7 Protein-Packed, Dairy-Free Coffee Drink Recipes That’ll Give You Major Morning (and All-Day) Energy

Mornings can be a frantic hustle to get out the door on time… especially after hitting the snooze button fifteen times (it happens). Between remembering where you left the keys, feeding the pets, and guzzling a large mug of steaming hot coffee, grabbing something to eat for breakfast is easy to forget. Not cool!

Since drinking coffee in the morning is pretty much a non-negotiable, we’ve gathered a few of our favorite dairy-free, protein coffee drink recipes that’ll give you a boost of energy before you have time to eat your actual breakfast. In addition to the caffeine factor, they’re also all packed with dreamy, creamy vegan sources of protein, like almond butter, vanilla protein powder, and soy milk.

Just remember: Grabbing a heartier nosh to pair your protein coffee with once you’re out the door is a must, because coffee is *not* a meal.

7 dairy-free protein coffee recipes to help energize your mornings

1. Coffee Protein Shake

Calling all coffee lovers! This coffee protein shake recipe by Love and Zest has four simple ingredients you can prep ahead of time and blend in the morning for a quick and easy breakfast to put an extra spring in your step. It contains bananas, protein powder, almond milk, and coffee. With the help of a large batch of premade Instant Pot iced coffee concentrate, you can easily throw this delicious, hydrating, and protein-packed smoothie together in a matter of seconds.

Get the recipe: Coffee Lovers Protein Shake

2. Creamy Vegan Hot Mocha

Picking between hot chocolate and coffee can be nearly impossible, but with this creamy vegan hot mocha recipe by Running on Real Food, you’ll never have to choose between the two ever again. This recipe pairs hot cocoa and warm coffee, and it’s perfect for sipping on a snuggle-weather type of day. Made with ingredients like plant-based milk, dairy-free chocolate chips, vanilla, cocoa powder, coffee, and maple syrup, it’s a soul-warming, protein-rich drink with about three grams of protein per cup.

Get the recipe: Creamy Vegan Hot Mocha

3. Vegan Jamocha Shake

Whoever said that you couldn’t have dessert for breakfast clearly hasn’t tried this vegan jamocha shake recipe by Minimalist Baker. It’s a chocolatey, coffee plant-based milkshake that’s even more delicious than the ones you can get at the local ice cream shop. And to achieve the creamiest smoothie texture, this recipe uses homemade coconut milk ice cubes that blend to perfection. Plus, it’s loaded with protein-rich ingredients like almond butter with four grams of protein per serving to help kickstart the day.

Get the recipe: Vegan Jamocha Shake (Maple-Sweetened)

4. Cold Brew “Caramel” Frappuccino

If you love the taste of caramel, this cold brew caramel frappuccino recipe by Minimalist Baker has your written name on it. It features a homemade “caramel” sauce made from blended dates that adds a creamy texture and sweet taste to this refreshing drink. And for a little protein boost, go ahead and swap the DIY almond milk ice cubes with soy milk ice cubes—these will ensure your homemade frappuccino is both as slushie-like and rich as the ones you find at Starbucks and packed with plant-based protein.

Get the recipe: Cold Brew Caramel Frappuccino

5. Dalgona Whipped Coffee

Honestly, we’re still not over the viral dalgona coffee trend that exploded on social media just a few years ago. If you love dalgona whipped coffee as much as we do, you must try this recipe by Bianca Zapatka. It takes no more than three minutes to make and is entirely vegan. Not to mention, it’s loaded with about two grams of protein, 232 milligrams of calcium, and 177 milligrams of potassium per serving.

Get the recipe: Dalgona Coffee (Whipped Coffee)

6. Peanut Butter Coffee

If peanut butter and coffee are your love languages, consider your soulmate found. This peanut butter coffee recipe by Wholefood Soul Kitchen combines two of the greatest things in life: peanut butter and coffee (sorry, jelly). And if you really want to spice things up, the recipe features three variations to turn it into a cappuccino, latte, or mocha. Oh, and did we mention that it’s the most protein-packed option on our list, with about 16 grams of protein per serving? TYSM, peanut butter.

Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Coffee

7. Sweet and Spicy Almond Butter Date Latte

This sweet and spicy almond butter date latte by Rainbow Plant Life is as comforting as being wrapped in a plush warm blanket on a cold rainy day. As the name suggests, its sweetness comes from dates, the spiciness comes from cayenne pepper, and it gets loads of bright citrus flavor from the zesty orange peel. Basically, it’s safe to say that this vegan recipe doesn’t lack whatsoever in the deliciousness department. Plus, the protein-rich creamy almond butter helps add a considerable amount of fuel for the day.

Get the recipe: Sweet and Spicy Almond Butter Date Latte

An RD explains why coffee is the greatest thing ever: