I made a Coffee Protein Smoothie with cold brew, banana and high quality vanilla protein powder that is low carb, high protein and milk free, so it can double as a filling post workout meal replacement for weight loss.

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I make a quick, slightly rebellious breakfast that somehow tricks my brain into thinking its dessert while still being smart for my goals. Using cold brew coffee and vanilla protein powder it wakes me up and keeps me full for hours, like a secret weapon after a hard workout.

People expect a dessert, but its actually a Coffee Protein Smoothie that doubles as one of those Meal Replacement Drinks you read about. I still mess up measurements sometimes but thats part of the charm, and it keeps me from reaching for snacks mid morning.

Try it and see how long it lasts, you might get hooked.

Ingredients

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Cold brew coffee: gives a clean caffeine kick, low acidity, wakes you up
Frozen banana adds natural sweetness, creaminess, potassium and fiber, kinda filling
Vanilla protein powder packs protein, supports muscles, keeps you full longer, too
Greek yogurt adds creaminess, tangy probiotics and extra protein, so it’s thick
Chia seeds bring fiber and omega three fats, soak and thicken, feels hearty
Nut butter, almond or peanut, gives healthy fats, nutty creaminess and protein
Cinnamon adds warm spice, makes it taste sweeter, offers antioxidants
Ice cubes chill and thicken texture, make it refreshingly cold, light dilution
Sea salt brightens flavors, cuts bitterness and somehow makes sweetness pop

Ingredient Quantities

1 cup cold brew coffee, chilled

1/2 medium ripe banana, frozen

1 scoop vanilla protein powder, about 25 to 30 g

1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (for extra creaminess)

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

5 to 6 ice cubes

Pinch of fine sea salt

How to Make this

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1. Gather everything and make sure your cold brew is chilled, the 1/2 banana is frozen, and the protein powder is measured out.

2. Pour 1 cup cold brew into the blender first so the powder wont stick to the blades.

3. Add 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, and 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter.

4. Break in the 1/2 frozen banana, sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a small pinch of fine sea salt.

5. Toss in 5 to 6 ice cubes for thickness and extra chill.

6. Secure the lid and blend on high for about 30 to 60 seconds until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides once if needed.

7. If it seems too thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons more cold brew or a splash of water and pulse a few times to combine.

8. Taste quickly, adjust cinnamon or the pinch of salt if you want more depth, but avoid extra sweetener to keep it low carb.

9. Pour into a glass, let it sit 1 minute so chia swells a bit if you like it thicker, then give it a quick stir.

10. Drink within 30 to 60 minutes after your workout for best results, or store in the fridge up to 24 hours and shake or stir before drinking.

Equipment Needed

1. High-speed blender with lid, about 6 to 8 cup capacity so it purees everything smooth
2. Measuring cups and spoons (1 cup, 1/4 cup, 1 tbsp, 1/2 tsp)
3. Scoop or small kitchen scale for the protein powder
4. Rubber or silicone spatula to scrape the sides and get it all out
5. Freezer-safe bag or small container for freezing the 1/2 banana
6. Small knife and a cutting board to break up the frozen banana if needed
7. Tall glass or shaker bottle to serve or store the shake in

FAQ

Can I use regular brewed coffee instead of cold brew?

Yes, you can. Use a strong brewed coffee, chill it first so the ice doesnt water it down, or brew double strength and let it cool. Cold brew just gives a smoother less acidic flavor but brewed works fine.

How do I make this vegan or dairy free?

Swap the Greek yogurt for plain unsweetened plant yogurt or silken tofu, and use a plant based protein powder. Everything else stays the same, chia helps keep it creamy.

It tastes bitter, how do I sweeten it without adding junk?

Use a riper banana, or add 1 tsp maple syrup or honey, or a few drops of vanilla extract. Or try a vanilla protein powder thats a bit sweeter. Little changes go a long way.

Can I make this ahead of time and store it?

Best fresh, but you can keep it in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Expect it to thicken from the chia, just stir or add a splash of cold brew and shake or reblend before drinking.

Any easy swaps for allergies or taste preferences?

For nut allergies use sunflower seed butter, for lower sugar skip the banana and add 1/4 avocado plus a touch of sweetener, or add spinach for greens, oats for extra carbs.

Texture tips my smoothie is too icy or too thin what do I do?

Too icy add more liquid (cold brew or a splash of milk), too thin add more frozen banana or a couple more ice cubes. Start blending low then high so everything smooths out, and pulse if your blender struggles.

Healthy Coffee Smoothie Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Cold brew coffee: swap for 1 shot espresso poured over ice and topped with 3/4 cup cold water for a bolder, more aromatic kick, or just use 1 cup chilled brewed coffee or decaf if you want less caffeine.
1/2 frozen banana: use 1/4 to 1/2 ripe avocado for extra creaminess and less sugar, or 1/3 cup frozen mango or peaches for a fruitier, sweeter vibe.
Vanilla protein powder: replace with plain protein powder plus 1/2 to 1 tsp vanilla extract, or try collagen peptides or a plant based protein like pea powder (texture and sweetness may change).
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt: swap for 1/4 cup silken tofu or 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut or almond yogurt for a dairy free version, or use kefir if you want a thinner, tangier probiotic boost.

Pro Tips

– Freeze the banana flat in a zip bag, then snap or chop it before blending so it breaks up easier and you get a creamier texture, honestly it blends way smoother than one big frozen lump.

– Make ice cubes from leftover cold brew instead of plain ice, that way your drink stays rich and not watered-down as it melts.

– Let the chia sit in the yogurt or a splash of cold brew for 5 minutes before you blend, otherwise it can feel a little gritty, and it’ll thicken up nicer if you give it time.

– Tiny tweaks go a long way, try a drop of vanilla extract or a dusting of cocoa powder, and yes a small pinch of salt really brightens the flavors so don’t skip that.

– Use a high speed blender and scrape the sides once or twice while blending, pulse a few times if there are lumps, and if it gets too thick just add a little more cold brew or water to loosen it up.

Healthy Coffee Smoothie Recipe

Recipe by Sammy Hunter

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

375

kcal

Equipment: 1. High-speed blender with lid, about 6 to 8 cup capacity so it purees everything smooth
2. Measuring cups and spoons (1 cup, 1/4 cup, 1 tbsp, 1/2 tsp)
3. Scoop or small kitchen scale for the protein powder
4. Rubber or silicone spatula to scrape the sides and get it all out
5. Freezer-safe bag or small container for freezing the 1/2 banana
6. Small knife and a cutting board to break up the frozen banana if needed
7. Tall glass or shaker bottle to serve or store the shake in

Ingredients

1 cup cold brew coffee, chilled
1/2 medium ripe banana, frozen
1 scoop vanilla protein powder, about 25 to 30 g
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (for extra creaminess)
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
5 to 6 ice cubes
Pinch of fine sea salt

Directions

Gather everything and make sure your cold brew is chilled, the 1/2 banana is frozen, and the protein powder is measured out.
Pour 1 cup cold brew into the blender first so the powder wont stick to the blades.
Add 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, and 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter.
Break in the 1/2 frozen banana, sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a small pinch of fine sea salt.
Toss in 5 to 6 ice cubes for thickness and extra chill.
Secure the lid and blend on high for about 30 to 60 seconds until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides once if needed.
If it seems too thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons more cold brew or a splash of water and pulse a few times to combine.
Taste quickly, adjust cinnamon or the pinch of salt if you want more depth, but avoid extra sweetener to keep it low carb.
Pour into a glass, let it sit 1 minute so chia swells a bit if you like it thicker, then give it a quick stir.
Drink within 30 to 60 minutes after your workout for best results, or store in the fridge up to 24 hours and shake or stir before drinking.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.