Name: Proffee Recipe (Protein Coffee)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 0.5 cup cold brew concentrate (or 1 shot espresso, cooled; or ¾ cup strong brewed coffee, chilled); 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder; 0.75 cup unsweetened oat milk, almond milk, or regular milk (½–¾ cup, adjust for preferred consistency); 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional but highly recommended); sweetener to taste (maple syrup, monk fruit, or a medjool date blended in); ice

Written by Caitlin Havener Rogers — Certified Precision Nutrition Coach

Wait, What Even Is Proffee?

Proffee is simply cold brew or iced coffee blended or shaken with a protein source — usually a premixed protein shake or protein powder mixed with milk. The result is a creamy, energizing morning drink with 20–30g of protein built right in.

The reason it works: getting enough protein in the morning supports steady energy and keeps you fuller longer through the day. Proffee is just a delicious (and extremely low-effort) way to get there.

Proffee Recipe ☕

Serves: 1 | Time: 5 minutes | Equipment: shaker bottle or blender

Ingredients

½ cup cold brew concentrate (or 1 shot espresso, cooled — or ¾ cup strong brewed coffee, chilled)
1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder
½–¾ cup unsweetened oat milk, almond milk, or regular milk
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, but this is what makes it taste like you bought it somewhere)
Sweetener to taste — maple syrup, monk fruit, or a medjool date blended in
Ice

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Instructions

Mix your protein first. Combine powder and milk in a shaker bottle or blender until smooth — no lumps. Do not skip this step and dump the powder straight onto ice. I say this from experience.
Fill a tall glass with ice.
Pour cold brew over the ice.
Pour the protein mixture over the cold brew. You’ll get that beautiful layered look naturally.
Stir gently, taste, adjust sweetness, drink immediately. Try not to make the “this is actually really good” face at yourself in the kitchen.

The Protein Powder Breakdown (Because Not All of Them Behave)

Here’s the deal: some protein powders mix beautifully into coffee. Some clump. Some curdle. Some taste like you accidentally put a vitamin in your latte. Here’s what actually works:

Whey Protein 🏆

The classic choice. Mixes smoothly, comes in a million flavors, creates a creamy texture. Vanilla whey + cold brew is the proffee most people are making when they post it on TikTok. Downside for me: not dairy-free. MyProtein is the brand my husband likes in the house.

Collagen Peptides

Collagen dissolves almost invisibly — no clumping, no flavor impact. Fewer grams of protein per scoop than whey, but great for a lighter boost or layering with other protein at breakfast. It’s also heat-stable, which makes it the best option if you want a hot proffee.

Quick note on claims: collagen supports skin elasticity and joint health, though research is still evolving. It’s a solid protein with a good amino acid profile — treat it as part of a balanced diet, not a miracle ingredient.

Plant-Based Protein (Dairy-Free Option)

Look for a blended pea + rice protein — that combination gives you the most complete amino acid profile of any plant option. Some plant proteins get gritty in cold drinks, so blend rather than shake for the smoothest result. Chocolate plant protein + cold brew is genuinely excellent. Bold statement. I stand by it. My favorite is Orgain (you can also get it at Costco).

What to Skip

Casein protein is too thick and tends to clump in cold liquid. Soy protein can leave a chalky aftertaste in coffee. And always check the label — some “protein” drinks are basically dessert in disguise.

Proffee Variations Worth Trying 🍫

Dairy-Free Proffee

Use oat milk (barista blend is creamier) or full-fat coconut milk for the richest texture. Plant-based protein + oat milk + cold brew = basically a protein latte from a fancy café, made in your kitchen at 7am in your pajamas.

Iced Mocha Proffee

Chocolate protein powder + 1 tbsp cacao powder + a little maple syrup + splash of oat milk creamer on top. Morning coffee just became dessert — except with 25g of protein. You’re welcome.

Vanilla Cream Proffee

Blend vanilla protein powder with ¼ cup Greek yogurt and a splash of milk. Pour over cold brew. Protein jumps to 30g+. Thick, creamy, filling enough to count as breakfast — which, if you have a baby or a toddler, is sometimes the only breakfast you’re going to get to eat standing up anyway.

Hot Proffee

Let your coffee cool slightly first — protein powder can curdle in boiling liquid. Aim for warm, not scorching. Collagen peptides are the most heat-stable option here and dissolve without changing the flavor at all.

Tips From Someone Who Has Made This Wrong 😅

Cold brew over hot coffee, always. Hot coffee causes some proteins to clump or taste grainy. If you only have hot coffee, let it cool or pour it over ice first.
Shake the protein separately first. Mix powder with milk in a shaker bottle until smooth before adding anything else. Don’t dump powder directly onto ice and hope for the best. (I did this. It was not the best.)
Taste before sweetening. Cold brew concentrate is already less bitter than drip coffee. Protein powders are also most often sweetened. You may need less sweetener than you think.
Make it the night before. Mix your protein milk and refrigerate overnight. Morning-you just adds coffee and ice. Morning-you will be grateful.

Nutrition Notes

A basic proffee made with one scoop of whey protein, ½ cup cold brew, and ¾ cup oat milk lands around 150–200 calories, 20–30g protein, and ~100–150mg caffeine. Low sugar if you’re using unsweetened ingredients.

This isn’t a full meal replacement — it’s a protein-forward morning drink that pairs well with a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts. If you want it to carry you through a full morning, bump up the protein and fat (Greek yogurt base, whole milk, nut butter blended in).

Proffee FAQs

Can I use a premixed protein shake instead of powder?

Yes — and honestly this is the easiest method. Just combine a ready-to-drink protein shake (like Fairlife or Orgain) directly with cold brew or iced coffee. No shaker needed. Great for travel or when the morning is already a lot.

Does protein powder change the taste of the coffee?

Depends on the powder. Vanilla whey blends in with minimal flavor change. Chocolate protein makes it taste like a mocha. Unflavored collagen is virtually undetectable. Strongly flavored plant proteins can compete with the coffee — stick to vanilla or chocolate if you want something that tastes like a coffee drink, not a protein shake that happened to meet some coffee at a party.

Is proffee good for weight loss?

Getting enough protein in the morning can support satiety, which may naturally reduce snacking later in the day. But proffee isn’t a magic solution — it’s a smarter, more filling version of your morning coffee. Overall food patterns, sleep, and stress do more heavy lifting than any single drink. (I say this as a nutrition coach, not to be a buzzkill.)

How much caffeine is in proffee?

That depends entirely on your coffee base. Cold brew concentrate can have 150–200mg per half cup. A shot of espresso is around 64mg. The protein powder adds zero caffeine, so if you’re sensitive, use half-caff or decaf — the drink still works great.

If You Liked This, Try These Next

Meal Prep for Health & Fitness Goals — building a week of easy, high-protein mornings starts here
Iced Vanilla Matcha Latte (Vegan, Starbucks Copycat)
Brazilian Natural Mounjaro Drink — What It Is + My Healthy Version

Questions about protein powder ratios or which brand I actually use? Drop them in the comments — I read every one. ☕

coffee being poured over a glass with proffee and protein powder in a spoon

Proffee Recipe (Protein Coffee)

Proffee is the 5-minute protein coffee that actually keeps you full — no sad protein shakes, no $9 café drinks. Just cold brew, your favorite protein powder, and oat milk, layered over ice like you know what you're doing. High-protein, low-effort, and genuinely delicious. Yes, you can make this before you're capable of human speech.

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Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings serving

Calories 224 kcal