Gluten free and nut free baked goods are becoming increasingly popular for people with food allergies or sensitivities. For those who need to avoid gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, and nuts, due to allergies or Celiac disease, finding tasty treats that meet dietary needs can be a challenge. King Arthur Baking Company, a trusted source for quality baking products and recipes, offers several gluten free and nut free brownie options that provide the taste and texture brownie lovers crave without the ingredients they need to avoid.
Quick Overview of King Arthur’s Gluten Free and Nut Free Brownie Options
King Arthur offers three gluten free brownie mixes that are also nut free: Gluten Free Fudge Brownies, Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies, and Gluten Free Brownie Mix. Their gluten free fudge brownie mix and black bean brownie mix are made without nuts. While the classic gluten free brownie mix does contain walnuts, they provide a nut free alternative recipe on the package using sunflower seed butter. King Arthur’s gluten free brownie mixes use ingredients like rice flour, tapioca starch, cocoa powder, and xanthan gum to create the rich chocolate taste and fudgy texture you want from brownies, without gluten or nuts. They offer an easy way to bake gluten free brownies from scratch by combining the mix with wet ingredients like oil, eggs, and water. The mixes produce 9 in. x 9 in. pan brownies with 16 servings.
Ingredients in King Arthur Gluten Free Brownie Mixes
Here is an overview of the main ingredients in King Arthur’s popular gluten and nut free brownie mixes:
Gluten Free Fudge Brownies
- Rice flour – Used as the main flour instead of wheat for gluten free
- Sugar
- Cocoa processed with alkali
- Palm oil
- Xanthan gum – binder used in gluten free baking
- Baking powder
- Salt
Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies
- Black beans – Surprising ingredient that provides moisture and structure
- Cocoa powder
- Sugar
- Rice flour
- Xanthan gum
- Baking powder
- Salt
Gluten Free Brownie Mix
- White rice flour
- Sweet rice flour
- Potato starch
- Tapioca flour
- Cocoa powder
- Xanthan gum
- Baking powder
- Salt
As you can see, these mixes rely on gluten free flours, binders, and thickeners to create the chewy texture you want in brownies. The cocoa powder and sugar provide rich chocolate flavor. While the original gluten free brownie mix contains walnuts, the mixes themselves do not contain other nuts, making them safe for those with tree nut allergies.
Nut Free Options for King Arthur Gluten Free Brownies
For people who need to avoid tree nuts, King Arthur provides an easy nut free substitution for their gluten free classic brownie mix. While the mix contains walnuts, you can replace the nuts with sunflower seed butter to make nut free brownies. Here is their recommended recipe:
Nut Free Gluten Free Brownies
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups sunflower seed butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil or vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 pouch King Arthur Gluten Free Brownie Mix
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8″ or 9″ square pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the sunflower seed butter, coconut oil, water, eggs and vanilla until smooth.
- Add the brownie mix and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 28-32 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow brownies to cool completely before cutting into squares.
The sunflower seed butter provides nutrition, protein, and binds the brownies together while keeping the recipe nut free. Coconut oil can be substituted for any neutral flavored oil. Combining the wet and dry ingredients creates a rich, fudgy batter that bakes into chewy, gluten free brownies that are safe for nut allergy diets.
Nutrition Facts for King Arthur’s Gluten and Nut Free Brownies
Here is a nutrition comparison of King Arthur’s gluten free fudge brownies and black bean brownies without nuts:
Gluten Free Fudge Brownies
Serving Size: 1 brownie (1/16 of recipe)
Calories: 180
Fat: 8g
Carbs: 28g
Protein: 2g
Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies
Serving Size: 1 brownie (1/16 of recipe)
Calories: 100
Fat: 2g
Carbs: 21g
Protein: 3g
The gluten free fudge brownies are higher in fat and calories compared to the black bean brownies. The black bean brownies offer more protein and fiber. Both provide rich chocolate flavor and chewy texture, but the beans offer more nutritional value. When swapping for sunflower seed butter, you gain 4g of protein per brownie serving. Those looking for a healthier gluten and nut free brownie may prefer the black bean recipe.
Taste Reviews of King Arthur Gluten and Nut Free Brownies
Here are some reviews on the taste and texture of these King Arthur brownie mixes prepared without nuts:
Gluten Free Fudge Brownies
- “Fudgy, gooey, and so chocolatey. You’d never know these are gluten free.”
- “Dense, rich chocolate flavor. Very satisfying.”
- “Delicious taste and texture. My family couldn’t tell they were gluten free.”
Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies
- “Amazingly fudgy. Nice hint of chocolate and beans provide moisture.”
- “Chocolate lover’s dream. Can’t taste the beans at all.”
- “Moist and chewy. My new favorite gluten free brownie!”
According to reviews, you can achieve decadent gluten free brownies with these nut free mixes. They highlight the fudgy, gooey texture and rich chocolate taste you want without the nuts. The black bean brownies get particularly high marks for a moist and fudgy texture you’d never expect from the unusual ingredient. Both mixes satisfy chocolate cravings for those with gluten and nut concerns.
Baking Tips
Here are some helpful tips for getting the best results when baking King Arthur’s gluten and nut free brownie mixes:
- Read the package instructions carefully and follow as written
- Use the exact pans and sizes recommended
- Grease pans well to prevent sticking
- Measure dry and wet ingredients precisely
- Mix the batter thoroughly but avoid over-mixing
- Bake for the full time range recommended
- Test for doneness with a toothpick before removing from oven
- Let brownies cool completely before cutting for neat squares
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week
Gluten free baking requires accuracy and following directions. But with a few simple tips, you can enjoy perfect gluten and nut free brownies with great taste and texture.
Buying King Arthur Gluten and Nut Free Brownies
You can purchase King Arthur gluten free brownie mixes online directly from their website at www.kingarthurbaking.com. The mixes typically cost around $6.95 – $8.95 per pouch.
King Arthur gluten free brownie mixes are also available online at Amazon and in select grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Costco, Walmart, and Target. Prices may vary depending on retailer.
Be sure to check labels and product information closely for nut warnings if you have an allergy. Buy mixes that are labeled as gluten free and nut free for safety. King Arthur’s customer service can also advise you on current nut-free options.
Other Brands of Gluten and Nut Free Brownies
In addition to King Arthur, here are some other brands that offer gluten and nut free brownie mixes:
- Bob’s Red Mill – Gluten Free Fudge Brownie Mix
- Betty Crocker – Gluten Free Brownie Mix
- Pillsbury – Gluten Free Fudge Brownie Mix
- King Soopers – Gluten Free Fudge Brownie Mix
- Chowboys – Gluten and Nut Free Black Bean Brownie Mix
- Miss Jones – Gluten and Nut Free Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix
Be sure to check labels for allergen information. Some brands may contain tree nuts or be processed in facilities that also process nuts. Others like Chowboys and Miss Jones specialize in dedicated nut free kitchens.
Gluten and Nut Free Brownies from Scratch
For ultimate control over ingredients, you can also make gluten and nut free brownies completely from scratch. Here is a homemade recipe:
Gluten and Nut Free Brownies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup dairy free chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8 pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together almond flour, cocoa powder, xanthan gum and salt.
- In another bowl, mix coconut oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla.
- Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Spread batter evenly into pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before cutting into squares.
This recipe swaps almond flour for the gluten flours typically found in brownies. Coconut oil provides moisture and binds the batter. And dairy free chocolate chips add chocolate flavor without butter. The result is a fudgy, gluten free brownie that is safe for nut allergies.
Conclusion
King Arthur offers several gluten free brownie mixes that are nut free right out of the package, like their fudge and black bean brownie mixes. Their classic gluten free brownie mix can easily be made nut free by substituting sunflower seed butter for the walnuts. These mixes provide the rich chocolate taste and chewy texture brownie fans desire without common allergens. Other brands like Bob’s Red Mill, Betty Crocker and Chowboys also offer gluten and nut free brownie mix options. And homemade recipes can provide allergy-friendly ingredients from scratch. With so many store-bought mixes and homemade recipes to choose from, people avoiding gluten and nuts don’t have to miss out on enjoying delicious brownies.
