This espresso chocolate chip bread has the most delicious coffee + chocolate flavors! This bread has the most amazing taste and texture, and is filled with healthy ingredients: oats, nut butter, and a touch of pure maple syrup to sweeten. This espresso bread is naturally gluten free, with a tested vegan option. It is much lower in sugar than most quick bread recipes, and makes for the most delicious breakfast or snack (especially paired with a mug of coffee or glass of milk!). I honestly tested this recipe MANY months ago in the very beginning of this year…and am just now getting around to sharing it with you ?. I seriously can NOT wait for you to try this bread yourself!!! ?

I am so excited to finally be sharing this recipe with you!! As I mentioned, I actually tested this recipe way back in JANUARY. It’s ironic to think how much has changed and happened since then….

Don’t take it to mean that I wasn’t excited to share this recipe with you right away. Since making and finalizing th’is recipe, I have since shared this delicious maple tahini flax banana bread, and this peanut butter chocolate chip bread. I simply kind of forgot about sharing this recipe first! Sometimes it’s difficult to decide what recipes to share first…

Anyways. Can we name a better flavor combination than coffee+ chocolate? Like a mocha…but this bread actually doesn’t remind me of a mocha since the base of the bread is actually coffee/espresso flavored, and not a cocoa/chocolate flavor. Although that sounds like a delicious recipe test too… ?

I used Nestle Espresso chocolate chips in this bread, which was actually how this bread was created in the first place! When I first saw these espresso chocolate chips at the grocery store in the baking aisle, I was so excited and of course had to buy a bag. Then I was trying to think of a recipe to use them in…and decided to come up with my own!

This espresso chocolate chip bread is actually based on this cinnamon raisin oat bread, which is honestly one of the most viewed and most popular recipes on the blog and a personal favorite as well. While I do love oatmeal raisin, you better believe I love chocolate and coffee flavors more. I personally feel like a coffee-flavored quick bread isn’t a common flavor at all? In fact, prior to making this recipe, I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten a coffee/espresso flavored baked good. Sure, espresso powder or instant coffee is often added to chocolate baked goods with cocoa powder to bring out the chocolate flavors, but I was going for a more pronounced coffee flavor versus chocolate (although if you’re looking for a chocolate quick bread recipe…check out this double chocolate chip zucchini bread!). I have to say; I’m pretty excited about the idea of an espresso chocolate chip flavored quick bread, and I hope you are too!!

Let’s talk a bit more about what you need to make this espresso chocolate chip bread!

Ingredients and Substitution Ideas

Oat flour

Oat flour is naturally gluten-free, and 100% whole grain! As I’m sure you can tell by so many of my recipes, I LOVE using oat flour in baked goods (and no-bake goods!). I love the nutrition, taste, and texture it gives. You can very easily (and cheaply) buy oat flour in the baking aisle of your grocery store (it’s much more mainstream these days). Another option is to simply grind up oats in a blender or food processor at home. It’s so easy!!

Espresso powder

Espresso powder is also found in the baking aisle of the grocery store, and this is what gives this bread a delicious coffee flavor! You can also try substituting instant coffee (you may want to dissolve in 1-2 tablespoons hot water first) for the espresso powder.

Spices and such

Baking powder and soda are used to help the bread rise, since quick breads do not use yeast. Salt is vital to help bring all of the flavors together; salt actually can bring out the sweetness in baked goods! Vanilla extract also helps add flavor.

Applesauce

Just like with this cinnamon raisin bread, applesauce is used to add moisture, provide great texture, and bind the ingredients together, not to mention add a bit of natural sweetness! This bread does NOT taste like applesauce, in case you are wondering ? I like applesauce as it is a more neutral flavor than banana, although substitution ideas would be banana or pumpkin. In fact, a pumpkin espresso bread sounds pretty good…may have to keep that in mind later for fall baking!

Eggs

I have tested this recipe using both regular chicken eggs, as well as flax eggs! Both versions work, so if you want/need this bread to be vegan, I’m happy to report that is an option. The batch with chicken eggs was possibly slightly higher and raised more; the flax egg version was maybe a little more dense. To make flax eggs, simply mix 2 tablespoons ground flax mixed with 5 tablespoons water and let gel for a few minutes before adding to the rest of the ingredients!

Milk

Any milk works here. I’ve used skim, 2%, and almond before and all work great!

Pure Maple Syrup

You only need ¼ cup of pure maple syrup to sweeten this entire recipe! While maple syrup is my preferred choice in this recipe, other substitution ideas would be either honey or agave. I haven’t tested a granulated sugar; I’d recommend sticking with a liquid sweetener for this bread.

Almond butter

Just like with oat flour, I LOVE using nut butter in recipes instead of butter! Not only do I love the taste of nut butter and literally eat it daily, it is filled with heart-healthy fats as well as protein! I loved the taste of almond butter in this espresso bread, but I did also test this recipe using melted butter. Both options work ? So if you don’t have almond or cashew butter, feel free to sub melted butter instead!

Espresso chocolate chips

And now, finally to my favorite ingredient in this recipe! I love Nestle’s new espresso chocolate chips, and they are perfect to use in this espresso flavored bread! But if you can’t find these at your grocery store/online, obviously regular chocolate chips work just fine too ?

Serving Suggestions

I love making this bread (or you could try muffins!) for easy breakfasts and snacks! It’s honestly delicious anytime of the day. This bread (like pretty much any baked good!) is very freezer-friendly. I like slicing in individual slices first, and then freezing so you can pull out individual servings/amounts at a time from the freezer if you want!