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    Home » Recipes » Gluten Free Recipes

    Gluten Free Almond Flour Brownies

    Published: Sep 29, 2018 · Modified: Oct 25, 2023 · by Debra with Leave a Comment · 1239 words. About 7 minutes to read this article. · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy gluten free almond flour brownies recipe is made with ricotta cheese, coconut oil and pure maple syrup. They are fudgy bites that everyone will love!

    Gluten-free brownies cut into small squares and dusted with cocoa powder.

    I truly believe that no one should have to miss out on a sweet homemade treat just because they have a gluten sensitivity! These gluten free almond flour brownies are creamy, fudgy, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate bombs. It's like cheesecake and brownies had a baby.

    Even better, they are topped with a rich chocolate ganache icing that's smooth, shiny and decadent. But how do you make them? Is it hard? NO!

    These brownies are easy to make, just stirring ingredients together in a couple of bowls and melting some chocolate. No fancy mixer or other heavy equipment needed. You only need a few simple, common ingredients like almond flour and ricotta cheese.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients you'll need
    • How to make gluten free almond flour brownies
    • Tips for the best gluten free almond flour brownies
    • Storage and freezing instructions
    • More gluten free desserts
    • Gluten free almond flour brownies are rich and fudgy, and simple to make!
    • Recipe
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    Ingredients you'll need

    For the almond flour brownie batter:

    • Bittersweet chocolate chips: We'll use these in the brownie batter and for the ganache icing. You need bittersweet because they have more cocoa powder and this will give you more structure in the brownie. I like to use Ghirardelli 60% cacao for these.
    • Whole milk ricotta cheese: You must use the full-fat ricotta. Low fat won't hold the brownies together.
    • Almond flour: Almond flour gives the brownies a nice nutty flavor without being overpowering. This is a simple, versatile and relatively affordable alternative flour to have on hand in your gluten-free pantry.
    • Cocoa powder: Provides more structure for the brownie batter, and of course, even more chocolate flavor.
    • Eggs: To hold it all together.
    • Instant espresso powder: The instant espresso powder is the secret ingredient that amps up the chocolate flavor, and I highly recommend adding it. You can add it to almost any chocolate dessert.
    • Vanilla extract: Always use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
    • Real maple syrup: This is the only sweetener aside from the sugar in the chocolate chips and also lends another layer of flavor. You must use real maple syrup, not imitation.

    For the chocolate ganache icing:

    • Bittersweet chocolate chips
    • Real maple syrup
    • Cocoa powder
    • Coconut oil: Coconut oil takes the place of butter in this twist on a classic ganache, and helps to keep it stable at room temp.

    How to make gluten free almond flour brownies

    Adapted lightly from Half Baked Harvest.

    Step 1: Preheat the oven and prep the pan

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

    Butter a 9 x 9 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper on the bottom and sides.

    A glass bowl with a blue spatula containing:ricotta cheese, eggs, vanilla and maple syrup.

    Step 2: Combine the wet ingredients

    In a heatproof bowl, heat half of the chocolate chips in the microwave until just melted and smooth.

    Add ricotta cheese, eggs, vanilla and maple syrup and combine completely.

    A glass bowl with a whisk, cocoa powder, almond flour and instant espresso powder.

    Step 3: Add the almond flour and dry ingredients

    In a separate bowl, combine sifted cocoa powder, almond flour, instant espresso powder, and salt.

    A glass bowl with a whisk and brownie batter with chocolate chips.

    Add cocoa powder mixture to wet ingredients and mix until completely incorporated. Mix in remaining chocolate chips.

    Step 4: Bake!

    Add batter to the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until just set. Remove and allow to cool before adding the icing.

    Step 5: Make the chocolate ganache icing

    A small sauce pan with melted chocolate and a blue spatula.

    In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate chips, coconut oil, and maple syrup until smooth and glossy. I love my Green Pans for this. They keep the heat nice and even.

    A small sauce pan holds chocolate ganache, cocoa powder, and a blue spatula.

    Remove from heat and mix in the cocoa powder, whisk until smooth and no bits of cocoa powder remain.

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    Step 6: Frost the brownies and chill before serving

    Pour the frosting over the brownies and smooth into an even layer.

    Place brownies in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the ganache to set up.

    Remove from pan and slice into squares.

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    Tips for the best gluten free almond flour brownies

    • Don't skip lining the pan with parchment paper. The ricotta in the batter gives them an almost cheesecake like texture, so you'll need to lift them out of the pan completely before you slice them into squares.
    • Use bittersweet chocolate, at least 60% cacao.
    • That little bit of espresso powder doesn't taste like coffee, it gives the chocolate a deeper, richer flavor.
    • I like to slice these gluten free almond flour brownies into small 2-inch squares. They are very rich, so you don't need a giant one. (And you can always go back for more!)

    Storage and freezing instructions

    • The batter for these almond flour brownies is made with ricotta cheese, so they must be kept in the refrigerator. Once the ganache sets, you can layer them with parchment paper in an airtight container. They'll keep for 3-5 days.
    • Because these gluten free brownies are so moist, they freeze really well! Store in a freezer-safe container layered with parchment paper for up to 3 months.

    More gluten free desserts

    Try these chocolaty gluten free desserts!

    • Chocolate Mousse is easier to make than you think!
    • Flourless Chocolate Cookies are made in one-bowl and have a chewy and meringue-like texture.

    Gluten free almond flour brownies are rich and fudgy, and simple to make!

    • Melted chocolate + ricotta in the almond flour batter = super fudgy, creamy, gooey brownies.
    • Chocolate ganache icing on top amps up the chocolate flavor 1000%.
    • Cocoa powder in the brownies and the ganache gives added flavor and structure.
    • No special equipment/mixers needed. Just a couple of bowls, a whisk and a sauce pan.
    • Almond flour is an affordable alternative to expensive gluten free flour blends.
    • No added sugar except what's in the chocolate! Made with real maple syrup!

    If you enjoy this recipe, please leave me a 5-star rating in the recipe card! It really helps others find my content and helps my business grow! Sign up for my newsletter for recipes delivered to your inbox and follow me on Instagram and Pinterest! Thank you!

    Recipe

    Gluten free brownies with ganache icing dusted with cocoa powder on a white surface.

    Gluten Free Almond Flour Brownies

    This easy gluten free almond flour brownies recipe is made with ricotta cheese, coconut oil and pure maple syrup. They are fudgy bites that everyone will love!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Keyword: Gluten free brownies
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Chill in fridge before serving: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16 small brownies
    Calories: 199kcal

    Equipment

    • mixing bowls
    • whisk
    • silicone spatula
    • small sauce pan
    • 9 x 9 baking pan
    • parchment paper
    • fine mesh sieve

    Ingredients

    Brownies

    • ¾ cup bittersweet chocolate chips
    • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
    • 2 eggs
    • ½ cup real maple syrup
    • 2 teaspoon instant espresso powder
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup cocoa powder, sifted
    • ½ cup almond flour
    • pinch kosher salt

    Ganache Icing

    • ⅓ cup real maple syrup
    • ¼ cup coconut oil
    • ⅓ cup bittersweet chocolate chips
    • ⅓ cup cocoa powder, sifted
    US Customary - Metric
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    Instructions

    For the brownies

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 x 9 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper on the bottom and sides.
    • Heat half of the chocolate chips in the microwave until just melted and smooth. Add ricotta cheese, eggs, vanilla and maple syrup and combine completely. 
    • In a separate bowl, combine sifted cocoa powder, almond flour, instant espresso powder, and salt. Add this mixture to the wet ingredients and mix together until completely incorporated. Mix in remaining chocolate chips.
    • Add batter to the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until just set. Remove and allow to cool before adding the frosting

    For the ganache icing:

    • In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate chips, coconut oil, and maple syrup until smooth and glossy.
    • Remove from heat and mix in the cocoa powder, whisk until smooth and no bits of cocoa powder remain.
    • Pour the ganache over the brownies and smooth into an even layer. Then place brownies in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set up.
    • Slice into small squares and serve. Brownies must be stored in the fridge. 

    Notes

    This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy here.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Hi, I'm Debra! I'm a detail-oriented Virgo, so it's my jam to simplify recipes and break them down into easy to follow steps. I help you bring the world to your table!

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