The best, dairy-free protein brownies you’ll make this year. They’re rich and indulgent and have 12 grams of protein per serving.
Plus, they whip up in just one bowl! These high-protein brownies make a healthy dessert or wicked, easy snack recipe (plus they-re gluten-free!). Drizzled with chocolate they’re a surefire way to indulge a chocolate craving!
Having a dairy-free brownies recipe on hand is a busy mom staple. Everyone loves brownies! And this brownie recipe is a hit every time!
Naturally dairy-free and gluten-free, this high-protein brownie comes out soft and chewy. Drizzle them with a bit of homemade chocolate sauce and they’re just short of perfection.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I love them because they’re easy to make but they’re also an indulgent way to amp up daily protein a bit!
These dairy-free protein brownies actually come in at a protein intake of 12 grams per brownie. This means that really, they’re a snack, not a dessert 😉
Ingredients You’ll Need
A protein brownie recipe that doesn't actually contain protein powder! This recipe is unique in that sense but contains all the indulgence of a classic brownie because of it.
This gluten-free brownie batter contains only a handful of ingredients which is what makes it so awesome. This means that you don't need a crazy mixture of gluten-free flour to whip them up!
Almond flour: you want to make sure to use blanched almond flour and not almond meal. The meal will result in a grittier texture. Learn more about the differences.
Collagen powder: this works as part of the base of the dairy-free protein brownie and replaces what would normally be chocolate protein powder.
Cacao powder: not just for chocolate-y goodness. Cacao powder (different than cocoa powder) is higher in antioxidants than blueberries! That’s just one of the reasons you should use cacao powder in your diet. However, cocoa powder will work in its place. In fact, cocoa powder is less bitter than cacao so the protein brownies will actually be sweeter.
Cane sugar: all you need is a hint of sugar for the recipe to come out rich.
Peanut butter: adding a nut butter is what helps the texture go from light and fluffy to thick and chewy.
Mini Chocolate chips: using mini chocolate chips make it so that the chocolate is more evenly distributed throughout the brownies. Make sure to double-check that you're using dairy-free chocolate chips (I like Enjoy Life) to keep everything allergy-friendly.
How To Make Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Brownies
Making these dairy-free protein brownies is simple! In fact, you only need one bowl.
- Combine all the ingredients except chocolate chips and pecans in a bowl.
- Mix well. The batter will be ultra thick.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Scrape the batter out into a parchment-lined, 8x8 baking pan.
- Use a spatula to smooth it around.
- Bake for 25 minutes and remove from the oven to cool. Slice.
- Make the chocolate sauce by melting the coconut oil and chocolate chips slowly. Then, drizzle over the cooled brownies.
Step By Step Photos
Important Teaching Tips
Keep in mind that the batter for these dairy-free gluten-free brownies is THICK. You won’t be pouring it into the pan so much as scraping and dumping.
This also means you need to use a spatula to press it into the bottom and even it out.
Do not slice the dairy-free chocolate brownies right out of the oven. Let them cool! The almond flour makes it so they’re pretty delicate and you don’t want to ruin them before coating them with chocolate sauce.
The protien brownies need to be stored in the fridge because of the eggs. However, serve them at room temperature. They’re still amazing out of the fridge but they’re slightly more dense and chewy.
You can use cocoa powder in place of cacao powder. Know that cocoa powder is a bit more processed which means the brownies might come out sweeter than they would otherwise.
There's no baking soda in these protein brownies! And because there's no baking soda, the brownies are chewy and fudge-like versus "light" or "airy".
Crucial Ingredients
You can skip the chocolate protein powder for this recipe!
These dairy-free protein brownies are high in protein because they’re made with collagen powder!
Collagen is the good part of bone broth and is wonderful for your hair, skin, and nails. Learn more about collagen. It’s also a wicked, natural protein source.
I grab my collagen from Perfect Supplements and while I love their big tub of powder, I love the individual packets even more!
I find collagen the easiest way to boost protein in smoothies, vegan yogurts, oatmeal, or any other dish.
It blends and mixes well and there are zero flavors to it. Plus, Perfect Supplements sources their collagen from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows. So, I trust it.
Grab some collagen powder and use code mamabear10 to save some money.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dairy-free Gluten-free Brownies
Typically, adding more fats to the brownies will make them fudgier. As will cooking them for slightly less time so that they don’t become “dry”.
Most of the time, brownies will become dry when overcooked. Avoid overcooking your brownies by inserting a toothpick into them to check. You want the toothpick to come out with some of the brownies on it. This helps ensure that the inside is still fudgy or soft and not too dry.
Most brownies do not need to be stored in the fridge. However, they will last longer if chilled. That said, brownies that are stored in the fridge tend to become denser and need to soften at room temperature prior to eating.
Unfortunately no. Protein powder (especially vegan protein powder) absorbs liquid naturally. Thus, using protein powder will change the texture of the easy gluten-free brownies and most likely leave them too dense, dry, and thick.
MMore Healthy Recipes You’ll Love
- Fudgy protein brownies
- Protein granola
- Overnight cookie dough protein oats
- Chocolate chia protein balls
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Chocolate chip protein powder muffins
- Chocolate fudge protein balls
- 2 bite protein brownies recipe
- High protein cookies
- High protein pancakes
- Yogurt protein pancakes
- Energizing protein bar
- Easy, no-bake vanilla protein bar
- High protein snack recipes
Chocolate Protein Brownies Recipe
Equipment
- 1 8x8 Baking Tray
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- ¼ cup collagen powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips make sure they're dairy and gluten free
- 2.5 tbs avocado oil
- ¼ cup cacao powder
- ⅓ cup cane sugar
- 2 tbs peanut butter
- ⅛ cup hemp milk
- Chocolate Sauce
- ⅛ Cup Mini chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon Coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahernheit.
- In a large bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients except the chocolate chips and pecans.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk the wet ingredients until semi-smooth.
- Pour the wet into the dry and mix well.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and pecans.
- Line an 8x8 baking tray with parchment paper and dump/scrape out the batter.
- Use a silicone spatula to smooth and portion it out until even.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Once cooled, heat the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a double boiler until just melted. Whisk them together and drizzle over the brownies.
- Cut into 9 squares.
Video
Notes
- The batter for these dairy-free gluten-free brownies is THICK. You won’t be pouring it into the pan so much as scraping and dumping.
- Use a spatula to press the gluten-free brownies into the bottom of the pan and even it out.
- Do not slice the gluten-free brownies right out of the oven. Let them cool! They come out delicate.
- The gluten-free brownie recipe needs to be stored in the fridge because of the eggs. However, serve them at room temperature.
- Protein powder cannot be subbed in for the collagen.
- Depending on the coconut oil you choose, there may be a slight coconut flavor to the chocolate drizzle (less processed coconut oils have a hint of coconut to them).
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Shelby aka Mama Bear
Allyssa
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
fitasamamabear
Glad you loved them!
Glenda
Yum! These were so good! That final chocolate drizzle takes them over the top.
fitasamamabear
The chocolate drizzle is the best!
Scarlet
I enjoyed these pretty healthy vegan brownies and they were easy to make too.
fitasamamabear
Glad you loved them!
Sherry
This brownie recipe is just what I needed to keep me on my healthy eating path. Easy to make and great tasting is what you will find if you try this great recipe!!
fitasamamabear
Yay! I love when healthy eating can be combined with indulgence 😀 best of both worlds!
Jennifer
Love these brownies! They're so moist and fudgy you'd never know it's dairy and gluten-free!
fitasamamabear
That's what I was aiming for.. win!
Greta
I love how simple is this recipe. I try to eat healthier and this is a perfect recipe, to enjoy this treat without feeling guilty.
fitasamamabear
So happy I gave you something new to try! It's the best feeling when healthy & indulgence blend!
Kat
So fudgey and yummy!
fitasamamabear
The best!
Deb
Saving this to make for dessert tomorrow, yum!
fitasamamabear
I hope you double batch hehe
Jean
this gluten-free brownies are so good, love that its dairy free too.
fitasamamabear
And you wouldn't even know it!
Mandy Applegate
So thrilled to have found dairy AND gluten free brownies which actually turn out great - thanks so much!
fitasamamabear
Yay! Happy you loved them!