Cooking with Coffee: A Full 3-Course Meal With Coffee in Every Dish
You probably know I’m partial to a good cup of coffee—but what happens when you stop drinking it and start cooking with it?
Well, I decided to find out. In this video, I’ve taken on the challenge of making a full-on three-course meal using coffee in every dish. Yep, we’re talking starter, main and dessert—and not a single cup to drink in sight. Just loads of rich, roasty flavour used in ways you might not expect.
Coffee in hummus? Yep.
Coffee in chilli? Absolutely.
Coffee in brownies? Well, that’s just obvious.
These recipes are easy to make, don’t take hours in the kitchen, and are surprisingly delicious. If you like bold flavours with a little kick and want to try something different for your next dinner, give these a go.
Starter: Smoky Coffee Chickpea Hummus with Pita Chips
A super smooth hummus with a subtle hit of espresso and warm, smoky spices. The coffee doesn’t overpower—it just brings out the depth of the chickpeas and adds a grown-up edge.
Start by baking up some crispy pita chips while you blitz everything in a food processor. The espresso, cumin and smoked paprika give it a little drama without going overboard. Serve it with a drizzle of oil and a cheeky dusting of paprika on top—simple, tasty, and done in no time.
Main: Coffee & Cacao Beef Chilli with Chocolate Chips
This one’s all about depth. Cocoa powder, brewed coffee, and a little cinnamon give the base a really bold, rich flavour. I used beef mince and simmered it for a good 40 minutes—adding in a second splash of coffee halfway through to keep the flavour big and bold.
Right near the end, I chucked in a handful of chocolate chips for a bit of luxury, then served it up with fluffy rice and some crumbled baked cheese from one of my older cheese and onion recipes. It’s hearty, a little smoky, and ridiculously moreish.
Dessert: Espresso Brownies with Sea Salt
These brownies are rich, fudgy, and super easy to knock together. I used brewed coffee and added a spoonful of espresso powder to really dial up that flavour. It doesn’t taste like a latte—it just makes the chocolate sing.
Once baked, I let them cool just slightly and then sliced them up with those gooey middles still warm. Topped off with a little flaky sea salt, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a great way to finish the meal.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it—a coffee-themed three-course meal that’s full of flavour, easy to pull off, and guaranteed to surprise anyone who thinks coffee’s just for your morning brew. Whether you’re a caffeine connoisseur or just fancy trying something new in the kitchen, give one (or all) of these a go.
And yes, if you’re wondering—I was very awake after filming this. Watch the video above or here on YouTube.
If you like coffee, you might also enjoy this video where it makes another unexpected appearance…
Thanks for stopping by, and if you try any of the recipes, let me know how you get on!