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Healthy Protein Coffee Recipe (Easy Steps)

how to make protein coffee

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Unfortunately, morning tend to also be the busiest time of day for most people. Between whisking the kids off to school and getting yourself ready for work, there just isn’t enough time to cook a hearty, healthy breakfast too. Protein coffee is a quick and easy way to add some nutrition to your morning and help keep you full until lunchtime. It barely takes any more time than making a regular cup of coffee and can help even the busiest people reap the benefits of eating breakfast. Let’s find out how to make it.

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Getting Started

We’re going to show you how to make two different versions of protein coffee. The hot version is the easiest of the two and is perfect for people who can’t afford to waste a second. The cold version is better tasting and has a nearly unlimited number of variations you can use to keep things interesting – and delicious.

hot protein coffee recipe
Image Credit: Unsplash

Hot Protein Coffee Recipe

Let’s start with the hot version. It’s extremely easy to make and is the perfect breakfast for people on the go.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup of coffee
  • 1-2 scoops of protein powder
  • Milk and sugar to taste (optional)
Equipment
  • Coffee maker
  • Spoon
  • Large coffee mug

1. Brew your coffee.

Protein coffee is very forgiving, and it doesn’t matter how you brew your coffee. For simplicity’s sake, we recommend brewing your coffee exactly as you normally would. This is the quick and easy version, after all.

2. Add 1-2 scoops of protein powder.

Choose a protein powder with a flavor that plays nicely with coffee. Chocolate is the safest choice, and usually what we go for. It gives our protein coffee a nice mocha flavor. If protein coffee is going to be your only calories for the morning, go with two scoops. As a supplement to a more substantial breakfast, you can get away with only one scoop.

3. Stir vigorously.

It can be difficult to get protein powder to mix evenly without leaving chunks behind. A simple tip that can help is to use a slightly larger mug than a standard coffee cup. It might sound silly, but having more room to stir without worrying about spilling coffee over the sides makes a big difference. We’ve found that our protein powder dissolves pretty easily in hot coffee, but your results will vary depending on the specific protein powder you use.

4. Add milk and sugar to taste.

If you usually take milk and sugar in your coffee, feel free to use them in protein coffee too. Some people find they don’t need sugar because of the additional flavor the protein powder adds. Try it both ways and see what you prefer.

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Cold Protein Coffee Recipe

The cold protein coffee recipe is more involved than the hot one, but it also leaves room for experimentation. We like to think of this recipe as more of a protein shake with coffee than coffee with added protein. If you have a little more time, there’s a lot you can do to customize your drink.

a glass of Cold protein coffee
Image Credit: Y.P.photo, Shutterstock
Ingredients
  • 1 cup of coffee
  • 1-2 scoops of protein powder
  • Ice
  • Milk and sugar to taste (optional)
  • Your imagination
Equipment
  • Coffee maker
  • Blender
  • Glass or mug

1. Brew 1 cup of coffee and let it cool.

There is nothing fancy going on here. Brew your coffee just like you usually would and let it cool for half an hour to an hour. You want it to be cold enough to mix with the ice without melting it all instantly.

2. Decide how creative you’re feeling.

We joked about needing your imagination for this recipe, and here is where the sky’s the limit. There is an endless number of directions you could go here, but one of our favorite options is to include a frozen banana and a tablespoon of peanut butter.

3. Blend.

Once you decide what ingredients you’ll use, combine the chilled coffee, 1-2 scoops of protein powder, ice, and any extra ingredients in your blender. Blend until the texture is smooth and there are no visible lumps.

4. Serve and enjoy!

One tip for making the cold version is to use stronger coffee than you normally would. Cold coffee has a more muted taste than hot coffee, and the ice can also dilute the coffee a bit. Add an extra 1-2 tablespoons of coffee to counteract the ice and ensure that your protein coffee will still taste like coffee.


how to make protein coffee

Easy Protein Coffee

Ready to whip up a tasty protein coffee? It’s extremely easy to make and is the perfect breakfast for people on the go. Get ready for a protein-filled drink!
5 star average
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 drink(s)
Calories 130 kcal

Equipment

  • Coffee maker
  • Spoon
  • Large coffee mug

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup coffee
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • Milk and sugar to taste optional

Instructions
 

  • Protein coffee is very forgiving, and it doesn’t matter how you brew your coffee. For simplicity’s sake, we recommend brewing your coffee exactly as you normally would. This is the quick and easy version, after all.
  • Add 1-2 scoops of protein powder. If protein coffee is going to be your only calories for the morning, go with two scoops. As a supplement to a more substantial breakfast, you can get away with only one scoop.
  • Stir vigorously. We’ve found that our protein powder dissolves pretty easily in hot coffee, but your results will vary depending on the specific protein powder you use.
  • If you usually take milk and sugar in your coffee, feel free to use them in protein coffee too. Some people find they don’t need sugar because of the additional flavor the protein powder adds. Try it both ways and see what you prefer.

Notes

Choose a protein powder with a flavor that plays nicely with coffee. Chocolate is the safest choice, and usually what we go for. It gives our protein coffee a nice mocha flavor.
It can be difficult to get protein powder to mix evenly without leaving chunks behind. A simple tip that can help is to use a slightly larger mug than a standard coffee cup. It might sound silly, but having more room to stir without worrying about spilling coffee over the sides makes a big difference.

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcal
Keyword protein coffee

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Conclusion

Protein coffee is so easy to make – and tasty – that there’s no excuse for skipping breakfast anymore. Our hot recipe is just as simple as making your standard morning coffee, and it will help you crush cravings and make it to lunchtime without feeling faint or succumbing to the temptation of unhealthy snacks. If you have more time on your hands, you can get creative and whip up a coffee protein smoothie. The world is your oyster here, so go wild.

Both options are pretty easy to make and can help you squeeze some much-needed nutrition into your packed mornings. Give them both a try and see for yourself!

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Featured Image Credit: Brent Hofacker, Shutterstock

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Kate MacDonnell

Kate is a lifelong coffee enthusiast and homebrewer who enjoys writing for coffee websites and sampling every kind of coffee known to man. She’s tried unusual coffees from all over the world and owns an unhealthy amount of coffee gear.

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