I’m not big on candy and sugar-laden pastries, but when it comes to brownies and other home-baked goods, I simply can’t say no (especially when they’re hot and fresh out of the oven)!
After making the decision to go vegan, I had to change a lot of things about the way I baked. For one, I stopped using dairy products. Secondly, I stopped using eggs.
If you’re a baker, then you know that dairy and eggs are two of the most common ingredients found in recipes and packaged brownie mixes.
Thankfully, small companies like Miss Jones, Snacktivist Foods, and others cater to vegans like me. They’ve artfully created some of the best vegan brownie mixes on the market, and I’m incredibly grateful for it.
So, for those of you who enjoy baking (or just have a sweet tooth), this article is for you! Below, I’ll explain what’s different about vegan brownie mixes. Then, I’ll give you my conclusive list of the best vegan brownie mixes I’ve had the pleasure of baking. Things are about to get chocolatey!
Vegan Brownie Mix vs. Regular Brownie Mix: What’s The Difference?
Before jumping into my list, I figured that I’d take a minute to explain some of the things that differentiate vegan brownies from the traditional brownie mix you’ll find in your supermarket.
Let’s start by looking at the ingredients list for Betty Crocker’s Milk Chocolate Brownie Mix:
- Sugar
- Enriched Flour
- Palm Oil
- Cocoa
- Corn Syrup
- Corn Starch
- Nonfat Milk
- Salt
- Carob Powder
- Artificial Flavoring
Looking at the list, you can see that several of the main ingredients stand out as distinctly non-vegan, including palm oil and nonfat milk.
White sugar is another non-vegan ingredient on the list as it’s filtered through animal bones to create its signature pure white coloring. Pretty nasty, right?
So, what’s so special about vegan brownies? What do vegan brownie mixes have (or omit) that your average box of Betty Crocker doesn’t?
Here’s a quick table to show you the differences between vegan brownie mix and non-vegan brownie mix:
| Non-Vegan Brownie Mix | Vegan Brownie Mix |
| Often contains milk or dairy byproducts. | 100% Dairy-free. |
| Typically contains palm oil, which contributes to rainforest deforestation. | Uses vegan-friendly vegetable oil such as sunflower oil, coconut oil, olive oil, etc. |
| Contains refined white sugar that’s filtered through charred animal bones. | Substitutes vegan-friendly sweeteners, such as organic unprocessed cane sugar, stevia, or agave sugar. |
| May contain “natural flavors” that are animal-derived. | Typically contain no natural or artificial flavors. Any “natural flavors” are plant-based. |
While it may seem like a lot, there really isn’t that much difference in taste, though. Vegan substitutes for palm oil, milk, natural flavors, and sugar work just as well in the brownie mix and the resulting pan of oven-fresh brownies will taste just as good.
Personally, the vegan brownies I’ve made actually taste better since many of them are 100% organic and use higher quality ingredients!
Are vegan brownies more expensive? Sure, vegan brownie mix may be a bit more expensive… but it’s not like I’m eating brownies every single day. The extra $2 or $3 I spend on a box of vegan brownie mix is well worth the improved flavor, healthier brownies, and cruelty-free experience.
8 Best Vegan Brownie Mixes That Will Make Your Jaw Drop
Now that you have a better idea of what to expect from your vegan brownie mix, it’s time to move on to the real reason you came here… I now present you with my conclusive list of the 8 best vegan brownie mixes of 2022!
Since the pandemic, I’ve been ordering a lot more of my groceries online. With my Amazon Prime membership, I’ve been able to get vegan brownie mix shipped straight to my front door within two days. Depending on availability, they even offer next-day shipping sometimes!
That being said, I’ve had a chance to try ALL of the brownie mixes on this list. Honestly, they’re all good; they just have slightly different flavor profiles.
Some are high-calorie and sugary, while others are more diet-friendly and may use keto flour or have a low-sugar recipe. I’ve tried to include a wide variety of mixes on my list, so you can pick what’s best for you.
1) Miss Jones Baking Organic Fudge Brownie Mix (link)
Flavor Rating: 5/5
If you’re looking for the ultimate vegan fudge brownie mix, then this is hands-down one of my favorites. Once you blend it up with your favorite vegan milk substitute, the mixture is so thick and chocolatey it’ll literally make your jaw drop.
The first time I made these brownies, I admittedly ate four whopping spoonfuls of batter before I even poured it in the pan.
Miss Jones is a small family-owned business that focuses on creating products with simple ingredients. Their packaged vegan brownie mix is as close as it gets to making your own mix from scratch.
It features just six ingredients:
- Organic cane sugar
- Organic wheat flour
- Organic wheat starch
- Organic cocoa powder
- Sea salt
- Baking powder (which is 100% vegan, by the way)
Whether you’re looking for something to impress your friends and family with or you want to hoard them all to yourself, you can’t go wrong with these extra-fudgy brownies.
Pros:
- Uses just six ingredients.
- 100% organic ingredients.
- Delicious, sweet, fudgey taste.
- Creates an extra-thick brownie batter.
Cons:
- They’re expensive.
2) Laird Superfood Homemade Brownie Mix (link)
Flavor Rating: 4.5/5
If you’re looking for a brownie mix that’s a little bit “healthier,” then Laird Superfood’s Homemade Brownie Mix has you covered.
Their mix is also specially formulated to work without the need for eggs or a vegan egg substitute. Simply add some olive oil and water to the mix, and you’re good to go!
What’s cool about this vegan brownie mix is that they’re plant-based. It uses an almond flour and oat flour base, mixed with organic coconut sugar, organic chocolate chips, organic cocoa powder, and organic cassava flour.
Additionally, you’ll find ground arrowroot powder, zucchini powder, and chia protein!
Yes, you read that right… These brownies have ground zucchini powder in them. Each batch of brownies has four servings of vegetables, which means that these are some of the healthiest brownies you’ll ever eat!
While it may sound like a bit of an odd ingredient, I actually wasn’t able to taste the zucchini at all. I presume it’s mostly there to help with the texture and consistency.
Pros:
- 100% organic ingredients.
- Uses coconut sugar instead of cane sugar, which creates an interesting flavor.
- Each batch has four servings of vegetables.
- No preservatives or artificial flavors.
Cons:
- Picky eaters may not like the slight vegetable aftertaste.
- The brownie mix is expensive.
3) Snacktivist Foods – Vegan Double Dark Chocolate Brownie Baking Mix (link)
Flavor Rating: 5/5
Fudge brownies are all well and good and they’re great for sharing with others.
However, I’ve always loved dark chocolate. While some don’t appreciate the slight bitterness and prefer something sweeter, I enjoy the natural cocoa flavor. So, when I first saw these double dark chocolate brownies, I had to try them!
Snacktivist is a woman-owned company (kudos!) that focuses on making foods using ancient grains. Instead of the traditional wheat flour used by many vegan brownie mixes, these brownies use superfood flour made from blending millet, brown rice, ivory teff, and sorghum.
Not only are these grains healthier, but they create a rich, full-bodied texture that makes these brownies really stand out.
Like the brownie mix I mentioned above, this mix is formulated so that it doesn’t need any eggs or even an egg substitute. Just a bit of oil and water! They do recommend adding a couple teaspoons of vanilla extract for added flavor, though.
Pros:
- Delicious organic cocoa flavor.
- Made with ancient grain flour.
- 100% organic ingredients.
- Snacktivist is a woman-owned company.
Cons:
- Not everybody likes dark chocolate, as it can be slightly bitter.
4) Foodstirs Junk-Free Bakery Organic Chocolate Lovers Brownie Baking Mix (link)
Flavor Rating: ⅘
I’m not going to lie, the box is what got my attention first, with its “Junk-free bakery” slogan printed on a bright purple box. Clever marketing aside, though, these brownies are pretty darn good.
If you’re looking for a simple, great-tasting chocolate brownie that’s not too heavy on sweet fudge or bitter dark chocolate, then these are a great choice.
This vegan brownie mix is made from a few simple ingredients, including cane sugar, wheat flour, “flaxsweet” (a flax-based sweetener), cocoa, sunflower oil, sea salt, and vanilla extract.
All of the ingredients are 100% organic and contain no GMOs. The company also claims that all of its ingredients are ethically sourced. For any practicing jews, this vegan brownie mix also happens to be kosher!
Overall, it’s a great brand that uses high-quality ingredients, making for an amazing chocolate brownie. The flavor and texture are very similar to milk chocolate, even though the mix is completely dairy-free.
Last but not least, Foodstirs brownie mix is low-sugar and only contains 13 grams of sugar per serving (that’s just 3 teaspoons worth).
Pros:
- The flavor is very similar to milk chocolate, but is 100% dairy-free.
- Low-sugar vegan brownie mix with just 13 grams of sugar per serving.
- It’s also a kosher brownie mix.
- Uses only organic ingredients.
Cons:
- They’re not as sweet as other vegan brownie mixes, which may not appeal to your inner sweet tooth.
5) Good Dees Low-Carb Baking Mix, Blondie Brownie Mix (link)
Flavor Rating: 3/5
Have you ever heard of a “blondie” brownie mix before? Neither had I before I tried these vegan brownies.
The main difference between traditional brownies and blondie brownies is that the latter has a flavor that’s closer to butterscotch and caramel rather than cocoa and chocolate.
That being said, this is just a baking mix, so you’ll need to add your own butterscotch flavoring. What’s cool about this blondie brownie mix is that it’s keto-friendly.
Each serving only has 12 grams of carbs and there’s absolutely zero added sugar. Instead, Good Dees uses stevia extract as a sweetener.
The flavor isn’t all that sweet, but it is a great option for anybody on a low-carb diet. Given that I recently tried going on a low-carb diet for a couple of months, I used this particular mix several times.
Pros:
- Low carb.
- No added sugar. Uses calorie-free stevia extract as a sweetener instead.
- Pairs well with vegan egg substitutes.
Cons:
- Doesn’t taste sweet, lacks flavor. Mostly designed as a blondie brownie mix for low-carb diets.
6) Pyure Organic Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix (link)
Flavor Rating: 3.5/5
If you’re looking for the delicious taste and gooey-soft texture of a fudge brownie without any of the added sugar, then Pyure’s Organic Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix is a great choice.
Like the low-carb blondie mix I just mentioned above, this mix contains no added sugar and uses organic stevia extract to provide mild sweetness.
Instead of wheat flour, this low-carb fudge brownie mix uses a combination of chickpea flour and tapioca flour to provide texture. The only drawback that I don’t like is that they use chocolate flavoring instead of real cocoa, and you can definitely notice the difference.
If you’re looking for a great-tasting, low-carb, sugar-free vegan brownie mix, though, you can’t go wrong with a batch of these! If you’re not on a low-carb or low-sugar diet, though, I would probably recommend something a bit sweeter.
Pros:
- Low-carb.
- Sugar-free.
- Uses organic ingredients.
Cons:
- Not very sweet.
7) Namaste Foods Vegan Organic Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix (link)
Flavor Rating: 5/5
Namaste Foods’ dark chocolate vegan brownie mix is one of my favorite dark chocolate mixes. It uses seven simple organic ingredients, including organic cane sugar, organic brown rice flour, organic cocoa, organic tapioca starch, organic arrowroot powder, salt, and citrus fiber.
Like some of the other vegan brownie mixes I’ve shown you, this mix is formulated to work well with a vegan egg substitute. The flavor is classic dark chocolate, and the brownies are slightly sweet with a nice sharp edge of organic cocoa.
What really got me, though, was the texture. Compared to other mixes I’ve tried, these are some of the softest, fluffiest vegan brownies I’ve ever tried. If you’re looking for a simple mix with a mild flavor, and great texture, I definitely recommend giving these a try!
Pros:
- Amazing soft, fluffy texture.
- Only uses seven ingredients, all of which are organic.
- Non-GMO and allergen-free (no nuts, soy, dairy, or wheat).
- Delicious, mildly sweet taste.
- Affordable.
Cons:
- Not quite as sweet as a fudge brownie mix.
8) King Arthur, Gluten Free Fudge Brownie Mix (link)
Flavor Rating: 4.5/5
King Arthur is one of the country’s most well-known wheat flour brands, so it came as a surprise to see them make a vegan, gluten-free (read wheat-free) brownie mix. That being said, King Arthur really perfected the mix and it has an amazing flavor, texture, and taste.
They feature a silky-smooth texture and a rich cocoa and fudge flavor that most people would only expect to find in a professional bakery. Plus, they’re incredibly affordable, unlike some of the more exclusively vegan brownie mixes on this list.
King Arthur uses a few simple ingredients, including cane sugar, cocoa, tapioca starch, rice flour, baking powder, salt, and natural vanilla flavor. While the ingredients may not be organic, they are all vegan (which is the most important part).
Pros:
- Smooth texture.
- Rich cocoa flavor.
- Affordable.
- Just seven ingredients. No additives.
Cons:
- The ingredients aren’t organic.
Is Chocolate Vegan?
Admittedly, there’s been a lot of debate on whether or not chocolate is vegan. Unfortunately, many of the chocolate candy, chocolate cereal, and other chocolate-based treats on the market are not vegan-friendly.
However, this has nothing to do with the chocolate itself, as chocolate is just refined cocoa, and is 100% vegan.
The reason why other popular chocolate treats aren’t vegan is due to non-vegan additives, such as dairy, animal-derived vitamins, and processed white sugar. All of the vegan brownie mixes on this list use organic cocoa and vegan sweeteners, making them ethical to consume.
What About The Eggs? | Vegan Egg Substitutes For Your Brownie Mix
I know what you’re probably thinking… “Most brownie recipes call for eggs, which obviously aren’t vegan. What am I supposed to substitute?”
The reason why eggs are used in baking is that they have a lot of protein.
When blended into your brownie mix, the protein from the eggs help to create structure and ensure that the finished product stays together instead of crumbling everywhere. They also contain a bit of fat, which contributes to a softer texture.
Other than that, though, eggs don’t really do much.
Vegan egg substitutes function the same way. Instead of using animal-based proteins to provide structure, though, they make use of plant-based protein.
The nutritional makeup of vegan egg substitutes is very similar to real eggs, which means that they’re perfect for baking!
Here’s an interesting breakdown of how one company uses yellow tomatoes to create a vegan egg substitute:
Some of the most popular vegan egg substitutes that I use in baking include:
- Flaxseed egg
- Chia egg
- Mashed banana
- Pumpkin puree
- Silken tofu
- Artificial vegan egg mix
Do Vegan Brownies Taste Good?
Sadly, some vegan food has developed a bad rap for tasting not-so-great. While this may have been true in the early days, when very few vegan food brands existed, it’s not the case today.
The vegan brownies I’ve mentioned on this list all taste better than any of the non-vegan alternatives that I tried prior to starting my vegan journey. This is mostly due to the fact that most vegan brownie mixes use superior-tasting organic ingredients, which makes a huge difference.
Are Vegan Brownies Healthy?
The answer to this question all depends on your definition of “healthy.” Generally speaking, all of the vegan brownies on the market are “healthier” for the mere fact that they don’t contain artificial ingredients, GMOs, or chemical preservatives.
They also use organic ingredients, which have been proven to have slightly higher nutritional value than non-organic foods.
That being said, the majority of vegan brownie mixes contain just as much sugar, fat, and calories as non-vegan brownie mixes (with the exception of the low-sugar/keto mixes I mentioned on the list above).
Just because they’re vegan doesn’t mean that you should eat an entire tray of brownies in one sitting. As with all good things in life, moderation is key!
Conclusion
Just because you’ve gone vegan doesn’t mean that you have to give up baking and sweets! With a couple of vegan sweeteners, a vegan egg substitute, and a vegan milk substitute, you can get some serious baking down.
Whether you’re used to baking from scratch, or you prefer the ease of a premade mix, these are some of the best vegan brownie mixes on the market!
If you liked this article and you enjoy baking at home, then you’ll enjoy one of my most recent articles on vegan puff pastries. With a bit of creativity, vegan baked goods can taste just as good as (if not better than) non-vegan baking. Until next time, keep calm and bake vegan!
