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Home » Desserts

Fudgy Vegan Date Sweetened Brownies

November 16, 2021 by Katie 50 Comments

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Fudgy Vegan Date brownies are naturally sweetened with Medjool dates, made with wholesome ingredients like oat flour and raw almonds, and deliver that ultra-fudgy texture every brownie lover craves. This healthy brownie recipe hits the sweet spot the healthy way—vegan, refined sugar-free, oil-free, fiber-rich, with a gluten-free option.
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date sweetened brownies

Make these fudgy vegan date brownies that bring all the indulgence with none of the guilt. They’re chewy, rich, naturally sweet, and honestly? Way more satisfying than the average brownie.

date sweetened brownies with a bite taken out of them to show the texture

Let’s be real—when that brownie craving hits, it hits hard. So, I've been baking this past weekend to satisfy my sweet tooth. I have many brownie recipes on the blog (psst...try my Vegan Dubai Chocolate Brownies next), but I was in the mood for fudgy date brownies, so this older recipe came back to life in my kitchen. This easy recipe is the best way to combine rich, chocolatey goodness with natural sweetness—no added sugar, no funky ingredients. They are always such a hit, and you can't beat how quickly they come together with simple ingredients. Let's bake!

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Jump to:
  • Ingredients To Make Vegan Date Brownies:
  • How To Make This Healthy Brownie Recipe: 
  • Top Tips: 
  • Variations And Substitutions:
  • Storage: 
  • Equipment Needed: 
  • Recipe FAQs: 
  • More Amazing Date-Sweetened Desserts To Try Next: 
  • Fudgy Vegan Date Sweetened Brownies
  • Related Vegan Brownie Recipes:

Ingredients To Make Vegan Date Brownies:

You only need a few ingredients that you probably already have on hand as a vegan baker to make these refined sugar-free brownies. It's a much healthier option than traditional brownies and is made with only plant-based ingredients.

fudgy vegan date brownies close up stacked on top of each other
  • Medjool Dates: These are the only sweetener in this recipe. Their caramel-like flavor adds depth and richness to these fudgy brownies without the need for white sugar like in traditional brownie recipes. Get enough to also make my No-Bake Vegan Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake.
  • Raw Almonds: When blended, they give the brownies a moist, nutty base—like homemade almond butter in action.
  • Plant-Based Milk: Adds moisture and helps blend the dates and almonds into a smooth, luscious paste. Use whatever you have: oat (to keep it nut-free), almond, cashew, etc.
  • Cacao Powder: A nutrient-rich source of rich chocolate flavor. It’s bold, intense, and full of antioxidants, and it contributes to the deep chocolate taste similar to my Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies.
  • Oat Flour: It gives beautiful structure without making the brownies dry. If you want to keep them gluten-free, make sure to use certified gluten-free oat flour.
  • Ground Flaxseed: Works as a binder and brings extra fiber and nutrients.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar + Baking Soda: This bubbly combo gives your brownies a lift and lightness.
  • Vanilla Extract & Sea Salt: The pure vanilla extract enhances sweetness, and sea salt brings balance and intensifies the chocolate flavor.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How To Make This Healthy Brownie Recipe: 

  1. Prep The Sweet Creamy Paste: In a large food processor or blender, combine pitted Medjool dates, raw almonds, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
  2. Combine With the Rest of the Ingredients:  In a large bowl, combine your date-almond mixture with the rest of the ingredients until well incorporated.
  3. Prep For Baking: Pour the brownie into a prepared baking dish or line with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  4. Bake & Cool: Bake for 30 minutes, then chill in the fridge for at least one hour before slicing—this helps develop that rich fudgy texture.
  5. Serve & Enjoy: Sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt if you’re feeling fancy. Enjoy these healthy brownies!
@theallnaturalvegan

🌟Date Sweetened Brownies 🌟 Happy Tuesday friends! I’ve got my all time most popular recipe on my website for you guys today! These brownies are one of my absolute most favorite things to make, because they’re super easy FUDGY AF, and so delicious! This recipe is: vegan, oil-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free! You can find the full recipe on my website: theallnaturalvegan.com, or head to my story highlights for a direct link! Enjoy 💕 #veganbrownies #brownie #brownielovers #brownieslover #brownies #veganchocolate #chocolatelover #datesweetened #oilfreevegan #veganbaking #glutenfreevegan #glutenfreebaking #refinedsugarfree #naturallysweet #naturallysweetened

♬ Me and U - Cassie

Top Tips: 

As always, I have a few extra tips to make the best homemade brownies.

  • Blend Date Mixture: It's really important to blend the pitted dates, almonds, milk, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and creamy. It's almost like making a sweet nut butter. It's the secret behind a chewy texture.
  • Cool Completely: Let them cool completely—chilled brownies is equal to chewy brownies. Trust me when I say, these vegan date brownies are way better when chilled.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best results, make sure your wet ingredients are at room temperature.

Variations And Substitutions:

  • Oat Flour: If you don't have oat flour but still have leftover oats from making my Creamy Chocolate Overnight Oats, then blend those into a fine flour to use as a base.
  • Cacao Powder: You can totally use unsweetened cocoa powder. It works just as well.
  • For More Sweetness: Add a spoonful of maple syrup to the date paste.
  • Optional Add-Ins: Explore by adding a cup of walnuts, dark chocolate chunks, or a pinch of espresso powder to the brownie batter.
close up of the date sweetened brownies with a bite taken out to show the ultra fudgy texture

Storage: 

Store leftovers in a sealed or airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. These freeze well too—wrap slices in parchment or foil and store in a freezer-safe container. For best texture, enjoy chilled for extra fudginess.

Equipment Needed: 

  • Large Food Processor or High-Speed Blender: To create the date paste.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: To mix the main ingredients into a batter.
  • Prepared Pan or Large Baking Dish: To bake the vegan brownie cake.
  • Parchment Paper: To coat the baking pan for easy clean up.
  • Spatula: For mixing and smoothing into an even layer.

Recipe FAQs: 

Are these brownies gluten-free? 

As long as you’re using certified gluten-free oats, this is a totally gluten-free, healthy brownie recipe.

Can I make this without a food processor? 

A blender or food processor helps fully break down the dates and almonds for the right consistency.

What’s the texture like?

These are ultra fudgy brownies, not cakey—perfect for a chocolate fix with a chewy texture.

Can I add chocolate chips? 

Absolutely! Stir in additional chocolate chips before baking to double the chocolate.

More Amazing Date-Sweetened Desserts To Try Next: 

Looking for more date sweetened recipes like these date brownies? Make sure to check out some of the other recipes on my website!

  • birthday cake smoothie featured image
    Healthy High-Protein Birthday Cake Smoothie
  • golden milk featured image
    Creamy Vegan Golden Milk Ice Cream
  • raw vegan strawberry cheesecake recipe
    No-Bake Vegan Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake
  • hazelnut milk recipe
    How To Make Creamy Homemade Hazelnut Milk

If you try this Fudgy Vegan Date Sweetened Brownies recipe, I’d really love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating! Thank you for supporting The All Natural Vegan!

date sweetened brownies

Fudgy Vegan Date Sweetened Brownies

Fudgy Vegan Date brownies are naturally sweetened with Medjool dates, made with wholesome ingredients like oat flour and raw almonds, and deliver that ultra-fudgy texture every brownie lover craves. This healthy brownie recipe hits the sweet spot the healthy way—vegan, refined sugar-free, oil-free, fiber-rich, with a gluten-free option.
4.94 from 75 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Servings 9 brownies

Equipment

  • 1 High speed blender
  • 1 brownie pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup medjool dates packed
  • 1 cup cacao powder
  • ¾ cup oat flour
  • 3 tablespoon ground flaxseed
  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • 2 cups Plant based milk of choice
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • pinch Sea Salt
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  • If you haven't already, blend your oats into a fine flour to use as the base.
  • In a high-speed blender, combine the raw almonds, Medjool dates, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the blended mixture with the oat flour, cacao powder, ground flaxseed, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of sea salt. Stir until everything is well incorporated.
  • Pour the batter into a nonstick brownie pan (or line it with parchment paper for easy removal).
  • Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the top is set and slightly cracked. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs—no wet batter, just rich, fudgy goodness.
  • Let the brownies cool for an hour in the fridge before slicing (trust me, these brownies are best served chilled!). For an extra touch, sprinkle with flaky sea salt to elevate the flavors.
  • Enjoy these rich, fudgy, and nutrient-packed brownies!
Keyword brownie recipe, date sweetened, fudgy brownie, oil-free baking, vegan chocolate
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
vegan brownies with list of why they are allergy friendly. The are oil-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and vegan.

Related Vegan Brownie Recipes:

Looking for more vegan brownie recipes? Make sure to check out these other recipes on my website!

  • dubai chocolate brownies featured image
    Delicious Vegan Dubai Chocolate Brownies
  • chocolate hazelnut brownies
    Rich & Fudgy Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies
  • 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies (Vegan And Paleo)
  • nut free brownies
    The Best Fudgy Nut-Free Brownies (Gluten-Free & Vegan)
« Healthy One Pot Vegan Lasagna Soup
Simple Chickpea Curry »

Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.94 from 75 votes (43 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Julia

    February 04, 2022 at 3:34 pm

    5 stars
    I love the sound of these Date Sweetened Brownies. I've been so surprised at how lovely date-sweetened recipes are that I've tried recently and can't wait to try these. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Mary

      March 07, 2025 at 1:27 am

      5 stars
      Delicious. I used almond flour cause that's what I had and peanut butter instead of almonds...again cause that's what I had. So good!!

      Reply
      • Katie

        March 07, 2025 at 2:46 am

        I'm so happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for the review 🙂

        Reply
  2. Anaiah

    February 04, 2022 at 8:14 pm

    5 stars
    All vegan and naturally sweetened brownies? Yes, please! These looks absolutely delicious and so healthy for you. Love all the simple ingredients in it.

    Reply
  3. nancy

    February 05, 2022 at 3:25 am

    5 stars
    i love dates and this recipe is a keeper! pinned

    Reply
  4. Jacqui

    February 05, 2022 at 5:11 am

    5 stars
    I love all these wholesome ingredients in this recipe! It’s easy to make and they turn out so delish.

    Reply
  5. Michelle

    April 30, 2022 at 2:46 pm

    5 stars
    Ohh my gawwwwd, these fare so fudgy! Will be making them again!

    Reply
    • Mary

      April 25, 2024 at 5:25 pm

      Loved them, can I freeze them?

      Reply
      • Katie

        April 26, 2024 at 1:23 pm

        Hey Mary! I am so happy to hear you loved them! Yes, They can be frozen, just make sure to freeze them in an airtight container for best results.

        Reply
  6. Jean

    May 01, 2022 at 1:36 am

    5 stars
    this makes me run more, I like how dense this brownies are and all the ingredients in it. Best sweet brownies.

    Reply
  7. nancy

    May 02, 2022 at 12:38 am

    5 stars
    this chocolate brownie is really tasty with dates. I would make this again.

    Reply
    • Donna

      May 29, 2024 at 1:57 am

      Your recipe looks good & healthy. Due to anaphylactic allergy to ALL nuts/seeds can you suggest any possible substitute for the almonds? Coconut is ok or would another GF flour work?!?

      Reply
      • Katie

        May 30, 2024 at 2:15 pm

        Hey! I'd recommend using coconut, I haven't tried it, but it should work. I think coconut butter would work best since it contains more of that fats and natural oils. Hope this helps 🙂

        Reply
  8. Anna

    May 02, 2022 at 11:46 am

    5 stars
    I love how healthy those brownies are. The idea to use dates to sweeten them naturally is great

    Reply
  9. Audrey

    May 07, 2022 at 12:08 pm

    5 stars
    I love that these use dates to sweeten them

    Reply
  10. Jessica

    May 07, 2022 at 2:29 pm

    5 stars
    I need to try this

    Reply
  11. Lisa

    May 07, 2022 at 3:38 pm

    5 stars
    I’m really to starting to get into baked goods sweetened with dates, and these brownies are my favorite recipe so far. Thanks!

    Reply
  12. Judith

    May 07, 2022 at 6:09 pm

    5 stars
    Tasty! This recipe looks so straightforward. I haven’t made brownies before so it looks a good recipe to try.

    Reply
  13. nancy

    May 07, 2022 at 11:39 pm

    5 stars
    this dense brownies was just what I was looking for. Dates FTW!

    Reply
  14. Sean

    May 07, 2022 at 11:53 pm

    5 stars
    I love love love recipes that use fruits as natural sweeteners with chocolate. This recipe is wonderful!

    Reply
  15. Gina

    May 08, 2022 at 12:03 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! I also love thick and fudgy brownies! So good!

    Reply
  16. Rosanna

    May 09, 2022 at 9:09 am

    5 stars
    Can’t wait to make these later! I’m making recipes with dates for a pregnant friend who has been told to eat more dates so this is exactly what the doctor ordered (and look super tasty as well)

    Reply
  17. Bianca

    May 09, 2022 at 1:53 pm

    5 stars
    Yummm! These were so fudgy! Will be making these brownies again!

    Reply
    • Amu

      April 27, 2023 at 5:22 pm

      Are the raw almonds necessary or can it be made without?

      Reply
      • Katie

        May 01, 2023 at 2:43 pm

        They're necessary. They provide crucial fat content/natural oils to the recipe. You can sub with most other nuts if needed.

        Reply
  18. David

    May 22, 2022 at 6:51 pm

    5 stars
    What size brownie pan?

    Reply
    • Katie

      May 23, 2022 at 12:54 am

      An 8 inch baking pan is what I used! I am sure a 9 inch would work fine too!

      Reply
  19. Jessica

    June 18, 2022 at 11:43 am

    5 stars
    These were the most fudgy brownies I've ever had! The sweetness is absolutely perfect, and it was easy to make! I'll definitely be making these agaain!

    Reply
  20. Michelle

    July 02, 2022 at 9:47 pm

    5 stars
    Omggg, these are so fudgy and chewy! Big fan!

    Reply
  21. Josh

    December 17, 2022 at 10:41 pm

    Looks delicious! Can I replace the flaxseeds with 3 eggs?

    Reply
    • Katie

      December 20, 2022 at 6:03 pm

      I haven't tried, but that should work! I would probably use 2 eggs, just because eggs are a bit more powerful. Hope it works out!!

      Reply
  22. Isabella

    January 20, 2023 at 3:04 am

    5 stars
    These date sweetened brownies are incredible! Super fudgy and rich, and super easy to make! I liked them even more the next day when they were chilled - YUM

    Reply
  23. Tavo

    March 03, 2023 at 8:05 am

    5 stars
    One of the best plant-based and wholesome brownies I have had! Keeping this recipe to come back over and over!

    Reply
  24. Amu

    April 27, 2023 at 12:54 pm

    Can I use almond flour or gluten free plain flour instead of oat flour?

    Reply
    • Katie

      April 27, 2023 at 1:04 pm

      I haven't tried it, but I am sure gluten-free flour would work. I wouldn't recommend using almond flour, because the recipe already uses almonds, and I don't think they would bake all the way through. I also think sorghum flour would work well too! I hope this helps, and I would love to know how they turn out with these substitutions.

      Reply
      • Amu

        April 27, 2023 at 3:26 pm

        Thank you! I’ll give it a try

        Reply
  25. Erin Elliott

    July 01, 2023 at 5:10 pm

    5 stars
    Wonderful! Thank you so much for this recipe. Date sweetened is my favorite way to sweeten things.

    Reply
  26. Covita

    July 22, 2023 at 2:48 pm

    5 stars
    These are the The Brownies of the Gods! Yum - we ❤️

    Reply
  27. Jess

    July 22, 2023 at 4:23 pm

    5 stars
    Love that these are naturally sweetened!

    Reply
  28. Chris Tweten

    July 22, 2023 at 4:47 pm

    5 stars
    Never thought to use dates in brownies before!

    Reply
  29. Noune

    July 22, 2023 at 6:55 pm

    5 stars
    Oh... these are so yummy...It has perfect sweetness and fudginess. Perfect recipe for people who adore dates.

    Reply
  30. Sahar Messenger

    October 09, 2023 at 3:50 pm

    4 stars
    Was nice but could have done with more dates to make sweeter brownies- will experiment I would honestly use 1 1/2 to 2 cups next time

    Reply
    • Katie

      October 10, 2023 at 12:20 pm

      Yes! That will work. They are best when served chilled - the dates sweeten when chilling and you will end up with a sweeter brownie!

      Reply
  31. Tania

    October 30, 2023 at 10:53 pm

    5 stars
    This is my second time making these, this time with sunflower seeds instead of almonds. i gotta feeling it's gonna be just as goood!!
    Thx so much

    Reply
  32. JJ

    October 10, 2024 at 4:04 pm

    Amazing texture

    Reply
  33. Laura Barkhurst

    March 14, 2025 at 2:38 pm

    5 stars
    I have made these and absolutely love them. I was wondering if I can freeze them?

    Reply
    • Katie

      March 14, 2025 at 3:38 pm

      I am so happy to hear you loved them! Yes, you can! I recommend an air tight container or if you own a vacuum sealer that works really well! You can also use a plastic bag and get as much air out as possible. I recommend letting them thaw rather than heating them up. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  34. Emily

    March 23, 2025 at 8:39 pm

    I am confused how everyone is saying these are fudgy. I followed the recipe and these not only didn’t not turn out very sweet but the consistency was just like cake, not fudgy at all. Am I missing something?

    Reply
    • Katie

      April 10, 2025 at 1:03 am

      Hi Emily, Did you eat them hot? They become fudgy once cooled. Your dates may have been dry too, that can cause it to become less sweet. Lastly, I would recommend baking them for less time if you make them again. I've noticed after moving a couple of times that all ovens are different so baking times will depend on your oven. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  35. Jerry

    April 09, 2025 at 6:21 pm

    5 stars
    These were awesome. They taste great on their own, even without frosting. I did add some frosting, though, sweetened with even more dates and the taste was phenomenal. Healthy and delicious. Thanks for a simple and healthy recipe

    Reply

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