10 Protein Coffee Recipes That Put Power in Your Breakfast

Protein coffee(aka “proffee”) is taking social media by storm. ICYMI, proffee is just what it sounds like — a protein shake with coffee in it.

Coffee boosts your energy thanks to its caffeine content. Caffeine promotes alertness by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain, according to a May 2021 review in ​Cureus​. So, if you really want to power up your mornings, enjoy some stimulating coffee combined with the satiating power of protein.

But keep in mind: While quality protein powders can up your protein intake, whole-food nutrition is still key — generally, you’ll get more nutrients by way of whole foods, according to Cleveland Clinic. Many of the recipes below feature whole-food ingredients to power you up with a nourishing breakfast. (And for those who simply want some proffee, we got a recipe for that, too!)

Scroll down to see some of our favorite protein coffee recipes.

Make busy mornings a snap with this cocoa-y breakfast coffee smoothie. It’s a perfect pre-workout breakfast with everything you need to get you revved with lasting energy. With coffee, milk, oats, banana, milk and protein powder, it’s like enjoying a nourishing bowl of oatmeal with your morning coffee.

Energize your day with this refreshing protein coffee shake. It packs in 25 grams of protein per serving and it’s got plenty of whole-food nutrition, including banana, chia seeds and almond butter, which all provide plenty of fiber and heart-healthy fats.

Whether you choose chocolate, vanilla or coffee-flavored protein powder, this one froths up into a deliciously thick and creamy treat.

This drink has just two ingredients: your prepared protein shake (or protein powder) and cold brew for a simple easy treat. But how you blend it can make all the difference. Colleen Christensen, RD, recommends refrigerating your cold brew first, then it whipping it up in a blender with the protein powder to get it creamy and smooth.

To keep it fun and tasty, experiment with different protein powder flavors or consider adding your own extracts (such as peppermint, caramel or maple).

On those mornings when you barely have the energy to even make a cup of coffee, you’ll appreciate this make-ahead smoothie.

Enjoy its creamy blend of cold brew coffee, protein powder and a great selection of naturally sweet, nourishing foods: frozen bananas, dates, almonds and unsweetened coconut flakes.

This Starbucks copycat recipe is a smooth blend of coffee, almond butter, cocoa powder, protein powder and a frozen banana, making it thick and creamy. And if you use coconut milk instead of almond milk, it just might remind you of an Almond Joy treat. Though, we think the recipe is delicious as is!

Dairy-free with simple ingredients, it’s a great way to get some protein, fiber and healthy fats.

This recipe has four simple ingredients (not counting the water and ice). And what we love is that this drink provides some wholesome nutrition from banana and soy milk, which also adds a bit more protein to your buzz-worthy drink. Blending in water and ice keeps it under 400 calories while adding a frothy, refreshing appeal.

The nutritional value may vary depending on your protein powder choice, but you’ll get around 11 grams of dietary fiber and 22 grams of protein in this 330-calorie drink.

Here, you get that PB goodness not only from the peanut butter but the peanut butter protein powder, as well. Banana, oats, and yogurt add to satiating value of this caffeinated smoothie — a perfect combo to fuel you in the morning.

With plenty of whole-food ingredients and your choice of coffee (cold brew, iced or regular brew) this is one smooth and tasty treat.

For just $4.03 per recipe (that’s one generous serving!), you can enjoy this creamy, rich coffee banana protein smoothie. And it’s a nutritious breakfast choice that can be made in just 2 minutes. For the price and convenience, you can’t go wrong with this tasty coffee and protein treat.

In addition to protein, it’s got plenty of fiber and veggies, too! Yes, there’s 2 cups of frozen riced cauliflower in the mix, meaning you get two servings of vegetables in this smooth and creamy treat. Plus, it’s vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free.

This smoothie is designed to get you going in the morning, with staying power until lunch. And at 400 calories, it’s a perfect breakfast option. Low-carb, protein-rich and ultimately satisfying, this is a perfect go-to for those busy mornings.

This thick and creamy coffee protein smoothie loads up nourishing ingredients: banana, hemp hearts, flax seed and almond butter as well as dates and cocoa nibs for sweetness.

While this coffee lover’s smoothie has no protein powder (or prepared protein shake), hemp hearts are an ideal protein powder substitute as they have all nine essential amino acids. This smoothie clocks in around 14 grams of protein per serving (which is plenty).