These decadent Fudgy Grain Free Brownies are out-of-this-world, crazy good. They're chewy with a nice crusty bite on top, made without refined sugar, naturally gluten free, Paleo-friendly and freeze beautifully too! You would never know these irresistible brownies are grain free.
Fudgy brownies are the best!
Anyone who loves brownies has a favorite version. Brownies can be plain and sweet, packed with nuts, swirled with cream cheese, peanut butter or mint chocolate, loaded with extra chocolate chips or chunks, and on and on. There are so many different varieties.
Flavor is important of course, but for most brownie-lovers, it's all about the brownie texture.
True brownie fans will have an absolute favorite when it comes to texture. Whether it's cakey, fudgy, chewy or fudgy plus chewy, most people are fans of only one type.
This rings true for me. I LOVE brownies, and I'm extremely picky about the texture.
I do not care for cakey brownies, and that's putting it lightly. My kids are the same way. Hands down, we are all about fudgy brownies! Fudgy brownies are moist, chewy, gooey, rich, super chocolatey and similar in consistency to fudge, truffles or flourless tortes.
I've been gluten free for over 8 years now and I have to say, it's really hard to find a gluten free brownie that's just right. And when it comes to grain free, I'd say it's even harder to find.
I'm not saying that you won't find a great fudgy gluten free recipe. There are some great ones out there, but they're usually packed with refined sugar. Refined sugar is a big NO for me since my body does not tolerate it. I can only have natural, unrefined sweeteners like honey, maple syrup and maple sugar.
When it comes to grain free, I've found that almost every recipe I've tried is way too cakey or is full of almond flour or coconut flour. I can't have coconut flour, so those types of brownies are out for me and that leaves almond flour and nut butter or seed butter-based brownies.
I don't know about you, but I don't love nut or seed butter-based brownies, the texture just isn't right, in my humble opinion. I've tried to love them, but I just don't. I'm sure almond flour is great for some, but again, it's a texture thing for me and I don't care for it in brownies. I don't feel that almond flour contributes to a fudgy-enough consistency.
Plus it's best to use soaked nuts for better nutrition and digestion. It's almost impossible to find soaked and sprouted almond flour and or nut/seed butters.
Cassava flour makes the BEST fudgy grain free brownies!
In all honestly, it's all of the components in this recipe that make these brownies so good. But cassava flour is THE flour to use!
I use my favorite gluten free and grain free flour, cassava flour, for these fudgy grain free brownies. It’s very similar to regular white flour with the bonus of being a resistant starch when eaten cool. Resistant starch basically means prebiotics that feed probiotics plus support digestion and the gut.
And in case you're wondering, cassava flour is not the same as tapioca flour or starch. Cassava is 100% Yuca, a root vegetable. Cassava flour is a whole food; the entire root, minus the peel.
Like I mentioned before, I'm pretty much a brownie snob. That makes me laugh because I don't feel that way about most food, but I am pretty firm with my feelings about brownies.
That being said, I have spent years trying to come up with the perfect brownies and have had too many failures to count. I have tried so many gluten free and grain free brownie recipes that just didn't do it for me.
And finally, I figured it out! I made these brownies 13 times before I got it just right. That's a lot of brownies! I had some pretty excited family members in the process who were more than happy to eat the "not-there-yet" batches of brownies.
Beautiful, glorious, heavenly, delectable brownies.
Oh how I love you! Seriously, I LOVE these brownies!
This is a cocoa powder based brownie recipe. You won't need to melt any chocolate or chocolate chips for this recipe (which is so common in other recipes). You also won't find any refined sugar, just natural maple sugar. Yes, there is a good dose of maple sugar in them, but brownies are not meant to be an every day thing. They're a special treat, meant to be savored and enjoyed.
These brownies are super easy to make. You can make them in the blender or mix with a handheld mixer. The hardest part about these brownies is waiting for them to cool before cutting them. To be quite honest, sometimes my kids and I grab a spoonful of super soft, almost fudge-like, hot brownies before they're cooled off.
We also love to eat them the next day. The brownies get even chewier on day two. And bonus, they freeze beautifully! I love to make a batch and store them in the freezer. It's nice to have a fun treat on hand when needed or to toss in some homemade ice cream. They're great right out of the freezer too! They taste almost like a fudge-caramel when frozen.
These fudgy grain free brownies are made with 7 real food ingredients that your body can recognize. Make up a batch and store some in the freezer to have on hand for an extra special treat!
Fudgy Grain Free Brownies
Fudgy Grain Free Brownies {Paleo + Nut Free}
These decadent Fudgy Grain Free Brownies are out-of-this-world, crazy good. They're chewy with a nice crusty bite on top, made without refined sugar, naturally gluten free, Paleo-friendly and freeze beautifully too! You would never know these irresistible brownies are grain free.
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoon grass-fed butter or ghee, melted
- 1 ¼ cup maple sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon organic cocoa powder (<-- this is the fair-trade cocoa I use)
- 2 pastured or organic eggs
- ¼ cup Otto's cassava flour (<-- this is the only cassava flour I use and recommend)
- ½ teaspoon Celtic sea salt (<-- this is my favorite sea salt)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8x8 square pan and set aside.
- Two Methods: Blender or Mixing. For a Blender: Add all ingredients to a high powered blender in the order of the ingredients. Mix on low speed just until combined, about 7-10 seconds, scraping down the sides if needed. With a Mixing Bowl & Mixer: Add melted butter or ghee, maple sugar, vanilla and cocoa powder to a large mixing bowl. With a handheld mixer, mix on low speed just until combined, about 3 seconds. Add the eggs and mix on low speed just until combined, about 3 seconds. Add the cassava flour and sea salt and mix on low speed just until combined, about 15 seconds, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Pour brownie batter into greased baking dish and bake in preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs and the top is uniform and not liquid in the middle. [See Notes for baking time info. Make sure to check your brownies at the 20-minute mark to see if more baking time is needed.]
- Place baking pan on a cooling rack and allow the brownies to cool for at least 1 hour before slicing. If you really can't wait to eat them, let them rest at least 15 minutes - they will still be delicious, just know they will fall apart much easier and will be better eaten with a fork or spoon (which my family usually does) or crumbled over homemade ice cream.
Notes
- Baking time can vary with brownies, especially when it comes to the baking pan. Glass baking pans tend to take longer to fully cook. Metal pans tend to cook much quicker. I bake with a glass baking pan; with my gas oven, these are perfectly baked at 25 minutes. Make sure to check yours at the 20-minute mark to gauge how much time is needed for yours to finish cooking.
- Storage: These brownies keep well at room temperature for 1 day or in the refrigerator for 2 days in an airtight container. They also store well in the freezer in an airtight container.
- If you prefer your brownies a bit less gooey, add 1 extra tablespoon of cocoa powder to the recipe.
- I have made these with 1 cup maple sugar and ¼ honey or maple syrup. They are super delicious this way too, but they are a lot softer and a bit more gooey, however, they still set up fine after cooling for several hours.
Recommended Products
-
KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield, 5-Quart, Empire Red -
Silicone Spatula - 6 Spatulas Silicone Heat Resistant - Mini Rubber Spatula Set - Cooking Spatulas for Nonstick Cookware - Colorful Baking Kitchen Spatula Set - One Piece Design Spoon (Multicolor) -
Blendtec Designer 625 Blender - WildSide+ Jar (90 oz) - Professional-Grade Power - 4 Pre-Programmed Cycles - 6-Speeds - Sleek and Slim - Black
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 231Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 238mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 0gSugar: 17gProtein: 2g
This nutritional information was auto-generated based on serving size, number of servings, and typical information for the ingredients listed. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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Raia
These sound super easy! And they look amazing. I love all that butter... 🙂
Emily Vidaurri
LOL gotta love that butter 😉
Holley Marth
Cassava flour is so amazing! I can't wait to try these!
Emily Vidaurri
Thank you Holley! I hope you get to try some 🙂
Renee
I just got my first bag of Otto's a couple weeks ago! I can't wait to make these!
Emily Vidaurri
Oh how fun! Enjoy your Otto's and the brownies too if you get to make some! 🙂
Carol Little R.H.
WoW. Thank you for your years of devotion and 'hard work' (lol) I have some cassava flour and in fact, all the ingredients so may just need to whip up a batch! I am not a baker, but this looks like a possible do-able project!!
Can you advise re the butter -- 10 tbsp. Is that 1/4 lb or 1/2 lb or ? When I think about butter, I am wanting to know how much to slice off my 'grass fed butter' block. Sorry if this is obvious.. I don't want too little or too much -- so hoping you can answer this one for me. Thanks Emily!
Emily Vidaurri
Hi Carol, I don't know the pound measurement, but it would be 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons. Basically 1 stick of butter plus 2 tablespoons. I'm not sure if that helps. 🙂
STACEY CRAWFORD
These look fudgy, chocolaty, and decadent ! I could not be trusted alone with those 🙂
Emily Vidaurri
🙂 they are pretty irresistible
Irena Macri
I am also a picky brownie baker, and I totally lean towards the fudgy side. Otherwise, it might as well be chocolate cake! And those fudgy corner pieces!!! So scrumptious - can't wait to test out with some cassava. I don't use it quite enough 😉 And this is a great excuse!
Emily Vidaurri
The corners!!! Yes! I feel the same way about brownies, if I want cake, I'll make cake 😉 I hope you get to make some. 🙂
Jean
These look amazing! And you've convinced me that I need to purchase cassava flour.
Emily Vidaurri
Thanks Jean! 🙂 I hope you get to make some!
Dawn
Buttah lover here too! Swooning over these brownies!!! These sound perfect with a tall, cold glass of raw milk ?
Emily Vidaurri
Love that!!! 🙂
Kelsey
Love the tip to store them in the freezer! I want to make these but am out of cassava...would another gf flour work? Any suggestions?
Emily Vidaurri
Hi Kelsey, I wish I knew. It's possible an all purpose gf flour would work but I haven't tried that yet. I hope you get to make some 🙂 I've had good feedback about them from a few readers.
Meg | Meg is Well
I'm a fan of all brownies but fudgy ones are by far the best! Cassava flour sounds like a winner for sure! I was gluten free for about 2 years and experienced all those problems with the other flours. Wish I had known about cassava flour then!
Christine
I really need to try baking with cassava flour! I've tried cassava chips and really liked them. Can I use coconut oil instead?
Emily Vidaurri
Hi Christine, I haven't used coconut oil with these, but it's possible it could work. I haven't baked with coconut oil in a long time because I found out it's a sensitivity for me. I do remember that it tends to make baked goods a bit more "oily", so I'm not sure how that would do with these. If you give it a try, let me know 🙂
Ali from Home & Plate
This is a great recipe for nut free brownies. I have a neighbor boy who would love these and they would be safe for him to eat. Thanks and I plan to give it a try soon.a
Mary // Chattavore
Fudgy brownies really ARE the best! I never understood "cakey" brownies. Um, if I want cake, I'll eat cake! Anyway, these sound DELICIOUS!
Emily Vidaurri
Yes!!! That's exactly how I feel too 🙂
Megan Stevens
Love that crispy top and the fudgey-not-cakey middle-- so classic yet Paleo-- yum!!!
Emily Vidaurri
Thank you Megan! It was a lot of fun testing these to get them just right 🙂
Hazel
What can i teplace the casava flour with pls!
Emily Vidaurri
Hi Hazel, I haven't tested these brownies with a different flour. Most grain free brownies are almond flour or coconut flour based, and I can't have either of those. You could try using an all-purpose gluten free flour blend, but I can't guarantee the results as I haven't tried making these with a different flour.
Jessica DeMay
These brownies look truly perfect! I'm totally a fudgy brownie person as well and these are spot on! Yum!
Emily Vidaurri
Thanks Jessica! Team fudgy brownie!!! 🙂
ChihYu
Wow! These fudge look so moist and delicious! Thanks for sharing !!
Emily Vidaurri
Thanks so much! 🙂
Cristina Curp
These looks soooooo perfect! yum!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you Cristina! 🙂
Jo Romero
Love the sound of these! Definitely going to make them for the kids tomorrow. Excited!
Emily Vidaurri
Thanks! Enjoy them! 🙂
Kari
I'm also fairy picky about my brownies, I love that you said 'you're firm in your feelings' about your brownies, I figure there's no point in eating one unless it fits into all my fudgy requirements! These look phenomenal, and I've never tried brownies with cassava flour before so I can't wait!
Emily Vidaurri
LOL right?!!! 🙂 I feel the same way! Thanks Kari!
Kendra
You had me at-> fudgy, moist, chewy, gooey, rich, super chocolatey 🙂 I love me some brownies and this recipe is just what I need!
Emily Vidaurri
I hope you get to enjoy some Kendra! 🙂
Amanda Torres
I love how simple this recipe is!! I am definitely making these <3
Emily Vidaurri
Thank you Amanda! I hope you get to make some 🙂
Rachel
I love that this is made without coconut flour. Sometimes I just do not prefer the taste, and I know others don't either!
Emily Vidaurri
Yes! 🙂 The taste of coconut flour can be strong at times. My body doesn't do as well with it, so it's not my first choice.
Vanessa Woozley
The look so deliciously fudgy and such a nice simple recipe, can't wait to try..
Emily Vidaurri
Thank you Vanessa! Hope you get to try some.
Lorrae
Hello, thanks for the great recipe. Would these work with using pure monk fruit extract instead of sugar?
Would equate to only about 1/4 teaspoon of monk fruit extract?
Would this work or would they be too dry or too runny etc?
Thanks for your help
Emily Vidaurri
Hi Lorrae, unfortunately that won't work. The texture of these brownies is dependent upon the maple sugar. I'm thinking you might need to look for a low-carb or keto brownie recipe to find one that includes monk fruit extract. Hope that helps!
Diana
What other flour can u use instead?
Emily Vidaurri
Hi Diana, I haven't tested this recipe with any other flour. You could try a gluten free all purpose flour, but I cannot guarantee the same results. My body doesn't do well with other grain free flours like almond or coconut flour, so that's why this recipe uses cassava flour.
Jody Huisman
I doubled the recipe and used coconut sugar instead and it turned out so dense and dry. ?
Emily Vidaurri
I'm sorry to hear that Jody, such a bummer. This isn't a recipe that can be doubled, you really need that specific brownie pan and specific measurements. I also don't recommend coconut sugar for this recipe - I did try that in recipe testing and it does not produce the same result. For this recipe maple sugar really is best, there is a note about how you can sub some maple syrup in there, but not coconut sugar because sets a little bit different and will make them drier. I've made these lots of times, often once a month for my family and they're never dry or dense - they shouldn't be at all, they're only fudgy and really soft when made with maple sugar.
Amber
Hi, thanks for sharing this recipe. I thought the texture was fantastic! I was wondering if there might be a misprint in the amount of maple syrup used in the recipe. I used a 1/3 of a cup and found them still a little to sweet.
Emily Vidaurri
Hi Amber, no, there's no misprint in the recipe - it doesn't call for maple syrup though, it calls for maple sugar. They are sweet like brownies and meant to be an occasional treat. I tested lots of variations with maple sugar amounts and found that the recipe that is listed makes the best authentic fudgy brownie texture. I'm glad you enjoyed the ones you made with less sweetener. 🙂
Gina
What a great recipe! Finally something that tastes like 'normal' food but is so much more healthy! I have a severely limited diet due to Lyme disease and the various symptoms and sensitivities it causes. Thank you so much for sharing your talent. These are great! I didn't have maple sugar, so I subbed organic coconut sugar and added a few walnuts. Delicious!
Emily Vidaurri
Yay! So happy to hear that. 🙂
Jane
Can you sub cocoa for cacao?
Emily Vidaurri
Hi Jane, yes you can 🙂
Shannon
Hi! What would you substitute the butter with? My littlest can’t have any dairy, ghee included
Emily Vidaurri
Hi Shannon, I didn't see this comment until now - a few years too late. I was on maternity/bereavement leave when you left your comment. I have never tested these without butter or ghee, so I can't say for sure if something like coconut oil or palm shortening would work. I hope you were able to find another recipe that fit what you needed for your family. ?