Sweet Potato Brownies (Vegan and Gluten-Free)


Sweet potato brownies are rich, fudgy, and full of chocolate flavor, with mashed sweet potato keeping every bite moist. This vegan, gluten-free recipe uses nut butter, maple syrup, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips, then bakes in an 8-inch square pan in about 25 minutes. Let the brownies cool completely before slicing for neat squares.

8 brownies on a cutting board with parchment paper surrounded by chocolate chips

Why These Sweet Potato Brownies Work

Mashed sweet potato gives the brownies their soft, moist center without a strong sweet potato flavor. Cocoa powder and vegan chocolate chips make the chocolate the star, while almond or peanut butter adds richness. This recipe uses a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and contains no eggs or dairy, so the final product is vegan. Expect a dense, fudgy brownie rather than a light, cakey one.

SWEET POTATO BROWNIES RECIPE

I love all things sweet potato, but in a dessert? Trust me, these Sweet Potato Brownies taste like fudgy chocolate and melt in your mouth.

Unlike the classic sweet potato pie, these vegan brownies taste nothing like sweet potatoes! They add creamy richness to the batter and leave you with extra-moist, chocolatey brownies. If you have only had dry, crumbly gluten-free brownies, this recipe is for you.

Small bowls of sweet potato, vanilla extract, maple syrup, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and cocoa powder

Ingredients in Sweet Potato Brownies

Sweet potato: Measure 1½ cups after cooking and mashing. The amount matters more than the number of potatoes, since size varies. Mash until smooth and let it cool before mixing the batter.

Almond butter or peanut butter: Either option adds richness and helps hold the brownies together. Use the one you prefer.

Vegan butter: Be sure to melt your vegan butter when prepping your sweet potato brownie ingredients.

Maple syrup: This adds sweetness and moisture to the brownies.

Vanilla extract: If you love the taste of baked goods, you love vanilla extract. A little goes a long way, but it’s required for the best homemade desserts.

Almond milk: For the most moist vegan brownies, a splash of almond milk is necessary.

Gluten-Free flour: I like to use gluten-free flour when I can! If you are not on a gluten-free diet, you can always use regular all-purpose flour instead.

Cocoa powder: For the rich chocolate flavor, you will need cocoa powder! Any brand will work here.

Salt: Desserts need salt to balance the yummy sweetness. A little goes a long way, but don’t skip it! You can also sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top before serving.

Vegan chocolate chips: Not all dark chocolate chips are vegan, so check the package carefully! You can also use vegan chocolate chunks for even more melty goodness inside.

If you have any questions about vegan sweet potato brownies, please leave a comment below, and I will get back to you ASAP!

Collage of 8 steps to make the best vegan sweet potato brownies

HOW TO MAKE SWEET POTATO BROWNIES

  1. First, preheat the oven, prep your ingredients, and line an 8×8 square baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Then, add the mashed sweet potatoes, almond butter, melted vegan butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and almond milk to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Now, beat the mixture until creamy smooth.
  4. Sieve in the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
  5. Next, add the chocolate chips to the vegan sweet potato brownie batter.
  6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  7. To bake, transfer the batter to the prepped baking dish and bake until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
  8. For the perfectly cut brownie, let it cool for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions for the best sweet potato brownies, please see the recipe below.

Close-up shot of 3 moist chocolate chip brownies in a stack

What to serve prior to Sweet Potato Brownies

Start your morning with a sweet bread thanks to this vegan pumpkin bread recipe! This quick, easy gluten-free bread is perfect for fall! If you miss Starbucks pumpkin bread, you won’t with this delicious recipe.

Make the most luscious low-carb soup with canned pumpkin puree and coconut milk topped with pumpkin seeds for a yummy crunch. Vegan Pumpkin Soup is the thick and creamy fall soup of your dreams!

Spaghetti Squash is common in the fall and can make a hearty, spaghetti-style meal. This Mushroom Spaghetti Squash brings some delicious earthy undertones to your table and is a great plant-based option for chilly fall nights!

Sweet Potato Brownies FAQ

Can you taste the sweet potato in these brownies?

The brownies taste primarily of chocolate. The mashed sweet potato contributes moisture and a soft, fudgy texture rather than a pronounced sweet potato flavor.

How much sweet potato do I need?

Measure 1½ cups of cooked, mashed sweet potato for the batter. Potato sizes differ, so measuring the mash is more reliable than counting whole potatoes. Mash it smoothly to avoid stringy pieces.

How do I know when the brownies are done?

After about 25 minutes at 350°F, the edges should be set, and the center should still wobble slightly. Avoid baking until the center is firm; the brownies finish setting as they cool. Let them cool completely before cutting.

Are these brownies vegan and gluten-free?

Yes, when made with the recipe card’s gluten-free flour, vegan butter, and vegan chocolate chips. Check packaged ingredients for your own dietary needs, especially the flour blend and chocolate chips.

How should I store the brownies?

Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, as noted in the recipe card. For longer storage, wrap individual squares and freeze them; thaw before serving.

How do you keep the sweet potatoes from getting stringy?

Perfectly cooked sweet potatoes are fluffy and luscious, and packed with nutrients. But how do you avoid the dreaded stringy texture in these vegan sweet potato brownies?

Most of the stringiness comes from the ends! First, cut off both ends of your sweet potatoes. Then, cut the whole thing in half horizontally, then cut the potato into pieces to cook and mash.

You can boil, roast, air fry, or even microwave sweet potatoes for this brownie recipe, but I think roasting gives it a deeper flavor. For a quick option, use the air fryer or microwave!

Why are my vegan brownies dry?

This sweet potato brownie recipe is so fudgy and moist! But there is one thing you can do to make the brownies crackly and dry.

Be sure not to overbake your sweet potato brownies! It can be hard to tell when they are done. When you gently shake the pan or tap the oven rack, the edges should be set, but the center should wobble slightly.

Since the brownies will continue to cook, this is perfect! If you bake the brownies until fully set, they will end up dry when you cut them.

A sweet potato brownie with a bite missing surrounded by more brownies and chocolate chips

MORE AMAZING VEGAN DESSERT RECIPES

Vegan Pumpkin Cookies are the perfect easy fall dessert! Creamy pumpkin puree and a delicious pumpkin spice blend make these chewy gluten-free cookies the best of the season.

For a quick chocolate dessert, try my Vegan Mug Brownie. For a celebration cake, see Vegan German Chocolate Cake. You can also browse more ideas on my Vegan Desserts page.

Vegan Sugar Cookies are buttery, crunchy, and easy to decorate! Cut your favorite shapes and make this vegan cookie recipe for every holiday season.

A stack of gluten-free sweet potato brownies with overlay text

Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review and star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook, too!

Don’t forget to subscribe to our EMAIL newsletter.

Close-up shot of 3 moist chocolate chip brownies in a stack

Sweet Potato Brownies

Alysen

Fudgy vegan sweet potato brownies made with gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, nut butter, maple syrup, and chocolate chips. Bake in an 8-inch pan and cool completely before slicing.

Prevent your screen from going dark

Start Cooking

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Course Dessert

Cuisine Gluten-free, Vegan

Servings 12 brownies

Calories 171 kcal

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease and line a square baking dish.

  • In a large mixing bowl, beat together the mashed sweet potato, almond butter, vegan butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and almond milk.

  • Sieve the gluten-free flour and cocoa powder into the mixture, then add the salt. Fold everything together.

  • Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

  • Transfer the mixture to your lined baking pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges are set. The center should be slightly wobbly.

  • Leave the brownies in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once completely cooled, slice the brownies into 12 bars and enjoy!

Notes

  • Store leftovers up to 4 days in an airtight container. 

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 95mgPotassium: 163mgFiber: 3gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 2538IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 1mg



We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

Daily Deals
Logo
Compare items
  • Total (0)
Compare
0
Shopping cart