This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Rich chocolate gluten free brownie brittle has the impossibly crisp texture of the very edge of a well-baked pan of brownies.
What makes this recipe for gluten free brownie brittle special?
These gluten free brownie crisps have all the rich chocolate flavor of brownies, but in a crispy snack. They're crumbly, but in the very best way.
My kids beg me to buy the Sheila G's brand of this brownie, since they have a gluten free version. Sometimes I do, but they plow through a tiny bag so quickly. For eating at home, I turn to this recipe.
The unbaked batter doesn't look too different from the final brownies. Once it's baked, you can break it with your hands into random pieces.
If you'd like more regular pieces, like rectangles or triangles, score the brownies with the edge of a bench scraper in those shapes, as soon as the pan comes out of the oven.
Then, when they're completely cool, break the pieces along those lines. They'll break easily in those shapes. If what you're really looking for is chewy brownies, not crispy ones, try our recipe for more classic chewy gluten free brownies.
Does the gluten free flour blend really matter to make crispy gf brownies?
This recipe calls for our most basic gluten free flour blend: the gum-free gluten free flour blend. For every cup of that flour, which measures 140 grams, you need 93 grams superfine white rice flour, 30 grams potato starch, and 17 grams tapioca starch/flour.
This simple flour blend, without any binders or gums like xanthan gum, makes for the absolute best crispy and crunchy gluten free brownie edges. If you don't want to make that blend, you can try using one of our all purpose gluten free flour blends. The texture will suffer, but the recipe should still work.
This is one situation where King Arthur's gluten free flour blend (the one that doesn't have xanthan gum) should work relatively well in place of the gum-free blend. That blend is not one I generally recommend using in my recipes since it's really too starchy, but here that should be fine.
The King Arthur Flour blend, like most other gluten free flour blends, is rice flour-based. But their rice flour is not superfinely ground, so it tends to be gritty. Try allowing the brownie crisp batter to sit for about an hour before you bake it, so the rice grains have a chance to soften.
Can I use a smaller baking pan for this recipe?
This recipe is designed to be made in a half sheet pan. That's just a rimmed baking sheet that measures 13-inches x 18-inches, and it's a standard size baking sheet.
That size baking sheet is perfect for creating a relatively thin, even layer of brownie crisp batter. In a 325°F oven, it will bake until it's dry to the touch, and crisp as it cools.
If you don't have a pan that size, you can also make it in a 9-inch x 13-inch baking pan, or a quarter sheet pan. Just use half of the batter in one pan, half in another.
I've mistakenly pressed the whole recipe into a quarter sheet pan, and only realized my mistake when it was halfway done baking. I baked it for a bit longer, and got a much thicker but really nice extra chewy brownie.
Gluten free brownie brittle: Ingredients and substitutions
Dairy free
In place of the butter in this recipe, you can try using Melt or Miyoko's Kitchen brand vegan butter. Earth Balance buttery sticks might also work, too, since we don't need the batter to keep its shape.
Be sure that you're using dairy free chocolate, if you can't have dairy. If you use the miniature chocolate chips, I like Enjoy Life brand mini chocolate chips, which are “top 8” allergen free.
Egg free
The egg white in this recipe helps the brownie pieces crisp in the oven. It helps create that waffled texture that you see inside the pieces.
If you can't have egg whites, you could try using aquafaba. It's just the brine from a can of chickpeas. I would beat it until frothy first.
Gluten Free Brownie Brittle
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons (140 g) unsalted butter, chopped
- 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 ¾ cup (245 g) gum-free gluten free flour, (for less-crisp cookies, you can use one of my recommended all purpose gluten free flour blends)
- ¾ cup (60 g) natural cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ⅛ cups (225 g) granulated sugar
- 1 (25 g) large egg white, at room temperature
- 3 ounces miniature chocolate chips, (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F.
- Line a large rimmed 13-inch x 18-inch (half-sheet) pan with unbleached parchment paper or greased or nonstick aluminum foil, and set it aside.
- In a small, heat-proof bowl, place the butter and chopped chocolate.
- Melt them in the microwave in 30-second bursts or over a double boiler until smooth. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool briefly.
- In a large bowl, place the flour blend, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar, and whisk to combine well.
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients, add the chocolate and butter mixture, and the egg white, and mix to combine.
- The mixture will be thick and somewhat crumbly.
- Add the (optional) miniature chocolate chips, and mix until they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet, and spread into an even layer.
- Place another sheet of parchment paper on top of the batter in the baking sheet, and top with another half sheet pan.
- Press down evenly on the top sheet pan to press the batter into an even, compressed layer.
- Remove the top baking sheet and parchment paper.
- Place in the center of the preheated oven.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the brownies are mostly firm to the touch.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. They will crisp as they cool.
- Once the brownies are completely cool, break them into irregular pieces.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight glass container to retain crispness.
Video
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yummmmm..These are SO GOOD! I cannot recommend this recipe enough (although there is not one single recipe from this site over the years that has ever let me down!). I also used Dutch process cocoa powder because it’s all I had. Try these, you won’t be sorry!
Thank you for the ringing endorsement, Holly!