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Vegan Brownies are so rich and fudgy! These brownies are made with applesauce instead of eggs but you’d never guess – they are just as decadent as regular brownies – no black beans in sight. And you can make them gluten-free!

stacked brownies with powdered sugar sprinkled on top.


Table of Contents

Best Vegan Brownies EVER

I like to keep a few vegan dessert recipes up my sleeve because you never know when you might be making dessert for someone following a vegan diet. Case in point: vegan brownies. They’re rich, they’re fudgy, they’re SO GOOD. You’d never guess that they’re applesauce brownies without eggs.

The first time I made this vegan brownies recipe was several years ago for a school cookie exchange I organized for the teachers. I wanted to make sure everyone would enjoy the exchange so made a batch of these fudgy brownies. Since then, they’ve been my go-to when I need a chocolatey vegan treat!

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Easy vegan brownies are simple to make: one bowl, no mixer needed
  • You can make them into gluten free brownies easily
  • Skip the black bean brownies – these are better!
  • I love when recipes are accidentally vegan, like my chocolate cupcakes!
Ingredients in vegan brownies.

Ingredients Needed

  • Vegetable oil – This is the fat needed to make nice and fudgy brownies. While traditional brownies use melted butter, that’s not vegan, so we’re using vegetable oil. You can also use coconut oil.
  • Unsweetened applesauce – This is used in place of the egg. Since I’m not a regular vegan baker, I’m not versed in using flax eggs or things like that, so applesauce is a great substitute. It also helps keep the brownies moist.
  • Chocolate – this recipe has THREE kinds of chocolate! Unsweetened cocoa powder, unsweetened baking chocolate and chocolate chips. You can also use Dutch Process cocoa if you want. Be sure to use natural cocoa powder and vegan chocolate chips.
  • Flour: I used all-purpose flour, but it’s easy to make these gluten free flour. I like to use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 AP Flour (in the light-blue bag!). 

Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!

process shot of making vegan brownies.
process shot of making vegan brownies.
process shot of making vegan brownies.

How to make Vegan Brownies

  • Combine the oil and sugar in a large bowl. Add the vanilla, cocoa, applesauce, melted chocolate and salt and stir.
  • Slowly add the flour and then fold in the chocolate chips.
  • Bake the brownies in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 to 28 minutes – cool them in the pan before slicing.
  • I also like to dust the cooled brownies with some powdered sugar for a pretty presentation.
brownies laid out of brown paper with chocolate chips baked in.

Expert Tips

  • If you’re not used to vegan baking like me, be sure the ingredients you purchase are actually vegan. Things like chocolate chips and baking chocolate might not be – so check the labels.
  • Don’t over bake the brownies – you want a rich fudgy texture. They should just lose their glossy sheen and not look wet in the center when they’re done.
  • I often line my pan with foil but you can also use parchment paper.
stacked brownies with powdered sugar sprinkled on top.

FAQs

Can you freeze brownies?

Store these in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.

Are vegan brownies healthier?

I wouldn’t consider these healthier, with all the sugar, but they do have a better oil and applesauce, so they’re good if you’re following a vegan diet.

stacked brownies with powdered sugar sprinkled on top.

Vegan Brownies Recipe

4.72 from 7 votes
You will never know these are egg free brownies! These are still rich and fudgy, but made with applesauce instead of egg – the perfect vegan dessert recipe.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Yield 9 brownies
Serving Size 1 brownie
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
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Ingredients
 

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4 ounces unsweetened applesauce (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate , melted
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (Vegan ones, to keep it vegan)
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Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9” pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
  • Stir together oil and sugar. Stir in vanilla, cocoa, and applesauce. Add melted chocolate and salt, stir until smooth. Slowly stir in flour. Add chocolate chips.
  • Pour into prepared pan and bake 25-28 minutes. Cool before cutting.
  • Top with a sprinkling of powdered sugar for a pretty presentation!

Recipe Notes

  • If you’re not used to vegan baking like me, be sure the ingredients you purchase are actually vegan. Things like chocolate chips and baking chocolate might not be – so check the labels.
  • Don’t over bake the brownies – you want a rich fudgy texture. They should just lose their glossy sheen and not look wet in the center when they’re done.
  • I often line my pan with foil but you can also use parchment paper.

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1brownie | Calories: 477kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 264mg | Potassium: 270mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Author Dorothy Kern

Did you try this recipe? Click the stars to rate the recipe below

Special Diet Recipes

You will never know these are egg free brownies! These are still rich and fudgy, but made with applesauce instead of egg – the perfect vegan dessert recipe.

Last Updated on February 28, 2023



Dorothy Kern

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84 Comments

  1. I just made these and they’re amazing!! Definitely don’t miss the butter or the eggs.. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

  2. Dorothy, your brownies turned out perfect! I’ve been a little afraid to do any vegan baking, but after seeing these, I think I’m going to have to give it a try. Thanks so much for linking my brownies, too!

    Reply

  3. One of my goals this year is to try out more vegan baking recipes… you just made that very easy! They look so dense and chocolatey – I’ve got to try these.

    Reply

  4. You did an amazing job with these! And vegan baking can be tricky…it’s usually the eggs that are the most challenging but in brownies were they really dont need to be puffy and rise like a cake would, it’s a good recipe to go vegan on. Thanks for the shoutout too!

    Reply

  6. This is an awesome option. No crazy ingredients or 15 types of different flours! And I’m totally with you– Cheese is most definitely a food group. 1 portion per meal, minimum. That’s in the food pyramid…isn’t it? MMMmm…. cheese. 🙂

    Reply

    2. If only you knew that the FDA makes that for the sake of the farmers…
      You don’t NEED dairy nor meat to get the nutrients you need.
      Organic foods and being vegan will be more beneficial than an average human being.
      Peanut butters usually have more protein or equal to meats. Just thought I wold share my input.

      Reply

      3. I have no objection to veganism. I think it’s a wonderful way of life, it’s just not one I choose to do myself. 🙂

  7. These look so good! Pinning them to my Meatless Monday board, because I’m totally okay with brownies for dinner. And the applesauce counts as a fruit, right?

    Reply

  8. I have been dyyyyying for gooey, fudgy brownies for awhile now. I’ve come to the (very late) conclusion that boxed mixes stink and therefore, I cannot use them anymore for my brownie fixing. I need something more chocolate substantial and these seem like they’d fit the bill juuuuust fine. Did I mention I love you? And we’re neighbors? 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Reply

    1. LOL, I’m in the process of fine tuning my favorite brownie recipe. I’ll have lots of “testers” to share…

      Reply

  10. My husband and I just watched a doucumentary on why people go vegan. I can’t go with out cheese in my life, but this is vegan I could do. And I actually have all the stuff to make them.

    Reply