Protein Latte Recipe

Name: Protein Latte Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 ounces brewed espresso ((or strong coffee; see notes)); 3 tablespoons collagen peptides; 1 cup milk (of choice); 2 Medjool dates (, pitted (or maple syrup to taste)); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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I’ve been overly caffeinated this week, trying to figure out how to squeeze more protein into a latte— without it tasting terrible. This means I’ve been testing multiple lattes per day, trying to achieve a delicious flavor with the highest protein content possible.

Since Starbucks recently released its own protein latte, I’ve been using those nutrition facts as my guide. (According to their website, a grande size packs up to 27 grams of protein.)

I think I finally figured out a ratio of ingredients that works well, and best of all, this latte won’t cost you $6+ per serving.

iced protein latte with a glass straw on a black background.

Why You’ll Love this Protein Latte Recipe

You won’t be blindsided. The first time I tested this recipe, I assumed I could simply blend everything together in a blender. Boy, was I disappointed when I was left with a huge blender full of airy, whipped foam. The result was totally unappealing and made me realize this would require more testing than I had anticipated.

It’s naturally sweetened. Whether you want to use maple syrup or dates, this latte has the perfect amount of sweetness without using refined sugar. The dates add a caramel-like flavor and extra fiber, too!

It’s affordable. In my area, a grande protein latte from Starbucks costs $6.75. To compare, I looked at the prices of my groceries here in the Midwest. A homemade espresso shot costs about $0.30, the collagen is about $0.77 (per 20g scoop), soy milk is about $0.32 per cup, and maple syrup is about $0.50 per tablespoon. That means this homemade protein latte costs about $2.14 per serving.

comparing levels of foam in a blended latte vs dissolving in espresso first.

Protein Latte Ingredients

Espresso. I originally tested this recipe with black coffee, but I do prefer the flavor when you use espresso shots. You can also buy cold brew concentrate from the store, which will work here, too.
Milk. Any milk will work for a latte, but choose one with more protein to reach the macronutrients you want. Unsweetened soy milk and regular cow’s milk both have 8 grams of protein per cup.
Protein Powder. This is the biggest variable in any high-protein recipe. I tested this with plant-based protein powder, collagen peptides, and whey protein. (Whey is what Starbucks uses in their protein drink.) After tasting all three versions, the collagen peptides have the best flavor for maximum protein. But, I’ll discuss this more below.
Sweetener. You can use maple syrup or pitted Medjool dates for sweetness. I prefer the dates because they add up to 4 grams of fiber to your drink, plus a caramel-like flavor. However, if you don’t have a powerful blender, you can use maple syrup as an alternative.
Vanilla Extract. This is added for a vanilla latte flavor.

milk, collagen, espresso, dates, and vanilla labeled on a white surface.

How to Make a Protein Latte at Home

Step 1:

Pour a double shot of espresso into a serving glass, or use a half cup of strongly brewed coffee, instead. It’s best if you start with a liquid that is hot, because collagen peptides dissolve better in warm liquid. (They may clump if you add them to cold liquid.)

Add the scoop of collagen peptides to the espresso and whisk until the collagen has dissolved. You may see a little bit of froth develop on top.

collagen dissolved in a glass with espresso.

Step 2:

To make a date-sweetened latte, add the milk, vanilla extract, and dates to the blender. Secure the lid and blend until the dates are pulverized. If you’re not using dates as the sweetener, you can shake the milk, vanilla, and maple syrup together in a mason jar with a lid instead.

For a hot latte, warm the milk before you blend it.

Note: The reason I recommend mixing the milk and sweetener separately, is because protein powder has a tendency to froth (a lot!) and can clump when mixed with a cold liquid. If you mix these ingredients all together at once, you might be surprised that half your glass is foam when you’re done, rather than a sippable latte.

milk blended with dates and vanilla extract.

Step 3:

Pour the flavored milk into the glass with the espresso and collagen peptides. Stir gently, then add ice for an iced latte. Enjoy it right away for the best flavor!

If you notice your drink start to separate, just stir with your straw before sipping again.

milk added to espresso with ice to make an iced latte.

Protein Latte FAQs

How do you store a protein latte?

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It will separate when stored, so shake it well before serving again. Keep in mind that shaking too much can create excess foam, so avoid overdoing it.

Can I use another protein powder?

Yes, I also tested this recipe with unflavored whey and plant-based protein powder. To achieve a similar taste, you can use 1 tablespoon of plant-based protein without ruining the flavor of your latte. (It is much more noticeable than the others.) Or, you can use up to 3 tablespoons of whey protein powder. Both of these options will change the amount of protein in the drink, so use the label on the package to determine that.

How do I make a hot latte?

Start with warmed milk! You can stir together the milk, vanilla, and maple syrup on the stove top for a warm drink, if you prefer.

Protein Latte Recipe

Skip the expensive store-bought protein lattes and make a delicious version at home for a fraction of the price. I've tested this idea with three different protein powders and various blending methods, so you'll get delicious results on your first try. (And up to 4 grams of added fiber, too!)

prep5 mins cook0 mins total5 mins

Servings:1

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Ingredients

2 ounces brewed espresso (or strong coffee; see notes)
3 tablespoons collagen peptides
1 cup milk of choice
2 Medjool dates , pitted (or maple syrup to taste)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

In a 16-oz or larger glass, add the warm espresso and collagen peptides. Whisk well until the collagen has dissolved completely. You may see some foam start to develop on top of the coffee.
To prepare the flavored milk, add it to a high-speed blender with the pitted dates and vanilla extract. Secure the lid and blend until the dates are pulverized, with no visible chunks, about 60 seconds. (Note: Do not blend the protein powder with the milk. It may clump with the cold liquid, and will create so much whipped froth that your drink will be mostly foam when you're done.)
To complete the latte, pour the blended milk over the espresso mixture. Stir gently, then add ice for an iced latte. (For a warm latte, simply warm the milk before blending in step 2.) Enjoy right away!

Notes

Nutrition information is for the whole batch, assuming you use soy milk and two Medjool dates (hence, the added fiber). This information is automatically calculated using ingredients from a generic online database, so it’s just a rough estimate and not a guarantee.

Sweetener Note: Dates are sweeter than maple syrup, so if you sweeten this drink with 4 teaspoons of maple syrup, the drink would have closer to 16 grams of sugar, which is less than the Starbucks grande drink. Or, you can use whatever sweetener you like to taste. The sweetener does help hide the protein flavor.

Milk Note: Use soy milk or cow’s milk for 8 grams of protein per cup. If you use a different variety of milk, the protein content may be lower. This recipe is dairy-free when you use soy milk and collagen peptides. (Whey protein contains milk.)

Coffee Note: I prefer the flavor of this latte with espresso. (See my espresso machine review if you’re shopping for one at home.) You can replace the espresso with a 1/2 cup of strongly brewed black coffee if you prefer. I also tested this with cold brew concentrate, but the protein powder dissolves better in a warm liquid, so just keep that in mind.

Nutrition

Author: Megan Gilmore

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: protein latte

More Recipes to Try

Starbucks Pink Drink Copycat (no refined sugar)
Chai Latte
Healthy Hot Chocolate

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below to let me know how you like it.

Protein Latte

Why You’ll Love this Protein Latte Recipe

Protein Latte Ingredients

How to Make a Protein Latte at Home

Protein Latte FAQs