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 says
I'm not much of a coffee person, but these look perfect to make as a gift for my mom. Using the whole coffee beans is genius!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks so much, Amanda 🙂 They would make a great gift!
Margaret E Clegg says
I'm always on the hunt for snack bars without oats. These look great. My husband really loves coffee and imagine he's going to LOVE these!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yay, I'm thrilled to hear that 🙂 I hope y'all enjoy them!
Leslie says
Crave-worthy!! I can just imagine eating these with a nice cup of hot coffee!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Ohhh yes, perfection 🙂
Jules Shepard says
So I've never had a coffee nut bar before but it looks delish! Every single ingredient is on my list of loves - pinning and making later!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yay, so happy to hear that 🙂 These are great for on the go snacks and traveling treats!
Kathy Hester says
We love using bars like this for to go snacks. We are always traveling or on the go, so this is perfect.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
For sure!! Happy to hear that 🙂
Sarah says
These look delicious and I love all the texture!!
Pinning this recipe to make for heading north as they'd be a great snack on the go.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks so much, Sarah 🙂 They're the perfect on the go snack!
Cassidy @ Cassidy's Craveable Creations says
These look amazing! I prefer making my own bars too so I can control the ingredients - I love that you added coffee and used all clean ingredients 🙂
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yes, absolutely!! I love the coffee in these, gotta make em again sometime soon 🙂
Alisa Fleming says
My husband would love these! He's a sweet and coffee guy in the morning, and would be so happy if I made these for him.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Oh, so perfect 🙂 Best of both worlds!
loveyoumoretoo says
These sound SO GOOD. I need them in my life STAT.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks so much!! I love em 🙂
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
homemade granola bars are my fav and i love your version with PB, chocolate, and coffee...best combo!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks so much 🙂
Kylie says
Yum!! I feel like I spend so much money on bars I really should just make my own. Will definitely be giving this recipe a try!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yes!!! Yay, enjoy 🙂
beautybeyondbones says
Wow that looks scrumptious!! Hugs and love xox
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks so much!!
cindybee23 says
These sound amazing! I don't do coffee though but will try substituting cacao beans.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Oh yum, let me know what you think!
Sarah Newman says
I love dark chocolate ANYTHING - but especially with coffee, wowzers! These sound delightful. 😀
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yes!!! Thank you 🙂