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Home » Coffee Lovers Protein Shake

Coffee Lovers Protein Shake

By Kristina LaRue, RDN 101 Comments

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High protein, low sugar protein shake is a coffee lover’s dream. Gluten free, vegan coffee shake recipe. Only 4 ingredients- no cream!! Easy to make for an afternoon pick me up.

Coffee Lovers Protein Shake

Breakfast smoothies and coffee are my jam which means this coffee lover’s protein shake is my ultimate fave! So coffee protein shake… umm yes please. And this one tastes like a straight up milkshake.

On a rainy day, there’s nothing I like more than sitting by the window and writing with a delicious treat nearby to sip or snack on. But as the rain falls, sometimes my energy falls, too!

low sugar chocolate coffee protein shakes recipes

So a quick caffeine boost definitely helps. 

But I don’t always want a latte or even just brewed coffee. So, I came up with this breakfast smoothie that comes with a kick of cold coffee and some cacao nibs for a pretty finish. Yay for healthy protein shake! 

low sugar chocolate protein shake with chocolate shavings on top

How to make a protein shake with coffee?

This coffee breakfast smoothie is super easy to make. Literally, toss all ingredients into a blender, top with cacao nibs and sip all the frothy goodness with a straw. We even added a how to video to this post! Here’s what we have in this baby.

Banana 

Vanilla protein powder

Unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Cold brewed coffee

Cacao nibs

coffee protein shake-- the best protein shake recipe

What type of coffee to use for this protein shake?

Any chilled coffee will work in this recipe! So pick your favorite coffee. I actually created this recipe with room temp coffee from my morning pot of coffee, but now that I use a Keurig for single brew– I often will just toss in cold brew or unsweetened iced coffee from the jug.

BTW, I LOVE Starbucks Blonde Roast and that I can buy this at the grocery for a fraction of what it would cost me if I were to go to Starbucks for an iced coffee.

chocolate peanut butter protein shakes

Let’s call this babe Coffee Lovers Protein Shake.

For the love of a breakfast smoothie… I hope you love this gem of a recipe as much as I do. Make sure to look at the notes — I included some options for toppings (I like cacoa nibs!) and also a tip for making this shake more or less sweet, depending on what you prefer.

How to make a vegan protein shake?

This shake is easy to make vegan and dairy free! Just sub in a vegan protein powder. I’m pretty obsessed with Vega sport. I’ve linked to it in my Amazon store below too.

You can use vanilla or chocolate flavor in this recipe so take your pick! Just opt for an unsweetened version to keep sugars low. [amazon_link asins=’B016D9IHZG’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’lovea0fd-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’a206106d-c80d-4053-9d83-8fa4d6799e94′]

Vegan coffee protein shakes for the win!

low sugar protein shake made with coffee

Are protein shakes good for weight loss?

If you are trying to lose weight, you need this low sugar coffee shake! 

Because, yo this breakfast smoothie is under 200 calories, 19g carbs and 25 grams of protein! Protein is super important when trying to lose weight!

Amino acids, specifically leucine help with stimulating muscle protein synthesis! Leucine has also been found to help with fat loss, and protein powder is rich in branch chain amino acid leucine.

While more research is need as to how much leucine the athlete needs, much has been discovered that it’s somewhere between 2-3g per meal, with bigger and aging athletes on the higher end. Let me explain.

coffee shake that's high in protein and low sugar

We know that as we age our metabolism slows, as a result of losing muscle mass… good news is this is largely preventable! Research is showing that nutrition can affect the quality of our muscle mass.

After age thirty something {and earlier for some}, high quality proteins that are rich in leucine become even more important to the body and are needed in larger quantities.

Do you need a little pick me up? Go on you coffee lover, grab your favorite glass and the blender and get your coffee on.

creamy low sugar protein shake made with coffee and chocolate shavings

Best high protein breakfast smoothies:

Peaches n Cream Protein Shake

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie

Coconut Cream Pie Protein Shake

Almond Joy Protein Shake

Almond Butter Date Shake

Peanut Butter Mocha Protein Shake

overhead shot of low sugar coffee shake topped with chocolate shavings and peanut butter

Other coffee recipes:

Coffee Cashew Ice Cream

Coffee Brownies

Honey & Orange Coffee Cake

Double Chocolate Cherry Skillet Brownie

Almond Butter Banana Bread Muffins

Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino

Eggnog Frappuccino

DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte

a low sugar protein shake made with coffee

 

Print

Coffee Lovers Protein Shake


★★★★★

4.9 from 17 reviews

  • Author: Kristina LaRue
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Yield: 1 shake 1x
Print Recipe
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Description

This high protein and low sugar coffee protein shake is a coffee lover’s dream. Dairy free and vegan too. No cream and 100% healthy and only 4 ingredients!! Blend to frothy deliciousness, top with cacao for an afternoon pick me up.


Scale

Ingredients

  • 1/2 ripe banana
  • 1 scoop no sugar added vanilla protein powder
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1/2 cup cold or room temperature brewed coffee
  • 1 1/2 cups cubed ice
  • sprinkle of cacao nibs, for topping if desired
  • 1–3 drops stevia extract, if desired

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients except ice to a high powered blender. and blend until mixed together.
  2. Slowly add ice to blender and process until creamy.
  3. Top with cacao nibs, if desired.
  4. Note: If you desire a bit of a sweeter shake, stir in 1-3 drops stevia extract.
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Blender
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 recipe
  • Calories: 193
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 161mg
  • Fat: 2g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0mg
  • Carbohydrates: 19g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: coffee protein shake, coffee shake, coffee smoothie, java shake, low sugar, high protein

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @loveandzest on Instagram and hashtag it #loveandzest

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Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products we believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, Love & Zest will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items.

Kristina LaRue, RDN

Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, RD (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. On Love & Zest, you’ll find healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast, meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.

Did you make one of my recipes?? Leave a review in the comments and tag @loveandzest #loveandzest on Instagram!

If you’re a modern mama– I’d love for you to join my Facebook group A Modern Motherhood Collective!

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Filed Under: breakfast, smoothies & drinks Tagged With: almond milk, banana, coffee, protein powder, protein shake, vanilla

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Comments

  1. james quintanilla says

    January 4, 2020 at 12:59 am

    OMG, this is absolutely perfect. I’m going to buy the ingredients for this… I love me some coffee and I’ve been looking for a great breakfast, low cal, protein shake. Thanks for sharing this. Can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says

      January 5, 2020 at 9:21 pm

      Hope you enjoy!!

      Reply
  2. Sunshine says

    August 27, 2019 at 11:59 am

    as good as a protein shake can be without the chocolate nibs!

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says

      August 27, 2019 at 3:15 pm

      Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  3. Calv says

    July 9, 2019 at 6:54 am

    Hello Kristina, I’ve been having some trouble getting the vanilla protein powder to properly grind/dissolve into the liquid. I can taste it, you can feel the little bits. I use my mum’s thermomix – maybe it’s not the right machine for it. I think I leave it to blend long enough also. Be glad to hear any feedback. Many thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says

      July 15, 2019 at 3:12 pm

      One thing you might try is to add ice after you’ve blended up the rest of the ingredients. In my blender I can add all of the ingredients together and don’t experience any grittiness… but if I want to really blend it, I will add ice after all other ingredients are fully incorporated.

      Reply
  4. Edyta says

    April 25, 2019 at 3:34 pm

    This is perfect. I love coffee and I need my protein shakes especially after a workout. Awesome idea.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Vicky says

    April 25, 2019 at 3:08 pm

    I love that I can get my coffee fix in such a healthy and filling way. This looks refreshing and like a perfect drink to start the day with!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  6. EA The Spicy RD says

    April 25, 2019 at 2:48 pm

    This looks so refreshing, and I love that it’s packed with protein! This would be perfect after my morning tennis matches-trying it next week! Cheers

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. Neha says

    April 25, 2019 at 2:35 pm

    Looks so frothy and delicious! Never tried coffee in my protein shakes (and I love coffee), thanks for this amazing idea! Trying it this evening!

    Reply
  8. Tammy says

    April 25, 2019 at 1:45 pm

    Oooh this looks delightfully creamy!! I’m so curious now to try bananas and coffee…this sounds so good!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  9. Geetha says

    February 23, 2019 at 3:27 pm

    Heya, I love the look of this recipe, and can’t wait to try it out! Is it a good idea to make this the night before and then take it to work with me in the morning? Or should it be made and drank straight away?

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says

      February 25, 2019 at 10:27 am

      Hey! I suggest making this when you’re ready to drink it. What you could do is measure out all the ingredients and put them in a glass in the fridge and then add ice + blend in the AM.

      Reply
  10. Priyanka says

    February 12, 2019 at 6:58 am

    Hey, this looks super yum recipe, especially for afternoon cravings. Can we replace vanilla powder with our favourite flavoured powder? Just in case if you have tried so let me know if that does taste good? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says

      February 12, 2019 at 6:40 pm

      I’ve tried with chocolate flavored!

      Reply
  11. Theo says

    December 2, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    So yummy, or it sounds delicious: I have not tried it yet 🙂 But protein is hard for me to actually eat enuogh of.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  12. Sakshi Saxena says

    November 30, 2018 at 4:11 am

    Coffee is favourite drink of many people, when it is blended with more ingredients to make more tasty drink it becomes best coffee drink. I like the recipe you mentioned. Will try it soon. Thanks for sharing.

    ★★★★

    Reply
  13. Stephanie fowler says

    October 16, 2018 at 2:53 pm

    OMG I love this recipe!!!!! Super yummy, thank you for this post.

    Reply
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Thanks for stopping by Love & Zest. I’m Kristina LaRue, RDN (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. Here on L&Z, I share healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I'm a fan of adding veggies to everything and recipes that make mom life easier.
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