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    Home » Recipes » Chocolate Slices

    Chocolate Covered Espresso Oat Bars

    Published: Jan 9, 2016 · Modified: May 14, 2019 by Audrey · This post may contain affiliate links · 37 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Chocolate Covered Espresso Oat Bars (No-Bake & Free From: gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, starches, refined sugars, and can be made raw)

    Soft and chewy, sweet and gooey comforting... with a good dose of chocolate and a nice espresso kick. That's what these bars are all about. I've lately been having so much of the chocolate + espresso + molasses combo, and I honestly can't get enough. These chocolate covered espresso oat bars & a nice cup of coffee... dreams...

    Chocolate Covered Espresso Oat Bars (No-Bake & Free From: gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, starches, refined sugars, and can be made raw)

    When I started making these bars, I wasn't sure where I was heading with them at all. All I knew is that I wanted to have that choco-espresso fix and I needed a medium of some kind for that. Oats seemed a good way to go. They're soft, mellow, tasty, and a good vessel for all kinds of flavors. And so I made the oaty "filling" first, and the rest my hands just sort of made by themselves... with whatever ideas flowed and whatever I had on hand.

    Chocolate Covered Espresso Oat Bars (No-Bake & Free From: gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, starches, refined sugars, and can be made raw)

    Thinking about it now, I can see how this recipe could probably be pretty versatile for those with alternative preferences. Like doing half and half on the oats & dates and eliminating the coconut oil for those oil-free... Or using some pre-soaked buckwheat groats in place of oats for those sensitive to oats... Using a homemade magic shell in place of melted chocolate... Adding a bit of coconut sugar for a slightly caramely boost... A bit of orange extract for a choco espresso orange treat... Raw oats for raw version... Omitting the espresso and adding some raw ground vanilla bean (or a flavor of choice)... So many options with these and super easy to customize and have fun with. Then again, I'm quite pleased with how these turned out and probably wouldn't change a thing for next time :)

    Chocolate Covered Espresso Oat Bars (No-Bake & Free From: gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, starches, refined sugars, and can be made raw)

    The only thing I'd say is that you must keep that molasses flavor! I know it's not a lot and many people ask whether it's essential because they don't want to spend money on a jar just to use the smallest amount in a recipe. I'm going to lie and say that it is essential... ok, you caught me, it isn't... -- but I highly recommend trying it. It adds such a beautiful deep malty flavor to chocolate. And you'll see that before long you'll be adding it to lots of things... So yeah, it's essential (but isn't if you must omit it of course... ;) ).

    Chocolate Covered Espresso Oat Bars (No-Bake & Free From: gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, starches, refined sugars, and can be made raw)

    But ingredients aside... these bars are the easiest thing to make. And have been totally inseparable from my cup of coffee all week. I can't begin to imagine what my cuppa will be like without them when I run out... ?

    Chocolate Covered Espresso Oat Bars (No-Bake & Free From: gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, starches, refined sugars, and can be made raw)

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    Chocolate Covered Espresso Oat Bars

    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 6 reviews

    A soft, chewy, chocolate covered gluten-free snack bar with a kick of espresso flavor.

    • Author: Audrey @ Unconventional Baker
    • Prep Time: 30 minutes
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 12 - 14 bars
    • Category: Bars
    • Method: No-Bake
    • Cuisine: Dessert

    Ingredients

    Oat Filling:

    • 2 cup gluten-free quick oats
    • 8 soft medjool dates, pitted
    • 6 tbsp coconut oil, softened or liquefied
    • 4 tbsp maple syrup (or liquid sweetener of choice)
    • 2 tsp instant espresso powder
    • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • ¼ tsp salt

    Chocolate Coating:

    • 1 cup chopped chocolate or chocolate chips
    • 1 tsp instant espresso powder
    • 1 tbsp unsulphured blackstrap molasses
    • 1-3 tablespoon coconut oil or cacao butter, liquefied

    Optional Toppings:

    • cacao nibs and chocolate coated amaranth balls (shaved chocolate, chocolate curls, or chocolate chips would work well too)

    Instructions

    1. Process all filing ingredients in a food processor into a uniform mixture. Transfer into a parchment-lined rectangular container (I used my 12 x 4.5 " loaf pan, but anything of a similar size will do). Smooth out the mixture and press down with the back of a spoon or a spatula until the mixture is even and flat. Freeze for 1 hour.
    2. Line a flat cookie sheet you can fit into your fridge or freezer with parchment and place the sheet in the freezer for about 5 mins while working on the next step (this will help the chocolate to set faster and not spread out on you too much in the next steps).
    3. Melt your chocolate in a bowl and add remaining ingredients, stirring for a while until everything combines into a uniform mixture (the coconut oil helps to thin it out, so use more or less as needed).
    4. Remove the frozen oat filling block from the freezer and transfer onto a cutting board. Cut into rectangles (or smaller squares if you prefer). Place a bar on a fork and dunk into the melted chocolate mixture to coat it. Wipe off any excess chocolate by running the bottom of the fork over the rim of the bowl. Place on the prepared chilled cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining bars. Sprinkle with toppings if using.
    5. Place the cookie sheet in the fridge for about 30 mins to set, and enjoy! Keep bars refrigerated until use.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Augusta Daley says

      June 24, 2017 at 9:13 pm

      I can't wait to make these bars! Are the oats supposed to be cooked first or do you make the filling with raw oats?
      LOVE your site!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Ana de Castro says

      March 27, 2016 at 6:07 pm

      Hi! Love your recepies. Beautiful, healthy and yummy! Just my type of food. I will try to do this bars, but I would like to know if I can store the bars outside the refrigerator and for how long. Thanks! Kisses from Porto (Portugal).

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        March 28, 2016 at 5:10 pm

        Hi Ana,

        Thanks so much :) Happy you're enjoying the recipes!

        They can be stored outside the fridge if the room they're in is quite cold, but the chocolate will start to melt a bit otherwise. If you are going to keep them unrefrigerated, I'd omit the coconut oil from the chocolate layer, and if possible use melted cacao butter instead -- it stays much more solid at room temp than coconut oil.

        Reply
    3. Mike Smith says

      February 29, 2016 at 1:03 pm

      Read this post about a week ago, and held back the temptation of commenting, until I've made it - which was on sunday! Gosh, I couldn't make it as nicely as you did – however, my wife did like it. I intend to treat her more often with these bars.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        March 04, 2016 at 2:28 am

        Hey Mike! Thanks so much for the feedback. So happy you liked them :) Being in the coffee business, I can see why these are a good fit ;)

        Reply
    4. Lana says

      February 19, 2016 at 10:11 pm

      Made these today. Fantastic and melt-in-your mouth goodness. I loved the espresso hint inside this luscious chocolate cover! Although, I must say, the hemp bars stole my heart...
      Thank you, Audrey!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        February 19, 2016 at 10:57 pm

        Aw, I know what you mean, Lana. And I'm with you! The hemp bars are hard to beat and I love them more than these. But it's nice to have variety too, so glad I made these first :)

        Thank you for the feedback! Appreciate it ♥ Have a lovely weekend!

        Reply
    5. Nicole English says

      February 01, 2016 at 7:02 pm

      I really need to make these Audrey. They look fantastic xx

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        February 15, 2016 at 4:12 am

        Thank you Nicole! They are so good. Hope you get to try them out sometime :)

        Reply
    6. Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says

      January 25, 2016 at 1:51 am

      This sounds like EVERYTHING I'd want in one bite! I need to go find some espresso powder!

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        February 15, 2016 at 4:13 am

        Oh, well I know you found that powder now -- no getting away from these now ;) Just kidding. Honestly, espresso powder in anything chocolatey is the best.

        Reply
    7. Melissa @ vegan does it says

      January 12, 2016 at 1:53 pm

      These look so scrumptious and decadent! I'm one of those with alternative preferences, haha! I just can't seem to like coffee no matter how much I'd like too! But molasses is one of my favorite flavors and of course chocolate too! Using vanilla bean instead of the espresso sounds perfect for me.

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 12, 2016 at 6:58 pm

        Awesome! I often use raw ground vanilla to replace a stronger flavor when people are not into things like espresso, kahlua, etc. It works a treat and tastes delicious!

        P.S. Typing this as I'm making your soup :) It smells wonderful cooking!

        Reply
    8. sue|theviewfromgreatisland says

      January 12, 2016 at 11:38 am

      These bars are so unusual and they sound incredible, I'm a huge molasses fan and I'm never without it!

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 12, 2016 at 6:59 pm

        Thanks for weighing in, Sue. I'm a huge fan of molasses too. I think people many people are scared off from using it due to a lack of familiarity... Otherwise, it's the best in so many things!

        Reply
    9. Beverley @ sweaty&fit says

      January 12, 2016 at 10:51 am

      omg! these look like something you would get from a super classy, expensive cafe. I love how dense and chewy they look. pinning for later!

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 12, 2016 at 6:59 pm

        Thank you so much, Beverley! ♥

        Reply
    10. Tiina @myberryforest says

      January 11, 2016 at 2:34 pm

      Audrey you've created something magical! And the photography is stunning:) I've been searching for a choco-coffee treat, I love the combo so much (I even add cacao powder to my cup of coffee:) I have this amazing mushroom coffee powder (with Lion's mane & chaga) which I think could be used here instead of espresso. Will report back when I've tried these:) Thank You for creating such a wonderful recipe<3

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 12, 2016 at 3:02 am

        Ooooh, mushroom coffee?! Now I want to try THAT! I love chaga. Going to have to look for something similar now, because it sounds delicious ♥

        Reply
        • Tiina @myberryforest says

          January 12, 2016 at 5:21 am

          The coffee tastes amazing, kind of a chocolatey deep rich coffe flavor:) I buy mine from Four Sigma Foods (I have no attachment to this company, I just simply love their products a lot..also their Mushroom Cocoa:). I will probably make a batch of these this week, so excited<3

          Reply
          • Audrey says

            January 12, 2016 at 7:00 pm

            Ok, now I double want to get some!! :) Enjoy them ♥

            Reply
    11. Nadia's Healthy Kitchen says

      January 11, 2016 at 10:17 am

      Wow!! Beautiful beautiful treats!! I would be so happy if I had one of these bars in my hand right now :D

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 11, 2016 at 1:12 pm

        Thanks Nadia :) I'm about to enjoy my last one and am already dreaming of the next batch...

        Reply
    12. Donna says

      January 11, 2016 at 1:13 am

      Made these today. Fantastic! Thank you Audrey for sharing your creations?

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 11, 2016 at 1:32 am

        So happy to hear! Glad you enjoyed them Donna. Thank you for the feedback :)

        Reply
    13. Natalia says

      January 10, 2016 at 4:51 am

      Succh an eaasy and conforting recipe! Love everything about it and will give them a try even today! Looking too good to let them for another time! Thans for the recipe, Audrey! I will come back to tell you how quickly we devored them ;)

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 11, 2016 at 1:48 am

        Awesome, Natalia! I hope you enjoy them :) I've only got one left :S ...and I'm already wondering when I'm making the next batch ♥

        Reply
    14. Mandy says

      January 10, 2016 at 3:41 am

      This combo is pure perfection!! You know my love for molasses (and chocolate...and coffee), so I'm obviously drawn to this recipe!! I'm saving this recipe for when oats and I can be friends again. I love that there's espresso powder in both the filling and the coating, I can almost taste how rich and decadent these are! They're beautiful, Audrey! ❤️

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 11, 2016 at 1:49 am

        Thanks so much, Mandy! Aw, sorry you and oats are still not getting along : / I hope you can bounce back soon. I know I did, so there's hope :) And these are actually surprisingly not very rich tasting -- they are light and sort of melt in your mouth in fact! But super good. Well, if nothing, I hope this gives you incentive to enjoy more mocha molasses anything ;) ♥

        Reply
    15. Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says

      January 09, 2016 at 2:41 pm

      As soon as I saw the word "oat" in the title I knew I would be all over this one! And dates. And molasses. What more does a person need really :) I've never tried the molasses espresso combo, but just saying it sounds delicious. They look like candy bar meets healthy breakfast bar mmmm <3

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 09, 2016 at 10:30 pm

        Hehe, yes, that's a good way to describe them! :) Now what's this carrot cake rawnola?!?! ;)

        Reply
    16. Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says

      January 09, 2016 at 1:52 pm

      Wow - these look absolutely amazing. Like a made over chocolate bar in fact! I love molasses too and know what you mean about its distinctive flavour.

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 09, 2016 at 10:29 pm

        Thank you so much, Kari! And yes, molasses is such a nice way to dress up chocolatey creations <3 Massive love for that little bit of black goo :)

        Reply
    17. Bethany @ Athletic Avocado says

      January 09, 2016 at 11:20 am

      These bars are like a dream come true! Espresso, chocolate and oats are literally my life LOL!

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 09, 2016 at 10:27 pm

        Haha. I knew others would share my choco-coffee-oaty feelings :)

        Reply
    18. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      January 09, 2016 at 8:06 am

      Coffee and chocolate....all we need in life! (Oats don't hurt either) ;)

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 09, 2016 at 10:26 pm

        Yep, pretty much <3

        Reply

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