Wondering how to make proffee? A high-protein, low carb breakfast on the go has never been easier than this quick and easy protein coffee (aka proffee) recipe.

Proffee may sound glamorous, but it couldn’t be more simple to make.

2 glasses of iced coffee with protein creamer on a table with coffee beans

So why all the hype? Well, for starters it's delicious! And, a great way to meet your protein breakfast macros without eggs. Also, this easy recipe comes together in just a few quick minutes.

This recipe is perfect for busy moms on the go, athletes who want to jazz up their protein shakes, or anyone who enjoys a healthy protein packed cup of coffee. Coffee + Protein is a match made in heaven!

If you're looking for more healthy protein drinks, check out these yummy Protein Green Smoothie and Pomegranate Triple Berry Smoothie recipes.

HOW TO MAKE PROFFEE

The best way to make this recipe is by pouring cold brew coffee over ice then topping with a bottle pre-made protein drink. I’m a big fan of sugar-free protein drinks to save on carbs, but feel free to use a protein drink that fits your nutritional needs. Caramel, vanilla, and chocolate are my favorite flavors to pair with coffee.

If you are using protein powder combine coffee, ice, whey protein, and a bit of unflavored almond milk into a big shaker cup. If you don’t like (or can’t have almond milk) regular dairy milk, soy milk, or oat milk are all good substitutes.

You can still get that beautiful coffee and cream swirl from protein powder. Simply mix your dry protein with any type of milk or plant based milk in a shaker cup, whisked together, or blended. Now, you have a protein shake that can be poured over your coffee.

Simple. Easy. Delicious.

WHAT IS PROTEIN COFFEE?

Proffee is exactly what it sounds like. Coffee that is combined with protein powder or a prepared protein shake, usually served over ice, and sometimes flavored syrups are added. It’s a delicious drink for anyone who wants to up their protein intake or post workout muscle recovery.

The recipe I’m sharing in the recipe card below is made with cold brew coffee and a bottled store-bought protein shake. But, there are many ways to customize it depending on your preferences. I’ll be giving several variations and optional add-ins for protein coffee throughout this post.

WHAT TYPE OF COFFEE TO USE?

It’s really up to you what type of coffee you use for your Proffee. I suggest using your favorite coffee you already have on hand.

ANY OF THESE WILL WORK:

Drip Coffee - Be careful when pouring hot coffee into a glass with ice as it could cause the glass to shatter.
Espresso One or two shots depending on your preferred caffeine intake
Cold Brew Coffee - Prepared store bought cold brew or homemade.
French Press Coffee - Here’s a great guide on How To Make French Press Coffee.

WHAT KIND OF PROTEIN TO USE

Not all protein powders are created equal and there are tons on the market. It can be hard to know which one to pick! My recommendation is to look for a clean-food protein powder that has fewer ingredients and is less processed.

BOTTLED PROTEIN SHAKE OR PROTEIN POWDER?

The appeal to using a ready-to-drink bottled protein shake over protein powder is that it can easily be poured over your coffee, where protein powders need to be mixed in a blender bottle, whisked together, or blended.

The end result tastes almost the same no matter if you start with protein powder or a prepared liquid protein shake.

TYPES OF PROTEIN POWDER

Dairy-Free Protein Powder
Vegan Protein Powder
All-Natural Naturally-Sweetened Whey Protein Powder
Whey Protein Powder
Collagen Protein Powder

TYPES OF PRE-MADE PROTEIN SHAKES

Regular
Sugar-Free
Clean Grass Fed
Vegan
Lactose Free
Meal Replacement Shakes

OPTIONAL ADD-INS

If you’ve used an unflavored protein powder or shake, and you don’t love the taste of black coffee, you may want to add a sweetener to your proffee.

Coffee Syrups - sugar-free if you prefer a low-carb or keto coffee
Flavored Coffee Creamers - Regular, plant-based, or sugar-free
Frothed Protein Shake to top off your protein coffee
Latte-Froth to top off your drink

IS PROTEIN COFFEE HEALTHY?

Coffee consumed in moderation is considered healthy since it contains antioxidants (helps protect your body’s cells against free radicals/damage) as well as B vitamins, potassium and riboflavin. And, caffeine can give you a boost of endurance while exercising and help with alertness and concentration when you need to study. Just be sure not to over do caffeine since it can have some negative health benefits.

If you're struggling to meet your protein needs or are trying to gain muscle, added protein can be a great supplement! Having protein with breakfast helps curb mid-morning snacking by keeping you fuller longer, and may help with weight loss.

To read more about the healthy benefits of Proffee, here's a good article from the Cleveland Clinic.

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📖 Recipe

Protein Coffee (Proffee Recipe)

Jessica Stroup

High-protein, low carb breakfast on the go has never been easier than this quick and easy protein coffee (aka proffee) recipe. Proffee may sound glamorous, but it couldn’t be more simple to make.

4.65 from 56 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 3

Cook Time 0

Total Time 3

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings proffee

Calories 102 kcal

Ingredients

1 cup coffee cold brew
1 cup protein shake Store-bought pre-made (vanilla, chocolate, or caramel flavor)
½ cup ice

Instructions

Add ice into a large glass
Pour cold brew coffee over ice
Add protein shake to coffee and ice
Stir until combined

Video

Notes

COFFEE VARIATIONS

It’s really up to you what type of coffee you use for your Proffee. I suggest using your favorite coffee you already have on hand.

Any of these will work:

Drip Coffee – Be careful when pouring hot coffee into a glass with ice as it could cause the glass to shatter.
Espresso One or two shots depending on your preferred caffeine intake
Cold Brew Coffee – Prepared store bought cold brew or homemade.
French Press Coffee

BOTTLED PROTEIN SHAKE OR PROTEIN POWDER?

The end result tastes almost the same no matter if you start with protein powder or a prepared liquid protein shake.

ADD-INS (OPTIONAL)

Coffee Syrups – sugar-free if you prefer a low-carb or keto coffee
Flavored Coffee Creamers – Regular, plant-based, or sugar-free
Frothed Protein Shake to top off your protein coffee
Latte-Froth to top off your drink

The nutritional values listed below are an estimate and will vary greatly in this recipe depending on the type of protein used, if you added in flavored syrups or creamers, or if you’ve added milk for protein powder.

Nutrition

Serving: 1proffeeCalories: 102kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 15gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 180mgSodium: 173mgPotassium: 440mgSugar: 7gVitamin A: 288IUCalcium: 361mgIron: 7mg

Keyword Proffee, Protein Coffee

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Nutritional Disclaimer

The nutritional information provided here is approximate and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. We strive to give you accurate information, but many factors can cause this data to vary widely. For more information, please read our full Nutritional Disclaimer.

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Protein Coffee (Proffee Recipe)

HOW TO MAKE PROFFEE

WHAT IS PROTEIN COFFEE?