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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    No Bake Brownies

    By Dannii · Published 7th October 2019 · Updated 24th May 2021 · 55 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links and generates income via ads · This site uses cookies · Post contains 1558 words. · About 8 minutes to read this article.

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    No bake brownies with a text title overlay.

    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!

    Five brownies stacked up. A brownie with a bite taken out is in the foreground.

    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?
    • What you will need
    • Step by step
    • Are they healthy?
    • Flavour options
    • FAQs
    • Extra tips
    • More chocolate recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    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.
    Almonds and Chopped Dates scattered over a textured surface.

    Step by step

    One: Put the almonds, 30g of cocoa, the desiccated coconut and dates in a food processor.

    Almonds and cocoa powder in a food processor.

    Two: Process until it forms a crumb like consistency. Mix in the water.

    A food processor with almonds and cocoa powder blended into fine crumbs.

    Three: Tip this mixture into a lined 10x8 inch brownie tray and press down with your hands so it is packed down and even.

    A lined brownie tin with a chocolate crumb base pressed into it.

    Four: Put the rest of the cocoa powder, honey, orange essence, almond butter and bananas in a food processor.

    A food processor containing peeled bananas, cocoa powder and nut butter.

    Five: Blend until until smooth.

    A food processor containing a blended chocolate sauce.

    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.

    A lined brownie tray with chocolate brownie mix.

    Seven: Freeze for 2 hours then slice into 12 squares.

    Frozen no bake brownies cut into 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.

    Chocolate brownies cut into squares on a sheet of baking paper.

    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.

    Brownies cut into squares sat on baking paper.

    FAQs

    Can you use anything instead of banana?

    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.

    How to make vegan no bake brownies

    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.

    How to store no bake brownies

    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.

    More chocolate recipes

    • Christmas Tree Brownies
    • Nutella Waffles
    • No-Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Oat Squares
    • Chocolate Pie

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    If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓

    Recipe

    No Bake Brownies stacked up surrounded by almonds and chopped dates.

    No Bake Brownies

    These No Bake Brownies are packed full of healthy fats, raw ingredients and sweetened with just dates, banana and a little honey.
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
    Vegetarian
    4.81 from 42 votes
    Pin Print
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American, British
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Freezing time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
    Allergen:
    An illustration of four different nuts.
    Nuts
    Servings: 12 people
    Calories: 206kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 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.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1brownie | Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 407mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 2mg
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @hungryhealthyhappy on Instagram and tag #hungryhealthyhappy!
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathy @ Olives & Garlic

      September 16, 2014 at 2:26 am

      5 stars
      These are an must make. I have never tried raw chocolate brownies but I definitely want to.

      Reply
    2. [email protected]

      September 16, 2014 at 12:08 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    3. Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods

      September 15, 2014 at 11:51 pm

      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.

      Reply
    4. Rach @ This Italian Family

      September 15, 2014 at 8:19 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds delightful!

      Reply
    5. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

      September 15, 2014 at 3:46 pm

      5 stars
      These look incredible, Dannii! So rich and fudgy! I can't believe they're low in calories, amazing!

      Reply
    6. Helen @ Scrummy Lane

      September 15, 2014 at 2:53 pm

      5 stars
      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! :-)

      Reply
    7. Claudz

      September 15, 2014 at 2:17 pm

      YUM!! Going to give these a try

      Reply
    8. Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie

      September 15, 2014 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      Yes! Always yes to healthy chocolate.

      Reply
    9. Kirtley [email protected] The Gist of Fit

      September 15, 2014 at 1:41 pm

      5 stars
      UM YES!!!

      Where in the world do you come up with all these super amazing ideas?!! Thanks girl!!

      Reply
    10. Anna @AnnaTheApple

      September 15, 2014 at 1:19 pm

      Looks fantastic! And such good ingredients as well. Nom nom.

      Reply
    11. Susie @ SuzLyfe

      September 15, 2014 at 12:00 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    12. kezia @ super naturally healthy

      September 15, 2014 at 10:18 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    13. Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen

      September 15, 2014 at 8:41 am

      I love raw brownies - this looks good and I just know it tastes that way too!

      Reply
    14. Jenn

      June 18, 2014 at 11:56 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        June 21, 2014 at 12:40 pm

        5 stars
        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 :)

        Reply
    15. Michelle

      May 22, 2014 at 12:48 am

      5 stars
      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 :)

      Reply
      • Dannii

        May 22, 2014 at 11:36 am

        Yes, you could use avocado, but the banana adds sweetness as well as the creaminess.

        Reply
    16. Eileen

      May 05, 2014 at 7:45 pm

      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!

      Reply
    17. Seth

      March 31, 2014 at 10:00 am

      5 stars
      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!)

      Reply
    18. Seth

      March 31, 2014 at 9:58 am

      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.

      Reply
    19. Tracy

      February 09, 2014 at 9:05 pm

      5 stars
      Made these tonight :)))).. Heaven went down well with all the family. Thanks Danni

      Reply
    20. Choclette

      January 14, 2014 at 3:15 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
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    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food and lifestyle blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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