These Healthy Vegan No Bake Brownies topped with chocolate ganache frosting are made with just 8 simple ingredients. A perfect no bake dessert! Gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free.
Made with just 8 raw ingredients and a few simple steps, you'll have healthier flourless brownies in no time. No oven is required!
With other no-bake recipes like these chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars and lunch lady peanut butter bars, you can stay cool and still have delicious treats.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Healthy ingredients
- Fudgy brownies
- No bake treats
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.
Medjool dates - I recommend using the large Medjool variety as they are larger and sweeter than others. (Perfect for making date paste.) You want soft dates so that they help bind.
You can use different varieties like Deglet Noor, but I would add a couple more than called for if doing so.
Hemp seeds - These tiny seeds are rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals. Ground with the dates and walnuts they form the protein-rich dessert.
Walnuts - Raw walnuts do double duty. Part of them are processed into our brownie base. The remaining walnut pieces are whole for crunch and flavor.
Cocoa powder - Unsweetened cocoa powder (or natural cocoa powder) mixed with coconut oil and maple syrup creates rich chocolate. Raw cacao powder can be substituted but will have a more intense flavor.
Maple syrup - This natural sweetener adds a flavor profile closer to brown sugar but keeps things unrefined. Combined with coconut oil, this liquid sweetener transforms into a melted chocolate frosting.
Coconut oil - Use refined coconut oil to avoid an additional "hint of coconut."
Vanilla extract - Pure vanilla extract helps round out the flavors.
How to Make No Bake Brownies
Before you start: Grease an 8x8 square baking pan with coconut oil. Melt coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and set aside. Line with parchment paper.
Step 1: Place the brownie ingredients—dates, hemp seeds, walnuts, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, and water—into a food processor bowl. Process until smooth brownie dough with walnut chunks.
Step 2: Transfer mixture to prepared pan. Press down into the square pan in an even layer using a piece of parchment. The "batter" will be sticky.
Step 3: In a small bowl, combine chocolate ganache frosting ingredients. Whisk until smooth.
Step 4: Spread frosting over the brownie layer. Place baking pan in the freezer for at least 3 hours to set.
Recipe Tips
- When processing, stop occasionally to wipe down the sides of the bowl into the brownie mixture.
- Are your dates dried out? Cover them in hot or warm water for about 10 minutes to soften.
- If you are not a walnut fan, you can experiment with different types of nuts such as raw cashews, pecans, or almonds. Just remember this will alter the flavor some.
- Don't allow these delicious no bake treats to sit at room temperature for too long. They will soften and get melty.
Love baking without the oven? Check out these 18 Gluten-Free No Bake Desserts!
Storage
Store the raw brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. They can be stored in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
FAQs
Vegan no-bake brownies can be a healthier option compared to a traditional brownie. This recipe uses dates, nuts, seeds, and maple syrup. No flour, refined sugar, or dairy are used.
Yes! Place the brownie square in a freezer-safe container. Separate layers with pieces of parchment paper. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Yes! Made with nuts, dates, seeds, and regular cocoa powder, there are no gluten-containing ingredients.
More gluten-free brownie recipes
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Vegan No Bake Brownies
Equipment
Ingredients
Brownie layer
- 2 ½ cups (360g) dates pitted
- ½ cup (70g) hulled hemp seeds
- 1 cup (98g) raw walnuts
- ½ cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons water plus 1 tsp, if needed
Chocolate Ganache Frosting
- ½ cup (4oz) maple syrup room temperature
- ½ cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons (3oz) coconut oil melted and slightly cooled
Instructions
- Grease an 8x8 baking pan with a little coconut or cooking spray. Line with parchment paper.
- Place dates, hempseeds, walnuts, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, and water into bowl of a food processor. Process until a smooth batter is achieved with small walnut pieces. Stop occasionally during processing to wipe down sides.
- Transfer mixture to prepared pan. Press down into pan in an even layer using a piece of parchment. The "batter" will be sticky.
- In a small bowl, combine frosting ingredients. Whisk until smooth.
- Spread frosting over brownie layer. Place baking pan in freezer for at least three hours or overnight to set.
- Remove brownies from pan using parchment flaps and cut into small squares on a cutting board.
Notes
Nutrition
Amanda
Next time I won’t use quite as many dates. I only had medjool on hand and the base tastes way too much like dates for me. As I was measuring them out it seemed like way too many! I was right about that.
Elizabeth
I made and really liked these! My 3 year old is obsessed and he’s actually really very picky about chocolate treats (he usually just prefers plain dark chocolate). I added cocoa nibs to the top which provided a really nice crunch. If I make these again I would reduce the maple syrup in the frosting by half. I found it too sweet for my palate which is actually probably why both my son and husband adored them! That frosting would also be super on a cake!
Tessa
Thank you, Elizabeth! So glad everyone enjoyed them. I love the cacao nibs idea!
Kali
Prep Time 10 minutes.?!
I just spent over 2 hours in the kitchen 😂😂😂
Dana
What can I substitute for hemp seeds? I don't have those.
Tessa
Hi Dana! I think you could easily sub with more walnuts, or Subbing in almonds or cashews would be great too.
LateToTheParty
I'm assuming you can substitute almonds or cashews for the walnuts entirely? I just can't wrap my taste buds around walnuts LOL
Tessa
Ha, I understand! Although, I don't think they have a strong walnut flavor, but I like walnuts! :) I think you could sub almonds or cashews for all of the walnuts just fine.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
If they taste as good as they look, I know I'm in for a treat! Perfect for summer Tessa!
Tessa
Thank you, Mary Ann! They are a cool treat!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
For something this decadent, a diversion is required! No bake and chocolate and healthy - a win win win! Delicious work Tessa... :D
Tessa
Haha, that's what I was thinking! Thank you, Traci!!
Denisse | Le Petit Eats
I love the idea of no-bake brownies for summer! And that frosting- dangerously delicious looking!
Tessa
Thanks, Denisse! The frosting is most definitely dangerous!
Abby @ Heart of a Baker
I'm always always down for a good no bake recipe! I've actually never done no bake brownies, but these are really tempting me to give them a try :) xoxo
Tessa
No-bake is the way to go! ;)
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
These no-bake brownies look incredible, and that frosting sounds wonderful! I have a huge bag of hemp seeds and I just need to get my hands on some dates ASAP so I can make these! Pinning :)
Tessa
Aw, thanks, Medha! I think I could eat the frosting all by itself! :)