Protein Coffee (Proffee): Recipe and Tips for Active People
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Protein coffee, often called proffee, is simply coffee combined with protein: either a scoop of protein powder or a ready-to-drink protein shake. It turns your morning cup or post-gym iced coffee into something closer to a snack, which is why it is popular with people who train early and do not feel like eating a full breakfast.
The catch is technique. Dump whey powder into a mug of very hot coffee and you get clumps. Below you will find a no-clump hot method, an easy iced version, sensible protein amounts based on sports nutrition research, and flavor combinations that actually taste good.
What is proffee?
Proffee became popular on social media in the early 2020s, but the idea is simple and older than the name: add protein to coffee. There are two main styles.
| Style | What you mix | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shake-based (iced) | Espresso or cold brew poured into a ready-to-drink protein shake over ice | Fastest option, very smooth, no clumping |
| Powder-based (hot or iced) | Protein powder mixed into coffee, often with milk | Cheaper per serving, flexible flavors |
How much protein should go in?
That depends on your goals and the rest of your diet. The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) 2017 position stand on protein and exercise suggests:
- About 1.4–2.0 g of protein per kg of body weight per day for most exercising people building or maintaining muscle.
- About 0.25 g per kg per serving, which works out to roughly 20–40 g per serving for most adults.
- Spreading protein across the day, roughly every three to four hours.
- Whole foods can cover your needs; supplements are a convenient option, not a requirement.
Many protein powders and shakes list roughly 20–30 g of protein per serving, but products vary widely, so check your label. One serving in your coffee usually lands you in that 20–40 g range on its own.
| Body weight | Per serving at 0.25 g/kg | Daily at 1.4–2.0 g/kg |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg (132 lb) | 15 g | 84–120 g |
| 75 kg (165 lb) | about 19 g | 105–150 g |
| 90 kg (198 lb) | about 23 g | 126–180 g |
If you have kidney disease or another medical condition, or if you are unsure how much protein is right for you, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before increasing your intake.
Iced protein coffee recipe (2 minutes)
Ingredients (1 drink)
| Ingredient | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-to-drink protein shake (vanilla, chocolate or caramel) | 8–11 fl oz | 240–330 ml |
| Espresso, or cold brew concentrate | 2 fl oz (double shot) or 3 fl oz concentrate | 60 ml or 90 ml |
| Ice | 1 cup | about 150 g |
| Cinnamon or cocoa (optional) | a pinch | a pinch |
Steps
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour in the protein shake, leaving room at the top.
- Add the espresso or cold brew concentrate. For layers, pour slowly over the back of a spoon.
- Stir, taste, and adjust: more coffee for a stronger drink, more shake for a creamier one.
Powder version
Shake 1 scoop of protein powder with 6–8 fl oz (180–240 ml) of cold milk or water in a shaker bottle until completely smooth, then pour over ice and add the coffee. Mixing the powder with cold liquid first is the secret to a smooth iced proffee.
Hot protein coffee without clumps
Whey protein changes structure when it hits very hot liquid, which is what creates stringy lumps. The fix is to dissolve the powder before it meets the heat.
Ingredients (1 mug)
| Ingredient | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Freshly brewed coffee | 8 fl oz | 240 ml |
| Protein powder | 1 scoop | per label (often about 30 g) |
| Milk or plant milk, room temperature or cold | 2–3 tbsp | 30–45 ml |
Steps
- Brew your coffee and let it rest for 1–2 minutes so it is hot but not near boiling.
- Make a paste. In your mug, whisk the protein powder with the cold or room-temperature milk until smooth and lump-free.
- Add the coffee gradually. Pour in a little coffee and stir, then add the rest while stirring or using a handheld milk frother.
- Froth for texture. A few seconds with a frother gives a light, latte-like foam.
Clump-proof tips
- Never pour powder straight onto just-boiled coffee.
- A blender or handheld frother beats a spoon every time.
- Casein and many blended or plant proteins thicken more than whey; add extra liquid if needed.
- Collagen powder dissolves very easily in hot coffee, but it is not a complete protein, so it is not equivalent to whey or other complete proteins for muscle-building purposes.
- Unflavored powder lets the coffee taste lead; flavored powder adds sweetness, so skip extra sugar until you taste it.
Flavor ideas
- Vanilla latte proffee: vanilla protein with a vanilla-flavored coffee and a pinch of cinnamon.
- Mocha proffee: chocolate protein with a chocolate-flavored coffee and a dusting of cocoa.
- Salted caramel: caramel or vanilla protein with a pinch of flaky salt.
- Peanut butter cup: chocolate protein plus 1 tsp (5 g) of peanut butter powder.
- Spiced cold brew: unflavored or vanilla protein, cold brew, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Dairy-free option
Use a pea, soy or blended plant protein and oat, soy or almond milk. Plant proteins can taste earthier; chocolate and mocha flavors hide this best.
Which coffee to use
For iced proffee, our Cold Brew Coffee is a dark French roast blend, ground very coarse specifically for cold brew, for a smooth, low-acid, naturally sweet concentrate with dark chocolate notes. For hot proffee, flavored coffees do the work of syrups without adding sugar: French Vanilla brings creamy vanilla and a silky body, and Mocha gives rich chocolate notes on a medium-roast Arabica. All are roasted 1–5 days before delivery. See more in our Flavored collection.
A note on caffeine and timing
Protein coffee has the same caffeine as the coffee you put in it. If you drink it before training, aim for about 30–60 minutes beforehand, as covered in our guide to coffee before a workout. If you drink it after an evening session, consider decaf so it does not interfere with sleep. Most healthy adults are advised to stay within about 400 mg of caffeine per day (FDA, EFSA).
Protein coffee FAQ
Can you put protein powder in hot coffee?
Yes. Let the coffee cool for a minute or two and mix the powder into a little cold milk first, then add the coffee gradually while stirring or frothing.
Does hot coffee destroy protein?
Heat changes the structure of whey proteins, which causes clumping, but the protein is still digested. Cooking eggs or meat changes protein structure too.
Is proffee good before or after a workout?
Either can work. Before training, the caffeine is the main benefit; after training, the protein is. Choose based on your schedule and how your stomach feels.
How much protein powder should I add to coffee?
One serving as listed on the label, which typically provides about 20–30 g of protein, fits the ISSN suggestion of roughly 20–40 g per serving.
Sources
- Jäger R et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2017.
- NutraIngredients. ISSN publishes position stand on protein and exercise. 2017.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine. EFSA Journal, 2015.
Facts checked in October 2026.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or take medication, ask your doctor before changing your caffeine intake.
Keep reading: Coffee before a workout · Benefits of caffeine · Flavored