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Protein Coffee or “Proffee" Recipe

By Holly Darnell, RD

September 5, 2023

When it comes to managing your appetite and avoiding blood sugar spikes, it’s a great idea to start your day with a high-protein breakfast. So while that cup or two of coffee in the morning will give you a boost, making it into a protein coffee will add even more benefits.

Can you simply add protein powder to your coffee? You can, but there’s a right way to do this for a perfect “proffee” (protein coffee), which is a low-carb coffee drink similar to a keto coffee but without as much fat.

Proffee is all the rage these days, as it helps you meet your protein macros, gives you that caffeine hit in a delicious way and is very easy to make. It’s also a great pre-workout drink.

What Is Protein Coffee?

Like the name implies, protein coffee is either protein powder that contains a coffee flavor and caffeine or coffee that you add protein powder to, such as collagen powder like in this recipe below. Otherwise, you may see plant protein, whey protein and other potential protein powders. The protein powder flavor is usually vanilla, chocolate or unflavored — sometimes even a coffee flavor.

Most people consume protein coffee as an iced/chilled beverage (like a protein shake) because most powders usually dissolve well in in cool liquids but may become lumpy when added to hot beverages. That being said, you also also have a hot proffee.

Many people don’t intake enough protein in their diets. Protein is a macronutrient that helps power muscles, supports muscle growth and strength, and assists in exercise recovery.

Many people choose to drink protein coffee before workouts or in the morning to help keep hunger in check. While caffeine may be less beneficial after a workout, protein powder following exercise can help with muscle recovery and support a healthy metabolism.

How to Make Proffee

Start with the cold brew. You can either bring a store-bought cold brew to this recipe, or make your own. In a jar, stir together ground coffee (medium or dark roast) and cold water. Cover and let rest at room temperature overnight or 12 hours.

Strain twice through a coffee filter or a fine-mesh sieve lined with a cheesecloth. Water can be added to dilute, if desired. 

Want to make this a high-protein coffee? You can add in two scoops of Multi Collagen Protein Cold Brew when it’s brewed. Froth it or stir well.

Once you have your cold brew ready to go, it’s time to make your proffee. In a medium bowl or Mason jar, add the cold brew, two scoops Multi Collagen Protein (one of the most mixable protein powders), maple syrup, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Use a milk frother to blend together until completely combined. 

In a glass or coffee cup, add ice. Pour coffee into the glass and top with almond milk or oat milk.

Type of Coffee to Use

For the best coffee in a proffee, you’d don’t need to be picky. Simply use your favorite brew. And make sure it’s cold.

Best coffee types for protein coffee:

• Cold brew (see above)

• Expresso — one or two shots depending on how much caffeine intake

• French press coffee — use a French press to make your coffee and then chill

• Drip coffee — like the other hot coffee, make sure to chill before using

Best Protein Powder for Protein Coffee

To make protein coffee at home, you can simply add your favorite protein powder to freshly brewed coffee or use a coffee-based protein supplement mixed with water or milk. The best version is using a cold brew in the proffee recipe below.

Whether you like having protein coffee cold or hot is up to you and may depend on when and where you drink it. The latest protein coffee trend is using cold brew, or using cold black coffee.

What is the best protein coffee? It all comes down to the quality of the ingredients you use.

For the most benefits, consider using a quality protein powder such as Multi Collagen Protein that is made with non-GMO ingredients, no added sugar or fillers and that’s sourced from humanely raised animals. It also supports the skin, joints and gut, with clinical trials that show its effectiveness. Also try our collagen coffee recipe.

Optional Toppings

Avoid adding too much sugar, creamer or milk if weight loss is a goal of yours. That being said, here are some nice optional toppings:

• Frothed coconut milk

• Whipped coconut cream

• Cacao nibs

• Sprinkled cocoa powder

Is Protein Coffee Healthy?

Coffee itself, especially high-quality, organic coffee, is linked with some impressive health benefits — such as increasing energy levels, motivation, performance and focus. That’s because coffee contains both caffeine and antioxidants, which studies show together can help promote healthy aging and a high metabolism.

Adding protein powder to the coffee includes many advantages when it comes to physical performance, sustaining high energy levels and achieving body composition improvements.

The combination of protein powder and coffee/caffeine together can provide some of the following benefits:

• Support for building muscle mass when combined with strength training.

• A boost in exercise performance.

• A reduction in hunger and cravings..

• Higher intake of antioxidants.

• Help with exercise and muscle recovery, due to help from the collagen’s amino acids and caffeine’s effects on blood pressure.

• Supporting gut integrity and immune function.

• Potentially support for metabolic and heart health.

Recipe developed by Holly Darnell, RD. Holly is a registered dietitian nutritionist who unlocked self-love at the intersection of exceptional food and practical solutions for healthy living. She’s passionate about helping others make simple, positive lifestyle changes on their individual path to healing.