Best Gluten Free Brownies Recipe

Remember those Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies with the rainbow chocolate chips? Those were on my mind while creating these gluten-free squares of cocoa delight. Granted, now that I’m no longer in the fourth grade, I switched out the rainbow chips for some chopped hazelnuts—if you’re a lover of Nutella, you’ll love this pairing. If you’re allergic or just not a fan of nuts, feel free to skip it—the brownie will taste just as good.

Why two types of cocoa? There are no alternative flours in this gluten-free recipe. I was tired of tasting the graininess caused by almond and rice flours and wanted a simple brownie recipe that really pumped up the chocolate levels—and this one is it. Using two different types of cocoa makes a more balanced brownie. The natural cocoa and vanilla extract produce a nostalgic brownie flavor profile while the dutch-process cocoa deepens the espresso-like hint in every bite. It’s both familiar and elevated at the same time. P.S. It’s really important to let the cocoa bloom with the hot oil to yield the best cocoa flavor, so don’t skip waiting on those 10 minutes!

Why grapeseed oil? It’s a neutral oil that imparts no flavor, and it’s better than vegetable oil in terms of health benefits. Buy expeller- or cold-pressed oil for better quality and a cleaner taste. I chose oil over butter for a nicely dense and fudgy texture; while butter added an excellent richness in taste, it resulted in a more cake-like brownie.

Why only egg whites? Gluten-free recipes often need additional moisture or more liquid ingredients in order to hydrate the dough better, and egg whites contain that extra bit of moisture. Their added protein content also give the brownies a slight lift and more structure during the Baking process.

I’m a fan of the room-temperature/chilled brownie, so I recommend letting these rest and cool before eating: you’ll find that the brownie tastes sweeter once it’s no longer warm, and the texture becomes more cohesive and fudge-like. 

If you’ve made these brownies and have some thoughts to share, please send us your feedback down below! For more gluten-free sweets, give these other gluten-free desserts a whirl.