Best Flourless Brownies (Gluten-Free, Paleo)
Posted Feb 10, 2019, Updated Nov 26, 2021
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This easy, healthy & fudgy Flourless Brownies recipe is made with 8 ingredients and ready in 25 minutes! They are truly the best gluten-free brownies and are also paleo & dairy-free!
Hi, My name is Laura, and I am a brownie addict.
{Hi Laura}
But for real, I have said it before and I’ll say it again, brownies are my absolute favorite dessert! These Paleo Flourless Brownies are THE winners if you’re looking for a healthier brownie that doesn’t taste healthy at all (like not in the slightest).
Yes, I already have a super healthy paleo & vegan brownie recipe that is knock your socks off good, but it doesn’t taste like “normal” brownies {in my husband’s words lol}! This one does.
In my opinion, a spectacular brownie needs to be insanely fudgy and irresistibly chocolatey {cakey brownies need not apply}. These flourless brownies are all that and more. Plus they have a beautifully crunchy crinkly top that is to die for.
Flourless Brownies: Ingredients & Substitutions
As always, let’s chat about the ingredients in this flourless brownie recipe, as well as possible substitutions!
- Coconut oil/butter: I have used both with great success! I think we prefer butter over coconut oil, but they both produce the best fudgy flourless brownies ever! And coconut oil is a great dairy-free option!
- Granulated sugar: You can substitute any granulated sugar of your choice, just make sure it complies with your dietary needs. For a paleo version, use coconut sugar.
- Tapioca starch: For another paleo substitution use arrowroot starch. For an easy and delicious (but not paleo) option, use cornstarch.
- Chocolate chips: If you are not concerned about making this paleo, then I recommend Ghirardelli 60% dark chocolate chips. They are my absolute favorite. If you’re concerned about your chocolate being paleo friendly, simply substitute the chips for unsweetened, chopped chocolate...however you may need to taste the batter and increase the amount of coconut sugar. Here are some paleo/healthier chocolate options:
Paleo Chocolate Chips & Bars
- Hu Kitchen Chocolate Gems. This is my favorite paleo chocolate. These gems are delicious and easy to toss into cookies (no bar chopping required).
- Hu Kitchen Dark Chocolate Bars. You can also buy dark chocolate bars and chop them up to toss into these paleo chocolate chip cookies.
- Lily’s Dark Chocolate. They make chips and bars that are stevia sweetened, low carb, keto, etc.
- Enjoy Life Foods Dark Chocolate Chips are a good option that are vegan, dairy-free but not fully paleo.
How to make Flourless Brownies
Ok people pay very close attention, because the method matters in this flourless brownie recipe. If you want those beautiful shiny, crinkly brownie tops with a gooey fudgy center, then read on carefully!
Melt the chocolate and butter/coconut oil
The first step in making these flourless brownies is to melt the butter (or coconut oil) and chocolate together. It’s important to do this first because the mixture needs to cool slightly before adding it to the batter. This can be done in two ways:
- In the microwave. Put the butter & chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and warm until just melted (about 60-90 seconds). Start by warming for 60 seconds, stirring, and then warming in 30 second increments stirring after each until the mixture is melted and smooth.
- On the stovetop over medium-low heat. You can also gently melt the butter and chocolate together in a small saucepan on the stovetop over low heat. Be sure to stir consistently and remove the pan from the heat as soon as the mixture is smooth.
The important thing about this step is that the final melted mixture should be shiny and glossy.
Beat the eggs
An important factor in achieving that perfect crinkly top is to beat the eggs on high speed for 60 seconds until they are frothy and a little bit thick. I recommend using a standing mixer fitted with the wire whip attachment or a hand-held mixer to make this flourless brownie recipe.
Add the sugar and beat again.
Next, add the coconut sugar (or granulated sugar) and beat on high for an additional 60 seconds. The mixture will be slightly thick and frothy.
Add melted chocolate & vanilla
Once the eggs and sugar are combined, add the rest of the wet ingredients to the paleo flourless brownie batter. At this point beat the mixture until everything is just combined (about 15 seconds). Scrape the sides and beat again if necessary!
Mix in dry ingredients
Next, add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and beat on low speed (to avoid any ingredients spilling out of the mixer), until the batter is smooth.
Add chocolate chips
As you can see, the batter should be nice and thick before adding the chocolate chips! Give everything a good stir by hand until the chips are evenly distributed in the flourless brownie batter.
Bake
Pour the flourless brownie batter into an 8×8″ baking pan and bake for 18-25 minutes!
I like to add a few extra chocolate chips to the top of the flourless brownie batter, just for good measure (and for looks)!
How do you know when flourless brownies are done?
You will know these flourless brownies are finished baking when the top and sides are barely set and the brownies are just slightly “jiggly.” The top will be crackly and shiny as well.
Cool slightly & Serve
Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes, cut and serve.
For easier removal, line the baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Then after the paleo brownies have cooled slightly, you can easily lift them out of the pan and cut them on a cutting board!
FAQs about these Flourless Brownies
Here are a few answers to some commonly asked questions about making these flourless brownies!
Yes! As long as you choose gluten-free chocolate (which most varieties are), and follow the recipe, these flourless brownies are gluten-free!
A cakey brownie usually has leavening agents and a higher flour : fat ratio. Fudgy brownies (like these flourless brownies) have a higher ratio of fat : dry ingredients and no leavening agents.
Using a mixer. The recipe calls for mixing everything in a standing mixer or a hand-held mixer. I truly believe this is important if you care about shiny, crackly brownie tops!
Mixing by hand. However, you can also mix everything by hand! I recommend whipping the eggs by hand with a wire whisk, and then whipping them again after you add the sugar.
I have opted to make these the lazy way, with no whipping and just mixing as follows: melt the chocolate chips/butter (or coconut oil) together. Then add the other wet ingredients and stir until combined. Then add dry ingredients and stir! It’s easy, but usually ends in funky-looking tops but the brownies still taste amazing.
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Best Flourless Brownies (Gluten-Free, Paleo)
Ingredients
- 6 TBS Salted Butter or coconut oil
- ¾ cup chocolate chips or unsweetened baking chocolate*
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar (for paleo use coconut sugar)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted***
- 3 TBS tapioca starch (or arrowroot starch or cornstarch)
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease an 8×8” square pan and set aside. (You can also line it with parchment paper for easy removal if you like)
- In a small bowl, stir together sifted cocoa powder, tapioca starch and salt. Set aside.
- In a microwave safe container or over the stovetop, melt butter (or coconut oil) and chocolate chips together and stir until smooth and glossy.
- Add eggs, to the bowl of your standing mixer fitted with the wire whip attachment, and beat on medium-high speed for 1 minute. The eggs will be pale yellow, thicker and frothy. (You can also beat for 60 seconds with a hand-held mixer)
- Add coconut sugar (or granulated sugar) to the bowl of your standing mixer and beat on medium-high speed for an additional 1 minute. The mixture will be a little thick. (You can also beat for 60 seconds with a hand-held mixer)
- Add the melted butter/chocolate mixture and vanilla and beat until combined.
- Add dry mixture and beat until smooth and there are no lumps.
- Add ½ cup chocolate chips and stir by hand until they’re evenly distributed.
- Pour batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake in your preheated oven for 18-25 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with wet crumbs!
- Let sit for about 15 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature!
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To return the fresh-from-the-oven taste simply reheat in the microwave for 10 seconds!
Video
Notes
Ingredient substitutions
-
- Coconut oil/butter: I have used both with great success! I think we prefer butter over coconut oil, but they both produce the best fudgy flourless brownies ever! And coconut oil is a great dairy-free option!
- Granulated sugar: You can substitute any granulated sugar of your choice, just make sure it complies with your dietary needs. For a paleo version, use coconut sugar.
- Tapioca starch: For another paleo substitution use arrowroot starch. For an easy and delicious (but not paleo) option, use cornstarch.
- Chocolate chips: If you are not concerned about making this paleo, then I recommend Ghirardelli 60% dark chocolate chips. They are my absolute favorite. If you’re concerned about your chocolate being paleo friendly, simply substitute the chips for unsweetened, chopped chocolate...however you may need to taste the batter and increase the amount of coconut sugar. Here are some paleo/healthier chocolate options:
Paleo Chocolate Chips & Bars
- Hu Kitchen Chocolate Gems. This is my favorite paleo chocolate. These gems are delicious and easy to toss into cookies (no bar chopping required).
- Hu Kitchen Dark Chocolate Bars. You can also buy dark chocolate bars and chop them up to toss into these paleo chocolate chip cookies.
- Lily’s Dark Chocolate. They make chips and bars that are stevia sweetened, low carb, keto, etc.
- Enjoy Life Foods Dark Chocolate Chips are a good option that are vegan, dairy-free but not fully paleo.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Delicious Desserts
I take my chocolate dessert making seriously! Here are some of my favorite desserts for serious chocolate lovers:
- Try these paleo chocolate chip cookies -they’re the best!
- These molten chocolate lava cakes are SO easy but look elegant (like you spent hours in the kitchen)!
- This flourless chocolate cake is one of my all-time favorites!
- I am a sucker for fudgy brownies, like these healthy greek yogurt brownies or my classic brownie recipe.
- If you love chocolate and peanut butter, you have to make this puppy chow recipe and this chocolate peanut butter fondue!
- This dairy-free chocolate fondue is such a fun treat for girls’ night!
- And of course, or recipe for the best ever chocolate chip cookies!
- These zucchini brownies are so good!
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I goofily read the recipe incorrectly and put 3 tsp of cornstarch instead of 3tbsp while the flavor is amazing its just not thick enough! Lol read carefully folks lol I’ll be trying again later! Lol
I have made these 3 times and they have turned out perfectly every time! Love them.
I love this recipe and followed all instructions but still didn’t get the shiny crackly tips. Any suggestions?
Oh my gosh..thank you for this yummy recipe!
With flour scarce and a g/f eater, this is perfect!
They came out perfectly delicious!
A keeper of a recipe even if one has flour.
This is now THE brownie recipe!
In this time of quarantine, it was a spark
of chocolaty goodness!
Thank you Michelle!! I just made these last night too! 🙂 They’re a fave around here!
Literally Most Amazing Brownies Ever! It took a lot longer to cook than expected but turned out amazing.
I’m so glad you love them as much as I do Carina!
Best brownies I’ve ever made!
Loved them
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed these brownies! One of my favorite recipes, I make them all the time!
can I double the recipe and use a 9×13 pan?
Yes! I actually do that all the time!
This are delicious, I didn’t get the crackly top and I’m wondering if it’s because I forgot to melt some of the chocolate chips with the butter? I did everything else though and it was great, It would have been an extra bonus to have that crackly top.
Did you leave out the chocolate chips all together? Beating the eggs/sugar is crucial to achieving the crackly top too.
can I omit the tapioca starch??
No. You can substitute cornstarch, but you cannot just omit it.