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Incredible, one-bowl chickpea flour brownies that are naturally vegan, gluten-free, and grain-free. They are a cinch to make and a joy to eat!
Vegan Brownies Made with Chickpea Flour
I am, quite possibly, the only person on the planet with a Google alert for chickpea flour. Admittedly, I have my obsessions 🙂 I am so glad of this one in particular, though, since it resulted in my receiving a tasty news morsel last week.
In Hillary Clinton’s new book, she details all of the healthy food she ate on the road during her campaign. She notes that one of the regular flight attendants on her plane is also a trained nutritionist, who made Clinton and her team special healthy foods in her kitchen in Queens, and then packed them for the flight. This is the quote that thrilled me:
“Her surprise smash hit was brownies made out of chickpea flour.”
Oh, heck yes!!!
I do believe I have a recipe for chickpea flour brownies in a certain book… (cue the celebratory music)
Smash hits need to be shared by all, across the political spectrum, don’t you think? Hence, behold this fudgy, deep chocolate, brownie goodness:
Healthy Highlights of One-Bowl Chickpea Flour Brownies
My original recipe calls for eggs, but I want these brownies to be enjoyed by as many people as possible, so I’ve come up with a new version that is easier than ever and accommodates even more dietary needs. Here are the key features of these blissful brownies:
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Grain-free
- One-bowl
- Ready from start to finish in under an hour
- Traditional fudgy texture and deep, dark chocolate flavor
Really, these are amazeballs. A certain child in our house begged to have a second one for dessert (Shh!!! He does not know they are made from chickpea flour!) and proclaimed they are the best brownies he has ever eaten. How’s that for an endorsement?
Tips for Making Chickpea Flour Brownies
As you head off to make these (yes, you must make these asap), a few tips from me to you:
- Line & spray the baking pan. Definitely line the pan, AND give a quick spritz of cooking spray (or light greasing). The fudgy nature of these brownies makes them hard to remove without the aid o a parchment or foil liner. (Then again, who needs perfect squares? If you want to cut off randomly-shaped pieces one at a time, you most certainly can!)
- Store in the refrigerator. Again, the fudgy-ness factor. They will definitely keep at room temperature for a few days, but will keep their shape best if stored in the refrigerator.
- Use a sharp wet knife to cut. When cutting into squares, dip a sharp into a cup of hot water in between cuts and wipe off with a paper towel (to avoid brownie build-up on the knife).
Here’s to a chocolate-covered Monday! Let me know what you think of these brownies, ok? I would love to hear from you!
Happy Baking!
More Grain-Free & Vegan Chickpea Flour Baked Goods:
- Chickpea Flour Chocolate Cake
- Chickpea Flour Carrot Cake Bites
- Chocolate Chickpea Flour Muffins
- Chickpea Flour Gingerbread Bundt Cake
- Chickpea Flour Banana Bread
- Chickpea Flour Banana Cake
One-Bowl Chickpea Flour Brownies
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
Description
Incredible, one-bowl, chocolate fudge brownies that are naturally vegan, gluten-free, and grain-free. Made with chickpea flour, they are a cinch to make and a joy to eat.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup nondairy milk
- 3 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar (or packed light brown sugar)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil (I used avocado oil)
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (sift if it is lumpy)
- 2/3 cup chickpea flour (sift if it is lumpy)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or foil; spray exposed sides with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl. stir together the milk, flaxseed meal, and vanilla; let stand for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Whisk in the sugar and oil until blended, then whisk in the cocoa powder, chickpea flour, baking powder and salt until blended and smooth. Scrape batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes until center is just set (no longer appears gooey) and the edges are pulling away from the pan. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely in pan. Use parchment/foil overhang to remove brownies. Use a sharp knife, dipped I hot water, to cut into 16 squares.
Notes
Storage: Store the cooled brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 weeks, or the freezer for 3 months.
- Category: Dessert, Cookie, Bar
- Method: Baking
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 107
- Sugar: 9.4 g
- Sodium: 84 mg
- Fat: 5.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.8 g
- Fiber: 2.1 g
- Protein: 1.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: chickpea flour, brownies, vegan, grain-free, gluten-free, plant-based, easy, 1-bowl, low calorie, healthy vegan brownies
Such a yummy treat! The brownies were more crumby than I prefer, but that’s of no fault to the recipe. My oven must be baking warmer than normal. I’ll bake these for 25 minutes instead of 30 next time for soft, chewy final product or bake at a lower temperature. My husband and 4 year old thought these were really awesome. I added 70% bittersweet chocolate chunks and reduced the coconut sugar to 1/2 cup. The flavor profile was perfect. Just a question: Have you tried the recipe with a smaller quantity of baking soda instead of baking powder in trial runs with this recipe? I have always made brownies with baking soda previously. As long as it’s not Dutch processed cocoa powder, the cocoa/ cacao is the acidic component that activates the baking soda. I’m just curious. Perhaps I’ll bake up a half recipe to see the results.
★★★★★
Hi Akesia,
I think baking soda (small amount) is a great idea.
What if i dont have flaxmeal bec its very expensive for me! I want a simple and non expensive brownie recipe pls.
Hi Margie,
I completely understand regarding keeping things frugal. You can use 3 more tablespoons chickpea flour in place of the flaxseed meal. You can stip step 2, just add everything in one bowl.
I made this recipe today.What a delight!!!!!Honestly,it was the best brownie I have ever eaten.Thanks so much for sharing!
Greetings from Brazil..
That is most excellent, Ana! So glad that you enjoyed them (hooray for chocolate :). Greetings back to you from Texas 🙂
Husband says super convincing. Chewy and chocolaty. Kids say they have a taste similar to chickpea chocolate chip cookies I make. Was less noticeable when completely cooled. I did do 1/2 c xylitol, 1/4 c coconut sugar, and added 1/4 cup dark chocolate chunks. Kids said others might know it’s not a normal brownie but would still eat and enjoy it. My husband said it felt like eating a regular brownie. I couldn’t taste them per some dietary restrictions I’m on, thus posting what my family said.
Excellent, Rebecca! Our households sound similar (my teenage son is highly skeptical, but will usually give in even if the cookie/brownie is non-traditional).:)
Just wanted to say this was the first recipe I tried of yours this week and the brownies had wonderful texture and flavor! Next time thinking of adding pecans and mini chocolate chips, just for kicks…
yum yum yum! I love that your first choice of recipe was brownies 🙂
If you don’t have flaxseed is there anything to use as a substitute? I can’t do eggs or chia seeds…
Hi Monica,
Any of the following should work: tapioca starch, cornstarch, arrowroot, potato starch 🙂
Can I add pumpkin and kale to these? Desperate for a healthy brownie recipe to include these two ingredients….
Hi Tracy!
You sound like a woman after my own heart, I love adding pumpkin and kale to my smoothies, quick soups and pasta 🙂 Let’s see, you could try replacing the oil with pumpkin. And you could fine chop the kale (or puree some with the nondairy milk) and add that way. You should not be able to taste the kale with the high amount of cocoa in thee. Would love to know if you give it a try!
Hi, can I change the flaxseed meal with egg and the cocoa with cacao instead?
Hi Lisa,
Yes, you can definitely use cacao in place of the cocoa (it is just cocoa powder made from cocoa beans that have not been roasted first; should be delicious!). As for the eggs: I have not made this particular recipe with eggs, but you should be able to omit the flax and milk and replace with 2 large eggs.
AMAZING, DELICIOUS!!! i like my brownies with just a hint of sweetness – so i used less sugar (only 1/4 cup) and they were perfect . This is my new favorite recipe! I’m exited to try more recipes with chickpea flour 🙂
That is simply wonderful, Eliza! Thanks for sharing that these worked well with less sugar; I will try that next time I make them (and I know that will be helpful to others).
I love this recipe. I found it after trying to find a way to use up huge bag of gram flour. I’ve made it 3 times already and have a batch in the oven now to help me and my husband get through lock down. They were a hit with my neices and work colleagues. No one guessed they were so healthy. They are lovely and chocolatey and taste delicious. Thanks again!
★★★★★
You are so welcome, Julie! Hee hee, glad no one guessed ! 🙂
hello camilla,
first of all, must say your recipes are out of the world! what brilliant innovative ideas…once i was on your page…it was like hitting gold.
i have already bookmarked many of your recipes which i am going to try very soon…had a question about chickpea flour though.
In India, we use chickpea flour which is called besan. is that the same one you are using in your recipes or something different?
Thank you so much, Hema! Glad you found me 🙂
Yes, chickpea flour is the same thing as besan 😊 One if the brands I order regularly and use in my recipes is simply labeled besan.
Cheers!
Does chia seeds will work to replace flax seed?
Hi Karla, yes that should work. I would suggest grinding the chia seeds into meal (e.g., in a coffee grinder).
Just made it. Yum! Very rich and fudgy.. Tastes like a real treat..
Thanks for this recipe 🙂
Wonderful–enjoy, Natalie! 🙂
These are yummy. Sadly, I over cooked mine so they aren’t fudgey , but they taste great. I will make these again for sure and not forget them in the oven.
Hi Natalie! Oh shoot, sorry they overbaked. You could cut it into thinnish slices and call it brownie brittle (yum!) and call yourself a success!
Hi Camille,
I made the recipe today and the mix was quite thick and paste like, I had to use the back of the spoon to press the mixture into the baking pan. Does the consistency of the mix prior to baking sound correct? I did follow your recipe but perhaps I overpacked the cocoa powder or chickpea flour. I baked it in fan forced oven at 160 deg C for 30 mins but the brownie was crumbly and not fudge like in the centre so it was over baked. Would love to hear where you think I may have gone wrong. Thanks .
Hi Angela,
Oh no, so sorry they did not turn out. I can speculate that packing (chickpea flour, cocoa powder, or both) is a likely explanation. The batter is thick, but looks like traditional brownie batter. I hope that you give them another go (and just lightly spoon the powders to measure)
Hey Camilla! This recipe looks delicious. I was wondering if I could substitute a normal egg instead of using flaxseed meal? Thanks!
Hi Ameena! Sure, that should work fine. I would check the brownies for doneness a little bit earlier (I suspect that they will set up a little bit faster with the egg because of the added protein). I suggest using 2 large eggs, omit the flaxseed meal, and reduce the milk to about 1 tablespoon. Let me know how it goes!
Hi Camilla. I don’t have coconut sugar. Can I use honey instead?
Hi Vanessa,
I have not tried making these with a liquid sweetener. It would be best to use another granulated sweetener, but I am pretty sure that honey would still work (they might be even fudgier!). Let me know if you try them with honey, ok?
Honey is toxic when heated ❤️❤️
Yummy recipe just waiting to get mine out of the oven – 😊 Also wondering how you can make the top more of a crust?
Hmm, not sure about adding more crustiness. These should have some crust, not sure how much you would like!
As for the honey: I have seen some Ayurveda comments about not heating honey, but have never seen any scientific data that supports the claim. Honey has been heated for cooking and baking for centuries.