This healthy coffee protein breakfast shake is packed with protein to keep you full and caffeine to keep you awake!
Once the weather starts to cool down, I don’t crave fruit smoothies as often. But I love smoothies for a quick breakfast option. This coffee protein breakfast shake is my go-to when I no longer want acai bowls, mint smoothies and blueberry smoothies, but still want something I can eat while I finish getting ready.
Coffee Protein Breakfast Shake
Ingredients
Cooled brewed coffee
Milk
Bananas
Protein Powder
Ice
Instructions
Who loves easy instructions? I sure do and this is one of those easy recipes. All you have to do is combine all the ingredients in a blender and you’ve got yourself a protein-packed coffee shake! I do put them into a blender a particular order as outlined below, but really, you’ll be fine if you just toss them all in there and blend! You may just need to use your blender stick or a spatula to scrape down the sides if the protein powder doesn’t mix in.
1. Put the frozen bananas in the blender
I HIGHLY recommend using frozen bananas for this. When frozen bananas are blended, they get incredibly creamy and create a lovely texture for your smoothie. (And if you’ve never made banana “nice” cream, you have to just so you can see the wonder of a frozen banana in its pure form when pureed!)
2. Add your cooled brewed coffee and milk
Ideally you would use leftover coffee from the day before that you stuck in the fridge. Or, you could just let your morning coffee cool off it bit. You can make your coffee right when you get up, drink a hot cup, and then pour a second cup to cool while you shower and get ready. If you really don’t have the time to let it cool, you can just use 1 teaspoon of finely ground coffee or instant coffee and it still works wonders. Just don’t pour hot coffee in with it unless you don’t mind a warm shake.
I use almond milk because cow’s milk doesn’t sit well with my stomach. Regarding the amount to use (since the recipe has a range): start with the lower end (i.e. ½ cup) and then add more depending on how thick you like your shakes. You’ll need to add even more milk if you didn’t use the brewed coffee and opted for the grounds. As a general rule, I’d start with less milk because you can always add more in but you can’t take any out.
3. Add protein powder.
Don’t put this in first since it can get stuck in the bottom and not blend. And just like the choice of milk, you also have a choice of protein powder. You can see my four go-to’s here! Adding in the protein powder will help you stay full for longer and help thicken the shake too.
4. Add ice
Adding ice is optional. I usually leave it out since I don’t want it watered down. But if you’re using warm-ish coffee, then I recommend adding in ice and reducing the amount of milk. The frozen banana can also cool down the temperature. I recommend trying the mixture without the ice and seeing if you want to add it in after.
5. Pulse the blender to break up the banana and the ice.
6. Then, run the blender for 1-2 minutes until it’s very creamy!
If you’re going to make a lot of smoothies, do yourself a favor and invest in a Vitamix. I bought a refurbished one (which is about $200 cheaper), have used it multiple times a week for 6+ years, and have had no issues.
Variations
Add spinach
You could add spinach for additional nutrient boost. It will alter the color but if you only add a handful or two, you shouldn’t taste it!
Flavored coffee
Experiment with different flavored coffee. I bet a s’more flavored coffee would be awesome. (I LOVE these s’more energy balls!)

Coffee Protein Breakfast Shake
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup brewed coffee, slightly cooled if you have time OR just use 1 teaspoon finely ground coffee or instant coffee
- 1/2 c – 1 c milk of choice; I use almond milk. (Add more or less depending on how thick you like your shake and more if you didn’t use brewed coffee)
- 1/2 banana (frozen is best!)
- 1 scoop protein powder
- Ice, if desired
- Optional: add xanthum gum for thickness & maca for a boost of energy and to help you recover from hard workouts
Instructions
Combine in a blender and drink!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 9
- Fat: 4.6
- Carbohydrates: 19.8
- Protein: 24
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38 Comments
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance
atHa, ha . . . I’m totally turning into my Mom! I don’t think there’s any way around it. And that’s okay. 🙂
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
atglad it’s not just me! 🙂
broccolihut
atThis sounds delicious! I’m on an iced coffee kick these days, so this will definitely enter my rotation.
My breakfast this morning was pretty good–scrambled egg whites with avocado!
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
atoooh that sounds awesome! I think an avocado could help rekindle my love for eggs. Thanks for the suggestion!
Ashley
atI love that protein powder!!! haha 🙂 It’s pretty bland but I’ve gotten really used to it and I don’t think it’s chalky, unlike Sunwarrior. Great idea for this smoothie! Might have to try it out this week. You should try microwave buckwheat bakes for a super filling + quick breakfast! Or, you can make a handful of the oven-bakes at night then store them in the fridge for the week.
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
atMaybe i’ll get used to it! It is bland and it doesn’t dissolve very well. Glad to hear your thoughts on SunWarrior – I was thinking of trying that next. Now I won’t 🙂
OMG how did i forget about microwave bake cakes??!! (I could never find buckwheat so always had to do oatmeal.) I’m going to start making those again. Thanks friend! And thanks for the super entertaining text tonight! hahahahhahaa
Christie
atMy confession: i’ve never EVER tried protein powder, shakes, nada. I’d like to though.
My breakfast go to lately has been green monsters. My usual mixture is spinach, blueberries, 1/2 a frozen banana, milk, vanilla yogurt, & ice. It’s fairly quick and my little girl likes them too, so it’s a great way for me to sneak in some veggies for her. It also benefits my son, who I can breastfeed while drinking my breakfast!
I, too, am becoming my mother. My daughter even came up to me this morning and said Grandma I want… I looked at her like she was nuts 😉
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
atwait, what?? That is crazy to me! It’s probably healthier. I mean, really – protein powder is creepy. What is this powder I’m inhaling that is full of protein and how did they get it in that form?
I need to get back in the green monster habit. They provide so much energy. And it totally weirds me out that your daughter is old enough to talk! I remember reading about when you got pregnant with her! times flies 🙂
Christie
atOnce the weather warms up I am sure you’ll get back into the GM mode, seems we all do!
Isn’t it crazy that Riley is already 2?!?! It seems like so long ago that we first connected. To think I already have a 2nd kid- makes me feel so old!
P.S. I’ve drooled over all your recent winery posts. Definitely need to get around the NC locations once the weather warms up.
Lauren
atI’ve been sticking with hot oats on these brutally cold winter mornings. I usually switch between those and yogurt but anything cold right now is appalling. I’ll bank this one for the summer. 🙂
[email protected]
atI am a copy of my mom too!..and I am 100% okay with it. She is amazing:)
I also got into an oatmeal rut this winter. Lately I’ve been enjoying my almond meal pancakes. They take some extra time, but sure are delicious.
http://servingsisters.com/2013/01/15/thebomb-com-pancake-recipe/
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
atthose pancakes sound amazing!!! thanks for sharing the link!
Lauren @ Sassy Molassy
atYum, that sounds great. And I think it’s okay to become your mom in some ways…
I like to switch it up daily with bkfst, but some of the things I’ve been eating are: semi overnight oats (soaked for an hour this morning) w/ raspberries, chia seeds, cinnamon and almond butter, eggs and toast, plain cereal w/ almond milk, berries and a little nut butter on top and occasionally hot oats.
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
athmmm maybe I just need to get some better toppings for my oatmeal and cereal and I’ll like it better. everything you typed sounds awesome!
Joy
atThere are so many parts of my mom I have – its funny
My current favorite breakfast is steamed broccoli (I’m odd and I know it)
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
athahahaha. that is totally odd. i love it. i went through a phase where I ate a spinach salad with hemp seeds and an egg for breakfast. that could also be labeled as weird 🙂
Jessica J
atI’m perplexed as to how you read a book while blow drying your hair. How do you keep your place?
Every now and then I find myself making a face that I know my mom makes too. It really freaks me out.
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
atlike keep the book open or just keep my spot on the page? I have a kindle (but when I’ve used a regular book, I would put a brush on it. ha!) and I don’t have a problem finding my spot after I look back down. 🙂
Lea @ Greens and Coffee Beans
atThat smoothie looks delicious! You gotta love when you can get your breakfast and caffeine fix in the same glass!
Lately for breakfast I’ve been eating 2 baked sweet potatoes with coconut oil and cinnamon, it sounds a little weird but my stomach seems to really like it.
The older I get the more I see the similarities between me and my mom, which I’m okay with because she’s a pretty awesome lady!
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
atmmmm that actually sounds really good for breakfast!
Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction
atI loveee breakfast…usually I’ll have Greek yogurt with fix-ins, but lately I am all about oatmeal at peanut butter!
Pam E
atVans makes a frozen waffle that has protein in it. Two waffles have 10 grams! AND, they are delicious. All four of my kids like them. I toast two and make a sandwich with almond butter and chia strawberry jelly – a recipe that I read in a magazine somewhere where you soak chia seeds and a tablespoon of water overnight and they turn to a gelatin like substance. I mash in three frozen strawberries that I have thawed in the refrigerator. Magic. . . it is just like being a kid again and I can eat it on the run.
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
atooooooh that chia strawberry jelly sounds awesome! I’m going to buy strawberries tomorrow so I can try it!
[email protected]
atI love Vega One vanilla chai!! I make it with just water and ice and it’s great. It’s pretty low calorie so it’s great with some fruit and/or nuts. I’ve been making breakfast burritos lately- corn tortilla (G-free) with candian bacon, egg whites, and a sprinkle of black beans.
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
atI haven’t had that Vega One in forever but I have a HUGE container in my fridge! I need to bust it out.
Jameil
atMy mother is the queen of policing everyone’s winter clothing. Watching the inauguration, I instantly wondered why M.Obama’s brother didn’t have anything on his very bald, very bare head and ears. I was cracking up! My mother’s obsession with hats and gloves is legend.wait for it.DARY. I also ask many questions in a row without necessarily waiting for the answers. I hate that! I’ll do better. And I’m adding “oh heavens!” to my lexicon! 🙂
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
athaha!
Chelsea
atI like breakfast food for breakfast, but I’m with you…. One can only eat so many eggs. I love breakfast I can grab and eat once I get to work. I really love love love these breakfast meatballs from PaleOMG http://paleomg.com/breakfast-bacon-maple-meatballs/
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
atI can’t wait to make these – thanks for sharing!
Lisa @ Cook Eat Paleo
atMy favorite breakfast is eggs with leftover roasted veggies – I always make extra so I can have them for breakfast. But if I’m in a hurry, I make an espresso protein shake that’s similar to yours. I use cashew milk since I can’t do dairy and add a little frozen banana for sweetness. Here’s the recipe http://cookeatpaleo.com/espresso-protein-shake/
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
atI can’t do dairy either but I’ve never tried cashew milk. I’ve tried flax, hemp, almond and soy and right now I’m on a flax kick. Do you like cashew better than all those?
Lisa @ Cook Eat Paleo
atI haven’t tried flax or hemp, but I like cashew milk better than almond and soy. It has a milder flavor and is easy to make at home. I also like that if I make it there are no gums or starches – just cashews, water, honey and vanilla. Here’s a link to how to make it http://cookeatpaleo.com/dairy-free-homemade-cashew-milk/
Katie
atYou should try using http://www.bulkpowders.co.uk/complete-protein-coffee.html for an extra coffee hit! I use this, along with chcolate protein power to create iced mochas for a treat! They taste great and keep me full for ages – no mid morning snacking!
Erin Peters
atI made this for breakfast today & it was delicious!! I’ve been getting tired of oatmeal lately & this was a welcome change ?
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
atYay!! So glad you liked it!
Liz
atI make a frozen banana almost every morning for breakfast, but I NEVER thought to add coffee. I made this for breakfast today and added a little bit of almond butter and some chia seeds…so delicious! I love coffee, but I’m a slooooow sipper when it comes to warm beverages. I’m sure that’s better for my long term health, but I am going to start adding coffee to my morning smoothies when I need a quick jolt of energy!
Julie Wells
atI make this shake nearly every day! Trying subbing out frozen riced cauliflower instead of the banana. Really creamy!
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
atOh I can’t wait to try that!