Chocolate Coffee Protein Shake

This chocolate coffee protein shake is the perfect high-protein breakfast for the coffee lover!

Great for on-the-go, this easy and healthy protein shake is a great post workout shake for after an early morning gym session, quick breakfast idea for busy mornings, or a great high-protein snack for in between meals or a little pick me up.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Level of difficulty: Easy. Measure, blend, and enjoy!

Flavor: The blend of coffee and chocolate makes this taste like a mocha protein shake.

Time: It will take you less than 5 minutes to blend up this coffee chocolate protein shake! Note: this does not include the time needed to brew (and then cool) your coffee, as brewing methods vary widely.

Ingredients Needed

Coffee: Strongly brewed and cooled (either to room temperature or chilled overnight in the fridge), or cold brew coffee are great options for this recipe.

Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk: Almond milk is low in calories and low in sugar, and adds a hint of vanilla to your homemade protein shake.

Almond Butter: Adds protein as well as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your shake.

Pure Maple Syrup: helps to balance out and sweeten this drink.

Chocolate Protein Powder: Using a high quality whey protein or plant-based protein powder to this protein shake to make this into a high protein coffee shake.

Cocoa Powder: To amp up the chocolate flavor of your coffee chocolate protein smoothie.

Banana: Using fresh or frozen banana helps to thicken your protein shake, as well as adding in nutrients, antioxidants, and potassium.

Ice: Adding in ice helps to make your DIY protein shake extra cold.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

What Type of Coffee Should I Use For This Protein Shake Recipe?

You have several options for this. I recommend using a good-quality coffee that you enjoy drinking on its own, and brewing it with your preferred brewing method.

Hot brewed coffee – cooled down to room temperature or chilled in the fridge.

PRO TIP: make a pot of coffee the night before you want to make your protein shake. Once it’s cooled down a bit, transfer it to an air-tight container and chill the coffee in the fridge overnight. Measure out what you need for your shake & go!

Cold brewed coffee – you can make your own cold brew or use store-bought cold brew.

How to Make a Protein Shake

1. Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a glass or shaker cup and enjoy!

When is the Best Time to Drink a Protein Shake?

• Before or after exercise: protein is important in rebuilding muscles after exercise and there is a lot of research on the topic of when to supplement with protein for the best results. Most research suggests that you can supplement with protein (like this awesome protein shake!) before, during, or after a workout. Do what works best for you!
• As a healthy, high protein snack: this protein shake is a great low calorie snack to keep you full between meals! Since this recipe has you mixing protein powder with coffee, you’ll need to decide if you want to enjoy this in the morning (due to the caffeine), or if you’ll be ok to enjoy this mid-afternoon for a little pick-me-up.
• As a quick, to-go breakfast: if you have a busy morning, blending up a protein shake is a great on the go breakfast option. Since this protein shake blends coffee with protein powder, this caffeinated and high-protein shake will get your day started on the right foot.

Possible Dietary Restrictions?

This coffee chocolate protein shake is one of the best blender protein shakes as it can easily fit a lot of dietary needs!. As written, this recipe is vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. A few notes to make sure this homemade protein shake fits your diet:

• Those following a vegetarian diet can select a chocolate whey protein powder (this is my personal choice for my protein shakes) or a chocolate plant-based protein powder for this coffee chocolate protein smoothie.
• Make this into a vegan protein shake recipe by selecting a vegan chocolate protein powder.
• For those who follow a dairy free or gluten free diet, make sure to select a protein powder that meets this dietary requirement (it should verify this on the label).

FAQs

Is there a substitute for the almond milk in this recipe? Yes, you have several options if unsweetened almond milk is not your thing.

• If you consume dairy, you can use any dairy milk in this recipe. 2% is a great option! If you choose to use dairy milk, I would recommend adding a small splash of vanilla to your protein shake.
• If you are on a plant-based diet, you could select a different plant based milk substitute such as oat milk or soy milk. I do recommend selecting an unsweetened, vanilla variety.

What’s the best protein powder to use in this recipe? My personal favorite whey protein powder is Simply Tera’s because it has minimal ingredients (4 total!) and it tastes great. If you are looking to make this into a dairy-free or vegan snack recipe, select a plant-based protein powder.

Can I make this protein shake ahead of time (e.g. the night before)? Making this chocolate coffee protein shake the night before you want to enjoy it is a great option if you have a busy morning, or need to take your protein shake to-go. If you choose to make this ahead of time, I would recommend skipping the ice (or use less) as it tends to thin out your protein shake as it sits in the fridge (not a big deal, just a note). I’d also recommend placing your protein shake in a shaker cup so you can help re-mix your shake as it may settle in the fridge.

Helpful Equipment

A good quality blender. This is the blender we are currently using, and it has been working great! This is a simple, no-frills blender at a modest price point.

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Chocolate Coffee Protein Shake

Meredith

This coffee chocolate protein shake is the perfect high-protein breakfast for the coffee lover! Great as a healthy breakfast, high-protein snack, or post-workout shake to start your day off on the right foot.

5 from 13 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 1 Serving

Calories 291 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ ¾ C strongly brewed coffee, chilled (or brought down to room temperature)*
• ▢ ¼ C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• ▢ ½ tablespoon pure maple syrup
• ▢ 1 tablespoon almond butter
• ▢ ½ of a medium banana
• ▢ ½ tablespoon cocoa powder
• ▢ 1 serving of your favorite chocolate protein powder
• ▢ 6-8 ice cubes

Instructions

 

• Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
• Pour into a glass or shaker cup and enjoy!

Notes

*If using hot-brewed coffee, brewing your coffee the night before you plan to make your shake and letting it chill overnight in the fridge makes for an easier morning. Otherwise brew your morning coffee as usual and pour enough for your shake into a glass to cool to room temp before using.

*Alternatively, you can use cold-brewed coffee for this protein shake recipe.

*Please note: the amount of protein in your shake may vary depending on the type and brand of protein you use.

Nutrition

Calories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 23gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 216mgPotassium: 708mgFiber: 9gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 38IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 357mgIron: 1mg

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