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Have you ever tried freezer fudge? If not, you’re in for a treat. (Literally.)

I first learned of freezer fudge when I was experimenting with a raw foods diet over 15 years ago. One of the best things I learned during that time was the concept of making fudge using nut butter and coconut oil.

It might sound strange, but the results are utterly delicious. It will melt in your mouth and tastes irresistible. Best of all, you can stir it together in less than 10 minutes without using refined sugar.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review

“Amazing healthy fudge! I made this for me to enjoy this holiday season (I was looking for gluten free/dairy free desserts), and I was very surprised-in a good way! My parents tried it and loved it too!

– Alex

vegan fudge sliced on white parchment paper.

This homemade vegan fudge is dairy-free and gluten-free, and it has a texture that will melt in your mouth. It’s the perfect way to satisfy a candy craving!

For added crunch, you can also stir in any extras you love, such as walnuts or pecans.

Healthy Fudge Ingredients

  • Almond Butter. I recommend using raw almond butter, or one that has not been roasted or salted, for the mildest flavor. (I use Trader Joe’s brand often, but homemade almond butter is also excellent.)
  • Coconut Oil. This helps the fudge firm up when chilled. If you don’t love coconut flavor, buy a jar that says “expeller pressed” or “refined” on the label. It has zero coconut flavor when compared to virgin coconut oil.
  • Maple Syrup. Instead of using powdered sugar or chocolate chips, this fudge is sweetened with pure maple syrup. It’s easy to taste the mixture as you go, so if you want more sweetness, you can easily add extra as you go. 
  • Vanilla Extract. This adds an extra flavor boost. Swap it for 3/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract for a peppermint fudge variation.
  • Cacao Powder. I always keep raw cacao powder in my pantry, but you can use regular cocoa powder if you prefer.
  • Fine Sea Salt. A hefty pinch of salt is necessary when making desserts. It makes the flavor irresistible.
almond butter, cacao powder, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and salt labeled in bowls.

How to Make Vegan Fudge

Step 1:

Combine the almond butter, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt in a large bowl. Stir well until the mixture looks smooth.

Tip: Use room temperature ingredients for the smoothest results. The coconut oil will start to solidify if your almond butter or maple syrup is chilled from the fridge, so let them sit on the counter or slightly warm them up before getting started.

vegan fudge mixed in glass bowl.

Step 2:

Prepare an 8-inch square baking dish or a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan (for thicker fudge) by spraying it with oil, then pressing a piece of parchment paper into the bottom of the pan. The oil will hold the parchment paper in place, so it won’t wiggle around as you add the fudge.

Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared pan, then spread it out with a silicone spatula. Place it on a flat shelf in your freezer to freeze until it’s firm, about 1 hour.

vegan fudge poured into a loaf pan.

Step 3:

Use the parchment paper to lift the solid fudge out of the pan, then use a sharp knife to slice the fudge into squares.

It will melt at room temperature, so as soon as you’ve finished slicing the fudge, place the squares in an airtight container and store them in the fridge or freezer to keep them chilled.

The fridge will give your fudge a soft texture, and the freezer will provide a firmer texture, so choose whichever option you prefer.

It should keep well in the fridge for at least 2 weeks and in the freezer for up to 3 months.

vegan fudge cut on white parchment paper and stacked.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you melt coconut oil?

Place the coconut oil in an oven-safe bowl and warm it in a preheating oven for 5 minutes to melt. You can also use the microwave in 30-second intervals for a faster option.

Can I use coconut milk instead of oil?

Coconut milk will not solidify quite as much as coconut oil does, so the fudge might not firm up in that case. Try my Vegan Chocolate Pie for a fudgy alternative that does use coconut milk. 

Can I use a different sweetener?

Honey is not considered vegan, but it can be used as a swap if you don’t mind the honey flavor sneaking through. Agave or brown rice syrup may also be a suitable alternative.

Will another nut butter work?

Yes, you can use peanut butter or cashew butter with similar results. Just keep in mind the flavor will taste like whichever option you use. When using salted peanut butter, you may only need a pinch of salt instead of the amount called for in this recipe.

vegan fudge sliced on white parchment paper.

Vegan Fudge Recipe

4.85 from 46 votes
This vegan fudge is made without refined sugar and can be prepared in under 10 minutes. It's so easy, even my kids can make it! And thank goodness they can, because we go through a batch almost every week, since it's so delicious.
prep5 mins cook0 mins Freeze time:1 hr total1 hr 5 mins
Servings:16 squares

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions

  • Mix the almond butter, coconut oil, cocoa powder, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. (This works best if the ingredients are at room temperature or slightly warm. If using almond butter from the fridge, make sure it sits on the counter first so the coconut oil won't solidify instantly when mixed.)
  • Transfer the mixture to an 8-inch square dish, lined with parchment paper for easy removal, and smooth the top with a spatula. For thicker fudge, use a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, instead.
  • Place the pan in the freezer, and allow the fudge to set for at least an hour before slicing and serving. Thanks to the coconut oil, this raw fudge will melt quickly if left to sit in a warm room, so it's best served directly from the freezer.
  • Store the leftovers in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 3 months. For a softer fudge, store it in the fridge for up to 1 month. But it probably won't last that long once you taste it!

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is for 1 of 16 squares from an 8-inch pan. This information is automatically calculated and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.
Salt Note: This recipe assumes you are using unsalted almond butter and a fine sea salt, like Real Salt brand (affiliate link). Feel free to start with less salt and taste the batter as you go, especially if you’re using salted nut butter.
Coconut Oil Note: For zero coconut flavor, use refined or expeller-pressed coconut oil. 
Make Peppermint Fudge: Swap the vanilla extract for 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract instead. In this case, use only 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 0.2IU | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: vegan fudge

More Recipes to Try

If you try this vegan chocolate fudge recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below, letting me know how you like it.

Megan Gilmore leaning on her white countertop.

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. As a Certified Nutritionist Consultant (CNC), I love to make healthier food using simple ingredients. I test these recipes multiple times in my kitchen to make sure they will turn out perfectly for you.

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Comments

  1. Awesome dish! I’ve made it for my family many times and it’s always a huge hit with them. Thanks so much for the recipe!

  2. We are so excited to try this recipe! I appreciate you and your recipes. They are always a hit in our house!

  3. I’m spending my day doing meal prep with your recipes. Super excited to make this for dessert. I love your content so much! 🩷☺️

  4. This freezer fudge is so delicious and so easy! I used half almond butter and half tahini this time and it is fabulous! I make this all the time and it never ceases to please the family! Thanks Megan!

    1. Hi, these looks delicious definitely going to try them out! On how many servings / blocks did you calculate your nutritional value/ calories ? Thank you xx

  5. That is not vanilla extract in the photo of the ingredients. Could you please clarify? Thank you.

      1. At first, I thought maybe vanilla sugar, though it looked suspiciously like pink salt (my fav). 🙂

    1. If avocado oil is SOLID for you when chilled, that would work. Otherwise, you could try something like vegan butter or any other fat that is solid when chilled.