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Chocolate Ragi Brownies (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

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Chocolate Ragi Brownies or Finger millet brownies are moist and decadent with rich chocolate flavor. These brownies are vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. They are the best healthy alternative to normal chocolate brownies.

Ragi brownie on a brown cutting board. 2 slices in front and the full brownie behind.

These Egg-Less, Butter-Less, Gluten-free Chocolate Ragi Brownies are one of the best edible gifts for your vegan or gluten-free friends. These brownies can even be enjoyed by toddlers and kids. 

What is Ragi?

Ragi is a super grain, a millet. Also known as Finger Millet or Nachni in Hindi or Marathi. The grain actually originated in Africa and has been cultivated in Uganda and Ethiopia for many years. Ragi flour is prepared by either crushing dried grains or spouting, drying, and then grinding them. Believed to be a rich source of good carbohydrates, loaded with calcium, iron, protein, and fiber. Ragi helps to keep full for longer times and in turn, helps with weight loss (Source google).

Ragi Recipes 

Finger millet or Ragi can be replaced in our daily diet in the form of chapatis (flatbread) or as porridge for breakfast. I love to make this Ragi Roti, Ragi Mudde, Ragi Kadhi, Ragi Pancakes, Fermented Ragi Idli, Instant Ragi Dosa, Ragi Banana, and Dates Smoothie, etc. 

I make this Gluten-Free & Vegan Ragi Banana Cake, which is completely Sugar-free and Dairy-Free. Sugar here is in the form of Ripe bananas.  So coming to today’s recipe for a Vegan and Gluten-Free Chocolate Ragi Brownie. 

What is a brownie? 

A chocolate Brownie or a brownie is a square, baked chocolate dessert that can be chewy or cakey, depending on the density. They may include some nuts or chocolate chips or neither and can be enjoyed with warm milk/ a cup of coffee or as a dessert along with whipped cream or Ice Cream.

The baked chocolate ragi brownie.
The baked Ragi Brownie

What does Chocolate Ragi Brownie taste like?  

Ragi is an acquired taste and you might wonder will this brownie taste so. No, you cannot taste much of the ragi. In fact, it is bursting with chocolate flavor. My 6-year-old fussy eater loves these brownies and I love to make them for her.

The texture of Vegan and Gluten-Free Chocolate Ragi Brownies

These brownies have a nutty texture from the flour and are not dense. They are light and moist. Look at the texture of the slice in the pic below. The texture would be different from the brownies which we make using all-purpose or plain flour, but when you want a gluten-free treat, this is the one. 

Ragi brownie on a brown cutting board. 2 slices in front and the full brownie behind.

Ingredient Replacements 

Ingredients for Finger millet brownie.
Ingredients for Finger millet brownie.

Coconut Oil in Brownie

When I first tried this recipe, I was worried about the smell of coconut oil. Similarly, a few of my followers asked me the same thing. You might feel the taste of coconut oil if you are not used to this. But it actually adds taste to the brownie. I would say try it once and you would love it. If you are still concerned, replace it with olive oil or any flavorless oil.

Flax egg 

I am using flax egg here so that it is vegan. It is simply a gel made using flax powder and warm water. If you eat an egg and want to make it with an egg, simply use 1 egg instead of a flax egg.

Nuts

I have added nuts just as I like them. Have powdered and added it. If you want a nut-free version, simply skip the nuts.

Sweetener

One can replace dark brown sugar with granulated white sugar. One can replace the ¼ cup of brown sugar with honey or maple syrup. If honey is used it would not be vegan.

Ragi Flour

Ragi can be replaced with whole wheat flour. If whole wheat flour is used it would not be gluten-free.

Can Brownies be frozen?

Yes, all cakes, brownies, and cupcakes can be frozen. Let the brownies cool completely. Cut into squares or individual portion sizes. Arrange it on a baking or a flat tray and freeze it. Once frozen keep them in an air-tight container or a zip-lock bag. When required just warm them in a microwave. 

The baked chocolate ragi brownie.

How to enjoy these brownies

We enjoy this as is for a quick evening snack or as a sizzling brownie. Top it up with a dollop of whipped cream or Ice cream and some melted chocolate.

Updates

I first posted this recipe on 24 August 2018. Today I have updated this recipe a bit. Earlier I used to sweeten this with honey or maple syrup. Few did not want to use honey, so I tried it with dark brown sugar and replaced that with a sweetener. Rest the recipe remains the same.  

Feedback on this brownie

These Ragi brownies have been tried by a lot of my viewers and friends. I have received personal feedback on this and everyone loved it.

Few more cake recipes on my blog

or a complete list of Cakes on this page can be found here.

Ragi Brownies served in the plate
Ragi Brownies served on the plate (old pic)

Baked Finger millet brownies with a drizzle of chocolate
Baked Finger millet brownies

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Ragi brownie on a brown cutting board. 2 slices in front and the full brownie behind.
Ragi brownie on a brown cutting board. 2 slices in front and the full brownie behind.

Chocolate Ragi Brownie (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Chocolate Ragi Brownies or Finger millet brownies are vegan and gluten-free brownies, which are moist and have a rich chocolate flavor.
4.85 from 13 votes
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: International
Keyword: Brownie, Cupcakes, Dairy Free, EggLess, Gluten Free, Millet, Vegan
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 Inch Square Brownie
Author: Renu Agrawal-Dongre

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Ragi Flour
  • 1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • 3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 10 Cashew Nuts Optional
  • 10 Almonds Optional
  • 1/4 tsp Salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
  • 1/2 Cup Warm Water
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Flax Egg

  • 2 tbsp Flax Seeds Powder -I powdered my flax seeds in a mixer/grinder
  • 4 tbsp Warm water

Topping (Optional)

  • 1 tbsp Ganache/Chocolate Sauce/Peanut Butter – Use dairy-free for intolerance or skip
  • 1 tbsp Chocolate Chips – Use dairy-free for intolerance or skip
  • 1 tbsp Chopped Nuts (Almonds/Walnuts/Pecans/Cashews)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180 Deg C
  • Prepare a square tin by greasing it and lining it with parchment paper.
  • In the meantime, add the flax egg ingredients in a bowl and mix.
    2 tbsp Flax Seeds Powder, 4 tbsp Warm water
  • Set it aside for 4-5 minutes until it forms a gel-like mixture.
  • Powder the Cashews and the Almonds. I simply used my mortar and pestle. One can do it in a grinder.
    10 Cashew Nuts, 10 Almonds
  • Sift the Ragi flour, along with the Cocoa Powder Baking powder, and salt.
    1 Cup Ragi Flour, 1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder, 1 tsp Baking Powder, 1/4 tsp Salt
    Sifted Flour
  • In another bowl, add the Coconut oil and brown sugar.
    1/2 Cup Coconut Oil, 3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
  • Mix it and then add water, flax egg, and vanilla extract and mix everything well.
    1/2 Cup Warm Water, 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Now slowly add the dry ingredients in batches and make a smooth batter.
    The ready batter for brownie.
  • Add the Cashew and Almond powder and mix again once nicely.
  • Top it up with chocolate chips, or chopped nuts
    1 tbsp Chocolate Chips, 1 tbsp Chopped Nuts (Almonds/Walnuts/Pecans/Cashews)
    Ragi Brownie ready to be baked.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean but has a bit of crumb on it.
  • My brownie was done in 20 minutes.
  • Let it rest for 10 mins. After 10 min, lift the parchment paper or remove the brownie and let it cool on a wire rack.
  • One can top it up with some melted chocolate or ganache or peanut butter.
    1 tbsp Ganache/Chocolate Sauce/Peanut Butter
  • Serve it warm or cold with a glass of milk/coffee or with some whipped cream/ Ice Cream.

Video

Notes

  • Standard US Size cups and spoons were used.
  • 1 cup = 237 ml, 1 teaspoon = 5 ml
  • All ovens are different, please keep a close eye around 18-20 minutes.
  • Changing the cake tin size will change the baking time.
  • Coconut oil can be replaced with Vegetable Oil.
  • Ragi can be replaced with whole wheat flour. If whole wheat flour is used it would not be gluten-free.
  • One can replace the ¼ cup of brown sugar with honey or maple syrup. If honey is used it would not be vegan.
 
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Recipe Rating




Sneha

Friday 28th of April 2023

Hi Renu, I've been looking to bake with Ragi, and am excited to try this recipe. Just one change that I'm looking to make - i don't want to use flax egg and would be ok to use regular egg instead. How many eggs should I use? Thank you for the response in advance!

Renu Agrawal Dongre

Friday 28th of April 2023

Hi Sneha, Yes you can replace it with egg. Use 2 eggs in this. Hope you like it, do leave your feedback with comments and ratings. Thank You, Renu

Nishi

Tuesday 18th of April 2023

Tried this recipe. Just used butter as I didn't have coconut oil. Turned out to be the best healthy brownie ever. Thanks a lot ❤

Renu Agrawal Dongre

Thursday 20th of April 2023

Thank you Glad you liked it. Request to rate the recipe as well as it helps others as well as my blog.

Kalyani

Friday 13th of January 2023

what a wonderful GF + vegan treat these brownies are - perfect for the chocoholics back home, Renu. Bookmarked to try these at the earliest !

Renu Agrawal Dongre

Friday 13th of January 2023

Hope you like it. Thank You

Jayashree T Rao

Thursday 5th of January 2023

Ragi brownies look so good and healthier. It is so nice you tried making with ragi, will give a try to this version. The recipe is easy to follow, thankyou.

Neelam mehta

Wednesday 9th of September 2020

Was good.. not light n fluffy like whole wheat or refined wheat flour.. but tasted great. My only concern is we have added honey to this recipe.. can honey be heated.. ain’t it harmful??

Renu Agrawal Dongre

Wednesday 9th of September 2020

Thank you for your feedback. I am glad you liked it. Brownies are generally a bit dense then a cake and secondly the texture of whole wheat or plain flour would always be light and soft. With respect to honey, if you follow a particular food style like Ayurveda, yes it is not good. However there are many traditional cuisines using up honey by warming and hence I have used too. If you do not like to use honey you can replace it with brown sugar or jaggery.