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Vegan Chickpea Flour Brownies (GF, Oil-free Option)

Incredible, one-bowl, vegan chickpea flour brownies that are naturally gluten-free and grain-free. You an easily make them oil-free, too. They are a cinch to make and a joy to eat!

vegan chickpea flour brownie on a colorful napkin

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!!!

Smash hits need to be shared by all, across the political spectrum, don’t you think? Hence, behold this fudgy, deep chocolate, brownie goodness:

stack of 3 chickpea flour brownies

Healthy Highlights of Vegan Chickpea Flour Brownies

My original recipe (in my Chickpea Flour Cookbook) calls for eggs. But since I want these brownies to be enjoyed by as many people as possible, I have 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 (egg-free and dairy-free)
  • Gluten-free
  • Grain-free
  • Made in one bowl
  • Ready from start to finish in under an hour
  • Traditional fudg-y texture and deep, dark chocolate flavor
  • Can be made oil-free with one easy swap
overhead shot of chickpea flour brownies

Ingredients

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Oil-Free Vegan Chickpea Flour Brownies

Making these brownies oil-free is easy! In place of the oil, simply use an equal amount of runny tahini, or other seeds or nut butter (consider using my DIY almond butter, pepita butter, or sunflower seed butter).

How to Make Vegan Chickpea Flour Brownies

Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.

  • Preheat oven to 325F (160C).
  • 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 in hot water, to cut into 16 squares.

Tips for Making Vegan Chickpea Flour Brownies

As you head off to make these (yes, you must make these asap), a few tips from me to you:

  1. 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!)
  2. 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.
  3. 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).
two chickpea flour brownies stacked on top of each other

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?

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:

  1. Chickpea Flour Chocolate Cake
  2. Chickpea Flour Carrot Cake Bites
  3. Chocolate Chickpea Flour Muffins
  4. Chickpea Flour Gingerbread Bundt Cake
  5. Chickpea Flour Banana Bread
  6. Chickpea Flour Banana Cake
Vegan Chickpea Flour Brownies (GF, Oil-Free Option)

Vegan Chickpea Flour Brownies (GF, Oil-Free Option)

Yield: 16 brownies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

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 (118 mL) nondairy milk
  • 3 tablespoons (20 g) flaxseed meal
  • 1 teaspoon (5 mL) vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (144 g) coconut sugar (or packed light brown sugar)
  • 1/3 cup (75 mL) vegetable oil (see notes for oil-free options)
  • 2/3 cup (78 g) unsweetened cocoa powder (sift if it is lumpy)
  • 2/3 cup (80 g) chickpea flour (sift if it is lumpy)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325F (160C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or foil; spray exposed sides with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl. stir together the milk, flaxseed meal, and vanilla; let stand for 5 minutes to thicken.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Oil-free Option: Replace the oil with an equal amount of runny tahini or other runny nut or seed butter (such as cashew, peanut or almond butter)

Nutrition Information
Yield 16 Serving Size 1 brownie
Amount Per Serving Calories 107Total Fat 5.7gSaturated Fat 0.7gCholesterol 0mgSodium 84mgCarbohydrates 13.8gFiber 2.1gSugar 9.4gProtein 1.8g

Did you make this recipe?

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Nefertiti

Sunday 14th of January 2024

What can I use in place of flax meal? I am allergic to flax seeds.

Camilla

Monday 15th of January 2024

Hi Nefertiti! You can use an equal amount of ground chia seeds. I think you might be ok omitting the flaxseed meal and replacing it with an equal amount of chickpea flour. Cheers

Zara

Wednesday 4th of October 2023

What should the consistency of the batter be like? Mine was very thick, just like dough.

Camilla

Thursday 5th of October 2023

Hi Zara,

Oh no, I’m so sorry there was an issue with the batter should be smooth and glossy, definitely a batter, not a dough.

Daljinder Waterhouse

Sunday 9th of July 2023

I made these on Friday and they are delicious.

I also made your vegan chocolate coconut flour and buckwheat cookies also wonderfully delish.

I followed your recipes exactly (using metric measurement)

I am going to make your vegan coconut flour cupcakes this afternoon.

Thank you from someone who is gluten intolerant.

Camilla

Friday 14th of July 2023

You are so welcome, Daljinder :)

Jan

Tuesday 6th of June 2023

I bought a bag of chickpea flour out of curiosity not really knowing what to do with it, that is until I found your site. Wow, you have great recipes. I have made a few so far, all delicious. I have such a sweet tooth, though, so these brownies are my favorite so far.

Camilla

Wednesday 7th of June 2023

I am thrilled that you are a convert to chickpea flour, Jan! I really love it, it is so versatile. Ooh, yes, the brownies definitely top my list, too! :)

Janice

Tuesday 23rd of May 2023

Hi Camilla, for the 75ml of oil, how many gram of banana or apple sauce to substitute with? Do you think PB2 can work here? Thank you!

Camilla

Wednesday 24th of May 2023

Hi Janice! You can replace with 1/3 cup mashed very ripe banana (100g). Add more if the batter seems dry.

Regarding PB2: Do you mean will it work to add it in? I am sure you could add some in. You may need to add a small amount of water or extra banana.

If you meant can you you replace the chickppea flour with PB2, no.

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