Vegan Gluten Free Brownies

These peanut butter swirl brownies are extra fudgy, chewy, warm and gooey! And the best part is no one will guess these are gluten free and vegan! This vegan gluten free brownies recipe makes a rich chocolatey brownie with a salty peanut butter swirl on top. I love the combination of sweet and salty together all in one bite. Plus they have the BEST chewy, fudgy and dense texture.

If you love easy gluten free desserts you’ll also love my gluten free oatmeal chocolate chip bars and my gluten free vegan pumpkin brownies.

These are the vegan Gluten Free Brownies are the absolute best. When I was a kid I used to love cosmic brownies. My mom would pack them along with my lunch. And this vegan gluten free brownies recipe reminds me of those same brownies! Just a swirl of peanut butter on top!

Why You’ll Love this Gluten free Recipe

• This vegan gluten free brownies recipe is allergy friendly. I use gluten free flour to make sure these are gluten free brownies. I also used dairy free milk to make sure these are vegan brownies. Not only is it impossible for others to taste that these peanut butter swirl brownies are gluten free, they also happen to be dairy, egg and tree nut free! This makes them the best allergy friendly brownies, that don’t taste weird AT ALL.
• I absolutely hate doing dishes so the fact these they gluten free brownies are made in one bowl is a game changer.
• These brownies only use 10 ingredients and none of them are weird or unique! No vegan egg replacer, no gluten free flour you’ve never heard of. Just normal, common, simple ingredients. Plus all the ingredients are affordable and cost friendly!
• These vegan gluten free brownies are freezer friendly! This means it is a great option for a snack prep! I love to having them stored in the freezer and ready to go when I need to just pull a quick snack.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Granulated sugar: This provides sweetness. You can use any other granulated sweeteners like coconut sugar, cane sugar, or granular sugar substitutes, adjusting the amount to taste. You can even use brown sugar if that is what you have.

Applesauce and mashed banana This adds moisture to the peanut butter swirl brownies and acts as a binder; mashed sweet potato, pumpkin puree, or other fruit purees like prune or pear can be used as a replacement.

Oat milk: I use oat milk to add moisture and richness without ant of the dairy! Any plant-based milk (almond, soy, rice, coconut) can be used as a substitute.

Gluten-free all-purpose flour blend: This provides structure. To keep this recipe gluten free I use gluten free flour. I like bobs red mill or trader joes gluten free flour the best.

Unsweetened cocoa powder: This gives the peanut butter swirl brownies their chocolate flavor.

Baking soda: This acts as a leavening agent.

Directions

Get your oven ready: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Prep your pan: Grab an 8×8 inch baking pan. You have two options here: either line it with parchment paper (this makes removing the brownies a breeze!) or grease it lightly with cooking spray or oil. Both work great but I usually use the parchment paper.

Mix the batter: In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the vegan gluten free brownies recipe except the peanut butter and chocolate chips. Those are for the topping. So mix together the sugar, applesauce, oat milk, mashed banana, gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Use a spoon or rubber spatula to mix everything together until just combined. Don’t overmix! You want a smooth batter with no lumps.

Pour into the pan: Next, pour the vegan gluten free brownie batter into the prepared baking pan. I like to spread it out evenly with my spatula.

Melt the peanut butter: In a small, microwave-safe bowl, put the peanut butter. Microwave it for about 20 seconds. You don’t need to melt it but I always think melted peanut butter is easier to drizzle. Be careful not to overheat it!

Swirl it! Drizzle the melted peanut butter over the brownie batter in the pan. I like to do a criss cross pattern. Next, grab a toothpick or a butter knife and gently swirl the peanut butter into the batter to create a beautiful pattern. I ususally go up and down a few times and then side to side a few times.

Bake! Pop the vegan gluten free brownies into your preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.

Add the chocolate chip topping! As soon as you take the peanut butter swirl brownies out of the oven, sprinkle the vegan chocolate chips evenly over the top. The residual heat from the brownies will melt the chocolate chips perfectly. For an extra touch, sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt.

Cooling and slicing: This is the hardest part – you must let the peanut butter swirl brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. Don’t cut them while they are hot! Letting them cool prevents them from being too gooey and falling apart. Trust me, it’s worth the wait! Once cooled, cut into squares and enjoy!

Expert Tips & Tricks

I always make sure to pay attention to the cook time to avoid over-baking the vegan gluten free brownies. They will continue to cook as they are cooling in the pan so make sure to account for this.

To check if they’re done, insert a toothpick into the center of the peanut butter swirl brownies. If the toothpick comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached, they’re ready! If it’s covered in wet batter, bake for a few more minutes and check again.

How do I Serve these vegan gluten free brownies?

This vegan gluten free brownies recipe can be served with vegan ice cream, vegan whipped cream or even some sprinkles! They are great at room temperate or you can pop one in the microwave for 30 seconds for the right-out-of-the-oven warm brownie feel!

How to Store these brownies?

To store, I let the vegan gluten free brownies cool completely before refrigerating in an airtight container for up to four days.

For longer storage, I love to portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months.

How to I keep my gluten free brownies from sticking to the pan?

For a clean and easy removal from the pan, I like to line my brownie pan with parchment paper. Once your peanut butter swirl brownies are ready to cut, simply slice and you can easily remove them from the pan without them sticking.

How do I get a clean cut on the vegan gluten free brownies?

These brownies cut best when they’re cold or completely cooled. I like to use a long, sharp knife. Then, I cut straight-down in a slicing motion, instead of sawing back and forth.

If you saw back and forth it will rip the top and give you crumbled edges. I always wipe the edges of the knife off with a paper towel or wash it under hot water in between cuts for the cleanest look and the crisp edges.

Looking for more gluten free recipes?

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