This coffee smoothie recipe is absolutely delicious. It’s high in protein, boosts metabolism, helps your skin, hair, and nails; and it is the perfect filling breakfast (all on its own!).
The only good habit is an easy habit. That’s my motto and I’m sticking to it.
No, it’s not sexy. No, it’s not what all the gurus say.
But let’s face it, if we were willpower machines, wouldn’t every choice be easy?
But we’re not. Instead, our brains run off little hits of dopamine – which are kind of like little high fives every time we do something we’re proud of. So easy choices = more high fives = a better chance of sticking to a habit long term.
It’s a win-win-win.
So my secret, super easy habit that starts my day off on the right foot?
It’s my coffee smoothie recipe.
Here’s why:
You see, I believe it’s the little things we do every day that count the most.
It’s not about a 30-day detox or a 90-day exercise plan.
It’s about those small, consistent (yes, even boring) behaviors that happen every day.
Those are the ones that shape who we are and who we become – including whether or not we’re healthy.
And that’s my coffee smoothie.
One of the only habits I can stick to…
For the last six years, I’ve been eating the same easy breakfast almost without exception. Let’s say 9 days out of 10, this is how I start my morning.
Let me say that again – SIX YEARS.
This is coming from the woman who can’t seem to stick with any habit for more than 3 weeks. It’s like I have a 21-day expiration date in the part of my brain that creates new habits.
It just says “nope” when I want to stick with something new!
I have pretty much zero willpower. So please do not take this lightly.
For me to stick with a habit, it has to be ridiculously easy, rewarding and automatic.
What do I love about this coffee smoothie?
I’ve perfected the recipe over the years into something that nourishes and replenishes me in every way first thing in the morning.
It’s such a strong habit that I don’t even think about it. I wouldn’t forget it any more than I would forget to shower (and trust me, I’m one of those people who never forgets to shower!!).
Here’s another benefit:
When you start the day with one healthy habit, for some reason it’s a lot easier to make healthier choices for the rest of the day, too.
Plus, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, am I right?
Here are a few more reasons this coffee protein shake is my go-to breakfast:
It’s easy. I confess – I don’t always (like never) feel like cooking breakfast. This takes me about 3 minutes to put together once the coffee is brewed. I usually brew it ahead of time to make it even easier.
It’s a balance of carbs, fat and protein. If you’ve read my book The Nourished Metabolism, then you’ve heard this more than a few times: our bodies love it when we give them a balance of all macronutrients. This coffee smoothie puts it all in a neat little package first thing in the morning.
It’s easy to digest. My body doesn’t like super heavy food first thing in the morning. This smoothie fills me up, but doesn’t weigh down my digestive system all morning.
It packs a nutrition punch. Seriously, this coffee smoothie has just about every nutrient you can think of. I believe in eating food that combines the power of energy and nutrients, and this breakfast does just that.
Protein, protein, protein. I know I’m not alone – it’s hard to get enough protein in every day! I aim for 75-100 grams each day because I’m pretty active. My coffee smoothie usually gets close to 40 grams in one shot. It makes the whole day easier.
My skin, hair and nails love this drink! Keep reading to see why.
The Secret Ingredients in My Coffee Smoothie
Here are the main ingredients in my famous breakfast smoothie, and why I use them:
Organic, Fair-Trade Coffee
Of course, there is coffee in my coffee smoothie. And while any coffee will do, I like to choose an organic, fair-trade brand that tastes amazing.
What are my favorite choices?
Sometimes I like the milder Vienna roast, and sometimes the dark and robust French roast. It depends on my mood and I tend to alternate back and forth.
So pick your favorite coffee and make it good! It will lay the foundation for an amazing smoothie.
Real Milk
I opt for the highest quality milk I can find locally. Sometimes it’s organic milk.
Sometimes I’m able to spring for raw milk fresh from the farm. I give myself a lot of flexibility in this area.
But this ingredient definitely brings a punch of nutrition to my coffee smoothie, and makes it creamy and delicious, too.
Not into dairy?
You can easily substitute coconut milk or your favorite milk alternative in this recipe.
Raw Egg Yolks
This is one of my super secret powerhouse ingredients.
Here’s why:
Egg yolks are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, essential fats, and protein.
I notice when I leave these out, my skin starts to look dull and break out after a few days. That’s enough evidence for me!
I use 1-2 raw egg yolks in my morning smoothie. They make this coffee protein shake extra creamy, but otherwise I don’t taste them at all.
Why raw egg yolks?
Read about why I eat raw egg yolks here.
Worried about egg yolks and cholesterol? You need to read the latest research here.
Collagen
This is my other powerhouse secret: collagen protein powder. I use this amazing pasture-raised collagen because it blends easily into my coffee smoothie and comes from a quality source. This makes my smoothie high-protein and very filling.
And as a huge side benefit?
My hair and nails grow like crazy!
My hair stylist can’t believe how fast my hair grows and I really have to stay on top of trimming my nails or they get out of hand.
My husband notices the name trend when he makes sure to include collagen in his diet every day (he also says it helps his joints — he does heavy weight training several times a week, so when he notices, it’s a big deal!).
Wondering what collagen to choose?
I’ve tried quite a few brands, and this one is by far my favorite.
Here’s some interesting research on the benefits of collagen if you want to learn why it’s so awesome:
- Supplementing with collagen can improve skin elasticity.
- Collagen can support joint health and exercise recovery.
Wholesome Sweeteners
I need my carbs in the mornings. They are a great source of easily digested energy after a long night of sleep, and fuel for the day ahead.
Worried about your blood sugar?
Since this coffee protein shake contains plenty of protein and healthy fat, the carbs don’t adversely affect my blood sugar.
Here are the sweeteners I normally choose:
I opt for more natural sweeteners like real maple syrup or coconut sugar in my coffee smoothie, since they also have trace amounts of beneficial nutrients.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is my last secret ingredient. It can boost the metabolism and help with weight loss, and is also an important source of lauric acid. All around, I consider coconut oil a super fat that has super benefits!
Using coconut milk instead of dairy?
If you use coconut milk, you don’t need to add any coconut oil to your smoothie, as it will already contain the beneficial fats.
If you try this recipe, please rate it below and share it so your friends can enjoy it too! For more of my recipes, remedies, and lifestyle tips, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
My Secret Coffee Smoothie Recipe {High-Protein, Boosts Metabolism, Balanced Meal, Great for Hair, Skin and Nails}
Ingredients
- 6 ounces of fresh brewed coffee
- 8 ounces of milk or coconut milk
- 1-2 raw egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons collagen
- 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or your preferred sweetener to taste
- 1-3 teaspoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Put all your ingredients into a large glass.
- Use a hand blender to blend everything together smoothly. (I use this one and it rocks!)
- You can also throw everything into a traditional blender if needed. Blend until smooth.
- Note: If you are adding hot coffee I recommend blending all of the other ingredients first before added the coffee. Otherwise your egg yolks can get cooked, which is a little… yucky.
Did you try and love my secret coffee smoothie recipe? Tell me all about it in the comments below!
UPDATE:
Okay, this coffee protein shake has gotten a lot of attention since I first posted it. I’ve gotten SO many emails saying how much they love this recipe too. That means so much to me! 🙂
I wanted to come back and update this post with a few FAQs I’ve seen in the comments:
Q: Do I have to add raw egg yolks? I can’t get past the ick factor.
A: No problem! Although egg yolks are nutritious, they aren’t mandatory. Leaving them out can make the whole smoothie a little easier, too.
So if you’re seriously short on time, or you just don’t like raw eggs, don’t worry about it.
Q: My coconut oil is all chunky! How do I stop that?
A: It’ll end up chunky if your smoothie is too cool (coconut oil melts at 76 degrees F), or if your blending tool isn’t powerful enough.
I suggest making sure your smoothie is at least a little warm if you want your coconut oil to melt completely. You can also leave the coconut oil out if you’d like. You can always get your coconut oil dose at another meal if it works better for you.
Q: Can I substitute almond milk for coconut milk?
Sure thing! Use whatever milk or milk substitute you prefer.
Just steer clear of unnecessary additives if you can.
Q: I don’t like coffee. What can I use instead?
A: You don’t like coffee?! I guess it takes all kinds… But seriously, you can try this with tea or hot chocolate instead, but I can’t guarantee the results since I use and love coffee. Like a normal person.
Q: I don’t like coffee or smoothies or anything else in your recipe. Is this really necessary for a healthy metabolism?
A: Of course not! A healthy metabolism is based on a lot of factors I discuss in my book The Nourished Metabolism.
One smoothie isn’t the magic fix. But what you eat does matter, and I notice how I start my day makes a big difference. S
o make your breakfast count, even if you never use this recipe.
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judee@ Gluten Free A-Z Blog says
Great post and good reminder about forming morning habits. Interesting smoothie- You’ve inspired me.
Elizabeth Walling says
Thank you, Judee!
Debby says
Do you have any recommendations for someone that doesn’t like coffee? I can’t stand the taste of coffee, but would love the boost and nourishment.
Elizabeth Walling says
You can do this without coffee. Just pick any flavor you like — you could do fresh fruit or just as a bit of vanilla.
Shalom185 says
Hazelnuts and cacao powder!!
Sarah says
What about chia seeds?
lori says
YOu should try the recipe just once I do not like coffee either but I enjoy this recipe less the egg yolk. I had hated coffee all my 50 + years then I tried coffee with coconut oil grassfed unsalted butter and honey I whipped it in my mutri bullet and it is surprisingly good.
Brenda Fitch says
I was excited to read about your morning coffee smoothie,until I read about the raw egg yolks. Cannot fathom the thought as i can only eat very well-cooked eggs of any kind. Could I use flaxseeds instead? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Brenda Fitch
Dianne says
Sounds interesting. You had me until “raw egg yolk” as well. I would like to hear the response to the raw egg as well, I’m in the same boat as Brenda. And my hubby who would share this as well, does not \ would not (knowingly) consume anything with coffee in it.
Elizabeth Walling says
I don’t have a raw egg substitute since it’s a pretty unique ingredient, but you can leave it out if you’re uncomfortable with it. If you don’t want to do coffee, you can do cocoa powder and some extra milk or water, or fresh fruit, or vanilla.
Lorelle Poropat says
How about whey protein instead of a raw egg?
Elizabeth Walling says
If you have a favorite protein powder, you can definitely try it out. I personally don’t use whey protein (there are arguments on both sides for and against it — I personally just prefer gelatin/collagen). My husband does prefer whey and he uses both whey and collagen in his smoothies.
Delondra James says
Can you just put the whole egg in , instead of only the yolk?
Elizabeth Walling says
You can use the whole egg, but raw egg whites can be irritating to the digestive system for some people, so keep that in mind.
Leah says
Eggs are one of the most nutritious things you can eat, and there has been some research that the more cooked the yolk is, the more oxidized it is. do you ever eat your eggs with the yolks runny? same thing. As long as you’re getting fresh, high-quality eggs (preferably pastured from a farm, but organic at least) you’re perfectly safe eating raw egg yolks. The whites should be cooked, but the yolks are better metabolized raw.
Jody says
I’ve been making this for well over a year now. I heat my milk and put everything together. Drop the eggs in just as I’m ready to blend it and I never have problem with the eggs ‘cooking’. Although I feel like blending them in the super hot coffee and hot milk mixture probably temper cooks them somewhat. The only thing I don’t add to mine is the gelatin — I’m definitely going to look into it! I also add a little Cacao Powder. Yum!
Mary Talley says
It can be made the same way custard or custard ice cream is. Just temper the eggs in warm milk first; then, bring the temp up to 160° to kill any salmonella. Then, you can drink it hot or put into the frig to get it cold.
Paula Harrington says
I am a person with texture issue and can see how some may be concerned about the egg but it is unnoticeable. My mom use to make us vanilla smoothies with raw eggs and you could not tell it.
Aida says
I just made it for the first time and I loved it.
I honestly had the same feeling about adding the raw in ( in fact to be safe for the first time I just added 1 yolk to see first), but it turned surprisingly unnoticeable. Honestly!!! I would encourage you ladies to try it out with the yolk and see yourself.
John Register says
I just tried my first, it was great, egg yolks and all. I did not use a sweetener, does not need it. I have been doing bulletproof coffees for past few months, just a more protein rich version.
Gwendolyn says
Raw egg yolks are no big deal taste-wise and a huge deal nutrition-wise. Eggs are the difference between ice cream and frozen custard; they will make your smoothie smoother. Do be sure to get the best available quality eggs, i.e. go to the farm and get “free range” eggs. Don’t be tempted by the fancy, expensive ones in the store that are “omega-whatever” because they’re feeding the hens un-natural food (have you ever seen a flock of chickens attack a field of soybeans?). Having said that, also ask your famer regularly what she / he feeds the chickens. Some small-scale farmers use the same feed the battery farms use, which is what you’re trying to avoid in the first place. Expect to pay a little more than in a grocery store. You will find that the extra nutrition is worth the cost in improved health and gastronomic satisfaction.
Eliza says
Unfortunately, for those of us who live in a city, visiting a farm for fresh eggs is not always an option.
Elizabeth Walling says
Sorry, I don’t have any replacements for the egg yolks. I understand not everyone is comfortable consuming raw eggs. Like Gwendolyn said, quality is a huge factor and I make sure to get the best eggs available to me.
Sammy says
Quality(key word) raw egg yolks are unique and full of nutrients, but you could substitute a small amount of avocado for smoother texture if you are uncomfortable with the egg…
Elizabeth Walling says
Good idea, Sammy! Avocados are pretty nutritious too.
Amanda says
Wonderful idea, I will definitely try this. I haven’t eaten eggs since I was in second grade, so raw isn’t even considerable. 🙂
Shashikant Mehra says
A Good and Healthy Drink With Proteins To Start The Day
J. M. Wylie says
I’m with you on this!
Except I put in the whole egg – egg whites are great low-cal protein — why not? I also add some brewer’s yeast. My tablespoon of sweetener is local honey. Otherwise, my recipe is like yours.
Good warm or cold.
Elizabeth Walling says
Raw whites can be harder to digest, but I’m not totally against using the whole egg. My husband does exactly that with his protein smoothies.
Cheryl says
I used the whole egg too. I was looking at egg white protein powders on Amazon and they are expensive so figured they must be good for the body!
I doubled the amount of coffee I put in my french press and this was really tasty. I had to use coconut milk since I have a dairy allergy but I loved the drink! I’ve been making a soy milk orange julius of sorts and adding eggs and the collagen powder but have been missing my coffee…yum.
Elizabeth Walling says
Glad you liked it! The coconut milk tastes really good in it too — sometimes I substitute it just for the fun of it. 🙂
Linda says
I take it you’re drinking this cold. Do you add ice? This sounds good and I’m thinking of giving this a try. I do fruit smoothies for breakfast often and include the collagen hydrolysate. I like the idea of the coffee smoothie, though.
Elizabeth Walling says
Yes, I drink it cold, though in the winter I use hot coffee to warm it up! I don’t usually add ice but you could.
Patty says
HI Elizabeth,
I made this yesterday, cooled it, and the coconut oil solidified into tiny pellets. How do you drink it cold without that happening? And the solidifying would have been much quicker if I had added ice…?? I did love the flavor!
Elizabeth Walling says
The coconut oil will start to solidify under 76 degrees F — there’s no way around that unfortunately. MCT oil might be a good alternative to look into.
Jessica says
Hmmmm, this sounds interesting! I’ve never done raw yolks before, but I’m up for trying it! Is this a high fat/ high calorie smoothie? Do you stay feeling full in between breakfast and lunch?
Elizabeth Walling says
This usually comes in about 350-500 calories depending on the exact ingredients you use. If you add both the egg yolks and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, it can have 30+ grams of fat, which may be just right for some and high for others. I tend to just use a teaspoon of coconut oil when I use 2 egg yolks, just to balance it out. I find this smoothie pretty filling and I can usually get to lunch without a snack (unless I’m craving something salty, which I sometimes do).
Dawn says
This sounds amazing! Thanks so much for sharing with us! I do wonder though. Could you use the whole egg?
Dawn says
Sorry! I missed the comment add:Dressing my question.
RW says
I made this today with coconut milk and raw honey–super tasty! I think I may have been over zealous with the gelatin, since it turned into a sort of coffee pudding. Still good though!
Elizabeth Walling says
Hey, nothing wrong with coffee pudding. 😉
Courtney L says
THis sounds delicious! I have some frozen coffee cubes I like to use in smoothies that I think I’ll use to make this. And bonus, I live on a dairy farm and have hens, so most of the ingredients for this are free. 🙂
Elizabeth Walling says
Lucky you!! That sounds awesome. 😀
Katie Mae @ Nourishing Simplicity says
I make mine very similar! It’s great for the days where I don’t want to cook or an having a hard time getting myself to eat.
Elizabeth Walling says
Great minds think alike, right? 😉
Katie Mae @ Nourishing Simplicity says
Yup! 😉
Jill says
I like to add blackstrap molasses for the sweetener. So yummy & good for you!
Karianne says
While making this cold/room temperature, does your coconut oil clump or float on top? What do you do to incorporate it thoroughly?
Elizabeth Walling says
It usually does at least a little. I honestly don’t mind. Blending it separately with the egg yolks first might help.
Little Red Frog says
Hi there! I’ve just found your post via Pinterest and I find it pretty interesting.
This being said, what do you do then with all the wasted egg whites you must be left with when using 1-2 yolks a day?
I’d love to try it but I’d rather not be wasting all those egg whites…
Cheers! And thanks for the post!
Little Red
Elizabeth Walling says
You can use them for recipes like meringue or angel food cake. You can whip them into a quick facial mask. I feed them to my dogs occasionally as a treat.
Tammy K says
The recipe calls for “fresh-brewed coffee.” I am wondering if you can make a pot and then refrigerate it for the week. I don’t know what, if anything, changes in coffee if it’s not fresh-brewed. Can you clarify? Thank you! (The recipe sounds great; can’t wait to try it!)
Elizabeth Walling says
That’s a great idea! Coffee doesn’t last long in this house so I didn’t even think of refrigerating it. Definitely a good idea in the summertime.
Hannah says
For some reason, I thought gelatin lost it’s nutritional properties when blended? Has anyone else heard of that?
Elizabeth Walling says
Personally, I don’t see why that would be an issue.
Leigh says
I’ve heard that it loses nutritional properties when heated, but not blended.
Cheri says
This was delicious! A little too sweet for me, so next time I won’t use a whole tablespoon of sweetener, but other than that it was awesome. I love putting coconut oil and coffee together. Tastes like dessert to me =)
Elizabeth Walling says
Definitely! I love having my “dessert” for breakfast. 😉
Diana says
Hello! I love frapes and was wondering if you could turn this recipe into a frozen drink with coffee cubes? I was also wondering if the immersion blender you recommend can handle frozen fruit and ice.
Thanks!
Elizabeth Walling says
It can, but its better when you start with smaller chunks first (whole strawberries are a bit of a pain, for example). It’s pretty powerful for a hand blender.
Leigh says
I really enjoyed this! I get tired of cooking my eggs every day… I had trouble with my coconut oil blending in. It sat on top and got all whippy, and kind of absorbed some flavor, but it definitely was hard to stomach down even the whippy chunks of coconut oil. I used cold coffee, which is why it didn’t blend, but I’m so afraid of chunky eggs with the hot coffee! The eggs really don’t start to cook if you blend them with the cold items and then add the hot coffee?
Elizabeth Walling says
No, as long as you blend them first, there doesn’t seem to be a problem — they are too emulsified at that point to get chunky.
Leigh says
I tried it again this morning after melting the coconut oil into the hot coffee and slowly pouring that into the already blended cold ingredients. Perfect!! No eggs chunks 😉 and the coconut oil was fully blended in, too! I’ve found my new breakfast! Thanks so much!
Elizabeth Walling says
Yay! Glad it worked. 🙂
Deanna says
Thanks for this Elizabeth. I just started organic fair trade swiss water decaf in the mornings with my breakfast after reading about the bullet proof coffee movement (but decided to keep breakfast in as well) so it’s great to have this recipe and it sounds yummy. I’ll definitely try it. Would you mind sharing what you eat for breakfast?
Elizabeth Walling says
Most mornings, this is my breakfast. Sometimes I do some Ezekiel cinnamon raisin bread toast or a couple eggs on the side. But since I usually get roughly 400 cals from this smoothie, it’s a decent start to my day, especially because it’s so quick and easy to prepare.