Vegan Brownies Using Olive Oil in a Skillet

This recipe appears in the Thrive Market cookbook, Healthy Living Made Easy. Get your copy, and find the ingredients in this shopping list.

There’s something magical about brownies: fudgy, chocolatey, and just a little indulgent. These Olive Oil Skillet Brownies deliver that magic — but with a twist — replacing butter with olive oil and dairy with fully plant-based ingredients, making the dessert both vegan and gluten-friendly (assuming you choose gluten-free flour). These brownies prove that you don’t need butter, eggs, or dairy to get that deep-chocolate richness. Instead, olive oil imparts moistness, a hint of complexity, and a more modern, clean-eating vibe.

This version of brownies, from Chef Megan Mitchell is especially appealing when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want leftovers piling up — the recipe is designed for two servings, so you get indulgence without overshoot. The base combines melted vegan chocolate chips, olive oil, maple syrup, and gluten-free flour, along with cocoa powder and a touch of espresso powder and sea salt — a combo that builds deep flavor and fudgy richness even before baking.

Finally, what makes these skillet brownies stand out is their balance of accessibility and sophistication. They’re simple enough to make on a weeknight — about 10 minutes active time and around 30 minutes total — yet deliver a dessert with a crisp, crackly top, gooey center, and clean chocolate-olive flavor that feels elevated. Whether you’re vegan, gluten-sensitive, or just curious about lighter-ingredient baking, these brownies let you indulge without compromise.

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Olive Oil Skillet Brownies

Recipe Details

Yield: 2 servings
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Skillet Brownie Ingredients

• ½ cup stevia chocolate chips, plus more for sprinkling
• ¼ cup organic extra virgin olive oil, plus more for coating pan
• ¼ cup organic maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup gluten-free flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon espresso powder
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• Flaked sea salt

How to Make Skillet Brownies

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly oil a 7-inch cast iron skillet, two 5-ounce ramekins, or any small ovenproof dish.
2. Melt chocolate in a small saucepan over medium-low. Whisk until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes.
3. Pour chocolate into a medium bowl; whisk in maple syrup and vanilla.
4. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, espresso powder, and sea salt in a small bowl.
5. Pour dry ingredients on top of chocolate mixture. Combine with a whisk, then finish stirring with a silicone spatula until you no longer see any flour bits.
6. Pour into the prepared dish and sprinkle with a handful of extra chocolate chips and a large pinch of flaked sea salt.
7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until set around the edges, puffed up, and brownies only slightly jiggle in the middle.
8. Let cool 5 minutes before eating. Serve with a scoop of vegan ice cream, if desired.

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Skillet Brownie Nutrition Facts

*Estimated per serving (recipe yields 2 servings). Based strictly on Thrive Market’s ingredient amounts.

Serving Size	1 serving (1/2 of recipe)
Calories	≈ 470 kcal
Protein	≈ 5 g
Carbs	≈ 65 g
Sugar	≈ 25 g
Fiber	≈ 6 g
Fat	≈ 22 g

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Skillet Brownie Variations & Tips

• Use certified gluten-free flour: Stick with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to keep the brownies gluten-free while preserving texture. (Thrive Market’s recipe uses “gluten-free flour.”) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Boost the chocolate intensity: Use dark-chocolate chips or high-cocoa dark chocolate when melting for deeper chocolate flavor, especially if you like a rich, slightly bitter brownie.
• Adjust the sweetness: Reduce maple syrup by a tablespoon or two if you prefer a less sweet, more intense chocolate-olive oil bite.
• Add texture mix-ins: Fold in chopped nuts, dairy-free chocolate chunks, or dairy-free caramel bits before baking for added crunch and flavor contrasts.
• Top it right: After baking, sprinkle flaky sea salt (as the original recipe suggests) to highlight the chocolate and olive-oil flavors with a salty-sweet balance. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Tiny skillet for two, bigger pan for more: Use a 7-inch cast-iron skillet or two small ramekins for a two-serving dessert — or double the recipe for a larger pan to serve more people. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
• Serve warm with toppings: For café-style dessert vibes, serve a warm brownie with a scoop of vegan ice cream, a drizzle of dairy-free caramel, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

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Best Skillet Brownie Pairings

• Dairy-free vanilla ice cream: A warm brownie with cool, creamy vegan vanilla ice cream makes for a classic, comforting dessert contrast.
• Fresh berry compote: Serve with a side of raspberries or strawberries — their tartness brightens the deep chocolate and balances richness.
• Espresso or strong black coffee: The boldness of espresso or dark roast coffee pairs beautifully with fudgy chocolate and brings out the olive-oil subtlety.
• Herbal mint tea: A simple mint or peppermint herbal tea offers a refreshing palette cleanser after each rich bite.
• Sparkling water with citrus: A chilled sparkling water with a lemon or lime wedge works well between bites, offering lightness and refreshment.
• Vegan salted-caramel drizzle: For extra indulgence, drizzle warmed vegan caramel sauce over the brownie just before serving for a salty-sweet finish.

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When to Make Skillet Brownies

• Lazy weekend dessert for two: Perfect for cozy nights at home — quick prep, small batch, minimal leftovers.
• Vegan or gluten-free gatherings: Great for inclusive hosting when dietary restrictions vary, but you still want a decadent dessert.
• Simple dinner-party finale: Bake in small cast-iron skillets for guests, serve warm with ice cream — elegant yet effortless.
• Comfort food on cold evenings: When you’re craving something warm and chocolaty after a long day, these brownies hit the spot fast.
• Portable treat for picnics/road trips: Slice and pack cooled brownies — sturdy, chocolatey, and allergy-friendly dessert-on-the-go.
• Meal-prep dessert stash: Make a batch, cool completely, store in an airtight container — they reheat well and satisfy sweet cravings throughout the week.

Recipe by: Megan Mitchell