The BEST Protein Coffee Recipe | Healthy, Creamy + Delicious

Presenter / Channel

Autumn is a certified clinical nutritionist with a master’s in nutrition human performance. She shares a “science-backed” protein coffee recipe and references:

• Her blog post (linked in the video)
• Other recipes on her channel, notably high protein overnight oats

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Ingredients (with quantities / substitutions mentioned)

• Espresso / strong coffee

  • Coffee beans: ~15–18 g
    • She uses two small scoops, which equal ~18 g
  • Alternative methods:
    • French press method
    • Or brew very strong coffee
  • Target amount: ~3 oz espresso (or 3 oz of very strong coffee)

• Milk portion

  • Whole milk: 1 cup
  • Substitutions (plant-based):
    • Almond milk or coconut milk
    • Noted as lower in protein and less creamy

• Protein powder

  • Vanilla protein powder: 1 scoop (zero added sugar)

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Equipment + Prep Steps

Coffee gear (any method is acceptable)

• Espresso machine / latte maker
  • She uses a Breville machine
• Coffee grinder
  • She pulses beans until the grounds are powdery—about like “table salt” in texture
• If no espresso machine
  • Use a French press
  • Or brew very strong coffee

Milk frothing

• Milk frother
  • Any frother works; she uses one she bought from Mud Water
• Smaller pan for heating
  • Recommended to prevent splashes/exploding when frothing
• Optional temperature check
  • She checks milk temperature with her finger as a qualitative cue

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Step-by-Step Method (order matters) + Key Cues

1) Make the espresso / strong coffee

1. Measure beans: use ~18 g (about 15–18 g, or two scoops)
2. Grind: grind very fine
   • She pulses until it’s like powder similar to table salt
   • Technique cue: grind should be smaller than French press grind since it’s stronger (espresso grind)
3. Brew using your espresso method
4. Collect about 3 oz espresso (or 3 oz very strong coffee)

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2) Heat milk (avoid clumping/curdling)

1. Heat 1 cup whole milk in a smaller pan on medium-low
2. Heat until you reach the exact temperature you want
   • Safety/texture cue: do not boil milk
   • Boiling can create a curdly texture, and the protein powder may curdle
3. Temperature cue: if it’s too hot for your finger, it’s too hot to add protein powder
4. Turn off the stove once the right temperature is reached
5. Add 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
   • Goal cue: blend so it dissolves smoothly (she emphasizes her powder blends easily)

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3) Froth

1. Froth the protein milk using a milk frother
2. Equipment cue: frothing should stay controlled—she warns a thin pan can lead to milk splattering/exploding

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4) Assemble the drink

1. Add the espresso to your cup (if not already added)
2. Pour the protein frothy milk into the mug
3. Serve immediately

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Tips, Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Critical order of operations: making espresso first, then milk/protein, is presented as necessary for a “perfect” result
• Avoid boiling milk: boiling can cause a curdly texture and make protein powder curdle
• Avoid clumpy protein coffee: a wrong temperature/order increases this risk
• Grind finer than French press for a stronger espresso-like base
• Use a smaller pan when heating so frothing doesn’t splash/explode

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Serving / Timing Suggestions

• She recommends it not be your only meal:
  • Even with 18 g protein, it may not be enough for most people’s weight loss/wellness goals
  • Pair with another high-protein breakfast, such as:
    • High protein overnight oats
    • Scrambled eggs
    • “Whatever you want,” as long as it’s another high-protein option
• Intermittent fasting: this breaks a fast, so have it during your eating window, not fasting time
• Afternoon vs morning caffeine guidance:
  • Afternoon latte: use decaf (any caffeine may disrupt sleep quality)
  • Morning: she says you can add caffeine

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Variations Discussed (concise)

• No espresso machine: use French press or very strong brewed coffee
• Milk options:
  • Whole milk (preferred for creaminess + micronutrient reasons she mentions)
  • Almond milk or coconut milk (plant-based, but lower protein and less creamy)

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Referenced Materials / Links

• Her blog post with the printable full recipe (linked in the video description)
• Her channel recipe:
  • High protein overnight oats
• Gear/product mentioned:
  • Breville espresso/latte machine (link in description)
  • Mud Water milk frother (she says any frother works)