Dark Chocolate Coffee Nut Bars are homemade vegan, gluten-free, protein-packed treats perfect for breakfast or snack time. An assortment of nuts and seeds mixed with whole coffee beans, chocolate chips, and peanut butter baked into personal sized bars are both filling and energizing.
These dark chocolate coffee nut bars have been in the back of my mind for quite some time now. I have been wanting to create protein bars for breakfast but never put them as a priority. When I asked you guys what you want to see more of, an overwhelming amount of readers want to see more breakfast recipes! These are great because they work for breakfast or a mid-morning to afternoon snack.
I have to give credit where credit is due, and these bars would not be up here today without the help of my husband. He is always helping me come up with recipes and content for the blog. Recently we both went on separate trips and when we came back we compared the treats we both received. My mom gave me a dark chocolate bar with espresso beans and Zack received a swag bag with dark chocolate covered espresso beans. This gave us the idea to finally develop the nut bar recipe and include whole coffee beans!
I love snacking on nut bars because they're full of filling ingredients and leave me satisfied - but of course, homemade is better because you can control what goes in. After testing this recipe, I know I'll be baking homemade nut bars time after time. They take no time at all and are super simple.
Simply preheat your oven and spray your baking dish. Combine ingredients, spread into a baking dish, bake, cool, and enjoy! Seems too quick and easy? That's because it is, no tricks here.
Besides the whole coffee beans, my favorite part of this protein-packed nut bar is the pepitas! I love these little edible pumpkin seeds. I've been using them a lot these past few months and thought they would make a great addition to this recipe. When you bite down on this bar and get a pepita, you get a satisfying pop full of flavor.
Dark Chocolate Coffee Nut Bars (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups lightly salted mixed nuts
- ½ cup gluten-free brown rice crisp cereal
- ¼ cup vegan dark chocolate chips
- ¼ cup whole dark roast coffee beans
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon pepitas
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, mix all dry ingredients together.
- In a small bowl, mix together maple syrup and peanut butter until combined. Pour into medium bowl and fold until incorporated.
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Smooth into an even layer using a rubber spatula.
- Bake for 30 minutes then let cool completely.
- Remove from baking dish then slice into even bars. Enjoy and store bars at room temperature for up to one week!
Amanda Kanashiro (@glutenfreemiami) says
These are outrageously good looking! I'm a nut for nuts!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks so much!!
Brittany Strawbridge says
These look delicious! I am allergic to peanuts so I can never have these tasty + easy bars because they all have peanut butter 🙁 But still looks yummy!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thank you! Aw, I'm sorry.
Miranda says
This look delicious! And the best part is they don't have coconut in them. I have been having trouble finding coconut free health bars for my hubby:) thanks! Do you find pepitas in your grocery or purchase on Amazon?
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks, Miranda! I buy them in the bulk bins at my grocery store 🙂
maddi says
These have all my favorite flavors rolled into one healthy bar! I'll definitely have to make these since they are perfect on the go snacks!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Awesome, enjoy!!
jen@dinnerthendessert.com says
These look absolutely delicious! Can't wait to try these!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yay, enjoy!
Linda says
Shut up! These look so good! What an awesome combo! I’m sure these will be the next “staple” in our home!!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Haha!! Thank you 🙂
Amy French says
OMG these look seriously delicious ??? Im definitely giving this a go!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks so much, enjoy!!
Alicia says
Omg!! These have ask my favorite ingredients!! And they look so good. I have to make some for my next trip!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yay!!! Enjoy 🙂
Kaila (The Wanderlust Celiac) says
These look so simple to make and delicious! I love how beautifully they came out. 🙂
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Totally 🙂 Thanks so much!!
Homemade Vegan says
These look so good!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thank you!
inthekitchenwithstacey says
Those look awesome!! Dark Chocolate and the crisp cereal! YUM!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thank you 🙂 I hope you give em a try!
I'm Busy Being Awesome says
Oh my gosh - these look so hearty and delicious! Cashews are my favorite - I love seeing those in there 🙂 And anything with peanut butter is a winner in my book 🙂
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thank you! Oh yes, I love cashews!!
Alyssa | Lattes & Faith says
These look delicious! And I love dark chocolate!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks 🙂 Same here!
e2bakesbrooklyn says
Oh. my. word. ??
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Hehe thanks!
Christina says
These look so yummy! I will have to give these a try.?
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks so much, enjoy!