These healthy vegan brownies have no added oil and are wholegrain, making them the perfect treat for anytime.
I have been taking a look at recipes I posted on this blog several years ago to see if I can update them for you, and today I wanted to reshare this vegan brownie recipe.
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.
When I first posted this recipe, I called it a fat-free vegan brownie because that was accepted terminology in those days for recipes with no added fat. But I’ve since renamed them because although these brownies certainly need no added oil, they do contain walnuts and flaxmeal, which means they are not entirely fat-free.
The fat from the walnuts and brownies is healthy, though, and there’s also a good amount of healthfulness here from the whole wheat and natural sugars, making these brownies pretty outrageously good for you.
Although my original recipe is still really, really good, I did make a couple of tweaks. 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 brownies are not cloyingly sweet. If you want an additional hit of chocolate, stir 1/2 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 little one’s lunchbox or your own.
Try these vegan brownie, cake and cookie recipes next:
Vegan Chocolate Oreo Cake
Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream
Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Brownies
Chocolate Cherry Muffins
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chunk Bars
Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever
Vegan Chocolate Cinnamon Cookies
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Healthy Vegan Brownies Recipe
Vegan Brownies, no added oils, whole wheat
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour (can sub with unbleached all purpose flour)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tsp instant coffee granules (optional, but coffee really enhances the chocolate flavor)
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp flax meal (whisk with 3 tbsp water)
- 1/2 cup walnuts (lightly toasted and coarsely chopped)
- Chocolate sprinkles (optional)
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 the walnuts. 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
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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?
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!
Can I use agave instead of sugar?
Without the walnuts, how much fat is in this recipe? Total or in each brownie?
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!
This looks delicious! Can I use ground coffee beans instead of instead coffee?
Brew the coffee-make it dark–and use two tablespoons instead of the water.
Can I use cacao instead of coco powder?
It’s the same thing, so yes.
Trully amazing! Best Vegan Brownies Everrr
Can I use demerara sugar mam
Yes!