This easy keto protein shake is a delicious way to kick your day into high gear. It takes 6 simple ingredients, has 20 grams of protein, and only 1.4g net carbs per serving. This post is sponsored by Swerve Sweetener.
As someone who gets a lot of exercise, I need quite a bit of protein in my diet. And this Coffee Protein Shake is my new favorite way to refuel after a tough workout. It’s cold and refreshing, with a kick of caffeine and plenty of protein.
Best of all, it tastes like a keto frosty! It’s so thick and creamy, you can almost imagine that you’re slurping down a mocha milkshake.
Sugar-free energy never tasted so good. You won’t ever pay for pre-made keto shakes again with this recipe at hand. And it’s fabulous as breakfast or a snack!
Why you will love this recipe
This coffee protein shake is so easy to make, and is the perfect blend of energy and refreshment. And with only six clean, keto-friendly ingredients, you know exactly what you’re getting.
Because the coffee is frozen into cubes, this keto shake doesn’t get watered down by melting ice. It stays creamy and rich for as long as it takes you to drink it. It’s also completely nut-free and can be made dairy-free as well, so it works with any dietary restrictions.
Make it your own by switching up the flavors of protein powder, adjusting the level of sweetener, or adding in some chocolate chips. At 1.4 grams of carbohydrates, you can customize it to suit your tastes and your macros.
Ingredients you need
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- Coffee: Cold brew is a good choice for this recipe, as it has a good strong flavor. But you can use any cold coffee, including espresso. You can also use decaffeinated.
- Low carb milk: I like to use hemp milk in smoothies and shakes, as it has no carbs. But you can also use almond milk or macadamia milk. Just be sure to choose the unsweetened variety.
- Whipping cream: Heavy cream adds richness and thickness to this keto protein shake.
- Collagen protein powder: Also referred to as collagen peptides, it’s a great source of protein and adds thickness to shakes and smoothies. But you can also use whey, egg white, or plant protein in this recipe. Feel free to play with different flavors of protein as well. Chocolate, vanilla, and salted caramel would all be lovely.
- Swerve Confectioners: Swerve is my go-to sweetener for almost all of my recipes. It adds the perfect amount of sweetness to keto treats. And the Confectioners-style sweetener blends perfectly into shakes and smoothies.
- Cocoa powder: A little cocoa powder makes these Coffee Protein Shakes taste like a mocha milkshake. But you can skip it if you like.
Step by step directions
1. Freeze the coffee: Pour the cold coffee into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid.
2. Combine the ingredients: Place the coffee cubes in a blender and add the milk, cream, protein powder, Swerve Sweetener, and cocoa powder.
3. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetness as desired.
3. Serve: Divide between two glasses and enjoy!
Expert tips and FAQ
A standard ice cube tray will make enough coffee cubes for two protein shakes. But you can easily make one and store the remaining cubes in the freezer for another day.
If the protein powder you use is unsweetened, you may want to add an additional tablespoon of Swerve Confectioners to the shake. You can easily taste and adjust the sweetener after the ingredients are blended together.
Dairy-Free Option: You can make this shake dairy-free by replacing the whipping cream with full fat coconut milk or coconut cream.
This easy shake recipe has 2.9 grams of carbohydrate and 1.5 grams of fiber. Thus they have only 1.4g NET CARBS per serving.
Be wary of pre-made protein shakes or mixes. Even ones that label themselves as “keto” often have quite a few carbs and/or some sketchy ingredients. Read the labels carefully. Better yet, make your own keto protein shake at home!
I don’t recommend making these more than 30 minutes in advance as they do melt. The flavor doesn’t get watered down but they do become more liquid as they sit at room temperature. If you keep the shake in an insulated mug, it will stay colder longer.
You can also make the coffee ice cubes in advance so you have them ready to go at any time. They will last in the freezer for months.
More delicious recipes made with Swerve!
Coffee Protein Shake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (355.5 g) cold brew coffee, (or any strongly brewed coffee)
- 1 cup (236 g) unsweetened hemp milk
- 1/4 cup (59.5 g) heavy whipping cream
- 6 tbsp (32 g) collagen protein powder, (chocolate or vanilla)
- 1/4 cup (45.5 g) Swerve Confectioners
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
Instructions
- Pour the cold brew into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid, at least 4 hours.
- Place the coffee ice cubes in a blender and add the milk, cream, collagen, Swerve, and cocoa powder. Blend until smooth.
- Taste and adjust the sweetener to your liking. Blend again, then pour into two glasses and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Delicious!!
If I don’t want a milkshake, but something similar to a Premier Protein drink texture, can I just refrigerate the coffee overnight instead of making frozen cubes then mix the ingredients in the morning?
I am not familiar with that drink but you can certainly try it that way.
You cannot go wrong with coffee plus chocolate! I’ve been making protein shakes lately and since I usually make them for later rather than for breakfast, Decaf is the way to go. Another good recipe!!
To me, this tastes like a Wendy’s frosty! So yummy and soothes my sweet tooth!
I appreciate the info about hemp milk
was just wondering where yiu buy your hemp milk giant gricery stores in pa does not carry in there dairy section
They do around here. But you can also order it on Amazon.
My go to protein shake. I might be able to stop buying the mass produced ones, since I use them as my breakfast. I will just need to get up a little earlier in the a.m. once I have to report back to school in August.
I love this and make it with caffeine in the morning, but if I haven’t had it in the morning I will make it decaf later in the day. It gives me my sense of having an ice cream milkshake! Very satisfying.
Yay! Yes, I agree it’s a lot like a milkshake.
Absolutely loved this and so glad it’s low carb!!
Thanks Carolyn
when recipe calls for coconut milk is that Canned coconut milk or coconut milk in the carton eg.Silk unsweetened
Coconut milk.
Canned full fat coconut milk.
I just made this and it was delicious! I substituted unsweetened coconut milk for the cream and used unsweetened macadamia milk. I put in a teaspoon of Lily’s mint chocolate chips. I used Equip prime protein chocolate. 2g total carbs per scoop, 1g fiber = 1 net carb, I did put in a 1/2 tsp cocoa.
I finally found a use for this protein powder!! I’ll be freezing more coffee! Yum!
Deliscious! Love the frozen coffee
I substituted Collagen Peptides for Collagen Protein Powder. It was delicious!!!! Question: your recipe calls for 6 tbs. of the protein powder. A serving of the Peptides is about 2 tablespoons. Is it ok to keep the same amount?
They are actually the same thing. 🙂 But I am glad you enjoyed it!
Hemp milk is rather pricey! Does it have flavor or not? I wonder what the shelf life is.
Made this for breakfast this morning and we really enjoyed it. But I have a question for you: when I poured the shake into glasses, the semi-frozen creams sat at the top of the glass, and I needed to stir it a couple of times to make it easily drinkable (note that we do not use straws). I think the question is, is there a way to get the shake to stay mixed? Thank you.
Mine just stayed mixed. What kind of blender do you have? Maybe it wasn’t blended enough?
I have a Blendtec 675, and I blended it on the smoothie cycle.
Oh My! I am now ordering your books, after makin this recipe. This was chocolate heaven. I made half the recipe, and honestly 1/4 of it would be enough. I went lighter on the swerve and cocoa at the beginning. I took your advice, and made it and then lightly added just a touch more of the swerve and cocoa (to my liking). I am so glad I found you – this is my first time seeing your site, and trying one of your recipes. I’m impressed with what I am seeing on your site. You make sense. Your recipes look and sound amazing. I look forward to seeing your books. Thank you for taking the time to share your creations. I appreciate your hard work.
Glad you enjoyed it!
OMG This is so good. I’m nondairy so I used coconut cream and US vanilla almond milk and no cocoa powder. I’ve been having a hard time trying to like coffee again since giving up Coffeemate. This definitely is the solution. Tastes like the best coffee ice cream. Terrific way to break my fast in the morning. I love all your recipes. Thank you
Ooohhhh can’t wait to try this! Being a nanny(and I know you moms get it lol), I don’t always have time to eat breakfast, so come mid-morning I get super nauseous. Not a good combo when taking care of a 17 month old.
Wow!!! This just might happen daily! I had one small mistake, though I’m not heartbroken over it lol. I halved the recipe as it was just me for breakfast and put in a whole tablespoon of special dark cocoa powder…a very tasty mistake!
Love this recipe!!
What’s a substitute for hemp milk
Please read the blog post! 🙂
Oh I can’t wait to try this!!!
I always keep unflavored protein powder on hand for you’re amazing recipes. How much vanilla and sweetener would you suggest to achieve a vanilla base?
Thank you SO MUCH for making this T2’s life full of flavor!!
I wouldn’t do more than 1/4 tsp vanilla. Then you can adjust sweetener to taste after you’ve blended it!
Awesome—thank you!!