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- Protein can make your morning coffee more filling and help support muscle health.
- Some protein additions blend seamlessly into hot coffee, while others work best in iced or blended drinks.
- Protein-rich additions to your coffee can make it more nutritious, but it shouldn’t replace a balanced breakfast.
The United States’ recent obsession with protein means you can now find this key nutrient in everything from popcorn to waffles to ice cream.
But if you’re still looking for more ways to get protein in your diet, your daily cup of joe is a good place to start, regardless of whether your goal is to stay full for longer, build muscle, or simply make your coffee more nutritious. Dairy, protein powders, or other add-ins are simple ways to boost your protein intake—without changing up your routine.
1. Collagen Peptides
- Protein content: 10 grams (g)
- Serving size: One packet (11 g) of unflavored, bovine collagen peptides
Though exact amounts of protein vary by product, collagen peptides are one of the simplest ways to boost your daily protein intake.
They dissolve well in hot coffee, so collagen peptides shouldn’t significantly change the flavor or texture of your cup of joe. Plus, research suggests that collagen peptides remain bioavailable—meaning your body can still absorb and use them—even after they’re added to hot coffee.
Collagen helps support healthy skin and joints, but keep in mind that it’s an incomplete protein—that means it lacks some amino acids (protein building blocks) that are necessary for muscle protein synthesis. Make sure you also consume other types of protein throughout your day, preferably complete protein sources (such as meat or dairy products).
2. Soy Milk
- Protein content: 8.7 g
- Serving size: 1 cup of unsweetened soy milk
Soy milk is one of the highest-protein plant-based milks available. Unlike other types of alternative milks, it provides a similar amount of protein to cow’s milk and is generally considered a complete protein.
If you drink coffee daily, swapping to unsweetened soy milk can be an easy way to increase your protein intake without adding sugar. Just remember that you’ll have to add more than just a splash of soy milk to your coffee if you want a more substantial protein boost.
3. Protein Powder
- Protein content: 25 g
- Serving size: One scoop of soy-based protein powder (45 g) or a one-third cup of whey protein powder (32 g)
Adding a scoop of protein powder to your coffee is an easy way to significantly increase your protein intake. You can find products made from whey, soy, egg white, pea protein, and more, which gives you lots of flexibility based on your dietary preferences.
Protein powder is a particularly good addition to iced or blended coffee drinks, where it helps create a smooth, creamy texture. If hot coffee is more your style, just avoid adding the powder to your cup directly. Instead, whisk a small amount of protein powder with room-temperature milk before stirring it into your coffee, or use a handheld frother to prevent clumping.
You can also play around with adding different protein powder flavors—such as chocolate, vanilla, or caramel—though unflavored products are best if you prefer the taste of black coffee.
4. Peanut Butter
- Protein content: 3.5 g
- Serving size: One tablespoon of smooth, unsalted peanut butter
Though it’s best known as a topping for toast, peanut butter can add a rich, nutty flavor to coffee—plus, it contributes protein and fiber, which may increase feelings of fullness and make your morning coffee more satisfying. Peanut butter is also a good source of heart-healthy unsaturated fats.
For the smoothest texture, blend peanut butter into your coffee rather than stirring it by hand. It works especially well in iced or blended coffee drinks, where it creates a rich, creamy consistency.
5. Cow’s Milk
- Protein content: 8.2 g
- Serving size: 1 cup of 2% cow’s milk
Adding cow’s milk to coffee is one of the simplest ways to increase its protein content. Milk provides high-quality protein, including whey and casein, which contain all nine essential amino acids. This can help support muscle maintenance and repair muscle after exercise.
There are lots of different types of cow’s milk to choose from—whole, 2%, and skim milk contain similar amounts of protein, so choose whichever one best fits your nutritional needs when it comes to fat and calories. You can also purchase ultra-filtered milk, which provides even more protein per cup than regular milk.
Regardless of which one you choose, milk also adds creaminess and can be frothed for coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
6. Egg
- Protein content: 6 g
- Serving size: One large egg
Though it’s not as common in the U.S., egg coffee has been enjoyed in different parts of the world for decades, particularly in Vietnam.
Eggs are a source of high-quality, complete protein, which may make your coffee more satisfying. Their protein, along with their antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients, may also support heart health.
Most egg coffees are made by combining yolks with sweetened condensed milk, which can offer protein and richness. If you choose to add egg to your coffee, use pasteurized eggs to reduce food safety risks, and blend or whisk the mixture thoroughly to create a smooth texture.
7. Cottage Cheese
- Protein content: 12 g
- Serving size: One-half cup of 2% cottage cheese
While it may sound like an unusual combination, cottage cheese has a mild flavor that works well with coffee, especially when paired with flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, or cocoa.
For a smoother consistency, use a blender to fully break down the curds before adding it to your coffee. In fact, blending cottage cheese into iced coffee can create a texture similar to cold foam or another creamy coffee topping, with a thicker, more satisfying consistency.
Cottage cheese is a complete protein source, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. Because of this, cottage cheese can help promote muscle health and greater feelings of fullness. Just make sure to choose a lower-sodium variety of cottage cheese if you’re watching your sodium intake or blood pressure.
Can a Protein-Rich Coffee Count as Breakfast?
These protein-rich add-ins to coffee can be a convenient way to boost your protein intake and help promote a greater feeling of fullness.
That being said, protein coffee is not the same as a balanced breakfast. A nutritious meal should typically include a combination of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and a variety of vitamins and minerals, many of which are missing in a cup of protein coffee.
Even on busy mornings, try to pair protein coffee with foods such as fruit, whole-grain toast, or nuts to create an overall healthy meal.
