Perfect Paleo Brownies (Fudgy, Crackly Top, Gluten Free)

These paleo brownies are simply perfect: they’re fudgy and dense with a crunchy, crackly top and chewy edges. Not only that, they’re quick and easy to make! Made with almond and coconut flour, they’re gluten free, grain free, and dairy free, too. They’re topped with a sprinkle of flake salt for the perfect gourmet complement to these rich, delicious brownies.

Perfect Paleo Brownies

I won’t call these Engagement Brownies. Nah, I’ve already been engaged. It was my shrimp and grits that did it, followed by a dose of my red velvet cupcakes (and the gluten free red velvet cake version does me plenty of favors, while we’re at it).

Nope! These are Marriage Sustainer Brownies. They’re Vow Renewal Brownies. He Hasn’t Given Me That Look Since the First Time He Saw Me in Yoga Pants Brownies.

What I’m trying to say is they’re life-changingly good. So good that, after the 3rd batch, my husband actually forbid me from making them again. He simply can’t control himself! I caught him sneaking one before dinner in the laundry room where he thought I couldn’t see or hear him. He ate three after lunch the next day, just hovering over the container on our butler’s pantry.

Why These Perfect Paleo Brownies Are So Good:

This is one recipe that I refused to quit testing until I thought it was just perfect. I made several batches before this ding-ding-ding winner, and none were just right beforehand. I wanted these paleo brownies to be fudgy but not overly dense. These paleo brownies needed them to have a crackly top, which seemed essentially impossible to eke out of a gluten free brownie. But, hey, spoiler alert: it’s absolutely possible! I needed them to have chewy edges with super rich middle pieces. And lastly, they needed to be fully brownies, not just a shorter or slightly denser cake.

They needed to be just as good as (or better than!) a regular, ol’ brownie that you’d find at bakery, not “good for being paleo.” Verdict: this recipe absolutely smashed that requirement.

• They’re everything I love in a brownie: fudgy, with a crackly, crunchy top, and chewy corners. They’re dense and rich and just sweet enough.
• These paleo brownies are actually quite easy to make and come together very quickly.
• This recipe is gluten free, grain free, and refined sugar free, too, making them much healthier than your average brownies.
• The little bit of liquid coffee used in this paleo brownies recipe enriches the chocolate flavor. Use whatever is leftover from breakfast! No need to go grab a cup at Starbucks, though, if you’re out. Water will be fine here.
• Pairing melted chocolate and cocoa creates a super rich complexity to the chocolate that you’ll just love.
• A little sprinkling of flake or sea salt before baking makes these super elegant. The salt enhances the rich chocolate in the best way!

I previewed this recipe on my Instagram Stories right when I made them, and my followers absolutely freaked out! I gave away a sneak peek of the recipe to dozens of people, we were both so excited about these paleo brownies.

Tips:

• Make sure you whip the eggs and sugar until the color lightens and the mixture becomes fluffy and a bit sticky. This is what contributes to the crunchy, crackly top, and you won’t have it if you skip this part.
• The measurements must be exact. This is not an “eyeball it” recipe.
• Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the recipe: you’ll see moist crumbs on the toothpick when done, not brownie batter. You definitely want to err on the side of under-baking these, but not too much. If you underbake them, they won’t be as chewy and will be a little more saturated tasting than fudgy. Test often for those moist crumbs!

How to Get a Crackly, Crunchy Top on These Paleo Brownies.

The crackly, crunchy top on these brownies happens when you whip the eggs with the coconut sugar until the mixture becomes light in color, like a peanut butter frosting, fluffy, and a bit sticky. There will not be any “peaks” that form, but you will see the entire mixture increase in volume and change in texture.

Just look at that perfect, crunchy top layer!

This process creates a meringue layer on the very top, allowing this crispy, air-filled layer to pull away from the fudgy base. It’s absolutely divine, so don’t skip it! In fact, I have not tested the recipe without beating the eggs with the coconut sugar. If you opt to skip this part, you’re on your own, friend! But let me know how it goes – I’d love to know!

Oh, and that sprinkle of flake salt or sea salt on top? Paired with the crunchy, meringue top, it’s sheer perfection.

How to Make Paleo Brownies

Start by whipping together the eggs and coconut sugar in a medium bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this task and beat on high until light and fluffy, increased in volume. The mixture will look sticky, rather than liquid or runny.

Stir in almond flour, coconut flour, dark cocoa powder, cooled liquid coffee, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.

In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, microwave the chocolate chips and coconut oil in 60-second bursts. Stir very well in between each burst, until chocolate is just melted.

Pour this mixture into the brownie batter and stir to combine well. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Pour batter into a 9×9″ baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake in a 325º F oven on the middle rack for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out with moist crumbs. The toothpick should not be completely coated in brownie batter, but it should not be clean.

Let cool then cut into 9 equal squares.

Stocking a Paleo Pantry for Baking with Thrive Market

Let’s be real: the grocery store can be expensive, especially if you’re finding paleo ingredients. That’s where Thrive Market makes my life so much easier. Their inventory of 4,000+ products are categorized by any diet or lifestyle that you follow. Paleo? Check. Vegan? Yup. Sugar-free? Definitely. High fiber? You bet. And with prices that are 25-50% below traditional retail price, you’re saving money on all of the pantry staples that you need—all shipped right to your door. These are the pantry staples that I always order from Thrive Market that I use in these paleo brownies:

• EnjoyLife Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Chips
• Thrive Market Almond Flour
• Thrive Market Coconut Flour
• Thrive Market Coconut Sugar
• Thrive Market Refined Coconut Oil
• Simply Organic Vanilla Extract

Finding Paleo Chocolate Chips

If you’re pretty darn paleo, you can use Enjoy Life chocolate chips. These are dairy free but still contain a bit of processed sugar. If you’re very strictly paleo, try using 7 oz. of this paleo chocolate bar from Thrive Market. It’s sweetened with coconut sugar, making it totally paleo. How cool is that?! You’ll want to chop the bar into chocolate-chip-ish-sized pieces, but otherwise you can make the recipe as written. Use 7 ounces weighted, or about 1 cup of chopped chocolate.

Other Recipes You’ll Love:

• Black Bean Brownies
• Vegan Cookie Dough
• Paleo Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Turtle Bars Recipe (Paleo, Vegan)
• Gluten Free Red Velvet Cake

And if you’re looking for a classic version of perfect, fudgy brownies, this recipe from Erren’s Kitchen is lovely!

5 from 61 votes

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Perfect Paleo Brownies (Fudgy, Crunchy Top, Gluten Free)

Paleo brownies that are fudgy and rich with a crackly, crunchy top and chewy edges. In other words, these gluten free brownies are just perfect. 

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword gluten free brownies, healthy brownies, paleo brownies

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 9 brownies

Calories 380 kcal

Author Cheryl Malik

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup coconut sugar
• 1/3 cup almond flour
• 2 tablespoons coconut flour
• 2 tablespoons dark cocoa powder see Note 1
• 2 tablespoons prepared coffee cool or room temperature. Water is fine if coffee is not available.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips or paleo chocolate, see Note 2. Divided
• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325º F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine eggs and coconut sugar. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat on high until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Mixture will have increased in volume and will be sticky, rather than thin or runny.
3. Stir in almond flour, coconut flour, dark cocoa powder, cooled liquid coffee, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.

4. In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 60-seconds bursts, stirring very well in between each round, until the chocolate has just melted. Stir until completely smooth, then pour into the brownie batter. Stir well to combine. Fold in remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips.

5. Line a 9x9" baking pan with parchment paper. Pour brownie batter into the prepared pan, making sure batter fills all corners evenly. Bake 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out with moist crumbs. The toothpick should not be coated in batter, but it should not be clean, either. When you see moist crumbs, remove from the oven and let cool completely on the counter or on a wire rack.
6. When cool, lift out of the baking pan using the sides of the parchment paper. Cut into 9 equal squares.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1
I love dark cocoa powder in this recipe, as it produces a very rich taste and dark, dramatic look. You can use regular cocoa powder here with great results, and you can try black cocoa powder, too, for an even more dramatic brownie!

Note 2
I use Enjoy Life semisweet dairy-free chocolate chips for most recipes. However, these contain a bit of processed sugar. If you strictly eat no processed sugar, try these paleo chocolate bars from Thrive Market. Chop them to be about chocolate chip size and use approximately 7 ounces by weight, or 1 cup volume. This will result in a darker, richer brownie, since the chocolate percentage is much higher than semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Nutrition Facts

Perfect Paleo Brownies (Fudgy, Crunchy Top, Gluten Free)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 380 Calories from Fat 261

% Daily Value*

Fat 29g45%

Saturated Fat 20g125%

Cholesterol 55mg18%

Sodium 59mg3%

Potassium 37mg1%

Carbohydrates 33g11%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 24g27%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 79IU2%

Calcium 51mg5%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.