The Best Protein Coffee

This 3 ingredient recipe tastes just like a creamy vanilla latte, but without sugar! Warming and protein-packed for a healthy start to your morning.

I’ve been on a latte kick lately. I love my good ol’ black coffee with milk, but there’s something so decadent and comforting about a hot latte.

Back in college, I used to love vanilla latte’s from Starbucks. But each 16 ounce serving 35 grams of added sugar. That’s practically like sipping on a soda at breakfast. Sugar sweetened drinks, like vanilla lattes, is one of the biggest known contributing factors to Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity and Cardiovascular disease.

But omg a good vanilla latte tastes so dang good.

To health-ify the classic vanilla latte, I made this super simple, three ingredient vanilla protein coffee recipe. It’s rich, creamy and literally tastes like a coffee shop vanilla latte, but without the sugar.

Raise a glass and cheers to your new morning ritual ☕️

Recipe Highlights

High protein: 18 grams per cup.
Zero added sugar: Naturally sweetened with monk fruit extract from the protein powder.
Tastes like a vanilla latte: Because it essentially is! Minus the sugar 😉

protein coffee ingredients protein powder, espresso and whole milk

Key Ingredients

Vanilla Protein Powder

The hint of vanilla sweetness is thanks to our zero added sugar vanilla protein powder. We use 100% monk fruit extract for natural zero sugar goodness. Plus, our 100% whey protein isolate is low in lactose, making it the best whey protein option for those who are lactose intolerant. I specifically created our protein powder to taste incredible in recipes, just like this one. Just enough vanilla flavor and super easy to blend into recipes — no clumps here!

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Whole Milk

If you aren’t lactose intolerant or carb sensitive, then I feel that whole milk is a must in this recipe. Yes, you can use dairy-free alternatives (see below for those swaps), but you can’t beat the rich, creamy experience of a whole milk latte.

Plus, whole milk dairy products have been found to be inversely associated with obesity. This means that those who use whole milk dairy (instead of low fat) are less likely to be obese. Whole milk dairy is also uniquely high in vitamin K2, which is needed to get calcium out of the arteries and into the bones.

Espresso

Coffee is one of the most antioxidant rich foods/drinks you’ll eat/drink all day! I like to double down on the health perks of coffee and use Organic Purity Coffee. It’s tested for mold and mold toxins, plus it’s grown and roasted to maximize for antioxidants. It’s the only coffee I’ve been using since 2017 and I use it to make black coffee, cold brew and even espresso. You can get 20% off your first order of Purity Coffee here.

Equipment Needed

If you start with pre-made espresso, then all you’ll need is a small pot and a milk frother.

However, if you plan on DIY-ing espresso, you’ll need a coffee grinder and espresso machine. You can find some of my espresso machine and technique recommendations later in this post.

How To Make This Recipe

This first step is optional and only applies if you’re making your own espresso shots. Start by pouring 18 grams of coffee beans into a coffee grinder.

freshly ground coffee beans in a grinder

Press down and pulse until a fine powder forms. It should resemble table salt in texture and appearance.

espresso shot being pulled from an espresso machine

Make a double espresso shot (3 ounces) according to your espresso makers instructions.

whole milk whisked with a coffee frother in a pot

Heat the milk in a small pot over medium heat until it reaches your desired latte temperature. Turn off the heat and add the protein powder. Use a handheld milk frother to blend the protein powder into the warmed milk.

Pour the espresso into a coffee mug.

milk being poured into a mug with espresso

Pour the warmed protein milk on top of the espresso. Enjoy immediately.

Autumn, author of Autumn Elle Nutrition, standing in kitchen drinking a protein shake and smiling.

Tips From The Nutritionist

Autumn Bates, CCN, MS, BS, CPT

Careful not to overheat the milk! Warm it just enough to hit the temperature that you like your latte at. Bringing milk to a boil can curdle it and cause clumps when you add the protein powder.
Use a small sauce pan or pot so that the milk doesn’t splash everywhere when you froth it.

Ingredient Swaps

Whole Milk: Unsweetened almond milk, hemp milk and coconut milk all work here. But keep in mind, this will lower the protein by about 8 grams and won’t taste as rich and creamy.
Espresso: You can use decaf or regular. You can also use pre-made espresso shots or make it yourself. Check out all the different ways to make espresso below.
Protein powder: This recipe requires protein powder to make it “protein coffee”. But you can test out different flavors of protein powder, like chocolate or even unflavored if you want more of a traditional latte.

woman holding a protein coffee in a ceramic mug

All The Ways To Make Espresso Shots

There are a lot of different ways to make or buy espresso. Below are a few you can check out or test.

Espresso machine: This is what I use. I have a Breville that I’ve used for over 10 years. If you think you’ll be making lattes at least a few times a month, then it’s a great investment.
Moka Pot: This is a stovetop coffee maker that can brew something close to espresso. I haven’t used one, but it’s an affordable option.
AeroPress: Kinda looks like a syringe. You can use this coffee maker with fine ground coffee to make espresso-ish.
French Press: I usually use this for black coffee, but you can use finely ground beans to mimic espresso.
Strongly brewed coffee: Choose your favorite coffee-making method, but make it very strong.
Pods: Some coffee pod machines (like Nespresso) make espresso shots.
Store-bought: You can purchase pre-made espresso at the grocery store. Make sure to warm it up before adding it to the milk so that your protein coffee stays hot.

Storing and Reheating

This recipe is best had immediately. However, you can cool leftovers and pour it over ice for an iced latte version.

What to Pair This With

For most people, I don’t recommend snacking. Snacking can lead to poor gut health and work against a weight loss or wellness goal. If you have this protein coffee, make sure to have it as part of a meal. Although this recipe is quite filling, it doesn’t contain enough nutrients, protein or fiber to be a full meal. Below are some great recipes to pair it with for a satisfying and nourishing breakfast.

High Protein Overnight Oats; Super high protein and fiber breakfast that’s easy to meal prep.
Tropical Lemon Chia Pudding; Pineapple and citrusy flavors in this creamy pudding.
High Protein Yogurt Bowl; A classic fruit and yogurt parfait with a high protein twist!
Pumpkin Protein Pancakes with Chocolate Chips; Cozy and zero added sugar goodness.
Make-Ahead Chocolate Protein Pancakes; Meal prep for the week!

FAQ’s

Is protein coffee actually healthy?

Assuming you don’t add sugar and you’re using a high quality protein powder, then absolutely. It’s a great way to sneak in extra protein to help support muscle maintenance, recovery, satiety and weight loss goals.

What is the best way to make protein coffee?

If you’re making hot protein coffee, then I’ve found it easiest to first heat the milk, THEN add the protein powder. This makes the protein blend a lot easier into the milk without clumping. There’s not enough liquid with espresso to easily blend the protein powder into.

Is protein coffee good for weight loss?

It can be, again, assuming you aren’t adding sugar (which this recipe does not add any sugar). But it shouldn’t replace a meal. Make sure to check out my recommended food pairings above.

What’s the best protein to use for protein coffee?

A high quality whey protein isolate will tend to blend the best without any clumps.

Other Recipes You May Love

Pumpkin Spice Latte Smoothie; Fall vibes, protein and coffee!
Healthy Iced Chai Latte; Zero sugar and warming spices.
Healthy Protein Hot Chocolate; 18 grams protein in this zero added sugar dessert!

Did you love this recipe? Let me know in the comments below!

5 from 1 vote