Boost your energy with Protein Coffee! Made in under 5 minutes, this easy protein coffee recipe loads you up on protein and caffeine for the entire day. Sleepy? Low energy? Hangover? Try Proffee coffee!
Whether you're wondering "How do you increase protein in coffee? " or "Can I mix my protein with coffee?", this recipe is for you. Proffee is the ultimate protein-fix that will charge you up for the day and ensure you hit your macros.
What is protein coffee?
Protein coffee is a drink prepared by mixing protein powder with coffee. It's usually made with just 2 main ingredients, in a blender or in a shaker. As simple as that, this beverage is a real game changer.
Proffee coffee comes from TikTok. A couple of TikTokers posted videos of them mixing protein powder with coffee and they went viral. It was a trend. Ever since then, this drink became a "staple" of the fitness community diet.
It's a quick and easy recipe, everyone can make it. But before you start scooping your protein into hot coffee, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. From the best types of protein powder to preparation methods, in this blog post I am going to lead you through all the steps to make the best protein powder coffee at home.
Ingredients & recommendations
Homemade protein coffee is a simpler and much healthier alternative to the one you buy. This recipe only requires 2 clean ingredients, no added sugar, gums, or artificial sweeteners. You only need cold brewed coffee and a scoop of protein powder. Ice and milk are "nice-to-add" that will elevate your coffee experience. Here’s the detailed ingredient list:
- Cold brew coffee. The best proffee is made with high quality cold brew coffee. You can also replace with americano, or a combination of cold brew and espresso coffee. Regular or decaf.
- Protein powder. I recommend vanilla whey protein powder, it mixes well without lumps. Collagen is also great. Casein and vegan protein powder can also be used, but they tend to produce a “heavier” texture similar to smoothies.
- Sweetener of choice. Add a couple teaspoons of maple syrup, honey or calorie-free sweetener, in case you are using unflavored protein powder. Mine was already tasty enough, without extra sweeteners.
- Milk of choice. Serve protein coffee with a drop of your favorite milk for a richer taste. You can use dairy or nondairy milk, my recommendations are unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, semi-skimmed milk and whole milk.
- Ice cubes. A couple ice cubes will make your protein drink more refreshing. But don’t overdo on ice, or it will make it too watery.
What is a good protein to add to coffee?
There are different types of protein powder in the market, but not all of them are equally good for this recipe. Some mix better, others will not dissolve that well. Here are the best types of protein powder in coffee, ordered from most to least recommended:
- Whey protein powder. Out of all options, isolate whey or whey is the best. It dissolves easily and does not make the drink grainy or chunky. I like vanilla flavor, but also unflavored or chocolate flavor are great
- Collagen protein. Similar to whey, also collagen blends well with coffee. Choose flavored or unflavored options, I like vanilla.
- Casein protein powder. A byproduct of milk, casein also works but tends to produce a grainier, heavier coffee drink. That's because it absorbs more liquid than whey. As in the previous cases, you can use any flavor or no flavor at all.
- Vegan protein powder. Whether it is soy or pea, plant based protein powder may not be the best option. It will still work, indeed. But your coffee protein shake will require more blending and it may turn out grainy. Vanilla, chocolate, coffee, unflavored or any other flavor are all okay.
Recipe variations
The basic proffee recipe only uses 2 main ingredients. But this shouldn't limit you, because this simple beverage leaves plenty of room for creativity. From protein powder flavor to extra milk, the ways how you can prepare this drink at home are literally endless. And if you still need ideas, keep on reading.
- Add milk or creamer. You can either pour in some milk for serving, or use it as a replacement for part of the coffee. Blend protein powder with one or two shots of espresso plus about half a cup of your favorite milk, enjoy your protein latte.
- Use another type of coffee. Instead of cold brew, you can experiment with espresso shots, iced coffee, or decaf. Choose the one you like the most, but make sure it is high quality coffee.
- Use chocolate protein powder or cocoa powder. Make proffee coffee with chocolate flavored protein powder, or add a couple teaspoons cocoa powder. Give it a mix and you'll get a creamy chocolate protein coffee drink, similar to mocha.
- Serve with ice cubes. Right after blending, pour the protein drink in a glass containing some ice. Enjoy your protein iced coffee with a splash of milk or creamer.
- Make it hot. Do not blend hot coffee and protein powder directly, first dissolve the powder with a bit of milk and then combine all together. This will prevent lumps from forming. For protein hot coffee I recommend vegan and casein protein, as it is better not to heat whey.
How to make protein coffee at home?
- Place cold brew coffee and protein powder into a blender and blend until smooth. You can also replace part of the coffee with milk or add some ice.
- Pour into a glass. Serve with a couple tablespoons of your favorite milk and some ice, if desired.
How to make protein coffee with no blender?
If you don't have a blender, place protein powder with coffee in a shaker and give it a good mix. Shake it, shake it, shake it very well. With energy, make it count as your arm workout for the day. The powder should dissolve completely in the coffee, without clumps left. If whey won't take that long, casein and vegan protein powder will require a way more shaking to get mixed.
Success tips
- Use cold coffee, it should not be hot. If you mix protein powder with hot coffee (especially whey), you will get a lumpy and grainy consistency.
- Choose protein powder wisely, they are not all the same. The best protein powder for coffee is whey followed by collagen, both dissolve very well. Plant based protein powder will require more mixing.
- Add a couple teaspoons of your favorite sweetener. You'll probably need this, in case the protein powder you are using is unflavored. I also suggest blending in a hint of vanilla extract, it perfectly balances the strong coffee flavor.
- Make protein coffee in a blender, if available. This ensures that coffee and protein powder mix very well without leaving lumps. Further, blending on high gives the drink a creamier frothy texture.
Storage information
This coffee protein drink tastes better fresh, right after blending. But you can also make it and store it in the fridge for later. Refrigerated, protein powder coffee will last for up to 2 days. Before serving, remove from the refrigerator and give it a good shake or blend again to restore the original texture. This will ensure that any protein powder which has deposited at the bottom gets mixed with the liquid.
For all those who wonder "Can I freeze protein coffee?", the answer is yes. But you'll end up with a quite different result. Pour it in the ice tray and store in the freezer to set. You'll get protein coffee ice to put in your favorite beverages.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
Cold brew coffee is the one that this recipe uses. Feel free to replace with iced coffee, cold americano, or a long espresso mixed with cold milk to add more liquid. Also instant coffee is an option, but it does not have the best flavor. What is truly important is that the liquid should be cold.
This recipe is made with protein powder, but you can also use bottled protein shake. In this case, you will have to replace part of the coffee with the shake. To avoid your drink from tasting watery, I recommend blending a shake with espresso.
This beverage can be considered as healthy because it provides both caffeine for energy and protein for your muscle tissues. Depending on your diet, it can support weight loss, or aid in weight gain and building muscle mass.
No, although they are very similar, they are not the same thing. Shakes are usually prepared with just milk or water, while the protein coffee recipe mixes protein powder with coffee.
More high protein breakfasts
- Protein oatmeal
- Protein pancake recipe
- Protein overnight oats
- Homemade protein cereal
- Banana protein pancakes
- Frozen yogurt
Protein Coffee
Equipment
- blender or shaker
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 ml) cold brew coffee
- ¼ cup (25 grams) protein powder I recommend vanilla flavor whey protein
Optional Ingredients
- ½ to 1 tbsp sweetener of choice if using unflavored protein powder
- milk of choice
- ice cubes
Instructions
Blender Method
- Place cold brew coffee and protein powder into a blender and blend until smooth. You can also replace part of the coffee with milk or add some ice cubes.
- Pour into a glass. Serve with a couple tablespoons of your favorite milk or creamer and ice, if desired.
Shaker Method
- Place cold brew coffee and protein powder into a shaker and mix vigorously, until the protein powder has dissolved completely and the drink is smooth. Serve fresh for the best taste.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are based on third-party calculations and should be considered approximations. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more. We do not overtake any responsibility.
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Constantino
I must try this protein coffee for my breakfast. Looks great!
Matteo
Oh yes, it will give you energy and protein for the whole day! Enjoy your protein powder and coffee in a single delicious drink.
All the best,
Matteo
Liza Ho
Protein coffee is a good option to start my day!
Matteo
Protein powder and coffee is the best drink to start the day with energy and nutrients. Perfect after working out in the gym, as a great post workout!
All the best,
Matteo