Name: Gluten-Free Mint Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips (allergy-friendly or dairy-free, as needed); 1/3 cup coconut oil or avocado oil; 1/2 cup coconut sugar; 2 eggs; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder; 3 Tablespoons cornstarch; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup softened butter or dairy-free butter; 2 Tablespoons milk (unsweetened almond milk); 2 cups powdered sugar; 1/4-1/2 teaspoon mint extract; a tiny pinch salt (less than 1/8 teaspoon); 1-2 drops green food coloring (optional); 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (allergy-friendly or dairy-free, as needed); 1/4 cup milk (unsweetened almond milk)

There's something irresistibly nostalgic about rich, fudgy brownies with a refreshing twist of mint. This Gluten-Free Mint Brownies Recipe delivers that perfect combo, making every bite a celebration of deep chocolatey flavor and cool mint, all without any gluten to worry about.

The image shows a row of square dessert bars with three clear layers. The bottom layer is dark brown with a moist, crumbly texture, the middle layer is a light mint green and smooth, and the top layer is a thick, glossy dark chocolate sheet. The bars are neatly cut and placed on white parchment paper with a white marbled surface underneath. There are a few fresh green mint leaves scattered beside the bars. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Mint Brownies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gluten-Free Mint Brownies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gluten-Free Mint Brownies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe feels like a little loving gift from my kitchen to yours. It’s simple enough for any home baker, but the flavor and texture turn out so special that it’s become my go-to for sharing with friends who need a gluten-free indulgence. Plus, the dairy-free option means more people can enjoy it without compromise.

Guilt-Free Indulgence: Deliciously fudgy and rich without gluten or dairy weighing you down.
Minty Freshness: The buttercream frosting with mint extract adds just the right cooling touch to balance the deep chocolate.
Simple Ingredients: Nothing fancy, just pantry staples with a few swaps to keep it allergy-friendly and crave-worthy.
Perfect for Any Occasion: These brownies look as good as they taste—ideal for parties, gifts, or a cozy night in.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Gluten-Free Mint Brownies Recipe plays a key role in texture, flavor, or keeping it allergy-friendly. Choosing the right chocolate chips, oils, and cocoa powder really transforms the final result—so here’s what I keep in mind when shopping.

Flat lay of a small pile of glossy semi-sweet chocolate chips, a few whole coconut sugar crystals loosely scattered, two brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth dark cocoa powder, a small white ceramic bowl containing creamy dairy-free butter, a small white ceramic bowl with coconut oil showing its transparent golden texture, a small white ceramic bowl with fine powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding almond milk with a slight milky opacity, and a tiny pinch of salt grains arranged neatly, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips: Look for dairy-free and allergy-friendly versions, especially if serving folks with sensitivities.
Coconut oil or avocado oil: I love coconut oil for its subtle sweetness, but avocado oil works beautifully and won’t add any coconut flavor.
Coconut sugar: Adds a gentle caramel note, complementing the chocolate without refined sugar’s sharpness.
Eggs: These bind everything together, ensuring fudgy structure.
Vanilla extract: Boosts the chocolate flavor and rounds out the mint.
Unsweetened dark cocoa powder: Dutch-processed cocoa gives a deep, mellow chocolate intensity that pairs wonderfully with mint.
Cornstarch or arrowroot: Helps give that brownie chewiness, crucial since we’re skipping gluten.
Salt: Enhances all the sweetness and chocolate flavors—don’t skip it!
Dairy-free butter or softened butter: For the mint buttercream, use whichever your diet allows—both give lush creaminess.
Milk or almond milk: Just a splash to soften the frosting to creamy perfection.
Powdered sugar: The base for the smooth mint frosting.
Mint extract & green food coloring: The magic makers—adjust the mint to your taste, and the green is totally optional but so festive.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Gluten-Free Mint Brownies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it for your preferences. I often play with the mint intensity or try swapping coconut sugar for maple sugar when I want a slightly different depth of sweetness.

Variation: Once, I made these with a swirl of peppermint chip vegan ice cream for an extra festive treat—such a hit at holiday parties!
Dairy-Free Adaptation: Using a plant-based butter and almond milk keeps this recipe safe for dairy-free diets without losing creaminess in the frosting.
Adjusting Sweetness: If you prefer less sweet treats, reduce the powdered sugar slightly in the frosting—it still tastes amazing!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Mint Brownies Recipe

A close-up view of a square chocolate cake on a white marbled surface, being spread with a thick, light green frosting that has a smooth but slightly textured appearance. The cake forms the dark brown base layer, while the green frosting is the top layer, covering the entire surface evenly. A metal spatula held by a woman's hand is smoothing the frosting in a swirling motion on the top right side of the cake. The overall look is fresh and appetizing, with a clear contrast between the dark cake and the pastel green frosting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate & Oil Together Gently

I start by melting the chocolate chips with coconut oil in a double boiler or gently in short bursts in the microwave. Stir frequently to avoid burning, aiming for a smooth glossy mixture. This step controls how fudgy your brownies will be, so take your time to get it perfectly smooth before moving on.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients & Sugar

While the chocolate cools slightly, whisk together coconut sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and a bit fluffy. Be patient here—it helps incorporate air, giving a lighter crumb despite the fudgy texture.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients & Fold

Sift together the cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture along with your melted chocolate. I find folding slowly prevents over-mixing, which can dry out gluten-free baked goods.

Step 4: Bake & Cool Before Frosting

Pour the batter into a lined baking pan and bake around 30 minutes at 350°F (175°C), until the edges are set but the center still looks slightly gooey. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before frosting—trust me, the buttercream sticks better and looks prettier that way.

Step 5: Whip Up the Mint Buttercream & Ganache

Beat softened butter or dairy-free butter with powdered sugar, milk, mint extract, and a pinch of salt until creamy and smooth. Add green food coloring sparingly if you want that classic minty green look. Then melt another batch of chocolate chips with a splash of almond milk for the ganache top. Spread the buttercream evenly, then drizzle or spread the glossy ganache over it for that luxe finish.

Top Tip

I’ve baked many brownies over the years, and this recipe stands out because of its moisture and that perfect balance of mint and chocolate. Here are my top tips to nail this recipe every time:

Gentle Melting: Never rush melting chocolate; high heat is the enemy here. Use a double boiler or short microwave bursts and stir often.
Don’t Overmix: Fold dry ingredients carefully. Overmixing can toughen gluten-free brownies since there are no gluten proteins to relax.
Cooling Is Key: Make sure brownies are completely cool before frosting or ganache—warmth will melt your frosting and ruin the look.
Mint Extract Dosage: Start with less mint extract; it’s powerful. You can always add more to the frosting mix to suit your taste.

How to Serve Gluten-Free Mint Brownies Recipe

Gluten-Free Mint Brownies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping these brownies with a dusting of edible glitter or crushed peppermint candies when serving at holiday gatherings. Fresh mint leaves on the side add a pretty touch and hint at that lovely mint flavor inside.

Side Dishes

Pair these brownies with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream or a cup of mint tea. The brightness of the tea complements the richness and keeps the whole dessert experience balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or special treats, I cut the brownies into bite-sized squares and serve them on a platter with small forks. Sometimes I’ll drizzle extra ganache in a zigzag pattern on top, or pipe the buttercream in pretty swirls before adding the chocolate glaze.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh and the texture just right. They usually last well for about 4 days before I notice any drying out, though mine rarely last that long!

Freezing

These brownies freeze like a charm. I slice them first, then layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. When ready, thaw them in the fridge overnight to preserve the frosting’s texture.

Reheating

I usually don’t warm the entire brownie because I love the cool contrast of mint and chocolate, but if you want, you can nuke a single piece for 10 seconds in the microwave to soften the ganache just a bit without melting the frosting completely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are these brownies truly gluten-free?

Absolutely! This recipe uses cornstarch instead of wheat flour, making it safe for anyone avoiding gluten. Just be sure all your ingredients (especially baking chocolate and cocoa powder) are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.

Can I make these brownies dairy-free?

Yes, the recipe includes options for dairy-free butter and coconut oil or avocado oil. Using dairy-free chocolate chips and almond milk keeps the entire treat dairy-free without sacrificing flavor or texture.

How strong is the mint flavor?

It’s pleasantly minty but not overpowering. You can adjust the mint extract in the buttercream frosting—start with ¼ teaspoon and add more to taste as you mix for a milder or stronger flavor.

Can I use a different type of sugar?

You can substitute coconut sugar with maple sugar or brown sugar, but it might affect the flavor slightly. I recommend sticking with coconut sugar for the best balance of sweetness and texture in these gluten-free mint brownies.

Final Thoughts

This Gluten-Free Mint Brownies Recipe holds a little piece of my heart because it brings together two favorite flavors in a way that anyone can enjoy, whether they avoid gluten or dairy. I hope you find as much joy making them as I do sharing them—trust me, one batch won’t be enough to satisfy these cravings for long!