This smoothie is probably one of our favorite smoothie recipes of all time. It’s creamy & delicious and the perfect drink after my early morning workouts or if I want a caffeine-infused afternoon snack that’s both healthy and protein packed. Say hello to my coffee smoothie recipe that tastes like a peanut butter banana smoothie and a mocha had a baby and I’M HERE FOR IT!
Not only is this smoothie packed with flavor, but it also includes plenty of nourishing ingredients like brewed coffee, peanut butter, banana, cauliflower (yes that’s right!), cacao and protein powder. Trust me, you’ll never know there’s cauliflower in this recipe either; all it does is add a creamy consistency to the smoothie!
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Ways to add coffee to smoothies
There are a few ways that I like to add coffee to my smoothies that I feel work best in both flavor and texture. I would not recommend using ground coffee beans as they’ll most likely be too potent and crunchy. Here are the best ways to prepare your coffee for smoothies:
- Brew a pot of coffee like you normally would and then reserve a few cups for making smoothies. First, allow the coffee to cool completely to room temperature, then add the coffee to a mason jar or glass container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days for smoothie use.
- Another option is to pour room temperature coffee into an ice cube tray and freeze them for later. This is a great option because then you are able to make the smoothie anytime you’d like, just know that you may need to add more milk to the coffee smoothie in order to get the ice to blend properly.
- Make strong instant coffee! Occasionally I’ll do this if I don’t feel like making a fresh pot of coffee. Simply make a cup of instant coffee like you normally would according to the directions on the package, except add an extra serving of instant coffee granules since you’ll be adding lots of ice later to cool it down. Once the instant coffee dissolves in warm/hot water, you’ll immediately transfer it to a large bowl or large glass and add as much ice as you can. This is to cool down the coffee so that you can immediately use it to make your smoothie. Yum!
- Use homemade or store-bought cold brew instead of coffee. This is another great option if you like your coffee smoothie a little stronger on the caffeine side or if you just want the convenience of using something store-bought.
Coffee smoothie ingredients
Below are ingredients you can feel free to mix and match in this coffee smoothie, but in general, I suggest trying to stick to the fruit and liquid ratios. This recipe is packing some seriously nutritious ingredients and includes 17g protein and 9g fiber per serving. Whoo hoo! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Brewed coffee: add a kick of caffeine (or use decaf) and a delicious coffee flavor to your smoothie by adding brewed coffee that has been cooled. Feel free to get a little fancy with cold brew, too!
- Frozen banana: using frozen fruit is best in smoothies and banana helps to sweeten this one!
- Frozen cauliflower: I use frozen cauliflower instead of ice to thicken this smoothie while sneaking in some extra veggies. You won’t taste it at all (Tony didn’t!) and it thickens it up without making it watery like ice can. Try it out and let me know what you think.
- All natural peanut butter: a bit of peanut butter (or your favorite nut butter) adds a bit of protein and healthy fats, plus a delicious creaminess to this smoothie. Feel free to use your favorite brand of all natural nut butter, which should be just nuts + salt. Use the code ‘AMBITIOUS15’ to get 15% off of my favorite brand, Wild Friends!
- Vanilla: vanilla is always recommended.
- Protein powder: I made this a post-workout smoothie by adding a scoop of collagen peptides protein, but you can use a plant based protein powder instead. I recommend Vital Protein collagen peptides or Four Sigmatic for a vegan option.
- Cacao powder: cacao powder has a richer chocolate flavor than regular cocoa powder, and it contains more minerals like magnesium. This is a brand I like to use.
- Milk: feel free to use any milk you’d like in my smoothie recipes according to your preferences. Almond milk tends to have a neutral taste in smoothies, coconut milk will add a more tropical and creamy flavor, and regular milk will add a boost of protein. Try my homemade Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Milk for a delicious Nutella flavor!
Adding extra nutrition to this coffee smoothie
You can enhance any smoothie by adding additional nutritious ingredients to really make it your own. Here are a few suggestions that you can add to this coffee smoothie:
- Flaxseed meal: this is one of my favorite ingredients to add to smoothies for a little boost of fiber and minerals, and is especially great for nursing mamas as flaxseed can help increase milk supply. Usually, a tablespoon is plenty! Here’s a brand I love.
- Chia seeds: feel free to add in a tablespoon of chia seeds to your smoothie for a boost of healthy fats and fiber.
- Hemp seeds: if you’ve been wondering what to do with those hemp seeds lurking in your cupboard, feel free to throw in a tablespoon into your smoothie for a boost of healthy fats, omegas and minerals.
- Oats: to add a little heartiness to your smoothie and to help thicken it, feel free to add in 1/3 cup oats. Do not use steel cut oats as they will not blend well.
- Avocado: add healthy fats and create a thick, creamy smoothie by adding ripe avocado. Usually 1/4 or 1/2 of an avocado will be sufficient and also help to keep you satisfied thanks to those healthy fats.
Make it ahead of time
Be sure to check out our three different ways to prep and store smoothies in your freezer so that you can make this healthy coffee smoothie ahead of time! Feel free to double or triple it and enjoy all week long.
Tips for making smoothies
Here are a few of my favorite tips I like to share in regards to making the best creamy, healthy smoothies:
- Use frozen produce. Using frozen fruits & veggies is best as it helps keeps the smoothie cold and thick. Sometimes ice doesn’t blend as well, so it’s best to skip unless absolutely necessary.
- Adjust the liquid. Don’t be afraid to add more liquid if your smoothie is too thick or won’t fully blend. High powered blenders tend to blend frozen fruit much better, so if you have a regular or personal size blender, you may need to add more milk.
- Start slow. Start the blender on low speed, then gradually increase to high to help blend all ingredients. Finally end with the blender on low speed.
- Choose your sweetness level. If a smoothie doesn’t taste sweet enough for your liking, you can add a 1/2 tablespoon of honey, pure maple syrup or 1 pitted Medjool date.
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More smoothie recipes you might like
- Get Your Greens in Smoothie (the best green smoothie!)
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- Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- Salted Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Shake
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I can’t wait to hear how you like this coffee smoothie! Come back tomorrow for another delicious smoothie recipe you won’t want to miss. And don’t forget to check out our guide on how to prep smoothies ahead of time. xo!
Good Morning Coffee Lover's Smoothie
Ingredients
- ¾ cup brewed coffee, cooled in the fridge
- 1 frozen medium ripe banana
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
- ¾ cup frozen cauliflower (or ½ cup ice)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut or almond milk, plus more if necessary
- 1/2 tablespoon cacao powder (or use unsweetened cocoa powder)
- 1 serving collagen peptides (or your favorite protein powder)
Instructions
-
In a large high-powered blender, add in all ingredients and blend on high for 1-2 minutes or until all ingredients are well combined. If necessary, add in more almond milk to thin the smoothie. Makes 1 smoothie.
Recipe Notes
Make it ahead of time: be sure to check out our three different ways to prep and store smoothies in your freezer so that you can make this healthy coffee smoothie ahead of time! Feel free to double or triple it and enjoy all week long.
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
This post was originally published on July 11, 2019 and republished on September 6, 2021.
137 comments
Yes PLEASE!!!! I’ll take 2!
SO GOOD.
Monique, do you recommend buying the cauliflower already frozen? Or if we have a head of cauliflower at home, should we steam it before freezing?
Either will work! I do recommend blanching and then freezing it if you do it at home yourself.
This week has me so excited!! I’ve been buying the overly fruity, kinda pricey post-workout smoothies at my gym and would love to save $$ while also getting more nutrition in by making them at home. They have a coffee and banana smoothie that I’ve been hesitant to give up, but I have a feeling yours will blow it out of the water! Thanks Monique (and since the recipe only calls for 3/4 cup of coffee, hopefully you can still enjoy it without giving Ambitious Baby a caffeine buzz lol)!
Perfect timing!! These are WAY better than the expensive ones, trust me 😉 Let me know if you give this one a try! And yes, I’m enjoying subbing what I need to for this one (so delicious).
waw thanks for sharing!!! i will add some zucchini, my garden is exploding with zucchini’s so looking forward to zucchini week 🙂
Perfect! Zucchini week is coming soon 🙂 Can’t wait to share the recipes!
Just made this…. DELICIOUS!!!
Glad you enjoyed!!
What a wonderful-looking smoothie! I am kind of conservative with coffee, so I’d have to try out carob powder, cacao powder, or decaf coffee mixed with unsweetened almond milk or hot water!
Let me know if you give any of those a try! One of my favorite smoothies from the week 🙂
Thank you for creating this recipe! I love mixing protein & coffee!! I’m trying it this morning!
Absolutely! Hope you love it 🙂
Tried this morning and found it delicious! Definitely a keeper!
So happy to hear that! One of my all-time favs 🙂
Do you use frozen cauliflower florets or cauliflower rice?
I use frozen cauliflower florets!
This coffee smoothie idea has transformed my mornings! I added nutpods, cauliflower rice, 1 date, coffee, cacao, and collagen and it’s absolutely delicious! Plus I’ve snuck in some spinach sometimes and it doesn’t taste too ‘green’. Thank you!!!
Amazing! So happy to hear that, Allie 🙂 One of my go-to’s in the morning!
Great after a sweaty workout!!
Absolutely!
Absolutely loved this smoothie recipe. I am obsessed with anything coffee flavoured and my spouse has troubles wanting to eat breakfast so this was perfect- he loved it! He wanted a good amount of coffee in his so I added 2 cups of coffee..which was way more then the recommended 3/4 of a cup, and made the smoothie of course quite watery so next time I will modify the rest of the ingredients as well (my fault!). Definitely recommend this recipe for breakfast or even a nice protein filled snack!
So glad you loved this one! It will be even better when it’s a bit less watery 🙂 but such a great breakfast or snack!
Perfect! Loved it exactly as written 😉 Even used the cauli and collagen 🏆
Delicious! Best way to wake up 🙂
I added Chocolate Vega protein to this and it was the perfect breakfast before a workout! Healthy, delicious, easy. Thanks Monique!
Love it! Such a great breakfast 🙂
Dee-lih-shus! What a great way to start my morning with a serving of fruit, veggies, and most importantly, coffee! I loved how this smoothie stayed thick thanks to the frozen cauliflower instead of quickly watering down into liquid. The flavor combination between the cocoa, coffee, and PB is decadent, even though the smoothie itself is so healthy. Already shared this recipe with my coworkers who like to order the pre-assembled smoothie cups – this is a great alternative.
So happy you loved it! One of my all time favorite smoothies, too 🙂
It’s a delicious smoothie! I’m a true coffee lover, normally I don’t drink smoothies but from now on: every morning a Good Morning Coffee Smoothie! 🙂
The perfect combo! So glad you loved this one!
I made the basic recipe, which was delicious. I think the possibility of adding in other ingredients is very clever
Absolutely! Such a great breakfast or snack.
I’ve had this smoothie 4x since the start of social distancing, and I love it. This AM I made the smoothie with tahini, Amazing Grass Vanilla Protein , and minimal cocoa powder, and it’s so delicious.
Yum! Such a great breakfast 🙂
I used frozen cherries instead of the cauliflower, doubled the almond butter and cocoa, added 1 date, 1 tbsp chia seeds, and 1 tbsp matcha powder. I of course needed a bit more milk because of the extra ingredients but it filled my rich, dark chocolate craving I was having and have me an afternoon energy boost! Definitely adding this one to my rotation.
I’m glad those additions worked out well! 🙂
Liked the recipe – it was different than my usual PB Smoothie! I added 1 tsp of maple syrup, Vanilla Greek yogurt (2 tbsp), Ground Oats (Oat Flour) and some Flaxseed – and omitted the protein powder since I didn’t have any. I might cut back on the cocoa next time to have a stronger coffee flavor! But overall, it was definitely a yummy iced mocha like flavor! Thanks again Monique!
Perfect! This one’s great for customizing 🙂 glad you enjoyed!
Is there an alternative i can use for the bananas? Sadly im allergic.
Sure, feel free to use 3 medjool dates (make sure you soak them in hot water for 10 mins before you use them in recipe)
Anything else that can be used instead of bananas? Unfortunately due to mold sensitivity issues, I can’t have bananas OR dates because their high sugar content feeds the mold bacteria 🙁 So I really struggle with finding good smoothie recipes since they tend to usually include one or both of these…
Sorry to hear that! I think extra frozen cauliflower and a bit of maple syrup for sweetness would be delicious in here. You could also add some coconut milk for creaminess 🙂
YUM! This was so delicious!!! No sugar needed.
Absolutely! 🙂
Has anyone tried to make this ahead of time? I work 12 hour days five days a week and the last thing I want to do in the morning at 4am is use a blender. I’d love to make this prior to the start of my week and have them in the freezer, where I can just pull out a mason jar the night before. Wondering if it holds up well if I do this. I’d hate to make a big batch and have it go to waste.
Check out this post for a few different ways to prep this ahead of time!
I love coffee especially homemade cold brew, so I was really excited to see this recipe for coffee smoothie! I’ve made a lot of smoothies, but this is the first time I used cauliflower AND the first time I used a protein powder. It looks like a yummy chocolate shake, but it has a really unpleasant, chalky, slightly bitter taste. Would that be the cauliflower, or my protein powder? I even added a handful frozen strawberries. They thickened it up but did nothing for the taste. Just wanted to get your thoughts. I didn’t rate the recipe yet because that wouldn’t be fair.
It was probably the protein powder, as usually protein powders are what gives recipes a chalky taste. Try it without next time!
Thanks for the quick reply Monique. I just made it again, without protein powder, but left the cauliflower in. You were right, it was the protein powder that made the first smoothie so chalky. It’s much better now! Next time I will probably add ground flaxseed and chia, for additional nutrients.
I’m glad it worked out better the second time around! It can be tricky to find a protein powder you like, but adding ground flax + chia (or trying out new protein powders) will be perfect.
LOVE this recipe! I was so surprised that you can’t taste the cauliflower at all!
Absolutely! Great way to sneak in veggies.
Thanks for sharing. I add some extra things to make delicious.
Glad you enjoyed!
this was sooooooo delicious & filling! it also helped my stomach digest the coffee, too! this is my new favorite smoothie recipe! thanks for sharing!
So happy to hear that!
Monique,
This smoothie was so yummy! Just finished a sweaty workout and wanted something different for breakfast. I loved the recipe just the way you posted it, but I also love the extra ideas you give us for add ins thank you! ☺️
Amazing! So glad you enjoyed 🙂
I’m super picky about smoothies but this one never fails. My blender isn’t the best so sometimes I leave out the cauliflower for a smoother texture, but either way its so delicious!
Perfect! Glad you like it!
I’m a coffee lover and believe that a good day starts with a cup of coffee. Delicious recipe! I’m excited to try to make coffee smoothie at home. Thank you for all the detailed instructions. I appreciate your work!
Agreed! Glad you love this one 🙂
I Just made this! It’s very delicious.
So happy to hear that!
Followed the recipe to the T this morning using peanut butter, almond milk, plant based vanilla protein and all the other ingredients listed. It was my first time adding frozen cauliflower to a smoothie and wow – it came out amazing. I LOVE how this tasted – full of coffee but not too overpowering on any one ingredient. Incredible recipe with balanced ingredients – what better way to start off the day than with coffee, fruits, and veggies?!
Perfect! Best way to wake up 🙂 glad you enjoyed!
Nice and filling but I would probably add a little more coffee to make sure it gave me that caffeine fix! :))
Feel free to adjust! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Added flax and chia with a scoop of collagen protein from happy mammoth, turned out great!
Love it! Best way to wake up 🙂
We always have a bit of coffee left over every morning and this is the perfect way to use it up.
I like to add in a date and sometimes I leave out the cacao (I prefer it without).
Wow! I really love this smoothie! Sometimes I dont get around to having morning coffee and its post-workout and time for breakfast so I make this smoothie because it has everything I needs all in one! I’ve also added some old fashioned oats if I want it to help me stay fuller longer.
Absolutely! Great idea to add oats, too.
SO GOOD!!! I used frozen coffee cubes in place of the cauliflower/ice cubes. Thank you for my new favorite morning treat!
Love that idea!! Perfect breakfast 🙂
I put a little sweet potato and blueberries in mine.
That sounds delicious!
I’m full and satisfied! I made this for taking on a road trip this morning. I modified it – 2 medjol dates directly from freezer (no need to soak in hot water), vegan chocolate protein powder and some vanilla collagen, skipped the cocoa powder and banana and used oat milk.
My measurements were “guesstimates”. I’m probably odd in that I like some bits and pieces in my smoothie so it’s more like eating a meal. So bits of date and cauliflower floating around in there. Also, I’ve probably had less than 10 smoothies in my entire life. Really, maybe 5.
Good combo of flavors, I could see “eating” this again.
Man, I love dates
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed!
Best smoothie I’ve ever had!
So happy to hear that!
This smoothie is amazing! I have made this smoothie almost every week since the first time I made it. I love the peanut butter chocolate coffee flavor! I use chocolate protein powder so it is extra chocolatey. The frozen cauliflower makes it creamy and thick. I love that this smoothie tastes like a treat without any added sugars. This smoothie is one of my new favorites and my go-to drink for post workout replenishing!
Love it! Glad you enjoyed!
Please make an app
Great idea! 🙂
This is delicious. I made mine with home made cold brew, cashew butter, and added rolled oats and a tablespoon of pure maple syrup. It’s perfect, dense calories for a morning of hiking! Thanks!
Love that! Perfect fuel for a hike.
This sounds wonderful!
I’m wondering where the 37.5g of carbs come from. Nearly 30g from a banana. But I thought these milks are close to carb free?
Cheers xx
It’s amazing! Some comes from cauliflower and from peanut butter 🙂
Oh this is a keeper! I used PB powder and a chocolate protein powder with collagen because I was feeling lazy and still great. Plus I don’t have to share this one with my kiddos 😉
Perfect! Glad you loved it!
Love this! Needed a mid-morning snack because meetings are going to go past my lunch time. I needed to use a ripe (not frozen) banana, and I wanted a thinner smoothie, anyway, and it worked. That was the only modification. Saving this for future reference. Thank you!
Perfect! So glad you enjoyed!
LOVe!
So happy to hear that!!
Yum! Will be doing this more often. Added a handful of frozen spinach, ice and and used tahini!
Love it! Glad you enjoyed!
This is my favorite morning smoothie!
Mine too!! Glad you’re enjoying it, Anna 🙂
Love all of the smoothies from the smoothie challenge but this was by far my fav. I’ve made it for breakfast the past 5 days! As a new mom it’s a quick way to get coffee and breakfast done!
Yum, yum, yum! This was soooo good and so easy. Do yourself a favor and try this!
The flavors are great! (I use ice instead of cauliflower.)
This is my favorite smoothie recipe, it has a wonderful flavor and texture. I set aside extra coffee from the coffee maker to make a smoothie the next morning.
YUM! I made this smoothie this morning and it was AMAZING so I shared it to Instagram. It was the perfect flavor & consistency. I used all the ingredients listed except I subbed 1/2 tsp almond extract for vanilla bc I didn’t have any. This was the perfect start to my day after a long walk.
I saw it!! So happy to hear you’re loving it.
I can’t stop making this smoothie! It’s my favorite on the site and I come back to it again and again. I don’t always put in nut butter, but sometimes will throw some PB2 in for the flavor.
I made this recipe this morning, it was delicious and filling. Thanks, Karen
This smoothie is so yummy! If you’re a coffee lover like me, it’s a perfect pick me up. The banana adds a small touch of sweet and I hadn’t thought of cauliflower in a smoothie before, but it really adds to the creaminess too. This is a staple in the smoothie rotation for sure!
Oh yay, I’m so happy you loved this one! Yes cauliflower’s one of my fav things to add to smoothies 🙂
I made the recipe as listed above but added some ground flax and hemp seeds. I thought the flavor was really good and the consistency was perfect. A very tasty smoothie that also is nutritional! Thank you!
Nice, those are great additions! So happy you loved it, Ellen 🙂
I am sipping this as I write my review. Rarely do I write a note about a smoothie but this one deserves a shoutout. Wonderfully creamy, rich, and filling. I used coconut milk.
Oh thank you SO much for the review! I’m so happy to hear you’re loving it!
A delicious way to start the day! And toddler approved (minus the coffee)!
Aw yay! Happy you guys love it!
So good!!!!! The cauliflower trick is genius. Also, I made this using a tablespoon of instant coffee dissolved in a tablespoon or 2 of boiling water, without bothering to cool that down in the fridge first. I just chucked it in hot, and it was still great.
Cauliflower in smoothies is my fav! Happy that you loved this! And great idea to use the instant coffee 🙂
Made this after yoga this morning with cashew butter instead of peanut butter. Love the addition of cauliflower, this was super creamy an delicious!
Yay! Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Hannah. Thanks for leaving a review!
Used two rounded tsps of instant espresso. Put in measuring cup then added vanilla, cocoa, date sugar (about a tablespoon–or you could just add a date), tap water and cold flax milk to make a cup. Poured in blender with frozen banana, four large ice cubes and a tablespoon of almond butter. It had enough liquid so I didn’t have to keep shaking the blender, but was still very frosty. Delicious.
Thanks for sharing, I’m happy you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the Wonderful Tips as my Loved One is a coffee addict and I will surly try this to amaze him
Yum! your recipe looks so delicious to me. No doubt, iced coffee is the best recipe at the evening, specially in New York
I didn’t have any cauliflower… but I used chameleon cold brew which was a perfect option for this. I used silk soy milk along with sun warrior vanilla protein powder & frozen banana. Perfect smoothie in the am if you love coffee like me!
You had me at coffee and chocolate! This was fantastic! I added my vanilla protein powder and it made it nice and creamy.
I’ve loved every other one of your recipes I’ve made, but I wasn’t a fan of this one. The cauliflower made the smoothie icy instead of creamy, and it had a bitter rather than a sweet taste. Moral of the story: I’m going to stick to bananas in smoothies.
Hi, Jenny. Sorry you didn’t love this one! Do you have a high powered blender (such as a Vitamix)? I’m wondering if the cauliflower didn’t fully process/break down, leading to an icier texture.
Today I made the coffee lovers smoothie!! It is another delicious win for me! I used some frozen avocado as well, since I didn’t have enough cauliflower left. Also added 1 tsp of my superfood tumeric creamer and my 2 tsp serving of chicory and collagen blend! I love it! 😍😋
Yummy! The flavor ended up pleasantly complex with the coffee, cacao, PB, and vanilla. I also added a little cinnamon and pinch of salt, and used up some frozen spinach. Loved combining coffee + breakfast in one glass on a lazy weekend morning!
I was so excited to try it but the texture and taste was so weird:(
So sorry you didn’t love it! I’m wondering if it was the protein/collagen you used… What brand was it?
Love this for mornings after I work out. I pre made a few servings and froze them so my husband and I can have something delicious and energizing before running off to work in the mornings. Thanks for the freezing tips too!
So glad you guys are loving them and that you’re enjoying meal prepping them, too! ❤️
Made and really like. Used ice cubes not cauliflower and sweet coconut milk as did not have unsweetened. Otherwise followed recipe. Excellent morning or afternoon drink. Flavors all blended together well.
I make this all the time and I love it!!!