If you're craving that perfect fudgy brownie experience—chewy edges, gooey centers, and a crinkly top—this vegan brownies recipe is about to become your new go-to.
Made with simple ingredients like flax eggs, avocado oil, and vegan chocolate chips, these homemade brownies deliver all the rich chocolate flavor you love without dairy or eggs. Even if it’s your first time baking vegan dessert, you’ll get great results with this easy method.
I took a deep dive into several different ways of making brownies, recipe tested these multiple times, and incorporated my knowledge of food science from my nutrition degree to get these vegan brownies fudgy and perfect with a crinkle top -- just like you remember from all those bake sales growing up.
These brownies are delicious, nostalgic, and perfect for making with your family to create new family traditions. If you want more comforting vegan classics, make sure to check out my vegan alfredo sauce, minestrone soup, pesto, and mac and cheese.
For more incredible indulgent vegan desserts, you've gotta try these cinnamon rolls.
Jump to:
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Video Instructions
- Tools You’ll Need
- Tips for the Best Results
- Why These Are the Best Vegan Brownies
- Storing Your Vegan Brownies
- FAQ
- The Difference Between Slamming Brownies on The Counter Vs Not Slamming
- Fun Ways to Customize Your Vegan Brownies for Every Season
- Make It Your Own: Topping and Mix-In Ideas
- Recipe
- Final Thoughts
Ingredients
You'll need these key ingredients to make the best vegan brownies ever
- Flax Eggs – The perfect egg substitute for brownies. They bind the brownie batter and add subtle richness without altering the flavor.
- Avocado Oil – Adds moisture without overpowering the chocolate. You can also use vegetable oil or melted vegan butter, but avocado oil gives the best balance for a soft, chewy texture.
- Granulated Sugar + Brown Sugar – This combo creates the crackly top while keeping the center moist and sweet. The brown sugar adds depth and fudginess; the white sugar helps the texture set and helps create that crinkle top we know and love.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances the rich chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Cocoa Powder – Choose a good-quality unsweetened version (like dutch process) for deep, intense flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour – Just enough to hold everything together. Too much and you’ll end up with overly cakey brownies.
- Baking Powder – Gives a little lift so the brownies aren’t too dense.
- Salt – A pinch brings out the chocolate and balances the sweetness.
- Vegan Chocolate Chips – For that delicious chocolate flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here's how to make these vegan brownies!
Step 1: Prepare a metal 8x8 baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350℉.
Step 2: Make the flax eggs - combine the ground flax seed and water in a small bowl and set aside to thicken.
Step 3: Place the vegan chocolate chips and avocado oil into a microwave-safe bowl and cook for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between until the chocolate is fully melted.
Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Then add the melted chocolate, flax eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
Step 5: Using a fine mesh sieve placed over the mixing bowl, sift in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gently combine the wet and dry ingredients by folding them in with a silicone spatula until the brownie batter is just combined (do not over-mix).
Step 6: Transfer the brownie mixture into the pan with the silicone spatula, push the batter to the edges, and level out the top. Bake for 25 minutes. If you want them extra fudgy on the inside -- slam them down on the counter when they come out of the oven.
Let them cool, garnish with flaky sea salt, and cut into 9 square brownies. Enjoy!
Video Instructions
Tools You’ll Need
- Parchment Paper – Makes lifting the brownies out clean and easy.
- Large Mixing Bowl – For combining wet ingredients and folding in the dry ingredients.
- Measuring Cup + Spoons – Accurate measurements make a difference in baking.
- Whisk + Spatula – To mix and scrape down the bowl.
- 8x8 Pan – For thick, even brownies (or you can use a 9x13 inch pan, double the recipe, and adjust the cooking time).
Tips for the Best Results
- Spoon your flour into your measuring cup and level it off.
- Don’t skip the parchment paper. It makes cleanup easier and helps lift the brownies cleanly out of the pan.
- Cool fully before slicing. This allows the brownies to set and develop their best texture.
Why These Are the Best Vegan Brownies
There are a lot of vegan brownie recipes out there, but sometimes they miss the mark when it comes to texture and flavor. These deliver on both. They're deeply chocolatey with that crackly top you typically only see in non-vegan brownies. The secret? A balanced combination of brown sugar, granulated sugar, and a generous handful of vegan chocolate chips. No egg substitutes that make your batter gummy. No complicated techniques. Just solid, simple ingredients for the best brownies—vegan or not.
Storing Your Vegan Brownies
Once cool, place your brownies in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze.
FAQ
Can I use a different oil?
Yes! While avocado oil gives a lovely mild flavor and is a healthier oil to use throughout your cooking, vegetable oil or melted vegan butter work too.
Why didn’t my brownies get a crinkly top?
Make sure your brown sugar and granulated sugar are fully dissolved in the wet mixture and don’t skip the chocolate chips—they help create that signature top.
Why didn't my brownies get a fudgy inside?
Try slamming the freshly baked brownies on the counter right as they come out of the oven. This will make them fudgier as they cool.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Use a 9x13 pan and adjust the baking time.
The Difference Between Slamming Brownies on The Counter Vs Not Slamming
These brownies were not slammed on the counter as they came out of the oven. They are more uniform in height but slightly more cakey. You can also try adding slightly more oil to the recipe (1-2 tablespoon more) and not slam the brownies for a fudgier inside.
These brownies were slammed on the counter as they came out of the oven - it made the inside more fudgy but the brownies are thinner.
Fun Ways to Customize Your Vegan Brownies for Every Season
One of the best parts about this go-to brownie recipe is how easy it is to adapt for any holiday or seasonal celebration. Here are some fun ideas to make your brownies festive and extra special throughout the year:
Winter Holidays:
Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm, cozy flavor. Garnish with some crushed candy canes or peppermint chips to give your brownies a refreshing holiday twist. For a rich finish, drizzle melted vegan white chocolate on top.
Valentine’s Day:
Stir in a handful of dried raspberries or swirl in some raspberry jam before baking for a lovely fruity contrast to the rich chocolate flavor. You can also sprinkle heart-shaped vegan sprinkles on top after baking for a cute touch or serve with some strawberries on the side.
Spring & Easter:
Mix in chopped vegan white chocolate or colorful vegan M&M-style candies for a fun and festive look. Alternatively, top the cooled brownies with a light vegan cream cheese frosting and edible flowers for a fresh spring vibe.
Summer BBQs & Picnics:
Try adding chopped toasted nuts and shredded coconut to the brownie batter for a tropical feel. Serve warm brownies with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream and fresh berries for a perfect summer treat.
Halloween:
Stir in pumpkin spice to the batter or top with vegan candy corn or spooky sprinkles. For an extra spooky effect, drizzle vegan “spider web” icing made from powdered sugar and non-dairy milk.
Feel free to mix and match these ideas, or come up with your own twists—these easy vegan brownies are the perfect canvas for your creativity! The possibilities are endless, so have fun baking and celebrating every season with chocolatey goodness.
Make It Your Own: Topping and Mix-In Ideas
These brownies are already loaded with chocolatey goodness, but if you’re in the mood to play around, here are a few more fun ideas:
- Chopped chocolate or chunks: For pockets of melted chocolate in every bite.
- Nut butter swirls: Swirl in almond or peanut butter before baking for extra richness.
- Coconut sugar sprinkle: A light dusting before baking adds a subtle crunch and caramel note.
- Espresso powder: If you're okay adding it, a pinch deepens the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee.
- Chopped nuts: Walnuts or pecans add texture and balance the sweetness.
Whether you're baking for a crowd, treating yourself after a long day, or experimenting for the next time, this easy vegan brownie recipe is endlessly adaptable. It’s a dessert you’ll come back to again and again—for the flavor, the texture, and how simple it is to make.
So grab your large mixing bowl, preheat the oven, and get ready to impress everyone (even the non-vegans) with the best vegan brownies they've ever had.
Recipe
Best Vegan Brownies Ever (Fudgy, Crinkle Top & Easy)
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- 8x8 metal square baking pan
- parchment paper
- whisk
- silicone spatula
- fine mesh sieve
- small and medium bowl
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 9 tablespoon water
- ¾ cup vegan chocolate chips (I use the Enjoy Life brand)
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- flaky sea salt for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a metal 8x8 baking sheet with two long pieces of parchment paper crosswise so that the sides of the pan also have parchment paper covering them (this keeps the brownies from sticking to the pan and helps to remove them after baking). Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Make the flax eggs - combine the ground flax seed and water in a small bowl and set aside to thicken.
- Place the vegan chocolate chips and avocado oil into a microwave-safe bowl and cook for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between until the chocolate is fully melted. (This usually takes me 2-3 times in the microwave). Note: If you're up for it, you can also melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Otherwise, the microwave works just fine.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Then add the melted chocolate, flax eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
- Using a fine mesh sieve placed over the mixing bowl, sift in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gently combine the wet and dry ingredients by folding them in with a silicone spatula until the brownie batter is just combined (do not over-mix).
- Transfer the brownie mixture into the pan with the silicone spatula, push the batter to the edges, and level out the top. Bake for 25 minutes. *If you want them extra fudgy on the inside -- slam them down on the counter when they come out of the oven.* Let them cool, garnish with flaky sea salt, and cut into 9 square brownies. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
This is truly the best vegan brownie recipe if you're looking for a rich, fudgy center, crackly top, and deep chocolate flavor—all using pantry staples and simple ingredients. Whether you're baking for someone with food allergies or just want to impress with a vegan dessert, this one’s a keeper. And if you're anything like me, you'll be making these again in no time—maybe even by next time tomorrow
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