Banana Protein Coffee Smoothie (Printer-friendly)
Creamy banana coffee blend with protein for fat loss and sustained focus throughout your day.
# What You'll Need:
→ Base
01 - 1 ripe banana, peeled
02 - 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
→ Protein
03 - 1 scoop (about 1 oz) vanilla or unflavored protein powder (whey or plant-based)
→ Coffee
04 - 1 shot (1 fl oz) freshly brewed espresso, cooled, or ½ cup strong cold brew coffee
→ Flavor & Body
05 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
06 - 1 teaspoon natural almond or peanut butter (optional)
07 - 1 teaspoon chia seeds (optional, for fiber)
08 - ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
→ Ice
09 - ½ to 1 cup ice cubes, as desired
# Directions:
01 - Place the peeled banana, almond milk, protein powder, cooled espresso or cold brew, and any optional add-ins (cinnamon, nut butter, chia seeds, vanilla extract) into the blender jar.
02 - Top the mixture with ½ to 1 cup of ice cubes depending on your preferred thickness.
03 - Secure the lid and blend on high speed for 45 to 60 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy with no visible chunks.
04 - Stop and taste the smoothie. Add more ice for a thicker texture or a splash of almond milk to thin it out, then blend briefly to incorporate.
05 - Pour into a tall glass and enjoy right away for the best flavor and texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It tastes like a dessert you would order at a cafe but quietly delivers 23 grams of protein and keeps you full for hours.
- Five minutes is all it takes from starving to out the door with something genuinely satisfying in your hand.
02 -
- Hot coffee straight from the machine will melt your ice instantly and give you a lukewarm watery mess, so always let that espresso cool first or use cold brew instead.
- Adding the protein powder before the liquids can create stubborn clumps that stick to the blender blade, so pour the milk in first then add the powder on top.
03 -
- The absolute best results come from a banana that is fully brown-spotted and frozen, which eliminates any need for ice and creates an impossibly creamy texture.
- A pinch of salt sounds wrong but rounds out the sweetness and makes the coffee flavor pop in a way you will notice immediately.