This coffee protein smoothie is a healthy and filling alternative to your usual morning coffee. Unlike plain coffee, this drink is packed with satisfying protein and fiber.
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Recipe Highlights
- This coffee protein smoothie is made of oat milk, cold black coffee, vanilla protein powder, hemp seeds, Medjool date, and frozen bananas.
- A quick and easy smoothie that’s made in a blender.
- Enjoy this smoothie with breakfast or whenever you need a boost of energy.
RELATED: Coffee Protein Shake
Coffee Protein Smoothie Health Benefits
Promotes Fullness
Protein is a key nutrient for satiety, or the feeling of fullness. It works by increasing anti-hunger hormones.
In this smoothie, the protein comes from the protein powder and hemp seeds.
The fiber from the Medjool date and bananas also help. Fiber is digested slowly, so it stays in the stomach for longer.
This reduces hunger and increases satiety.
Enhances Energy
Hunger can make you feel tired and groggy.
If this happens to you, try this smoothie. The protein and fiber will make you full, giving your body a boost.
Coffee also has caffeine, a chemical that stimulates the nervous system and increases energy.
Improves Digestion
Eating enough fiber is one of the best things you can do for your gut.
Fiber normalizes bowel movements and keeps you regular. This also reduces digestive issues, like constipation.
This smoothie is a tasty way to get more fiber. It comes from the hemp seeds, Medjool date, and bananas.
Fights Oxidative Stress
When it comes to good health, reducing oxidative stress is essential. Oxidative stress causes cell damage and leads to disease.
You can do this by eating antioxidant-rich ingredients, like the coffee and bananas in this smoothie.
Antioxidants are powerful molecules that protect cells from oxidative stress.
Supports Muscle Growth
Building muscle isn’t possible without protein. When eaten after strength training, the nutrient helps repair and grow muscle.
Protein is also needed to maintain muscle health as you age.
Helps Heart Health
The antioxidants in coffee are beneficial for the heart.
They reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which can lead to heart disease.
Fiber, which is found in bananas, also reduces blood cholesterol. High cholesterol can lead to heart disease, so it’s important to control.
RELATED: Energy Smoothie
Ingredient Notes
- Oat milk
The flavor of oat milk works best with bananas. However, you can use any milk you’d like, including dairy milk. Use soy milk for a high-protein plant-based option. - Cold black coffee
Avoid using coffee with sweetener or flavorings, which might take away from the other ingredients. You can also use cold brew coffee or hot brewed coffee that has been chilled. - Vanilla protein powder
The vanilla flavor is tasty with oat milk and bananas. Unflavored and chocolate protein powders will work in this recipe. - Hemp seeds
Slightly nutty, hemp seeds add flavor and thickness to the smoothie. - Medjool date
Medjool dates are natural sweeteners. They’re rich in antioxidants and fiber. - Frozen bananas
Choose ripe bananas for the best flavor and texture. Signs of a ripe banana include a yellow peel with a few brown spots and a sweet smell.
Step-by-Step Instructions
For full ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.
- Pour oat milk and coffee into the blender.
To avoid an uneven blend, start with the liquids. - Add protein powder and hemp seeds.
- Add Medjool date.
- Add frozen banana.
- Blend until smooth.
Start on low speed, then increase to high. - Pour shake into a cup. Serve immediately
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Optional Add-Ins
Seeds
Feel free to use chia seeds or flax seeds instead of hemp seeds.
Also high in good fats and protein, chia seeds and flax seeds are delicious in smoothies.
As a rule of thumb, you’ll need 1 or 2 tablespoons of seeds per smoothie.
Nut butters
Banana and nut butter is a classic combination.
Try adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter to this recipe.
The ingredient offers healthy fats and some plant-based protein.
Extracts
Add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract for a stronger vanilla flavor.
Or if you’re using unflavored or chocolate protein powder, add vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
Almond extract will also work well in this smoothie.
Blender Tips
Slice fruit before freezing.
To protect your blender, only add frozen fruit that has been chopped up.
This is especially important for bigger fruits like bananas. Always cut them into coins or chunks before freezing.
If you have a high-powered blender, the chunks can be about the size of an apple wedge.
Add heaviest ingredients last.
When loading ingredients in a blender, avoid starting with heavy items like frozen fruit or ice.
The blades need to be surrounded by liquid in order to get going.
Begin with liquids and liquid ingredients, including sweeteners. Follow with any add-ins, leafy greens, then fresh fruit.
Finish with frozen fruit or ice. This will help avoid air pockets.
Start on low speed, then increase to high.
Don’t immediately blend on high speed. Instead, start on low, so the blades have time to chop up ingredients.
Once the ingredients have broken down, quickly increase the speed to high.
Continue blending on high for the time listed in the recipe. It will keep your motor cool and ensure a smooth blend.
Use a tamper to move around ingredients.
An easy way to avoid air pockets is to use a tamper.
This is a long cylindrical tool that you insert through lid while the blender is on. You then push the ingredients toward the blades.
If you don’t have a tamper, simply pause the blender and use a spatula to rotate the ingredients.
Remove extra smoothie with a blade scraper.
After making a smoothie, don’t immediately rinse out your blender. Use a blade scraper to get out leftover smoothie.
A blade scraper is shaped to let you reach under the blades.
It’s an easy and simple way to reduce food waste.
Expert Tips
- To increase the caffeine content, use ¼ oat milk and ¾ coffee.
- Instead of a Medjool date, you can use 1 tablespoon date syrup or maple syrup.
- You can leave out the sweetener for a less sweet drink.
- For a thicker drink, add a few ice cubes or extra frozen banana slices.
- If you have leftover smoothie, store it in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. Keep it in an airtight jar so it stays fresh.
Questions You May Have
Coffee works well in protein smoothies. It will add extra antioxidants and give you a boost of energy.
This coffee protein smoothie is healthy because it’s made with fresh ingredients and minimal sweetener. However, it’s still a good idea to drink it in moderation because it has caffeine. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, avoid drinking too much or late in the day.
This recipe uses oat milk because it tastes best with bananas, but you can use any type of milk. Soy milk and cow’s milk will add even more protein.
Related
- Mocha Smoothie
- Mocha Protein Shake
- Matcha Protein Shake
- Matcha Smoothie
- 17 Best Breakfast Smoothie Recipes
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Coffee Protein Smoothie
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup oat milk
- ½ cup cold brew coffee
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 Medjool date (pitted)
- 1 ½ frozen bananas (sliced)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Put oat milk, coffee, vanilla protein powder, hemp seeds, Medjool date, and frozen bananas into a blender. Secure lid.Place ingredients into the blender in the order listed.
- Blend until smooth.Start the blender on LOW speed for 10 seconds. Increase speed to HIGH for a full minute.
- Pour shake into a cup. Serve immediately.
EQUIPMENT
NOTES
- Choose ripe bananas for the best flavor and texture. Signs of a ripe banana include a yellow peel with a few brown spots and a sweet smell.
- To increase the caffeine content, use ¼ oat milk and ¾ coffee.
- Instead of a Medjool date, you can use 1 tablespoon date syrup or maple syrup.
- You can leave out the sweetener for a less sweet drink.
- For a thicker drink, add a few ice cubes or extra frozen banana slices.
- If you have leftover smoothie, store it in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. Keep it in an airtight jar so it stays fresh.