Irresistible Chewy Gluten-Free M&M Brownies: Your Ultimate Homemade Treat
Prepare to delight your taste buds with a batch of our incredible Gluten-Free M&M Brownies! These aren’t just any brownies; they’re the epitome of chewy, chocolatey perfection, generously studded with vibrant, colorful M&Ms. With their desirable glossy tops, wonderfully dense yet tender texture, and an undeniably adorable appearance, these homemade M&M brownies are more than just a dessert—they’re a celebration! And the best part? They’re surprisingly simple to make, offering an effortless gluten-free dessert option that will impress everyone.
In my college days, I embarked on a culinary adventure, meticulously cooking and baking nearly everything from scratch. It was a fascinating journey to discover which foods truly shined when made from basic ingredients – homemade pasta sauce, for instance, was an absolute revelation! Conversely, some efforts, like attempting to bake crackers from scratch, proved to be more effort than they were worth.
While my current lifestyle doesn’t always allow for extensive from-scratch cooking, there’s one indulgence I almost invariably prepare myself: brownies. Homemade brownies, especially gluten-free ones, offer an unparalleled taste experience. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a good box mix brownie, but the truth is, crafting them from scratch takes only a few extra minutes and delivers a flavor and texture that is genuinely superior. The rich, deep chocolate notes and the perfect chewiness are simply unmatched by any pre-packaged alternative.
Consider these exquisite gluten-free chocolate M&M brownies. The process is straightforward: you’ll combine a handful of readily available pantry staples in mere minutes, adorn the batter with a colorful scattering of M&Ms, and then simply pop them into the oven. What emerges is nothing short of magical: profoundly chocolatey, delightfully chewy gluten-free brownies that not only taste sensational but also boast an absolutely charming, picture-perfect appearance. Each bite offers a satisfying blend of rich cocoa, melty chocolate chips, and the playful crunch of candy-coated chocolate.
I wholeheartedly promise you that the small investment of an extra five minutes to prepare these from scratch is profoundly rewarding. These delightful treats are perfect for a myriad of occasions, whether you’re celebrating holidays, marking special milestones, enjoying a cozy movie night, or simply craving a moment of pure, chocolatey bliss. They’re a fantastic way to bring joy and color to any gathering, proving that gluten-free baking can be both easy and incredibly delicious.
Ready to create these masterpieces? Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need for our easy gluten-free M&M brownie recipe…
Essential Ingredients for Chewy Gluten-Free M&M Brownies
- Butter & Oil. Achieving that coveted chewy texture in brownies, distinct from a cakey or overly fudgy consistency, lies in a precise balance of fats and dry ingredients. Our secret weapon for these gluten-free M&M brownies is a strategic blend of both butter and neutral oil. Oil, being pure fat, contributes significantly to moisture and chewiness, while butter, typically around 80% fat, adds rich flavor and a delicate structure. This thoughtful combination, working in harmony with a generous amount of chocolate and cocoa powder, is what ensures these brownies emerge from the oven with an irresistibly tender yet distinctly chewy bite that everyone will adore.
- Sugar. The key to developing that beautiful, glossy, and slightly crackly top on your brownies is properly dissolving the sugar into the wet ingredients. This step should not be rushed; patience here yields truly remarkable results. Allowing the sugar to fully dissolve contributes significantly to the desired texture and aesthetic of the brownie.
- Chocolate Chips. We employ a luxurious double dose of chocolate chips in this recipe! The first portion is melted with the butter, oil, and sugar, forming the rich, foundational chocolate flavor of the brownie batter. The second portion is stirred in later, creating delightful pockets of gooey, melted chocolate throughout the baked brownies. The quality of your chocolate chips directly impacts the overall decadence of your brownies; we highly recommend using premium varieties like these semisweet chocolate chips or these dark chocolate chips for the best possible flavor and texture.
- Eggs & An Egg Yolk. The combination of two whole eggs plus an additional egg yolk is crucial for achieving the perfect dense and chewy texture in these M&M brownies. The extra yolk adds richness and helps bind the ingredients, preventing a cake-like crumb and promoting that desirable fudgy density. If you need a refresher, you can learn how to separate eggs here—and save that extra egg white for another delicious recipe!
- Vanilla. A generous amount of pure vanilla extract is essential here. Far from being a background flavor, vanilla amplifies and deepens the rich chocolate notes in the brownies, adding complexity and warmth that elevates the overall taste profile. It’s the secret ingredient that makes the chocolate taste even more chocolatey.
- Gluten-Free Measure-For-Measure Flour. For simplicity and consistent results, I prefer using a reliable gluten-free flour blend, such as the one from King Arthur Flour. To ensure your brownies are perfectly moist and chewy, and avoid a dry or cakey outcome, it’s vital to measure your flour correctly—either by weighing it or using the scoop and level method. This prevents adding too much flour, which can drastically alter the texture.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. Incorporating unsweetened cocoa powder provides a profound, intense chocolate flavor and contributes significantly to the chewy texture we’re aiming for. It also plays a vital role in balancing the ratio of fat to dry ingredients, ensuring a deep chocolate profile without relying solely on melted chocolate, which can sometimes lead to a greasier finish. Both Dutch-processed or regular cocoa powder will work here.
- Salt. Just a touch of salt is all it takes to perfectly balance and enhance the sweetness and chocolatey richness of these brownies. It prevents the flavor from being flat and brings out the best in all the other ingredients. I typically bake with kosher salt for its clean flavor.
- Baking Powder. A very small amount of baking powder is included to give the brownies just the right amount of lift, preventing them from becoming overly dense. It’s a subtle touch that significantly improves the final texture, ensuring they are chewy without being heavy. Remember to check that your baking powder is fresh, as an old batch won’t work effectively. (Here’s how to check in seconds!)
- M&Ms! Finally, the star of the show: a generous scattering of M&Ms! I often opt for the mini M&Ms because their smaller size allows for more even distribution across the brownie surface, ensuring a burst of candy in almost every bite. However, regular-sized milk chocolate M&Ms or dark chocolate M&Ms are also fantastic, and they frequently come in fun seasonal colors, making them ideal for holidays and special occasions!
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Ingredient Check: Are M&Ms Gluten-Free?
It’s a common question, and we’re happy to report that many kinds of M&Ms are indeed gluten-free! However, it’s crucial to be aware that not all varieties share this characteristic. We’ve dedicated an entire comprehensive post to clarifying which M&Ms are considered gluten-free and which are not. This guide also provides essential tips on how to verify the gluten-free status of seasonal bags and newly released flavors, ensuring you can enjoy your colorful candies with confidence.
Baking Your Gluten-Free M&M Brownies: Step-by-Step Perfection
As always, you can find the full recipe, with precise ingredient amounts, detailed instructions, and helpful tips, conveniently located in the recipe card below.
- Preheat The Oven & Prep The Pan. Begin by preheating your oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking. Next, line an 8×8-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. This parchment “sling” will make it incredibly easy to lift the baked brownies out of the pan for neat slicing later. Set the prepared pan aside.
- Melt The Butter, Sugar & Chocolate. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the butter, neutral oil, sugar, and the first 2/3 cup of chocolate chips. Place the saucepan over low heat and stir continuously until the butter and chocolate chips are fully melted and smoothly incorporated. Once melted, remove the mixture from the heat. Don’t worry if the sugar still appears a little grainy at this stage; it will dissolve further with the addition of the eggs.
- Beat In The Eggs & Egg Yolk. To the warm chocolate mixture, whisk in the eggs and the extra egg yolk, adding them one at a time. Ensure each egg or yolk is fully incorporated into the mixture before adding the next. This step is crucial for dissolving the sugar further and creating that desirable glossy, crackly top on your brownies.
- Add The Vanilla. Stir in the vanilla extract until it’s evenly distributed. The vanilla extract enhances the deep chocolate flavors, adding a wonderful aromatic complexity to your brownies.
- Stir In The Dry Ingredients. In a separate bowl (or directly into the wet ingredients if your saucepan is large enough), combine the gluten-free flour blend, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as overworking gluten-free flour can lead to tougher brownies.
- Fold In The Chocolate Chips. Add the second 2/3 cup of chocolate chips to the batter. Gently fold them in until they are just evenly distributed throughout the mixture. These additional chocolate chips will create delightful pockets of melted chocolate in the finished brownies. Pour the rich brownie batter into your prepared baking dish and use a spatula to smooth the surface evenly.
- Sprinkle With M&Ms. Generously sprinkle the M&Ms over the top of the brownie batter, doing your best to distribute them evenly for a beautiful and colorful finish.
- Bake & Cool. Carefully place the brownies in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges appear set and the center no longer jiggles significantly when you gently shake the pan. It’s vital to avoid over-baking, as this is the primary culprit behind dry brownies. The residual heat in the pan (known as carryover heat) will continue to set the brownies as they cool. Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before attempting to slice them. For the cleanest, neatest cuts, I highly recommend allowing the brownies to cool completely, or even chilling them in the refrigerator, before slicing.
- Slice & Enjoy. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan. Cut them into your desired size—whether that’s 9 large squares, 12 neat rectangles, or 16 smaller squares. Serve and enjoy! Store any leftover M&M brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, or freeze them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months for a future treat.
Elevate Your Brownies: Seasonal & Occasional M&M Ideas
One of the most delightful aspects of these M&M brownies is their incredible versatility. By simply changing the color of your M&Ms, you can instantly transform them to suit any holiday, special occasion, or theme throughout the year!
- Valentine’s Day: Spread some love with charming gluten-free Valentine’s M&M brownies. Utilize festive red, white, and pink M&Ms to add a beautifully romantic and sweet touch, perfect for celebrating with loved ones.
- Spring & Easter: Welcome the freshness of spring with pastel-colored M&Ms. These soft, delicate hues are my personal favorite, lending a wonderfully light and lovely appearance that perfectly complements the season’s joyful spirit.
- 4th Of July: Embrace a patriotic flair for your Independence Day celebrations! Incorporate vibrant red, white, and blue M&Ms. Their striking colors stand out beautifully against the rich, dark cocoa of the brownies, creating a visually stunning and festive dessert.
- Halloween: Get into the spooky spirit with fall-themed M&Ms. You can use classic autumn colors like red, brown, orange, and yellow, or opt for a fun “Monster Mix” variety featuring lively orange, green, and purple M&Ms for a playful, hauntingly good treat.
- Christmas: ‘Tis the season for festive baking! Easily create a batch of gluten-free Christmas M&M brownies by picking up a bag of red & green M&Ms. Alternatively, you can sort out the specific colors you need from a standard bag of milk chocolate or dark chocolate M&Ms for a truly customized holiday look.
- Birthdays & Special Occasions: Make any celebration extra special! Did you know M&M’s offers custom colors? This allows you to mix and match your own unique blend to perfectly fit your party theme or honoree’s favorite colors. Additionally, stores like Party City often carry single-color M&Ms, making it effortless to create your personalized blend for a truly memorable dessert.
Important Reminder: Not ALL seasonal or special edition varieties of M&Ms are automatically considered gluten-free. Always double-check! Refer to this comprehensive list of gluten-free M&Ms to ensure your chosen candies are safe for gluten-free consumption.
FAQ + Tips And Tricks For The Best Gluten-Free M&M Brownies
Your Top Questions Answered
Are M&Ms Gluten-Free? Many M&M varieties are indeed considered gluten-free, making them a safe and delicious addition to your gluten-free baking. However, it’s crucial to understand that not all M&M products fall into this category. For a comprehensive and up-to-date guide, including which specific types to look for and which to avoid, please refer to our full list of gluten-free M&Ms here.
Do You Use Regular or Mini M&Ms For M&M Brownies? While both regular and mini M&Ms work wonderfully in this recipe, I personally tend to favor the M&M Minis for my gluten-free brownies. Their smaller size ensures a more even distribution across the surface of the brownie batter, meaning you get a satisfying burst of colorful candy in almost every bite. That said, the regular-sized M&Ms often come in fantastic fun and seasonal colors, offering a great option for themed treats!
How Do You Make Chewy Gluten-Free Brownies? The ultimate secret to achieving brownies with that perfectly chewy center, rather than a cakey or overly fudgy one, lies in striking the right balance in the ratio of dry ingredients to fat and chocolate within the recipe. Our M&M brownie recipe is meticulously crafted to get this ratio just right, resulting in a texture that feels like an elevated version of your favorite box mix brownies, but with all the incredible flavor of homemade. This precise balance is what gives them that satisfying, desirable chewiness.
Pro Tips for Brownie Perfection
- Dissolve the sugar properly. For that irresistible glossy, crackly top that is the hallmark of a truly great brownie, it’s absolutely essential to dissolve the sugar completely. Follow the recipe steps carefully: melt the sugar partially with the chocolate, butter, and oil, and then, crucially, beat in the eggs one at a time. This methodical process ensures the sugar granules fully dissolve, creating that beautiful surface. Don’t rush this step!
- Try not to over-bake. Over-baking is the quickest way to end up with dry, crumbly brownies instead of moist, chewy ones. Keep a close eye on your brownies during the last few minutes of baking. I look for edges that appear set and a middle that no longer wobbles significantly when the pan is gently jiggled. Remember that the residual heat in the pan (what we call carryover heat) will continue to cook the brownies slightly as they cool, so pulling them out a little early is always better than too late.
- Use great chocolate. The quality of your chocolate has a profound impact on both the flavor and texture of your finished brownies. For the most decadent results, invest in the best quality chocolate chips your budget allows. Our all-time favorites are the rich semisweet chocolate chips or the intense dark chocolate chips from Guittard, which deliver exceptional depth of flavor.
- To get neat cuts on your brownies, patience is key! The absolute best trick for achieving crisp, clean edges when slicing your brownies is to chill them thoroughly first. If time is a factor and you can’t chill them completely, ensure they cool for at least 30 minutes. Then, use a long, sharp knife and wipe the blade clean with a damp cloth in between each cut. This prevents sticky residue from tearing the edges and ensures beautiful, uniform squares or rectangles.
More Gluten-Free Brownies & Bars To Try
Gluten-Free Brown Butter Brownies
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
Gluten-Free S’mores Bars
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Chewy Gluten-Free M&M Brownies
5 from 2 reviews
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Author: Emily Dixon, Sweets & Thank You -
Total Time: 50 minutes -
Yield: 12-16 brownies -
Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Chewy gluten-free brownies topped with colorful M&Ms! These are such a fun, easy gluten-free dessert!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (2 oz/4 Tablespoons) butter
- 1/4 cup neutral oil (like avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or canola oil)
- 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
- 2/3 cup (4 oz.) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (90 grams) gluten-free measure-for-measure flour, weighed or scooped and leveled
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed or regular)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 2/3 cup (4 oz.) semisweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1/3–1/2 cup mini M&Ms, milk chocolate M&Ms, or dark chocolate M&Ms candies
Instructions
- Preheat The Oven & Prep The Pan. Start by preheating the oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8×8″ metal pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Melt The Butter, Oil, Sugar & Chocolate. In a medium saucepan, melt butter, oil, sugar and 2/3 cup chocolate chips over low heat. Stir until the chocolate chips are melted and remove from heat. (The sugar will likely still look a bit grainy. This is fine!)
- Beat In The Eggs & Egg Yolk. Whisk in the eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, stirring to fully incorporate before adding the next egg/yolk.
- Add The Vanilla. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Stir In The Dry Ingredients. Add the gluten-free flour blend, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Stir until just combined.
- Fold In The Chocolate Chips. Add the second 2/3 cup chocolate chips and fold until just evenly distributed. Transfer the brownie batter to your prepared pan and smooth the surface evenly.
- Sprinkle With M&Ms. Add the M&Ms to the top of the brownie batter, doing your best to distribute them evenly.
- Bake & Cool. Pop the brownies in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the surface no longer jiggles in the center and the brownies look set around the edges. (Try not to overbake, as this will dry the brownies out a bit.) Let the brownies cool at least 30 minutes before slicing. I recommend cooling the brownies completely for the neatest cuts.
- Slice & Enjoy. Cut into slices (9 large squares, 12 rectangles, or 16 small squares) and enjoy. Store leftover M&M brownies in the fridge 2-3 days, or in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container in the freezer up to 2 months.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes -
Cook Time: 30 minutes -
Category: Dessert -
Method: Oven -
Cuisine: Amercan