Healthy coffee protein smoothie with cold brew coffee, banana, vanilla collagen, cashew butter, chia seeds, and cinnamon for the perfect on-the-go breakfast or post workout protein shake! It packs protein, healthy fats, carbs, and fiber for a delicious balanced smoothie.
This post is sponsored in partnership with Vital Proteins. All opinions expressed (as always) are my own. I only partner with brands I trust and personally recommend – thank you for your support in helping make Eat the Gains possible!
Raise your hand if you don’t drink coffee 🙋🏻♀️ …okay, just me? Haha! While I don’t drink coffee, I do love coffee flavored things so today we are talking all about my new favorite smoothie – a coffee protein smoothie!
I don’t know why, but I just never got into drinking coffee. I don’t really like the flavor of regular coffee and when I did try it for the caffeine boost, I felt nothing. So I really never had any need to get into drinking it.
Fun fact – my husband doesn’t drink coffee either so we don’t even own a coffee machine haha!
Even though I don’t like coffee, I love me some coffee flavored things. Ice cream, candy, yogurt (although I haven’t had one in a long, long time), smoothies, milkshakes, nut blends…
I’m sure it probably has to do with the sugar that’s in those things and the fact that they probably don’t taste like real coffee. But I enjoy them! When Vital Proteins announced their new Collagen Lattes, I knew a coffee collagen smoothie had to be made!
Their Madagascar Vanilla Collagen Latte contains real Madagascar vanilla beans and is made with 10g of bone broth collagen and functional ingredients like ashwagandha extract for stress reduction, hyaluronic acid for healthy skin, and MCTs from coconut milk for energy.
It’s the perfect addition to your morning cup of coffee, or added into a smoothie like I did! And it has all the collagen benefits you know and love!
Healthy Coffee Protein Smoothie Recipe
The reason I love smoothies so much, is they are so easy to make! It’s as easy as adding all your ingredients into a blender and blending it up. This coffee protein smoothie with collagen has just 7 ingredients and is full of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and carbs for the perfect start to your day.
This is what you need:
- cold brew coffee
- frozen banana
- frozen cauliflower rice
- Vital Proteins Madagascar Vanilla Collagen Latte
- cashew butter – or whatever nut butter you like
- chia seeds
- cinnamon
First start off by freezing your bananas. To do this, I just cut up a few bananas, place them on a cutting board or baking sheet, and pop them in the freezer overnight. I always have some on hand for smoothies, snacking, or giving to Cashew (my dog), haha.
Pro tip – line the baking sheet with parchment paper so they pop right off. I just put them in a bag in the freezer for easy use.
We also always have frozen cauliflower rice in the freezer to help bulk up smoothies or for easy sautéing.
Next add everything to you blender (I used my Vitamix) and blend it up. The smoothie is fairly thick, just how I like mine, but if you don’t like yours as thick, add more cold brew coffee.
The coffee flavor is not super powerful either, so if you like really strong coffee, add more!
Drink it as is or top with your favorite smoothie toppings.
This coffee protein smoothie makes a perfect start to your day – a wake up kick from the coffee, healthy fats and protein to keep you full from the collagen and cashew butter, fiber from the chia seeds, and banana for some carbs.
Make it as a post workout shake or for an easy on-the-go breakfast!
Coffee Protein Smoothie Add-Ins
You can customize this smoothie to your liking and add in more protein or veggies depending on how you like your smoothies. Here are some things I think would be delicious:
- chocolate protein powder – add more protein and make it a chocolate coffee protein smoothie. Yum!
- maca – would add a nice caramel flavor and is great for your hormones
- yogurt – dairy or non dairy to add in some more protein or healthy fats
- sweet potato – if you don’t like banana, you can use frozen sweet potato instead!
- maple syrup, honey, or a date – if you like your smoothies sweeter, you can add one of those natural sweeteners.
Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee
While I’m definitely not a coffee connoisseur, I choose to use cold brew coffee over iced coffee (or chilled coffee) for this coffee protein smoothie.
First of all, due to how it is brewed, cold brew is less bitter and acidic than regular brewed coffee. Since I’m not a huge fan of the flavor of coffee on it’s own, I like that it isn’t as strong tasting.
Iced coffee is basically regular brewed coffee that is chilled or served with ice, so it has the same flavor as the coffee you make at home.
If you want to get into the nitty gritty, you can find out more about cold brew and iced coffee. You can make both at home, but considering I don’t have a coffee maker and can’t make regular coffee, cold brew it is! And you can buy it at the store and I love the flavor of it!
If you like a strong coffee, feel free to use iced/chilled coffee. You can even put home brewed coffee in ice cube tray to freeze for an extra thick smoothie, but you will probably need some liquid to blend.
More Protein Smoothie Recipes
Post Workout Chocolate Protein Smoothie
Coffee Protein Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 medium frozen banana (112 gram)
- 1 cup frozen cauliflower rice (100 grams)
- 1 tablespoon cashew butter
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 2 scoops Vital Protein Madagascar Vanilla Collagen Latte
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup cold brew coffe
Instructions
- All all ingredients to a Vitamix or high powdered blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Top with toppings or drink as it.
Nutrition
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Katie An
April 9, 2020 at 9:14 amThis is so yummy! I made it this morning and it was such a treat! A hint of coffee, but not overpowering. I only had unflavored vital proteins on hand and it still worked well. Can’t wait to make it again!
Kelly
April 13, 2020 at 9:55 amSo glad you liked it! And yes, any kind of protein powder should work! Thanks Katie An!