Gooey and fudgey chocolate brownies that don't require any baking. These No Bake Brownies are packed full of healthy fats, raw ingredients and sweetened with just dates, banana and a little honey. Even better is that they are stored in the freezer, making them a delicious cool treat on a hot day, and hidden out of sight as they are seriously tempting. All the ingredients are ones you would have for breakfast too, so that means brownies for breakfast!
If you make any recipe from our blog, it should be these. We make these No Bake Brownies every couple of weeks (as soon as we run out really) and they never fail to disappoint. We make them to take to dinner parties, as house warming gifts and even with a Christmas twist. These are for every occasion.
They require so little effort to make, just some blending up of ingredients, layering and putting in the freezer. No baking needed. I love that they are kept in the freezer. Not only does this keep them set and together (they melt quickly), but they are SO good that I would eat them all day long, so they are kept out of eyesight.
The base is a mixture of almonds, cocoa and dates with water to hold it together and then it is topped with a creamy sweet chocolate topping that is kind of a thick ice cream texture once frozen.
Jump to:
Why should you try it?
- Just 200 calories a brownie
- Raw - so no baking needed
- Stored in the freezer
- Full of healthy fats
- Gooey and fudgey
- Kids love eating AND making them.
What you will need
- Almonds - This is the main ingredient in the base and makes it nice and crunchy. You could use another nut, like pecans, walnuts or peanuts, or even a mixture.
- Cocoa - This is what makes them all chocolatey and delicious. Some goes in the crunchy base and some goes in the gooey topping. Try to use the best quality cocoa powder you can, as you really will be able to taste the difference.
- Water - This helps to loosen the base mixture up and helps it bind together. Desiccated coconut - It adds a little bit of extra texture to the base, as well as some coconut flavour.
- Dates - This is what sweetens the base and makes it nice and sticky too. For the softest, sweetest brownies, use Medjool dates.
- Bananas - You would never believe it, but the gooey fudgey topping is made with bananas as the base. They are sweet and creamy and when the other ingredients are mixed in, it doesn't have an overpowering banana flavour.
- Almond butter - This mixed in with the banana makes it super creamy. You could use peanut or cashew butter instead. We like to use a smooth nut nutter, so it gives a really smooth topping.
- Honey - This is what sweetens the top layer. You could swap it for maple syrup if you wanted to keep it vegan.
- Orange extract - Chocolate orange is just the best flavour combination isn't it. You could use peppermint extract if you prefer, or just leave it out.
Step by step
One: Put the almonds, 30g of cocoa, the desiccated coconut and dates in a food processor.
Two: Process until it forms a crumb like consistency. Mix in the water.
Three: Tip this mixture into a lined 10x8 inch brownie tray and press down with your hands so it is packed down and even.
Four: Put the rest of the cocoa powder, honey, orange essence, almond butter and bananas in a food processor.
Five: Blend until until smooth.
Six: Spread onto the pressed crumb mix and then put it in the freezer and freeze for 2-3 hours until the topping has hardened.
Seven: Freeze for 2 hours then slice into 12 squares.
Are they healthy?
As always, healthy is a subjective word. But the ingredients in these no bake brownies are kept to a minimum and all raw and natural. We sweetened them with just some dates, honey and banana.
They are pretty high in calories, due to the nuts and dried fruit, but you could lower the calories by cutting this batch in to smaller portions. The serving size of these brownies is pretty generous, but you could get 16 or even 20 smaller brownies out of this recipe and it would reduce the calories a lot.
This brownie recipe is bursting with healthy fats and no "weird" ingredients. You know, like chickpeas or black beans that you seem to see in a lot of healthy brownie recipes. All the ingredients are things that kids probably know and love already, making them very popular with kids - who also enjoy getting messy and making them too.
Flavour options
Why not add some flavour in to these brownies, so it isn't just all about the chocolate! We used orange extract, as chocolate and orange is such a delicious flavour combination. But you could use mint extract instead.
You can also change the flavour by swapping some or all of the dates for a different dried fruit. Dried cherries, cranberries or apricot work well and they all compliment chocolate well.
FAQs
I don't think these taste like banana - it gives it the sweetness rather than the flavour. But, I have heard from some people (who hate banana), that it does taste like it. So, is there an alternative?
Banana is pretty much what makes up the majority of the topping, so it's fairly important. But, you can swap it for avocado which will give it the same creamy texture, but not the sweetness.
You can make a vegan version of these no bake brownies by using maple syrup instead of honey. All the other ingredients are naturally gluten free.
There is only one way to store these, and that is in the freezer. You could keep them in the fridge, but they would get pretty melty. Keeping them in the freezer holds them together. Although, you want to leave each slice out of the freezer for 5 minutes before eating it for the perfect texture.
Extra tips
- We used just almonds in the base of these brownies, but you could use a mixture of almonds, pecans and walnuts.
- Make these brownies a different flavours each time. Orange or mint extract are good because they go well with chocolate.
- We used almond butter, but any nut or seed butter would work in this recipe.
- If you aren't a fan of banana, you can swap it for avocado in the topping.
- You can make these no bake brownies a little bit more indulgent by stirring some melted dark chocolate in to the topping.
- Make sure to keep these brownies in the freezer. They melt very quickly (especially in the warmer months), so just cut off the piece you want and put the rest in the freezer until you want another piece. The batch will keep in the freezer for 1-2 weeks.
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DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓
Recipe
No Bake Brownies
Ingredients
- 150 g almonds
- 90 g cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoon water
- 4 tablespoon desiccated coconut
- 150 g pitted dates chopped
- 4 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 4 tablespoon almond butter
- 2 bananas
Instructions
- Put the almonds, 30g of cocoa, the desiccated coconut and dates in a food processor and process until it forms a crumb like consistency. Mix in the water.
- Tip this mixture into a lined 10x8 inch brownie tray and press down with your hands so it is packed down and even.
- Put the rest of the cocoa powder, honey, orange essence, almond butter and bananas in a food processor until smooth.
- Spread onto the pressed crumb mix and then put it in the freezer and freeze for 2-3 hours until the topping has hardened.
- Freeze for 2 hours then slice into 12 squares.
Notes
- We used just almonds in the base of these brownies, but you could use a mixture of almonds, pecans and walnuts.
- Make these brownies a different flavours each time. Orange or mint extract are good because they go well with chocolate.
- We used almond butter, but any nut or seed butter would work in this recipe.
- If you aren't a fan of banana, you can swap it for avocado in the topping.
- Make sure to keep these brownies in the freezer. They melt very quickly (especially in the warmer months), so just cut off the piece you want and put the rest in the freezer until you want another piece. The batch will keep in the freezer for 1-2 weeks.
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic
These are an must make. I have never tried raw chocolate brownies but I definitely want to.
[email protected]
Omg those brownies look delicious. I think brownies are one of my favorite desserts. Even better that they are not as fastening as most.
Sorry we haven't visited lately. My sister and I each thought the other one was.
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods
My daughter is one of those people who when I say something is healthy she immediately says she doesn't like it. That is without even tasting. I think it is just child-rebellion. Haha. Either way, these brownies look so decadent. These would definitely cure any chocolate craving.
Rach @ This Italian Family
This sounds delightful!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
These look incredible, Dannii! So rich and fudgy! I can't believe they're low in calories, amazing!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane
A slice of this would make a perfect evening snack for me right now, Dannii! It's hard to believe they have so few calories, and I love your idea of keeping them in the freezer so you don't stuff yourself with the whole lot! :-)
Claudz
YUM!! Going to give these a try
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie
Yes! Always yes to healthy chocolate.
Kirtley [email protected] The Gist of Fit
UM YES!!!
Where in the world do you come up with all these super amazing ideas?!! Thanks girl!!
Anna @AnnaTheApple
Looks fantastic! And such good ingredients as well. Nom nom.
Susie @ SuzLyfe
Wow these look incredilbe. I'm not usually a "raw foods" person but I was introduced to a granola the other day that has changed my mind, so I am all on board for these!
kezia @ super naturally healthy
Yay for chocolate brownies! I love that there are so many healthy and natural version of treat foods - being healthy does not mean being without cake!
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen
I love raw brownies - this looks good and I just know it tastes that way too!
Jenn
I just made them and that are delicious! I do find the banana a little overpowering so next time I'll reduce it to 1 banana and throw in half an avocado. Thanks so much for sharing!
Dannii
A couple of people have said that, but I don't find that myself, but then I love banana. Adding avocado works too - if you like avocado desserts, take a look at my healthy chocolate dessert :)
Michelle
Thanks for sharing all these recipes :) Just came across your site a few days ago and all the recipes look delicious. I made these brownies today and they are good but I find the banana flavor almost over-powering. Wondering if avocado could be substituted here? Thanks again for sharing, I plan to start making many recipes from this site :)
Dannii
Yes, you could use avocado, but the banana adds sweetness as well as the creaminess.
Eileen
Hi! I'm new to your site but I made these raw fudge brownies yesterday and they were unbelievable! Definitely a keeper and going on my dessert recipe list! Thanks!
Seth
My husband loves the melting in your mouth feeling.
If you know what I mean...
(real chocolate - he can't eat that no more though!)
Seth
Greetings from South Africa.
My husband loves these delicious brownies, and I love raw chocolate. We love to revel on the joy of food together; I always have to remind my cheecky boy that it is a moment on the lips...!
Thanks for sharing your story Dannii, it has inspired me and my chubby husband.
Lots of love and hugs, Seth.
Tracy
Made these tonight :)))).. Heaven went down well with all the family. Thanks Danni
Choclette
Sounds good to me and looks delicious too. Keep meaning to experiment with more raw chocolate recipes, but along with all my other intentions don't manage it very often.