Vegan Brownie Mix (How to Make Vegan Brownies from a Boxed Mix)
Vegan brownie mix is easy to find at your typical grocery store, or you can easily make it yourself at home. The trick is to find the right egg replacement that will make the boxed brownie mix bake up like traditional brownies.
I’ve been vegan for over 25 years now and have made countless batches of browies over that time. I have learned the hard way that the most common vegan egg replacements, like applesauce, egg replacement powders, or even flaxseed, either do not work for brownies or change their texture.
I started using chickpea flour eggs in brownies, and it was a game-changer! Finally, quick and easy vegan brownies from a mix that tasted just like traditional brownies made with eggs.
This method produces brownies with a thin, crispy layer on the top and a fudgy center every time!
Vegan brownie mixes
Most brownie mixes on the market are naturally vegan. Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, Pillsberry, Great Value, and Specially Selected are all vegan, unless they specify milk chocolate. There are a few select varieties that contain milk, such as Ghirardelli or Kodiak, but those brands also offer dairy-free dark chocolate options. However, there is such a wide variety that you will want to check the ingredients on the box before you purchase.
Ingredients and substitutions
- A Box Brownie Mix – or you can make your own brownie mix using the instructions below.
- Chickpea Flour – to replace the egg in traditional brownies.
- Water – to mix with the chickpea flour and ensure the brownie mix is properly hydrated. You can also swap the water for a plant-based milk to make more decadent brownies.
- Oil – Use vegetable oil or any other neutral-flavored oil that you choose. You can also swap this for melted vegan butter. (I usually reduce the amount of oil suggested on the back of the box by a tablespoon or two and increase the water by a tablespoon.
Helpful tools
- An 8×8″ metal brownie pan – metal pans work best for brownies, but you can use a ceramic pan if that is all you have.
How to make vegan brownies from a boxed mix
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 325°F (162°C) and grease an 8×8″ metal pan.
Step 2 – Mix 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour with 2 tablespoons of water until smooth, then set it aside.
Step 3 – Pour the boxed brownie mix into a bowl, add 1/2 cup of oil and 1/4 cup of water, then mix. Then stir in the chickpea flour and water mixture, stirring again until combined, but don’t overmix.
Step 4 – Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes at 325°F (162°C).
Step 5 – Allow to cool before cutting into squares.
Note: The above measurement yields fudgy brownies that are moist but not greasy. You can also follow the recipe on the back of the box and replace each suggested egg with 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour mixed with 2 tablespoons of water.
Pro Tips
- For fudgy brownies, use 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour mixed with 2 tablespoons of water.
- For cakey brownies, use 4 tablespoons of chickpea flour mixed with 4 tablespoons of water.
- For brownies that are neither too fudgy nor too cakey, use 3 tablespoons of chickpea flour mixed with 3 tablespoons of water.
How to make your own vegan brownie mix
If you want a homemade gift for a vegan friend or family member, you can easily put together your own vegan brownie mix in a pretty jar. Simply mix the following dry ingredients, place them in a 1-quart mason jar, and tie a bow around it.
Homemade vegan brownie mix
- 1 cup vegan sugar
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips (optional)
- 3 tablespoons of chickpea flour in a small, separate plastic bag
Instruction card: Preheat the oven to 325°F (162°C). Mix the chickpea flour with 3 tablespoons of water until smooth. Pour the brownie mix into a mixing bowl and add 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, 1/4 cup of water, and the chickpea flour and water mixture. Pour into a greased 8×8″ pan and bake for 40 minutes.
Optional add ins
- Feel free to add chopped nuts and /or chocolate chips to your brownies. (About 1/3 cup is a good amount.)
- Top your brownies with vegan buttercream frosting, vegan icing, chocolate chips, or sprinkles.
Storage
Browines will keep well at room temperature for a few days. You can also freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Chickpea flour can replace eggs in nearly any recipe, even those that call for many eggs. I love to use it to make vegan omelets, chickpea crepes, vegan French toast, and vegan egg muffins.
More vegan brownies
Vegan brownies from a mix recipe
Vegan Brownies from a Boxed Mix
Ingredients
- 1 (18.3 oz) box brownie mix
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/4 cup water, or plant based milk
- 3 tablespoons chickpea flour
- 3 tablespoons water, to mix with the chickpea flour
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (162°C) and grease an 8×8" metal pan.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour with 2 tablespoons of water until smooth, then set it aside.
- Pour the boxed brownie mix into a bowl, add 1/2 cup of oil and 1/4 cup of water, then mix. Then stir in the chickpea flour and water mixture and stir again until combined, but don’t overmix.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes at 325°F (162°C).
- Allow them to cool before cutting into squares.
Notes
- For fudgy brownies, use 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour mixed with 2 tablespoons of water.
- For cakey brownies, use 4 tablespoons of chickpea flour mixed with 4 tablespoons of water.
- For brownies that are neither too fudgy nor too cakey, use 3 tablespoons of chickpea flour mixed with 3 tablespoons of water.
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and review below!📌 Be sure to follow me on Pinterest for new vegan recipes!
My brownies turned out perfect with your chickpea flour method! Thank you so much! I missed great brownies that were easy to make.
I’m so glad that you gave that method a try!
Thank You! Quick question…so the chickpea egg here does NOT need the tsp oil that we see on the egg replacement page here https://thehiddenveggies.com/vegan-egg-alternatives/? Am working to understand how to use the chickpea flour egg substitute and want to understand if the oil is not always needed 🙂
No, I don’t use it in the brownies since the recipe already contains a lot of oil, so it’s not necessary. I add it to recipes that don’t have as much oil or things like chickpea flour omelets where you are replicating many eggs.
I had a box of brownie mix on hand so I made these last night. They turned out perfectly! Thank you for the recipe.