These vegan brownies have no added oil and are wholegrain, making them the perfect healthy treat for anytime.
This is the most scrumptious vegan brownie you'll ever make and eat, guaranteed, and it's both wholegrain and oil free.
I posted this 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 a decadent dessert with no added oil can turn out so delicious, and these are not just delicious--they are mindblowingly so. Keep in mind that they are oil-free but not fat-free, because they do contain walnuts and flaxmeal, but those are healthy fats.
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 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 brownies are not cloyingly sweet. If you want an additional hit of chocolate, stir ½ 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.
What we love about these brownies
- They're oil-free, yet moist and tender.
- They're delicious without being cloyingly sweet.
- They're made with whole wheat.
- They're super chocolatey and you can make them even more so!
- Kids'll love them--bake these up together for some family fun together.
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
Vegan Brownies, no added oils, whole wheat
Ingredients
- ¾ cup whole-wheat pastry flour (can sub with unbleached all purpose flour)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoon instant coffee granules (optional, but coffee really enhances the chocolate flavor)
- 4 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoon water
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon flax meal (whisk with 3 tablespoon water)
- ½ 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
Brittany
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 I’ve ever tried!
Brooklyn
Could I use a mix of all purpose and whole wheat flour?
Vaishali
Yes!
Anonymous
Hi I made this recipe
Really yummy
Lacey Kade
I have made these brownies for many family birthdays and they turn out perfect every time! Thank you so much!!!!
Tia
Could I leave out the walnuts?
Vaishali
Yes!
aLex
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...
Vaishali
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!
Chris
Just what I was looking for.
I'm going to make these today - can't wait.
Thank you!
Savannah King
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?
J
It’s because you used whole wheat flour! There’s a big difference in whole wheat, whole wheat pastry, and all purpose. Follow the recipe next time.
Marva
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!
Shonda
My mix us too dry. Not pourable. Am I missing something?
Vaishali
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.
Adriana
Can I use agave instead of sugar?
Alexza
Without the walnuts, how much fat is in this recipe? Total or in each brownie?
J
Approximately 5 total grams of fat from the flaxseed meal and cocoa powder.
Kelli
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!
Aiman
This looks delicious! Can I use ground coffee beans instead of instead coffee?
Vaishali
Brew the coffee-make it dark--and use two tablespoons instead of the water.
JaNae
Can I use cacao instead of coco powder?
Vaishali
It's the same thing, so yes.
Alina
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!
Ariana
Trully amazing! Best Vegan Brownies Everrr
Anonymous
Can't you convert the measurement into gram?
Sridevi
Can I use demerara sugar mam
Vaishali
Yes!