Gluten-free Vegan Brownies No Oil

I remember the first time I tried to make brownies for my best friend. She has a bunch of food allergies, and I really wanted to bake her something special. My first try was a total disaster! The brownies came out more like hard little bricks than a soft, gooey treat. We laughed about it, but I was determined to get it right. After a lot of tweaking and a few more burnt pans, I finally found a winner. This easy gluten-free vegan brownie recipe is the one. It’s my secret weapon for surprise guests or a cozy rainy day when you just need a chocolate hug. It’s so simple, anyone can make it—even if you’ve never baked before. Trust me, you can’t mess these up! They are so fudgy and delicious, no one will ever guess there’s no oil or butter in them. It’s truly a quick gluten-free dessert that everyone will love.

What You’ll Need

This recipe is super simple and uses things you probably already have in your pantry. No fancy stuff here!

• 1 cup (120g) gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar (or coconut sugar for a less sweet option)
• ½ cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (240g) unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (85g) dairy-free chocolate chips

No applesauce? No problem! Use ½ cup of mashed ripe banana instead. It works great and adds a lovely flavor.

Tools You’ll Use

You don’t need a fancy mixer for this. Just a couple of bowls and a pan!

• A medium mixing bowl
• A small mixing bowl
• A spatula or wooden spoon
• An 8×8 inch baking pan
• Parchment paper

Prep time: 10 minutes Bake time: 25-30 minutes

How to Make It

This is the fun part! Grab a friend or family member to help you. It’s always more fun to bake together.

1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. This makes clean-up so much easier!
2. In your medium bowl, mix all the dry stuff together. That’s the gluten-free flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Give it a good stir with your spoon.
3. Next, in the small bowl, whisk the applesauce and vanilla extract together. This will be your “wet” part.
4. Now, pour the wet mix into the dry mix. Using your spatula, stir it all up. Mix just until everything is combined and you don’t see any dry flour anymore. A little lumpy is okay! Tip: Don’t overmix! Overmixing can make your brownies tough. We want them soft and chewy!
5. Fold in the chocolate chips. You got this!
6. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and use your spatula to spread it out evenly. It’s going to be thick, and that’s exactly what you want. Note: Add photo of the batter in the pan here.
7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when you can stick a toothpick in the middle and it comes out with a few moist crumbs on it. Not wet batter, just crumbs.
8. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before you cut them. This is the hardest part, I know! But it helps them set up and get that perfect fudgy texture.

Healthy Tips & Tricks

These aren’t just yummy—they’re also a little bit good for you!

• Applesauce is our secret ingredient. It replaces the oil and adds natural sweetness. Plus, apples are full of fiber, which helps your tummy feel good and gives you energy to run and play all day!
• Cocoa powder isn’t just for a chocolatey taste. It has antioxidants, which are like tiny superheroes that help keep your body healthy and strong.

For a little extra boost, add a handful of chopped walnuts or even shredded zucchini to the batter. Zucchini is a great way to sneak in some veggies without changing the taste one bit. My kids never even notice!

Basic Nutrition Facts (estimated per serving, about 16 brownies)

• Calories: approx. 120
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 3g
• Fat: 4g

Family Tip: These brownies are great for making ahead of time! You can store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days on the counter. Or, freeze them in a single layer for a quick healthy vegan brownie treat later! Just pop one in the microwave for a few seconds when you’re ready to eat.

Enjoy!

I hope this recipe brings a little bit of chocolatey joy to your kitchen. There’s nothing better than a warm brownie, fresh from the oven, with a big glass of milk (or plant-based milk!). I always sneak an extra chocolate chip on top just before baking—it’s my little secret.

Let me know how your brownies turn out in the comments below! Did you add any fun toppings? I can’t wait to hear from you. Happy baking!