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    Home > Vegan Dessert Recipes

    Vegan Brownies

    Posted: Jan 30, 2019 ยท Updated: Apr 17, 2022

    Jump to Recipe

    These are the perfect vegan brownies! They have no added oil and are wholegrain, making them a healthy treat for dessert or a snack. The brownies are sweet and fudgy and get chewier as they stand. And they are super chocolatey!

    A stack of vegan brownies on a white plate with chocolate sprinkles, all of it on a black fabric.

    These are the most scrumptious and fudgy vegan brownies you'll ever make and eat, guaranteed, and they're both whole wheat and oil free.

    I posted this vegan brownie recipe more than 10 years ago, and it soon became a family favorite as well as a favorite for several readers who wrote to say they had made it and loved it.

    It still amazes me that healthy vegan brownies with no added oil can turn out so delicious, and these are not just delicious--they are mindblowingly so. You can put away your vegan butter and vegetable oil and coconut oil while making these. Although keep in mind that they are oil-free but not fat-free, because they do contain walnuts and flax eggs made with flaxmeal, but those are healthy fats.

    Closeup of baked vegan brownie with chocolate sprinkles in a square glass baking pan lined with parchment paper.

    There's also a good amount of healthfulness here from the whole wheat and natural sugars, making these brownies pretty outrageously good for you.

    I have made a couple of tweaks to this vegan brownie recipe since I last posted it. I upped the amount of maple syrup from two tablespoons to four, because I now have a little one and his sweet tooth to please. Use less if you want to, and you'll still get a great-tasting brownie. You can also just use all maple syrup instead of the sugar.

    Even with more maple syrup, these vegan chocolate brownies are not cloyingly sweet. If you want an additional hit of chocolate, stir ยฝ cup of bittersweet chocolate chips in the batter.

    The brownies themselves are fudgy when you eat them rightaway, and get chewier as they stand. They make the perfect snack, so be sure to pack one -- or two -- in your child's lunchbox or your own. Then come back and tell me if these aren't the best vegan brownies you ever made and ate!

    Why you'll love these vegan brownies

    • They're oil-free, yet moist and tender.
    • They're delicious without being cloyingly sweet. This'll become one of your favorite vegan brownie recipes, if not THE favorite.
    • They're made with whole wheat.
    • They're super chocolatey and you can make them even more so!
    • Kids'll love them. You can even bake these homemade vegan brownies together for some family fun together.

    Ingredients

    • ยพย cupย flour. I used whole wheat pastry flour in this recipe, which I love here. But you can substitute unbleached all purpose flour or use a mix of half all purpose and half whole wheat flour. (For brownies made with gluten free flour check out this vegan gluten free brownies recipe. It's absolutely yummy!)
    • ยฝย tspย baking soda
    • ยผย tspย salt
    • ยผย cupย unsweetened cocoa powder. Try and use Dutch process cocoa powder.
    • 2ย teaspoonsย instant coffee granules. This is optional, but coffee really enhances the chocolate flavor.
    • 4ย tablespoonsย maple syrup
    • 2ย tablespoons water
    • ยพย cupย sugar. Use any sugar, including turbinado sugar or cane sugar or brown sugar.
    • 2ย teaspoonsย pure vanilla extract
    • 1ย tbspย flaxmealย (whisked with 3 tablespoon water to make one flax egg)
    • ยฝย cupย walnutsย (lightly toasted and coarsely chopped). Or, for even more chocolatey flavor, stir in half cup vegan chocolate chips. Or add an equal amount of peanut butter chips, which would be awesome!
    • Chocolate sprinklesย (optional)

    How to make vegan brownies

    • Prepare the baking pan: Prepare an 8 X 8-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Leave an overhang on each side of the pan so you can easily lift the brownies out after they are baked. Spray the parchment or foil with non-stick cooking spray.
    • Sift dry ingredients: This includes the flour, coffee, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Sift into a mixing bowl and set aside.ย 
    • Mix wet ingredients: In another large mixing bowl mix the maple syrup, water, sugar, flaxmeal mixture, and vanilla extract.ย Whisk together until well mixed.
    • Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients: Add the flour-cocoa mixture to this in 3 batches, mixing well after each addition using a ladle or spatula.
    • Stir in the walnuts.ย The batter will be really thick but that's fine.
    • Pour batter into prepared pan: Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread evenly in the pan. At this point, you can sprinkle some chocolate sprinkles over the top for a nice finish.
    • Bake the vegan brownies: Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    • Cool thoroughly. Cool the brownies on a rack. Once they are cool lift the brownies from the pan using the foil overhang as handles, and cut into squares. If you didn't use chocolate sprinkles, you can dust on powdered sugar for a pretty finish.

    Try these vegan dessert recipes next

    • Vegan Chocolate Oreo Cake
    • Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream
    • Vegan Keto Brownies
    • Chocolate Cherry Muffins
    • Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever

    Vegan Brownies Recipe

    A stack of vegan brownies on a white plate with chocolate sprinkles, all of it on a black fabric.
    Vegan brownies, no oil and whole wheat. These are outrageously delicious and kinda good for you. #vegan #soyfree #healthy #dessert HolyCowVegan.net

    Vegan Brownies

    These vegan brownies are wholegrain with no added oil. They are naturally sweetened with maple syrup and turbinado sugar, making them a fabulously healthy treat.
    5 from 87 votes
    Print Recipe Review Recipe
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
    Keyword: Vegan brownies
    Prep Time: 15 mins
    Cook Time: 30 mins
    Total Time: 45 mins
    Servings: 16 2-inch brownies
    Calories: 145kcal
    Author: Vaishali ยท Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes

    Equipment

    • Bowl
    • 8 X 8 baking pan

    Ingredients 
    US Customary - Metric

    • ยพ cup flour (whole wheat pastry flour or can sub with unbleached all purpose flour or a mixture of half whole wheat and half APF)
    • ยฝ teaspoon baking soda
    • ยผ teaspoon salt
    • ยผ cup cocoa powder (try and use Dutch cocoa powder)
    • 2 teaspoon instant coffee granules (optional, but coffee really enhances the chocolate flavor)
    • 4 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 2 tablespoon water
    • ยพ cup sugar
    • 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon flaxmeal (whisked with 3 tablespoon water to make one flax egg)
    • ยฝ cup walnuts (lightly toasted and coarsely chopped)
    • Chocolate sprinkles (optional)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Sift all the dry ingredients, including the flour, coffee, cocoa, baking soda and salt, into a bowl and set aside. 
    • In another bowl mix together the maple syrup, water, sugar, flaxmeal mixture, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until well mixed.
    • Add the flour-cocoa mixture to this in 3 batches, mixing well after each addition using a ladle or spatula.
    • Stir in ย the walnuts.ย The batter will be really thick.
    • Prepare an 8 X 8-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Leave an overhang on each side of the pan so you can easily lift the brownies out after they are baked. Spray the parchment or foil with non-stick cooking spray.
    • Pour the batter in and, using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread evenly in the pan. At this point, you can sprinkle some chocolate sprinkles over the top for a nice finish.
    • Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    • Cool thoroughly on a rack. Lift out the brownies using the foil overhang as handles, and cut into squares. If you didn't use chocolate sprinkles, you can dust on some powdered sugar for a pretty finish.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1brownie | Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 19.2g | Protein: 0.9g | Fat: 7.3g | Fiber: 1.3g | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment and recipe rating below!
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    Vegan brownies, no oil and whole wheat. These are outrageously delicious and kinda good for you. #vegan #soyfree #healthy #dessert HolyCowVegan.net
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    About Vaishali


    Hi! I am so happy you're here. I'm Vaishali, and I've been sharing recipes for delicious vegan food at Holy Cow Vegan since 2007. Every one of the more than 1,000 recipes on this blog has been tried and tested -- and loved -- by my family and I. I hope you will find something here to share with your loved ones. Thanks for stopping by!
    Read more about me here.

    Try these recipes next

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melody

      March 05, 2022 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      These are wonderful! Making my second batch today. I used untoasted pecans instead of walnuts, and they came out delicious. No need for sprinkles or powdered sugar on top. These are fantastic! Thank you! โ™ฅ๏ธ

      Reply
      • Vaishali

        March 06, 2022 at 10:40 am

        So happy to hear, Melody!

        Reply
    2. Brittany

      December 19, 2021 at 8:11 pm

      5 stars
      I made these for my birthday and they came out fantastic!! I doubled the recipe and took the applesauce advice instead of maple syrup! My batter felt too dry so I also added a little coconut milk but they were so good! Better than any oil or butter included recipe Iโ€™ve ever tried!

      Reply
    3. Brooklyn

      October 20, 2020 at 10:23 am

      Could I use a mix of all purpose and whole wheat flour?

      Reply
      • Vaishali

        October 20, 2020 at 10:28 am

        Yes!

        Reply
    4. Anonymous

      September 29, 2020 at 6:23 pm

      Hi I made this recipe
      Really yummy

      Reply
    5. Lacey Kade

      September 09, 2020 at 11:44 am

      5 stars
      I have made these brownies for many family birthdays and they turn out perfect every time! Thank you so much!!!!

      Reply
      • Tia

        March 16, 2021 at 12:14 am

        5 stars
        Could I leave out the walnuts?

        Reply
        • Vaishali

          March 16, 2021 at 12:40 am

          Yes!

          Reply
    6. aLex

      September 02, 2020 at 10:02 am

      hi, i am planning on making it, but have a question; can I substitute sugar with erythrol? i hope it will not change the texture...

      Reply
      • Vaishali

        September 02, 2020 at 11:10 am

        Hi, sugar is a wet ingredient so if you sub it with erythrol you will prob need to add some more moisture--I'd add 1/2 cup of applesauce!

        Reply
    7. Chris

      July 26, 2020 at 1:17 pm

      Just what I was looking for.
      I'm going to make these today - can't wait.
      Thank you!

      Reply
    8. Savannah King

      July 09, 2020 at 4:13 pm

      5 stars
      I used Bob's Red Mill 100% Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour - so not pastry flour - and my brownies came out thin, dense and gummy. I used 2 tbsp of brewed coffee instead of instant grounds. Is there something I did wrong to cause them to be so gummy? Everything else was the same. I'm guessing maybe I need the whole wheat pastry flour?

      Reply
      • J

        August 24, 2020 at 8:29 pm

        Itโ€™s because you used whole wheat flour! Thereโ€™s a big difference in whole wheat, whole wheat pastry, and all purpose. Follow the recipe next time.

        Reply
    9. Marva

      June 22, 2020 at 7:25 pm

      5 stars
      Just baked these! Delicious! I omitted the sugar, instant coffee, water and walnuts. I also subbed chia for the ground flax. Soaked 6 dates in 2 shots of Nespresso and added 1/2 cup chocolate chips!

      Reply
      • Shonda

        July 28, 2021 at 6:53 pm

        My mix us too dry. Not pourable. Am I missing something?

        Reply
        • Vaishali

          July 28, 2021 at 10:11 pm

          This batter will be thick but check if you added the 2 tbsp water and the 3 tbsp for the flax egg. The maple syrup should also give some fluidity. If you still have streaks of dry flour add a bit more water.

          Reply
    10. Adriana

      June 14, 2020 at 12:46 pm

      Can I use agave instead of sugar?

      Reply
    11. Alexza

      June 09, 2020 at 10:01 pm

      Without the walnuts, how much fat is in this recipe? Total or in each brownie?

      Reply
      • J

        August 24, 2020 at 8:32 pm

        Approximately 5 total grams of fat from the flaxseed meal and cocoa powder.

        Reply
    12. Kelli

      May 25, 2020 at 10:04 am

      5 stars
      I just made these for our day on the boat. I had to rate them for quality....Delish!! I used quinoa flour instead of whole grain flour because that is what I had in my pantry. Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
    13. Aiman

      May 19, 2020 at 11:01 pm

      This looks delicious! Can I use ground coffee beans instead of instead coffee?

      Reply
      • Vaishali

        May 20, 2020 at 9:44 am

        Brew the coffee-make it dark--and use two tablespoons instead of the water.

        Reply
    14. JaNae

      April 29, 2020 at 12:34 am

      Can I use cacao instead of coco powder?

      Reply
      • Vaishali

        April 29, 2020 at 9:47 am

        It's the same thing, so yes.

        Reply
        • Alina

          August 22, 2020 at 10:13 am

          As long as it's bitter cacao/cocoa and not instant chocolate drink powder i.e. nesquik
          BTW - my brownies are in the oven at the moment. Excited!

          Reply
    15. Ariana

      April 08, 2020 at 9:53 pm

      5 stars
      Trully amazing! Best Vegan Brownies Everrr

      Reply
      • Anonymous

        September 22, 2020 at 10:06 am

        Can't you convert the measurement into gram?

        Reply
    16. Sridevi

      March 31, 2020 at 4:19 am

      Can I use demerara sugar mam

      Reply
      • Vaishali

        March 31, 2020 at 9:22 am

        Yes!

        Reply
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    Hi, I'm Vaishali! I cook, eat and share easy, tasty and nutritious plant-based recipes from my Washington, D.C. kitchen, but I never fight a craving for samosas or French fries. 

    More about me โ†’

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    Vaishali Honawar, Holy Cow Vegan author, profile photo

    Hi, I'm Vaishali! I cook, eat and share easy, tasty and nutritious plant-based recipes from my Washington, D.C. kitchen, but I never fight a craving for samosas or French fries. 

    More about me โ†’

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