Deliciously Fudgy Paleo Brownie Recipe

These almond flour brownies have a deep fudgy texture, rich chocolaty flavor, crinkle top layer, and come together in half an hour. This recipe is so easy and made with simple ingredients, they may just be better than traditional brownies

Brownies are a classic sweet treat and everyone needs a go-to recipe in my opinion. A cross between fudge and cake, brownies combine a plethora of characteristics we all love in desserts like their dense fudgy texture, rich chocolate flavor, and ingredient simplicity.

If you're more of a blondies fan, check out my gluten free blondies recipe.

Why you’ll love this Paleo Brownie Recipe

These are by far the best fudgy brownies on the block! They encompass all the essential elements of life changing fudgy almond flour brownies and are sure to satisfy that chocolate craving:

• Taste - Intense, rich chocolate flavor!
• Texture - Crispy edges with a crackled top, just like your favorite regular brownies.
• Density - Super fudgy but hold their form once sliced, the best part!

This almond flour brownie recipe has received SO much love from you all that I adapted it into a brownie pie and a super fudgy brownie cookie! Be sure to check out these recipes and my edible brownie batter too if you love chocolate!

Paleo Brownies Ingredients & Substitutions

• Almond flour - This is the gluten free flour used in these gluten-free brownies. I like the Bob’s Red Mill meal brand. Almond meal is similar, it is just made with unpeeled almonds (aka the skin is still on) where almond flour is made from peeled almonds.
• Coconut sugar - Beating the sugar and eggs together in the secret to the beloved cracked top layer. More on this step below! Brown sugar is a great alternative if desired.
• Large eggs - These help bind the brownie batter together. I haven't tried this recipe with an egg replacer, but you can try flax eggs to make these vegan brownies.
• Dark chocolate - Yes, this recipe calls for real chocolate! This is what give the brownies a rich chocolate taste. Use high-quality dairy-free chocolate if possible.
• Coconut oil - Melted into the chocolate to provide moisture to the brownies. Swap with avocado oil or melted butter if needed.
• Cacao powder + Espresso powder - Used to add even more intense chocolate flavor to the brownies. Just a little bit of espresso powder (instant espresso) elevates the deep hints of cocoa. Use unsweetened cocoa powder if needed.

How to make Paleo Brownies

These delicious almond flour brownies are so easy to make! You will need a pot to melt the chocolate, a mixing bowl, and a square baking dish.

Step 1 : Melt the chocolate. For these moist brownies, first combine the chocolate chips and melted coconut oil in a pot or skillet and heat over the stove. A double boiler is best for this to prevent burning but not necessary.

Heat the pot over medium-low heat. Stir the chocolate around continuously until thin and silky smooth. Remove the pot from the element and set aside.

Step 2 : Beat the coconut sugar and eggs. This is the secret step to the crinkle top! Add the eggs and coconut sugar to a large mixing bowl and beat on high with a hand mixer until creamy and the mixture has almost doubled in size. The texture should be slightly thick and look a bit like peanut butter. This may take a few minutes so be patient with the mixer.

Use a stiff whisk if you don't have a mixer. You will just need to whisk the mixture for a few additional minutes. Plus you'll get quite the arm workout!

Step 3 : Fold in the vanilla and chocolate.Add the vanilla extract and the melted chocolate to the large bowl. Fold together with a rubber spatula until the chocolate incorporates into the mixture. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl along the way.

Step 4 : Add the dry ingredients. Add the almond flour, cacao powder, espresso powder, and sea salt. Fold together until no flour clumps remain. Be careful not to over mix!

Add the additional chocolate chips and give the batter a couple big mixes with the spatula to disperse.

Step 5 : Bake! Line an 8x8 inch square pan with parchment paper and pour in the batter. Remove any air bubbles by "dropping" the pan on the counter a few times. Bake in the oven until you can insert a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean.

The crackle top will start to really develop while the brownies are cooling down!

Paleo Brownies Recipe Tips

• Use a high quality chocolate in these almond flour brownies. I like the Enjoy Life brand for a dairy free option. Good chocolate will melt effortlessly and ensure a smooth consistency.
• Make sure to really beat the eggs and sugar together. This is the key to the crackly top!
• Allow the brownies to cool down completely before cutting them. This extra time give the brownies a change to set and become extra fudgy.
• If you like clean cut brownies, use an extra sharp knife and warm it up under hot water. Clean the knife off after each cut and make sure it's still warm before making another cut. You can also use a plastic knife to cut and it won't tear the edges of the brownies!

Paleo Brownie Recipe Variations

• Add some chopped pecans to the batter for a nutty twist.
• Fold in some M&Ms for a pop of color.
• Add some crushed pretzels to the batter for a salty sweet flavoring.
• Cut up some Oreos or your favorite sandwich cookies for a cookies and cream twist.

Tips for cutting Almond Flour Brownies

There are two ways to achieve a clean cut when slicing the brownies. The first, use a plastic knife if you have one. This works wonders every time! The second is with a thin metal knife that has been warmed up. Simply run the blade under some hot water for a few seconds, wipe off the liquid and then cut.

Almond Flour Brownie Recipe storage

Store leftover brownies in an airtight container. They will keep for up to a week in the fridge and 5 days out on the counter.

Paleo Brownies Recipe FAQs

For more chocolate treats, check out my:

PS : If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a star review and comment below! Also be sure to follow along with me on Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date on all tasty recipes here at The Fit Peach!

Recipe

Almond Flour Brownies Recipe

These almond flour brownies have a deep fudgy texture, rich chocolaty flavor, crinkle top layer, and come together in half an hour. This recipe is so easy and made with simple ingredients like almond flour, coconut sugar, and dairy-free chocolate, they may just be better than traditional brownies!

4.89 from 34 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: almond flour brownies, gluten-free brownies, healthy brownies, paleo brownies

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 Brownies

Calories: 212kcal

Author: Ansley Beutler

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 9 oz bag dark chocolate chips - roughly 2 cups, divided
• ⅓ cup coconut oil - melted and cooled
• 1 cup coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 eggs - room temperature
• ¾ cup almond flour
• 3 tablespoon cacao powder
• 1 teaspoon espresso - sub. 1 tablespoon strong coffee
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 F. Melt 1 ⅓ cups of the chocolate and the coconut oil in a pot on the stove over medium-low heat. Stir continuously until thin and silky smooth in consistency. Remove from element and set aside to cool down slightly.
• Beat the eggs and coconut sugar in a bowl using a stand mixer, hand beater, or  stiff whisk. Whisk until the mixture has doubled in size and is slightly thick and sticky. This can take about 3 - 5 minutes and is the key to the crackled top layer!
• Once you have beat the coconut sugar and eggs well, add the vanilla and melted chocolate to the bowl. Fold with a rubber spatula until the chocolate is fully incorporated.
• Next, add the almond flour, cacao powder, espresso powder, and sea salt to the bowl. Slowly fold the batter until no flour clumps remain.
• Add in the remaining chocolate chips (about ¾ cup) and give the batter a couple big mixes to disperse the chips. Pour the batter into an 8x8 baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 24 - 28 minutes until you can insert a toothpick into the middle and it comes out clean.
• Let the brownies cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing into squares. See note below on how to get a perfectly clean cut! To store, place in an airtight container. The brownies will stay fresh for up to 5 days on the counter.

Notes

Crinkle top : The secret to the crinkle top layer on these brownies is to really beat the coconut sugar and eggs together. This is best done with a hand or stand mixer but can also be done with a stiff whisk. Mix the two ingredients together until the mixture becomes slightly thick in consistency and has almost doubled in size. This can take anywhere from 2 - 5 minutes of mixing.

Glass pan : If baking with glass, increase the baking time to 30 - 35 minutes.  Check the brownies by inserting a toothpick in the middle.  With a glass baking pan, they will continue to cook for a little longer once pulled out of the oven.

Slicing : There are two ways to achieve a clean cut when slicing the brownies. The first, use a plastic knife if you have one. This works wonders every time! The second is with a thin metal knife that has been "warmed up". Simply run the blade under some hot water for a few seconds, wipe off the liquid and then cut. Which ever method you use, you'll want to clean off the knife after every cut.

Storing : To store these paleo brownies, place them in an airtight container. They will keep for up to 5 days on the counter. If storing them in the fridge, warm up a square in the microwave for 15 seconds before enjoying to take the chill off.

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 87mg | Potassium: 140mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 46IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 1mg

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