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Easy Paleo Brownies are deliciously fudgy and made with simple ingredients like maple syrup, almond flour, coconut sugar, and eggs. Because they’re paleo, they’re also dairy- and gluten-free. This easy brownie recipe is ready in just 20 minutes and is sure to be a hit.
The most delicious paleo brownies ever created
Raise your hand if one of your earliest baking experiences involved boxed brownie mix! I know mine did. I remember that whenever we had a school function or birthday party to go to, I’d jump at the excuse to whip up a tasty batch of my all-time favorite dessert.
They were foolproof and so easy, and it meant that I could sneak a bit of the batter! I was sold.
I still love brownies to this day, and I’ve made more versions than I can count! However, there is one recipe that I just recently perfected: the paleo brownie. Yep, you can totally make brownies without the gluten and dairy!
The recipe that I’ve put together is easy to make, made with nutrient rich ingredients, and can be ready from start to finish in less than 30 minutes. Who’s in?!
I love making paleo desserts and want to share my Paleo Chocolate Pecan Pie too.
What ingredients are in paleo brownies?
One thing that makes this recipe great is the simplicity. All of the ingredients used are easily accessible and can be found at any grocery store! You can also find them online, if that’s what you prefer.
Any brand of any of the ingredients will work!
- Eggs
- Coconut sugar
- Maple syrup
- Coconut oil
- Vanilla
- Almond flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Sea salt
- Chocolate (for drizzling)
What you’ll need to make healthy brownies
This recipe is kept simple in terms of the kitchen tools that are required too! In total, you’ll need six different items, in addition to your measuring cups.
- Baking dish
- Parchment paper or oil
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Medium mixing bowl
- Mixing spatula or spoon
Additionally, you’ll need to measure out almost all of the ingredients, so be sure to have the following measuring cups handy: 1/4 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, 2/3 cup, and 3/4 cup.
How to make easy paleo brownies
Believe me when I say that easy paleo brownies truly live up to their name. They’re just… easy! I’m pretty sure that anyone, at any age, with any bit of baking experience could whip these up in no time.
Simply prepare your baking dish, mix your ingredients to form the ooey gooey delicious batter, and bake! In no time, you’ll have a steaming hot dish of fudgy brownies ready to devour.
Here’s a full breakdown of what you’ll need to do to bring these tasty treats to life.
To begin making your own homemade cocoa powder brownies, preheat the oven to 350F and prepare an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper or oil.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs, coconut sugar, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla.
Then, in a separate bowl, stir together the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and stir until everything is well combined.
Next, pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Finally, let everything cool completely before serving, and enjoy!
Delicious add-ons to include on top
Want to take your brownies one step higher and create a knock out presentation at the same time? Use some add-ons! These delicious toppings will make all of your brownie dreams come true.
- Mini M&Ms: Who doesn’t love candy?! Add these little treats to your brownies for a delicious rainbow finishing touch.
- Crushed Twix Bars: Love caramel? Add some! Crush up Twix bars (or your favorite candy bar) and sprinkle it on top.
- Sprinkles: Can’t go wrong with classic sprinkles! Any kind will work.
- Nuts: Add yummy crushed pecans, peanuts, or walnuts to the top of your brownies for an added crunch!
Note: Some of these toppings may not be paleo-friendly.
What makes these brownies paleo?
If you’re on a low-carb or paleo diet, you do not have to give up dessert… ever! Fortunately for you, many of the recipes on my blog are paleo friendly (I’ve linked to some of my favorites below).
This means that while these desserts are paleo-approved, they’re also gluten- and grain-free. They’re made from alternative flours like almond, coconut, or cassava, as anything with gluten is omitted from the recipe.
In addition to being gluten-free, the paleo diet does not include dairy, so any paleo recipe on my site is also dairy-free! I use alternatives like almond milk in place of milk, and coconut oil in place of butter. I also substitute granulated sugar with natural alternatives like coconut sugar or maple syrup!
For this particular recipe, you’ll find a wide variety of healthy swaps like almond flour, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and coconut oil. These were chosen to bring these brownies to life, sans the gluten, sugar, and dairy!
Helpful baking tips
Have paleo brownie questions? Here are some tips that you may find useful!
Baking pan size
I like to use an 8×8 pan for my brownies, because it makes them turn out thick. Any size pan will work, just note that larger pans will result in thinner brownies. You will also need to adjust the baking time accordingly.
Substituting ingredients
There are a number of ingredients that can be swapped, which comes in handy if you find yourself in an ingredient pickle! You can swap coconut sugar for regular sugar at a 1:1 ratio, and you can substitute coconut oil for any similar high-fat baking oil (also at a 1:1 ratio). As for maple syrup, you can use honey or molasses. Add this one to taste, as a 1:1 ratio may be too much.
Storing almond flour brownies
These brownies can be kept on the counter or in the refrigerator. Either way, store them in a securely sealed container to keep them nice, fresh, and fluffy.
Try these paleo desserts next
Loving these delicious diet-approved paleo brownies? If so, you’re in luck. There are so many more delicious treats where these came from! Below are some of my favorites that I’m sure you’ll enjoy too.
Easy Paleo Brownies
Easy Paleo Brownies are made with simple ingredients like maple syrup, almond flour, coconut sugar, and eggs. Because they’re paleo, they’re also dairy- and gluten-free. Ready in just 20 minutes, this easy brownie recipe is sure to be a hit.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3/4 cups almond flour
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- Chocolate for drizzling (melted with 1 tsp coconut oil)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and prepare an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper or oil.
- In a large bowl, beat together eggs, coconut sugar, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla.
- In a separate small bowl, stir together almond flour, cacao powder, baking soda and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet, stirring until fully combined.
- Pour batter into prepared dish and bake for 15-18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before serving and store on counter or in fridge.
There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂
Antoinette says
These are delicious! Thank You!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Antoinette, so glad you loved them!
Rachel says
Are these supposed to come out firm like traditional brownies? I’ve made them twice now and both times they have been like a very crumbly cake and I have to eat them with a fork. The first time I thought it was because I had left out an ingredient but the second time I made sure I didn’t forget anything. They are still delicious. But I was really hoping for something easy to put in lunches and backpacks that wouldn’t require utensils.
★★★★
Erin says
Hi Rachel, you could try reducing the baking time, but they shouldn’t be too crumbly. Hope this helps for next time!
Nancy Belz says
Would it be possible to replace the almond flour with almond meal I ask because in Australia almond flour is quite pricey in comparison. Thank you so much.
Erin says
Hi Nancy, so sorry but unfortunately, it won’t work the same!
Bobbie Jo Davis says
The GOAT. Absolute one of the greatest of all time brownie recipes. Stop searching. Make these. Period. This is a staple in my house aka NYC studio apartment lol. My boyfriend loves, his family loves, my family loves, I LOVE.. you just can’t not smile after eating these. SO GOOD
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Bobbie Jo, so glad everyone loved them!!
Brooke says
Easy to make, light and fluffy. Added in some extra chocolate chips too! Your recipes are my go to.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Brooke, so happy you loved them and great idea!!
marie says
Update: so I just found a 2 oz unsweetened chocolate bar, going to try using that plus the 1/3 c of cocoa powder that I do have. Fingers crossed.
Marie says
I just stirred the wet ingredients together and noticed I only have 1/3 c cocoa powder – could I use that plus melted semisweet chocolate chips? If so, how much do you recommend I use? Thank you
Emily says
These are so good. Honestly the only brownie recipe you need. They came together so fast and are so fudgey and delicious. I used cacao powder and baked them for about 25 mins. Served with coco whip wow!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Emily, so happy you loved them!! 🙂
Linda Herland says
So good!! Love these brownies!!
I used Canola oil instead of coconut oil and added Walnuts. I did not do the chocolate drizzle because the brownies are super chocolatety-moist with out it!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Linda, so happy you loved them and made them your own!! 🙂
Sophie says
Hi! Just wondering, how much melted chocolate do you use for drizzling? I made some of your pb cookies and I didn’t have enough chocolate lol so when I make this I wanna know how much chocolate I need. Thanks so much!
Erin says
Hi Sophie, I normally melt about 1/2 cup! Let me know how they come out for you!
Jo says
These were so easy to make, so delicious and super fudgy!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jo, so happy you enjoyed them!! 🙂
Nancy says
I followed the recipe but it was too bitter and was dry🤮😬😔
★★★
Erin says
Hi Nancy, I’m sorry that you did not like the recipe! I’ve heard tons of good things about this one, bummed it didn’t work out for you!
Linda Herland says
So good!! Love these brownies!!
I used Canola oil instead of coconut oil and added Walnuts. I did not do the chocolate drizzle because the brownies are super chocolatety-moist with out it!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Linda, yay so glad you loved them and thanks for sharing!!
Arnav says
Great
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Arnav, so glad you liked them! 🙂
Katie says
Wow these brownies are amazing!! I added some chocolate chips to the batter and ate them with homemade coconut ice cream! 😋 So yummy!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Katie, so glad you loved them and great additions! YUM!!
Sofia says
These brownies are DELICIOUS! Do these need to be refrigerated right away?
Erin says
Hi Sofia, so glad you loved them! Nope! they can stay at room temp.
Steph V says
So yummy! I subbed tiger nut flour for the almond and banana for the oil. Also, just used a bit of maple syrup, no other sugar.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Steph, so glad you loved them and made them your own!! 🙂
Megan says
Would Tigernut flour work in place of Almond flour
Erin says
Hi Megan, I have never tried it, but feel free to give it a try and check to see if you can see the ratio in case it isn’t 1:1. Let me know how they come out!!
Diane Hunter says
These came out so fantastic for a paleo recipe ! I was impressed so thanks so much !
I did follow all the things in recipe except did half of the maple syrup and I will use a little less cocoa powder next time too but not too much less.
Erin says
Hi Diane, so glad you loved them and made them your own!!
Jeannine Cater says
I started to make these and then realized I was out of cocoa powder 😩 BUT I substituted 1/2 cup cassava flour on a whim and made the best coconut flavored blondies! I ate a slice while it was warm with bananas on top… oh man. So good!! Definitely saving your recipe and making them the correct way once I get cocoa powder.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jeannine, I am so happy you were still able to make it and it turned out well! 🙂
Randa Hopkins says
Hello Erin!
How long do I put them in the oven when I double the recipe?
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Randa, I haven’t doubled this one, but I would try 30 minutes and keep checking it for the middle to be done! Let me know how they come out!!