Gooey and fudgy 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 liquid sweetener.
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 for these raw brownies 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.
Raw vegan brownies are 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.
If you are looking for some more no bake recipes, then why not try our No Bake Chocolate Energy Balls or our Chocolate Dipped Raw Brownies?
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Why You Will Love Them
- Low calories - Just 200 calories a brownie.
- Raw - There is no baking needed for these raw brownies making them really easy to make.
- Stored in the freezer - This makes it great for a cool treat and a lighter alternative to ice cream.
- Full of healthy fats - All the nuts in these no bake brownies make them a good source of healthy fats.
- Gooey and fudgy - No butter, sugar or eggs, but they still have a super fudgy topping.
- Kids love eating AND making them - Get them involved.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- 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 raw brownies 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 fudgy 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. You could swap this for avocado and use some extra liquid sweetener.
- Almond butter - This mixed in with the banana makes it super creamy. You could use peanut butter or cashew butter instead. We like to use a smooth nut nutter, so it gives a really smooth topping.
- Liquid sweetener - This is what sweetens the top layer. We used the Sweet Freedom brand as it is made from fruit, so this is all sweetened naturally. You could use honey or 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.
Variations
Why not add some flavour into 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.
How to Make No Bake Brownies - Step by Step
- Step 1: Put the almonds, 30g of cocoa, the desiccated coconut and dates into a food processor.
- Step 2: Process until it forms a crumb like consistency. Mix in the water.
- Step 3: Tip this mixture into a lined 10x8 inch brownie tray and press down with your hands so it is packed down and even.
- Step 4: Put the rest of the cocoa powder, honey, orange essence, almond butter and bananas into a food processor.
- Step 5: Blend until until smooth.
- Step 6: Spread onto the pressed crumb mix and then put it in the freezer and freeze for 2-3 hours until the topping has hardened.
- Step 7: Remove from the freezer and 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, fruit syrup (you can use honey or maple syrup) 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 into 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" or artificial 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.
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 into 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 don't like 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, so add some extra sweetener.
If you use the sweet freedom syrup, then these are vegan. You could also use maple syrup to keep them vegan.
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.
More Chocolate Recipes
If you’ve tried this no bake brownie recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
No Bake Brownies
Ingredients
- 150 g (1 cups) Almonds
- 30 g (0.33 cups) Cocoa powder - for the base
- 60 g (0.66 cups) Cocoa powder - for the topping
- 6 tablespoon (6 tablespoon) Water
- 4 tablespoon Desiccated coconut
- 150 g (1 cups) Pitted dates - chopped
- 4 tablespoon (4 tablespoon) Liquid sweetener
- 1 teaspoon Orange extract
- 4 tablespoon (4 tablespoon) Almond butter
- 2 Banana
Instructions
- Put 150 g Almonds, 30 g Cocoa powder, 4 tablespoon Desiccated coconut and 150 g Pitted dates into a food processor and process until it forms a crumb like consistency. Mix in 6 tablespoon 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 60 g Cocoa powder, 4 tablespoon Liquid sweetener, 1 teaspoon Orange extract, 4 tablespoon Almond butter and 2 Banana into 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.
- Remove from the freezer and slice into 12 squares.
Recipe 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.
Nutritional Information
The 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.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Anna @AnnaTheApple says
Looks fantastic! And such good ingredients as well. Nom nom.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
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 says
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 says
I love raw brownies - this looks good and I just know it tastes that way too!
Jenn says
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 says
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 says
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 says
Yes, you could use avocado, but the banana adds sweetness as well as the creaminess.
Eileen says
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 says
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 says
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 says
Made these tonight :)))).. Heaven went down well with all the family. Thanks Danni
Choclette says
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.
Joana Félix says
I just made them, and I'm going to kill you! Dear lord this is so indulgent, so yummi, sooooo GOOD! Thank god i only made 1/4 of the recipe, and that I'm going to the gym tomorrow morning! Thank you so, so much, you're amazing <3 :)
Marisa says
These look delicious! I can't wait to make them. Do you think I could substitute agave for the honey??
Donna says
Finally made these tonight, crazy, off the chart good!!!! SOOO happy! :))) Thank you!!!
Terri says
These are a huge hit in our house and I always forget too come back and comment to tell you. Your post on Facebook just reminded me.
My kids always ask if we can make these and even better is that they get involved and help too (my youngest likes the noise the food processor makes when making the almond butter).