No Bake Date Brownies (GF, DF, Vegan option)

Say hello to these chewy, chocolate-y, no-bake, nutritious and yummy date brownies!

If you’re looking for a gluten free, dairy free brownie you’ve found the right recipe. I usually devour these homemade brownies but when it’s 100°F outside sometimes turning on the oven just doesn’t sound like a fun idea!

These date brownies are filled with good-for-you ingredients like Medjool dates, walnuts and peanut butter. They’re also made with a really yummy frosting that’s only 4 ingredients.

Brownies are one of my go to desserts and these satisfy all of my brownie cravings. These gluten free Black bean avocado brownies are also a fun option if you’re looking for more healthy brownie recipes.

You’ll love these brownies because…

• All you need is a food processor to make them
• They’re no-bake
• Freezer friendly
• A great snack or dessert option
• Made with simple, healthy ingredients
• They’re a yummy dairy free, gluten free, egg free, and vegan friendly dessert option
• They taste decadent, fudgy and are perfectly chocolate-y!

Ingredient Notes

• Medjool Dates: dates are naturally sweet and I love them as a substitute for sugar. They are a wonderful secret ingredient in healthy baked goods!
• Walnuts: Walnuts and brownies go hand in hand and give these date brownies a boost of omega-3s too!
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: you can use your favorite cacao too!
• Coconut oil: melted coconut oil helps to bring the brownie mixture together
• Peanut butter: Use a creamy peanut butter, or you can use cashew butter, soy nut butter, almond butter, etc.
• Honey: Honey is used for the frosting. Use maple syrup for vegan option.

How do you make date brownies?

1. Soak dates in a large bowl with lukewarm water.
2. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan, or line the pan with parchment or wax paper
3. Process the walnuts, cocoa powder and salt in the bowl of a food processer.
4. Remove half of the walnut mixture and set aside in a bowl.
5. Chop dates and add about half of the dates, half of the peanut butter, half of the oil and vanilla. Process until combined.
6. Transfer this half of the dough into the pan.
7. Place remaining walnut mixture, dates, peanut butter, oil and vanilla into processor and process again until combined. Add more melted coconut oil as needed to bring the mixture together.
8. Transfer dough to the pan and press firmly until dough is distributed evenly in the pan.
9. Place in fridge while you make the frosting.
10. In a medium bowl stir together the cocoa powder, honey, coconut oil and vanilla.
11. Spread evenly over the brownies in the pan.
12. Refrigerate again for at least 2 hours before cutting.

Tips and Variations

• I recommend using a fresh pack of dates for optional freshness. I still also recommend soaking them for at least 10 minutes just to ensure a great texture for the brownies.
• Almonds, cashews or pecans can be used instead of walnuts.They are a great binder for the brownie batter.
• When making the dough, you will need to process in two batches so it blends nicely in the food processoer.
• Add more melted coconut oil do the dough when processing if needed. If the mixture does not hold together when squeezed in your hand, you’ll know you need to add a touch more.

FAQ

the goods

8×8 inch square pan

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Food Processor

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HUNGRY FOR MORE? If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback! You can also follow me on Pinterest or Instagram. Sign up for my email list, too!

Gluten-Free No Bake Date Brownies

Date Brownies are a healthy treat filled with Medjool dates, walnuts, unsweetened cocoa powder and peanut butter. They are an easy no-bake dessert you'll love!

4.59 from 12 reviews

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Refrigerator time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Servings: 16 small brownies

Calories: 342kcal

Author: Tawnie Graham of Kroll’s Korner

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Ingredients

• ▢ 25 dates, pitted
• ▢ 2 1/2 cups walnuts
• ▢ 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• ▢ 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• ▢ 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• ▢ 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

For the frosting

• ▢ 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• ▢ 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
• ▢ 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• ▢ 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

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Instructions

• Lightly grease an 8×8-inch square baking pan, or line the pan with parchment or wax paper. Set aside.
• Soak dates in lukewarm water in a large bowl for 10 minutes. Drain and chop into small pieces.
• Process the walnuts, cocoa powder and salt in the bowl of a food processor until crumbly.
• Remove half of the walnut mixture and set aside in a bowl (all of the dough won't fit at one time to combine properly so you need to process half, set aside, then process the other half).
• Add half of the dates, half of the peanut butter, half of the oil and vanilla to the walnut mixture. Process until combined, adding more coconut oil as needed. If the mixture does not hold together when squeezed in your hand, you’ll know you need to add a touch more. Transfer this half of the dough into the prepared pan.
• Place remaining cocoa/walnut mixture, dates, peanut butter, oil and vanilla into processor and process again until combined.
• Transfer dough to the pan and press firmly until dough is distributed evenly in the pan. Place in fridge while you make the frosting.
• Stir together the cocoa powder, honey, coconut oil and vanilla in a medium sized bowl. Continue to stir until it thickens up a bit. Spread evenly over the brownies in the pan. Refrigerate again for at least 2 hours before cutting. Garnish with cocoa powder if desired.

Video

Notes

• Recipe adapted from Minimalist Baker.
• Leftover date brownies can be stored covered in the fridge for 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1brownie | Calories: 342kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 80mg | Potassium: 461mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg

Hi, I’m Tawnie!

Welcome to my tiny “korner” on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, don’t tell anyone). I am so glad you’re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.

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