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These no bake brownies are thick, fudgy, gooey, and need just 4 ingredients to make! No flour, no raw eggs, and no butter needed, they are a healthier dessert that takes less than five minutes to make!
As someone who loves brownies, if I can enjoy them with minimal effort, I’m a fan.
Sure, a batch of freshly baked brownies is always good, but sometimes you want something quick and easy. If I don’t make my microwave brownies or protein brownie mug cake, I love whipping up no bake cocoa brownies.
Why this recipe for no bake brownies work
- 4 ingredients. Almond butter, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and frosting- that is it!
- No flour, eggs, or grains. Unlike traditional brownies, neither of these typical ingredients are needed.
- Ready in 5 minutes. From prep to plate,
- Secretly healthy. 100% naturally sweetened and no butter or oil needed.
What I love about these brownies is just how GOOD they taste and how similar to brownies they are. Think about your favorite brownie batter– they are gooey, fudgy, yet firm enough to be stable at room temperature.
How to make no bake brownies
The Ingredients.
- Almond butter– Smooth and drippy almond butter with no added sugar or salt.
- Maple syrup– Adds sweetness with no clear maple flavor. You can also use agave nectar or honey.
- Cocoa powder– 100% unsweetened and dutch processed. For a richer flavor, use dark cocoa powder.
- Chocolate frosting– Either a healthy frosting or a 2 ingredient chocolate frosting.
The Instructions.
Prepare the brownie batter: In a mixing bowl, add the almond butter, maple syrup, and cocoa powder and mix.
Add the frosting: Transfer the batter into a lined pan. Add the frosting on top.
Let it set: Refrigerate the brownies for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
Tips for success
- If your brownie batter is too thin, add more cocoa powder. If it is too thick, add more maple syrup.
- Any chocolate frosting can be used, including store bought options!
- You must allow at least 30 minutes for the brownies to firm up. If possible, allow several hours for optimum the texture.
Dietary and flavor variations
- Lower the carbs. Make this a keto friendly dessert by swapping out the maple syrup for keto maple syrup. For the frosting, try a keto frosting.
- Make them firmer. If you’d prefer a thicker brownie, add some oat flour or almond flour to the batter.
- Swap out the almond butter. Use peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, or cashew butter.
- Use a different sweetener. Agave nectar and honey are both fantastic alternatives.
- Omit the frosting. These raw brownies taste just as delicious with no frosting.
Storing and freezing instructions
- To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to two weeks.
- To freeze: Place the brownies in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to six months.
More brownie recipes to try
Frequently Asked Questions
For nut free brownies, use tahini or sunflower seed butter instead of the almond butter.
Most raw brownies call for dates, but not these.
For a richer flavor, add chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, or some coconut flakes.
No Bake Brownies (4 Ingredients!)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup chocolate frosting
Instructions
- Line a square pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your almond butter, maple syrup, and cocoa powder and mix well.
- Transfer the batter into the lined pan and press down and smooth out. Add your frosting on top and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.
- Remove the no bake brownies from the refrigerator and slice and serve.
I made it with cream cheese frosting and Special Dark Cocoa. Yum!
LOVE special dark cocoa!
That sounds great. That means I can have them.
This recipe is soooo good but when I went to the website to figure out the nutritional facts it wanted to charge me a monthly fee. I just wanted to know how much sugar per serving. I saw the rest at the bottom of this recipe. Thanks!
Just whipped these up for the family in a couple minutes! Thank you for the awesome recipe! We have a nut allergy here so we subbed Wow butter and they came out great☺️
I have a questions?
Can I use creamy peanut butter in place of the almond butter?
Is there something other than coconut cream I could use?
Yes creamy peanut butter works.
Everything looks delicious and amazing! Can’t wait to try them out
Can I use peanut butter instead of almond butter? Thanks a lot!
Yes, you can 🙂
Too good recepie ♥️
it is very tasty and healthy at the same time and i had it for brakefast to
it is very tasty and healthy at the same time
Thank you for this recipe Arman. I’ve never made brownies (and these are healthy brownies, what a win!)
I replaced the maple with honey, almond butter with peanut butter, pumpkin with over ripe banana and left out the granulated sugar. I added some crushed pecans inside as well as sprinkled over the ganache. These are amazing and made my husband so happy. Thank you again 🙏
Can I use a mashed banana instead of sweet potato/pumpkin puree?
Sure can!
Seriously these are the best brownies ever! Who said healthy couldn’t be delicious? I would’ve taken a pic to share but sadly they have already been devoured! Sooo decadent and tasty
You are too sweet!
Is it possible for you to add the nutritional values and total calories to each on your delicious recipes? This would help many who count these values.
Thanks love your recipes and the fantastic Outcomes!
Sure, I’ve started to! Older ones, you can easily calculate it yourself using myfitnesspal or similar 🙂
Thank you – it is valuable needed info.??
What size pan is this?
Oh my goodness, I just made these and my eyes literally rolled back when I took a bite! I just went vegan recently and the first thing I started craving was a brownie. Your recipe caught my eye and oh boy, was it a good choice! Thanks so much for this recipe, I’ll definitely be trying your other ones!
😀 Aw cheers!
would you happen to know the macros for this? someone asked me what the carbs were?
Thanks!
Sure thing! If you go to myfitnesspal and plug in the ingredients, it will provide it for you! Enjoy!
Can you use anything besides the pure maple syrup or honey? These have 36 g of sugar per serving ? Just wondering if the sweetener needs to be in liquid form?
You can use agave, brown rice syrup or monk fruit sweetened maple syrup.
This recipe is Incredible! I loved how simple it was , used all whole food ingredients and I didn’t have to turn on oven. The best part? They taste amazing! I will never have to crave “real” brownies again. You nailed it! Thank you Arman! Did I mention I rarely write reviews? This recipe deserves it. Big wow factor with little effort.
😀 Thank you SO much, Lori!
The only nut butter I had was tahini, and it came out really good. I didnt even need the icing. This recipe is brilliant since I’m obsessed with experimenting making “healthy desserts” and I like really doughy brownies anyway. When I make baked brownies, I’m the kind of person that bakes it for half the time recommended (and use half the amount of sugar!) so thank you for this, its even better. I used vanilla stevia sweet drops and needed even less maple syrup, for those of you other low-GI folk
Hi, I’m following you on Instagram, your recipes are delicious but I’m missing the nutritional info of each recipe.
Hi Thanasis! For sure- If you go to myfitnesspal or another calorie calculator, it will provide it all for you! Enjoy!
Can I just use sweet pototoes from a can?
Absolutely 🙂
What size pan do you use for these?
I just made these and they are THE BEST brownies I have EVER tried. I’m blown away. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. Very quick and easy!
😀 Thank you so much for your kind words, Alyssa! 🙂
Someone else asked but I didn’t see the answer – What size pan do you consider small?
8 x 8, 9 x 9, 7 x 11? I’ve used all of these for baking brownies, but the cooking times vary.
Thanks.
Hi Davette! An 8 x 8 inch is best, for thicker brownies!
Looks dangerously delicious! What can I sub for coconut flour if I don’t have it? Thanks.
Hi Jazel! You can increase the oat flour until a thick batter is formed.
Is there anything else I can sub for sweet potatoes or pumpkin? I can’t stand neither of those 🙁
Hi Anastasia- Absolutely! Swap it out for an equal amount of mashed banana.
Great, thank you!
I have no qualms with eating brownies for breakfast! But I a feeling these would be an all day affair! Thanks for such an amazing recipe. I can’t wait to try them and to poke around your site to find more wonderful things to eat! Good on ya, mate! 😉
😀 You are the best, mate! hahahaha cheers!
Making these finally after way too long! 🙂 Thanks Arman. Brownies for breakfast just sounds so good.
I just made these this morning and all I can say is amazing! I used mocha protein powder and added some vanilla and walnuts to the batter…just like a regular brownie but better for you! Thank you so much Arman for the recipe! #thebigmansworld
Hi Michael! Cheers for the feedback and for trying it out- Appreciate it! 🙂
These look fabulous. Sorry if already answered but can I use raw cacao powder instead of the cocoa powder or will that make them slightly bitter?
Hi Desley! You sure can- I’d taste the batter to make sure it’s sweet enough. I’d actually prefer the raw cacao powder, as I love the bitter, dark taste! 🙂
I know they wouldn’t be considered paleo if I sub the coconut flour out, but I’m intolerant to coconut. Can I sub another gluten free flour in?
If I don’t have a sweet potato or pumpkin can leave it out? Or will that throw off the texture?
Hi Tricia, you will need to include that- It keeps them together.
I am so excited to try these. Is the cocoa raw cocoa powder?
Hi, Antoinette! You can use any cocoa powder you have on hand- I used a store bought kind!
I LOVE a brownie with coffee for breakfast. I’m so happy to have discovered your recipe; and happier still that I have all the necessary ingredients to make it (except the optional protein powder). You suggested a small, deep baking dish. I have an 8 x 8. Is that too big, you think? The only thing I have smaller is a loaf pan.
Oh, and I loved the fetch reference, lol!:D
Brownie for breakfast? Don’t mind if I do!! I am currently between breakfast foods, so I might have to give this a try! I will also try it as a healthy dessert for my daughter but I will have to try sunflower seed butter in place if the almond butter. Unfortunately I end up using my oven a lot even in the summer months, because I just can’t seem to give up/replace baking/baked goods. So no bake recipes like this are just what I need!
🙂 so glad to hear that, Hayley! It works with sunflower seed butter, it will just come out a little lighter and if it’s unsweetened, I’d add a little granulated sweetener if you guys prefer very sweet foods 🙂
Can’t wait to try these! Thanks for the recipe! I may add ground up toasted pumpkin seeds for an extra healthy boost! 🙂 Yummmm!
Oh yum- Love that addition, Sarah!
Hi. I am loving your site! I just started working out and changing my eating habits. I am wondering if you ever give the macros for your recipes. I am trying to keep track of mine and it would be helpful?
Hi Jen! For sure! 🙂 If you add the ingredients into a calorie calculator, it will provide it for you 🙂 Hope you enjoy these!
Can you recommend one?
myfitnesspal.com is a good one. It even imports recipes from the internet so you don’t have to type in the ingredients.
Do you think these would do well using sunflower butter?
Hi Carrie- Absolutely! The only thing you’ll need to watch for is the color will be a little off 🙂
I have made these twice – one with the fewest ingredients and once with 3 or 4 I think. You have a few varieties so am going to have to try all of them soon. LOL But I have refrained from making the frosting since I would not stop at one if they had frosting! And believe me, my body does not more calories (even from healthy frosting) will be ingesting! I do love frosting! VERY MUCH! 🙂
So I had to chuckle at this: ” While no bake brownies are firming up, make your frosting and enjoy. ” So you make the frosting and enjoy it while the brownies are firming up…and then I guess you make more to replace that frosting you enjoyed while waiting! LOL ah soooo love that…I can get off on enjoying frosting independently from the brownies themselves! Yup I can … and even at breakfast…
I think you’d enjoy them, Carine!
Now this sounds like my way to snack! But here’s the thing…I don’t love chocolate in the morning. (Yes, I am also the Grinch, and I stole Christmas.) But as a mid-afternoon snack? I’d be all over these!!
I love the no bake chocolate for breakfast or any time!!
That’s what I like to hear 🙂
ALSO! Did you put two frosting recipes as an option or are we to use both?
WHat size is the scoop? Or rather…how many grams of protein powder? There’s nothing wrong with cocoa for breakfast. I have it errrryday.
Hi Monika, it is 32-34 grams. You only need to use one of the frostings 🙂
these look delicious – and so strange that tonight I also saw a chocolate pudding made with sweet potato and that I have a sweet potato in my fridge – I think the universe is trying to send me a message
YES!!!!! Totally sending a message 🙂 Enjoy, Johanna!
Sweet potato is so versatile!
It really is, isn’t it 🙂
I’m ALL for making brownies for breakfast happen!! Especially when they look like this 😀
Right? Thanks so much, Sarah!
Brownies for breakfast works for me. Although I’m actually into savory breakfasts lately. I’ll switch back to the RIGHT side soon, I’m sure. 🙂 Hope all is well, Arman.
Oooo I need to borrow that savory tooth! Thanks, Ashley 🙂
These brownies look beyond delicious, and love the frosting! And, you used my favorite flour! 🙂
🙂 YES!!!! Thanks so much, Joanne!
Yum! These sound great! As a dietitian, I can’t quite condone the practice of brownies for breakfast, but these sound a heck of a lot more nutritious than lots of stuff marketed as “healthy” breakfast options!
I promise they are totally healthy enough and dietitian approved 😀
Dessert for breakfast, heck yeah! These brownies look so fudgey and when topped with that frosting, ugh, so dreamy. It’ll be a quite a miracle if I can actually wait the full 30 minutes for the brownies to set! I’ll definitely have to sneak a few spoonfuls ;).
YESS!!! That’s totally the hard part 😉
I get way too lazy to turn on the oven too! When I want to bake my sweet potatoes, I microwave them instead, hahaha! I’m impatient–seriously! And these brownies–they look perfect!
You should try baking them in the oven, seriously SO delicious and even sweeter!
Brownies (especially fudgy, healthy brownies) are definitely appropriate any time of day. Aaand I’m probably gonna go make the frosting and eat it with a spoon. And then I guess I’ll have to make more to top the brownies. Twist my arm. 😛
Totally, the frosting is so addictive- One reader said she put it on her sandwiches!
I love thick, fudgy brownies. I would eat them for every meal if you let me.
You betcha! These are totally healthy enough!
Who said brownies aren’t a breakfast food? 😉 You know I prefer a savory breakfast, but these look pretty darn tasty.
Seriously, you may NOT go into a sweet breakfast mood, I crave savory from you!
I am convinced that you are able to read my mind because these are sooooooooo fetch!
🙂 Thanks buddy!
I’m totally for brownies at any time of day. I had a slice of Nutella pizza at 6am this morning, so I clearly have no objections towards dessert first thing in the morning!
Okay, that sounds delicious!
That frosting looks insane Arman!
🙂 Thanks, Michele! It’s delicious too!
Do you have the nutrition facts for this recipe? Thank you!
For sure! If you go to myfitnesspal and plug in the ingredients, it will break it down for you 🙂