Protein Latte Recipe

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

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: protein latte

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 5

Servings:

Calories: 289kcal

Author: Megan Gilmore

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!)

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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