Perfectly fudgy gluten free sugar-free brownie recipe. This allergy-friendly recipe creates a rich and incredibly delicious chocolate brownie recipe with chewy edges. Easy to make, sweetened with dates, and perfect as a gluten-free snack or treat!
Jump to:
I started experimenting and testing a recipe for healthy brownies long before I even knew what gluten-free meant. Back then, it was just about making something delicious that was also healthy.
But then, life threw us a curveball—food allergies. Suddenly, gluten and dairy were off the table for my family and I felt a bit lost as to what to make. This recipe, which I had been perfecting for years, became a lifesaver. It was one of those moments you're grateful for the work you put into something without even knowing why you were doing it.
As a mom, finding treats that are both safe (and that my kids will enjoy) has been a big part of my journey. Luckily, this gluten sugar free brownie recipe hits that sweet spot—rich and chocolatey enough that my kids feel like they're getting a real treat, but packed with ingredients like chia, dates, and buckwheat that I feel good about. It's been a family favorite for years now, and it's still going strong.
I'm also a neuroscientist, so knowing these ingredients are brain-healthy adds an extra layer of satisfaction for me. Sharing gluten free recipes like this is important to me because I know the struggle of starting from scratch, feeling overwhelmed by dietary restrictions, and worrying about whether something will turn out right. I've put a lot of time into making sure this recipe is foolproof, hoping it can make someone else's journey a little easier.
More Healthy Gluten-Free Snacks:
Healthy Protein Rich Chocolate Mousse (gluten- free and dairy free)
Healthy Bliss Balls for Kids (Gluten, Sugar and Dairy Free)
Blueberry Chocolate Muffins (Gluten-free and Diary Free)
Oat Milk Hot Chocolate (Gluten-free and Diary Free)
Layered Chocolate Banana Chia Pudding (Gluten and Diary Free)
👪Why You'll Love These Brownies
- Allergy-Friendly: Free from gluten, dairy, eggs, and refined sugar, these brownies are perfect for a wide range of dietary needs.
- Nutrient-Rich: Made with ingredients like buckwheat flour, chia seeds, and dates, these gluten-free sugar-free brownies are not just delicious but also packed with nutrients. They're a sweet treat that you can feel good about serving to your family.
- Easy to Make: Simple instructions and common pantry ingredients make this recipe accessible to bakers of all skill levels.
- Deliciously Satisfying: Despite being free from common allergens and refined sugar, these gooey brownies don't compromise on taste or texture.
So, why not give our gluten-free sugar-free brownie recipe a try? Your family is sure to fall in love with it, just like mine did!
🍫Simple Ingredients List
Here is everything you need to make this gluten sugar free brownies recipe:
- Gluten-Free AP flour: This is my go-to gluten-free flour when baking. It's versatile and gives this gluten sugar free brownie a great texture.
- Buckwheat Flour: Despite the name, buckwheat is gluten-free! It's a great addition for its rich flavor and helps the dough retain moisture.
- Cacoa Powder: This is where our diary-free brownies get their deep, rich chocolate flavor from.
- Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate Chips: Because what's a brownie without some extra chocolate? Just ensure they are both sugar-free and dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Dates: Adding dates helps ensure your gluten-free brownies stay moist while also adding a natural sweetness and chewy texture.
- Ground Chia Seeds: Our egg replacer, helping bind our recipe together.
- Coconut Oil: Gluten-free baking is all about moisture, this is another great ingredient that will add moisture while replacing butter for a dairy-free brownie alternative.
- Cinnamon: A hint of cinnamon adds a warm, comforting note to the brownies.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These are our leavening agents that give our gluten sugar free brownies their rise.
- Salt: A pinch enhances all the other flavors.
Optional add-ins
- Maple Syrup or Coconut Sugar: A healthier sugar alternative to regular sugar, and you can adjust the sweetness to your liking.
- Vanilla Extract: For that classic, sweet aroma.
For full quantities, see the recipe card below.
👩🏽🍳Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175 °C) degrees and greasing a brownie or cake pan. Alternatively, you can line it with parchment paper. This ensures your gluten sugar -free brownies won't stick to the pan.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients to make your gluten free brownie mix. Make sure they're well mixed. This ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed so your brownies rise perfectly.
Step 3: Prepare Wet Ingredients:
Into a blender, place the hot water, pitted dates, and chia seeds. Let the ingredients sit for 5 minutes to allow the dates to soften and the chia seeds to gel. Then add in the coconut oil (and maple syrup or sugar if using) and blend until smooth.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Combine the date mixture with the dry mixture. Stir until well combined (see image). The gluten-free sugar-free brownie batter should be smooth and thick.
Step 5: Fold In Chocolate Chips:
Sprinkle in half of the sugar-free chocolate chips. Then fold until mixed, careful not to overmix. Gluten free dough will dry out if overmixed or dry. Ensure your gluten free brownie dough is still slightly wet and sticky (see image).
Step 6: Add To Brownie Pan:
Pour your gluten-free sugar-free brownie batter into your prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Add the remaining chocolate chips on top.
Step 7: Bake:
Place in your preheated oven and bake for 18-25 minutes, depending on the shape of your pan. It is ready when you get a flaky top with a golden brown color and a toothpick or fork comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake as this can dry out your gluten sugar free brownies.
Cool and serve:
Let your baked gluten sugar free brownies cool completely in the pan. This makes them easier to cut. Once cool, cut into squares and serve. Enjoy your delicious, fudgy, gluten-free sugar-free brownies as is or better yet add a scoop of ice cream!
💡Chef Tips: Making The Best Gluten-Free Brownies
- Right Flour Matters: Bob's Red Mill gluten-free blendMill works best. It's less thirsty than others, meaning you won't end up with dry brownies.
- Moisture is Key: Gluten-free flour can be a bit tricky since it tends to dry out. Your batter should feel wet and sticky before it goes into the oven. If it looks dry, you might want to add a splash of more water or oil.
- Temperature Matters: Ensure your wet ingredients are still warm when adding them in. Cold ingredients can lead to a batter that's too thick and hard to mix properly, affecting that fudgy texture.
- Avoid Overmixing: Mix until the dry ingredients are just incorporated so you get the best brownies with a crackly top.
- Toothpick Test: Check doneness with a toothpick—it should have a few crumbs attached.
- Let Them Cool: Wait until completely cool before slicing to get clean cuts and the best texture.
- Quality Ingredients: High-quality cocoa and chocolate chips make all the difference in flavor.
🍪Substitutions & Variations
Here are some possible substitutions for the main ingredients in our recipe:
- Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour: You can substitute this with another gluten-free flour blend like a 1-1 version. Just keep an eye on the moisture level.
- Buckwheat Flour: Some other great gluten-free options are oat flour, almond flour, or amaranth flour. These will give similar results. Alternatively, if you are in a pinch just add in the same quantity of your main flour.
- Cocoa Powder: Carob powder can be used as a substitute for cocoa powder. It's naturally sweet and low in fat!
- Dark Chocolate Chips: You can substitute dark chocolate chips with semi-sweet chocolate chips or carob chips for a caffeine-free option.
- Dates: Prunes, raisins, or dried figs can be used as a substitute for dates. They all add a similar sweetness and texture, however, the flavor will change.
- Chia Seeds: Ground flaxseeds can be used as a substitute for ground chia seeds. You can make a flax egg in the same way in this recipe, flax is a great thickener and binder ingredient.
- Coconut Oil: Changing this ingredient will affect the texture of your fudgy brownies. But in a pinch, you can use olive oil or vegan butter. I recommend using coconut oil if possible.
Remember, when substituting ingredients for gluten-free sugar-free brownies, the taste and texture of the recipe might slightly change. It's always a good idea to do a test run before serving to guests!
🥡Storage Instructions
- At Room Temperature: Keep your cooled gluten-free sugar-free brownies in an airtight container for 3-4 days. If your house is particularly warm, consider refrigerating them instead to prevent them from becoming too soft.
- In the Fridge: For firmer brownies or to keep them longer, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Reheating Brownies: To revive the just-baked warmth and texture, microwave a brownie for about 10-15 seconds or warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes.
❔FAQ
Yes, but keep in mind that almond flour has a different absorption rate. Start with less and add more as needed to achieve the right batter consistency.
Dry brownies can result from overbaking or not enough moisture in the batter. Ensure you're using the right amount of wet ingredients and check your brownies a few minutes before the timer goes off to prevent overbaking.
Gluten-free sugar-free brownies rely on baking powder or soda for lift. Ensure your leavening agents are fresh and correctly measured. Also, avoid overmixing once they're added to the batter.
Gluten-free sugar-free brownies can be tricky to bake evenly. If the center is undercooked, lower your oven temperature and extend the baking time, covering the top with foil if necessary to prevent burning.
🥣Need More Healthy Gluten-Fee Baking
If you loved our gluten-free sugar-free brownies and and are looking for similar recipes check out these:
📖 Recipe
Fudgy Gluten and Sugar Free Browniess (Dairy-Free)
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour BobS Red Mill Recommended
- ¼ cup buckwheat flour
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips sugar free
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup boiling water
- ½ cup dates pitted
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup ground chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup maple syrup (optional) or coconut sugar
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°C degrees. While it's heating up, line a cake pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Next, place the boiling water into a blender along with the pitted dates and chia seeds and let them sit for 5 minutes. Then add in the coconut oil, (and maple syrup of sugar if using) and blend until smooth.
- Meanwhile, mix your dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Make sure they're well mixed.
- Next, pour the date mixture, along with the vanilla extract, into the dry ingredients. Stir until well combined avoiding overmixing. The brownie batter should be smooth and thick (see images in post).
- Then, add half of the chocolate chips and fold to combine.
- Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Add in the remaining chocolate chips then bake for roughly 18-25 minutes or until a toothpick or fork comes out clean.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan. This makes them easier to cut. Once cool, cut into squares and serve.
Yelena says
Would it work to replace ground chia seeds with psyllium husk powder?
Patricia Granek says
I have never tried that, my concern would be that chia seeds help to provide moisture as they retian water but you coudl certainly try and see how it goes. Add the psyllium husk powder to the dry ingredients instead. Woudl love to know how it goes if you make it.
3m 8210 mask says
It wrote his ideas while reading the post amazingly::)
Best regards,
Thomassen Henneberg
Resonance of a singing bowl says
looks yummy
atmytable says
Thank you !!
bakedcupcakes says
WOW! MIND BLOWING!! THIS IS SUCH A GREAT RECIPE, YOUR BROWNIES LOOK SO FLUFFY AND JUST HELLA MOUTH WATERING, BTW I AM 13 AND I AM BAKING FROM WHEN I WAS EIGHT AND I LOVE IT AND THROUGHOUT MY JOURNEY, I FAILED LIKE MISERABLY BUT I DIDN'T GIVE UP AND I WOULD SAY THAT THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT I DO KNOW HOW TO BAKE. WISH YOU A LOT OF LUCK AND SUCCESS FOR YOUR FUTURE
. MUCH LOVE ♥
Laiba
atmytable says
Wow baking since you were 8! That is amazing. Thank you so much for your lovely comment and I wish you lots of luck and happiness!