This coffee cottage cheese protein smoothie is a creamy, chilly, breakfast-friendly blend made for mornings when you want coffee and something filling in one quick cup. Cottage cheese gives it a smooth, milkshake-like texture, banana adds natural sweetness, cocoa brings a mocha twist, and protein powder helps make it feel more satisfying without turning your routine complicated.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 3/4 cup chilled brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1 medium frozen banana, sliced
- 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup ice
- 1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup, optional
- Pinch of cinnamon, optional
How To Make It
Add the cottage cheese, chilled coffee, milk, frozen banana, protein powder, cocoa powder, and ice to a high-speed blender. Blend on high for 30 to 60 seconds, or until the smoothie looks completely creamy and no cottage cheese curds remain.
Taste the smoothie before pouring. If you like your coffee drinks a little sweeter, blend in 1 teaspoon of maple syrup, then add more if needed. If the smoothie is too thick, splash in an extra 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk or coffee. If it is too thin, add a few more ice cubes or another piece of frozen banana and blend again.
Pour into a tall glass or insulated cup and enjoy right away while it is cold and frothy.
Tips
Use cold coffee for the best texture. Hot coffee will melt the ice and frozen banana quickly, making the smoothie thinner and less refreshing.
Choose small-curd or whipped cottage cheese if you are worried about texture. A strong blender will make either one smooth, but softer cottage cheese blends especially easily.
For a stronger coffee flavor, use cold brew or espresso that has been cooled. For a milder smoothie, use regular brewed coffee and a little extra milk.
Chocolate protein powder makes this taste more like a mocha smoothie, while vanilla protein powder gives it a creamy latte-style flavor. Unflavored protein powder can work too, but you may want the optional maple syrup.
If you want to prep ahead, freeze banana slices in small bags and keep chilled coffee in the fridge. In the morning, everything is ready to blend in minutes.
Blend it, sip it, and make your busy morning feel a little brighter!