy-free brownies and you really can’t detect any difference – all that Dutch-process cocoa powder does a great job of covering up any earthy / healthy flavors!
I think teff isn’t the easiest flour to find but the dark kind is available on Amazon.
Buckwheat Flour
Buckwheat is also awesome in these brownies. You can’t taste it at all. If you have some of that on hand, also check out my kladdkaka (Swedish sticky chocolate cake) for an amazingly gooey cake that’s like a cross between cake and brownies.
Don’t need a GF version? No problem.
And because I know some people don’t need these to be gluten-free, I’ve also tried them with several wheat flours. They all worked equally as well!
Do they all taste the same?
The cool thing is that all of the different versions taste the same. They’re all just as gooey and there’s no grittiness!
That can be said of all of my gluten-free recipes. I don’t sacrifice on taste or texture!
If you try these gluten-free brownies while warm, the buckwheat and teff versions do have something a little texturally weird going on but once they cool, it’s a thing of the past!
It’s a really flexible recipe. Just don’t go halving the sugar and then complain that they came out cakey. ;)
I’ve made these brownies (seriously the best gluten-free brownie recipe ever!) so many times to bring to picnics and other get-togethers. Nobody ever even knows they’re gluten-free! The same with my gluten-free chocolate cupcakes.
Seriously. You can’t go wrong with this recipe. :)
Need convincing? Check out the reviews below!
Want a smaller batch?
If you’re like me and have portion-control issues, then these Air Fryer Brownies are a great option! They’re a scaled down version of the recipe below.
And my Air Fryer Paleo Brownies are a scaled down version of the almond flour brownies, which I mentioned above. Also adapted from the below recipe. I do love this recipe. 😄
Questions about these gluten-free chocolate brownies?
- Can I use something instead of the listed flours?
I link to my coconut flour and almond flour versions in the post. Commenters have used different brands of gluten-free baking flours with success. Off the top of my head, I can remember people saying Pillsbury, King Arthur and Namaste have worked.
- Do I have to use Dutch-process cocoa powder?
No, but they might not be as chocolaty or they might be more cakey. But I will say that nobody has had any complaints about these brownies and I know people have used regular cocoa powder. So I’m guessing they’re fine with whatever cocoa powder you want to use.
- Are all cocoa powders gluten-free?
Cocoa powder is naturally gluten-free, but if you’re really sensitive to it, you might want to read Is Cocoa Powder Gluten-free? for more info on brands that are tested and labeled as gluten-free. You can read more specifically about Hershey’s here → Is Hershey’s Gluten-free?
- Can I use something instead of the listed fats?
Those are the only ones that I’ve tried. I’m guessing anything would work, though, given that liquid oil like canola oil and olive oil work as well as butter and ghee.
- Do they taste like coconut if I use coconut oil?
Not if you use refined coconut oil. They taste 100% like regular, super gooey traditional brownies.
- Do they taste like olive oil if I use olive oil?
I use extra-virgin olive oil and you can definitely taste it. My husband LOVES this version but I don’t. I recommend a lighter tasting olive oil or something more neutral.
- Can I use something instead of coconut sugar / granulated sugar?
Subbing in a liquid sweetener won’t work. There’s no liquid to reduce to make up for the added liquid, so it’d make the brownies cakey or possibly a liquidy mess. Other granulated sweeteners like maple sugar would probably work.
- Can I reduce the sugar?
One commenter has said that they reduced the sugar to basically nothing and they’re still gooey. But that’s not possible. Or we must have differing opinions of what gooey means.
The less sugar you add, the cakeier and less gooey they are. They might also not hold together as well because sugar is a binder.
You could probably knock off 1/4 cup of sugar but don’t be surprised if they don’t have the perfect texture you see in the photos. - What can I use instead of the eggs?
I’ve tried egg replacements so many times and failed. Please just find an already vegan brownie recipe. :)
One commenter used 3/4 cup pumpkin puree in place of the eggs and I tried that and they were tasty. But the texture wasn’t nearly as good as the egg version so I can’t recommend it. - Do I have to use the chocolate chips?
Nope! They’re sweet enough without. I just like them in my brownies. You could also top them off with my favorite paleo chocolate fudge frosting.
- Can I double this brownie recipe?
Yes! Use a 9″x13″. I unfortunately forgot to write down the baking time. It is not that much more than the single recipe.
If you try these gluten-free brownies, I’d love to hear how they come out!
The Best Gluten-free Fudgy Brownies (dairy-free)
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 12 brownies
These gluten-free brownies are the best I've ever had - gluten-free or not! And the reviewers agree with me. They're super fudgy and dairy-free.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (158 grams) teff flour, or 1 cup (125 grams) light buckwheat flour1 or 1 cup (138 grams) Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-free Baking Flour (or a similar mix)
- 3/4 cup (86 grams) Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted if lumpy (you could also use Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (196 grams) unsalted butter or for dairy-free, use refined coconut oil2 or another neutral oil – melted and cooled slightly
- 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar, raw sugar, or coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs (50 grams each, out of shell), room temperature
- 3/4 cup (128 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips (Enjoy Life Semi-sweet Chocolate Chip for dairy-free) + an additional 1/4 cup (43 grams) to sprinkle on top, if desired (I used mini chocolate chips on top)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and line an 8"×8" (20cmx20cm) pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the melted butter or coconut oil, sugar, and vanilla extract. Once combined, add the eggs one at a time, and stir just until combined.
- Add the dry mixture to the wet and stir just until almost no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix! Fold in 3/4 cup (128 grams) chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup (43 grams) chocolate chips on top, if desired.
- If using teff or the GF flour blend, bake for 20-22 (some commenters need more) minutes or until the brownies have formed a thin crust and appear set in the middle. If using buckwheat or whole wheat, you may only need 15-20 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center will come out wet. A toothpick inserted into the sides will come out with some moist crumbs on it, but not totally raw batter. The brownies will continue to bake as they sit in the pan and will firm up as they cool. Note that a lot of commenters have said they needed to bake them longer than what I have listed. I've made these brownies at least 20x since posting and the baking times I have listed are what works for my oven (which is running correctly :))
- Let cool completely and then cover and store at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also refrigerate them to give them a fudgier texture.
Notes
- Buckwheat flour is naturally gluten-free but not all buckwheat flour is processed in a gluten-free facility. If you need these brownies to be gluten-free, make sure to use certified gluten-free buckwheat flour!
- If using coconut oil, I prefer refined coconut oil over unrefined as refined has zero coconut taste to it.
- If you're unsure of what brand of chocolate chips are safe, check out → Are Chocolate Chips Gluten-free?
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621 comments on “Gluten-free Brownies – Super fudgy and dairy-free!” — Add one!
51 comments are awaiting moderation!
Can you top with icing sugar and still be gluten free?
Yes, icing sugar (powdered sugar) is gluten-free. :)
When do you add sugar???
It’s listed in step 3. :)
Hello, I just want to verify that the cocoa powder we use should be unsweetened? Is this correct?
Hi! Yes, it is. :) Always use unsweetened cocoa powder in recipes. Sweetened cocoa powder is meant for hot beverages. :)
I want to make these brownies in a 13 by 9 inch pan. How do I adjust the baking time/temperature? I know they will be flatter, but I want to add a no-bake topping.
They will be very flat. Because I’ve never tried it, I really have no idea. I’d start checking after 5 minutes.
Would this work with grapeseed oil?
I haven’t tried it but I think so!
They were amazing!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for your comment. :)
These really are the best brownies ever. I make them with gluten free flour and coconut oil and get rave reviews everytime. Love your work.
I’m so happy that they’ve been getting rave reviews! Thanks a bunch for your feedback and very sorry for just now seeing it. The last month has been a disaster!
So if I use avocado oil I would do 196 g of it correct? Hoping I did it right! Haha
Yes, you would! I haven’t tried it but a few comments have said that it works well.
Hi there. I used a scale to measure. I believe you have a typo in the oil. 3/4 cup of oil is 96 grams, the recipe calls for 196 grams.
Hi! It’s not a typo. 1 tablespoon of coconut oil is 14 grams (if you google it, that’s what you’ll find) so 196 grams is correct. I posted this recipe 6 years ago and it’s how everyone has made it. I haven’t changed the measurements. So I promise you, you can use 196 grams as the recipe says. :) It could be that your scale is off. I measure everything and it can happen sometimes.
Great recipe!
I’m glad you liked them! Thanks for your comment. :)
These were the best brownies I have ever had. I added nuts-walnuts and they were a hit! Thank You soooooo much!
Made it with Almond flour, dark cocoa,and coconut sugar. Followed the recipe as written.
I’m so glad to hear that! And wow, I’m happy that these worked well with almond flour! I have an almond flour version of this recipe (it’s linked to in the second section of the post) and it uses 1 1/3 cups of almond flour instead of 1 cup and they’re still crazy gooey. Thanks for your feedback!
I don’t have parchment paper. Can i grease pan with PAM?
Sure! Or use foil.
Left a review yesterday that these were cakey, but they are much more fudgy on the second day! Taste is spot-on
I’m glad they got better but please see my reply below! These brownies don’t behave like that (being cakey and getting fudgy on the second day). I’d love to find out what the issue was. :)
Thess taste good but a little bummed because they are definitely not fudgy..super cakey.
These are definitely fudgy, gooey brownies so I think something must have gone wrong. Did you make any changes to the recipe, anything at all? I’m guessing you might have reduced the sugar? Any kind of subs? Did you use a dark or glass pan? Bake longer than the instructions say?
I used the full amount of coconut sugar but subbed avocado oil plant butter for the coconut oil since I only had unrefined and didn’t want the coconut taste so maybe that’s it? The plant butter hasn’t affected my baked goods in the past, but maybe that was it! They are definitely all gone already and I will use this recipe again, maybe next time with refined oil? I did also use a dark pan. Thanks for your quick reply!
I looked up how much fat was in one brand of avocado oil plant butter and it’s 78%. Coconut oil is 100%. So if you used something with 78% fat, that might explain the problem, especially if you maybe baked them a little longer than recommended? Just an idea! I’m glad that you still liked them. And yes, refined coconut oil is recommended! I hate a coconut taste in my sweets. ;)
I have the double Dutch dark chocolate hot chocolate powder that’s dairy free, gluten free and vegan. Can I use that?
You can’t use hot chocolate powder because it has a bunch of added sugar. You need to use unsweetened cocoa powder. Sorry about that!
Can you use stevia?? I’m doing sugar free and not a fan of the after taste but that’s what I have right now
I would recommend finding a recipe that already calls for stevia. I haven’t had good luck with keto sweeteners in brownie recipes. Sorry about that!
I am making these for a vegan friend and I’m wondering if flax eggs would work to replace the eggs…what do you think? Has anyone tried this?
I wouldn’t recommend it! Please read the questions section of the post where it says, “What can I use instead of the eggs?” :)