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Home » Smoothies

Energizing Mocha Coffee Smoothie

Published on 10.24.2020 by Jen Hansard

RECIPE CARD LEAVE REVIEW
Healthy Coffee Smoothie using protein and caffeine

Rise and shine with this energizing coffee smoothie – packed with everything you need for a complete breakfast. This all-in-one caffeinated breakfast smoothie is loaded with antioxidants, protein and fiber to keep you powered all morning long.

Coffee in moderation is a great way to boost your morning energy levels, but a plain cup of joe isn’t enough to carry you through until lunch. With this coffee smoothie, you get all the benefits of coffee along with the perfect pairing of good-for-you, nutrient-packed ingredients.

cup of coffee to blend into smoothie

Health benefits in coffee banana smoothie

Frozen cauliflower – Yes, you read that right! Frozen cauliflower thickens this smoothie while adding a ton of health benefits (it’s a cruciferous veggie). Trust us, you won’t even notice it’s there.

Protein powder – A scoop of plant-based protein powder helps you feel full longer and prevents loss of lean muscle mass. It’s also a great way to get in your daily protein requirement.

Banana – Adds natural sweetness and creaminess to the smoothie, and it’s a great source of potassium and vitamin B6.

Dates – Naturally sweetens the smoothie and adds a little fiber.

Coffee – Caffeine in moderation is not a bad thing. It can improve energy levels, boost your metabolic rate and may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

Oat Milk – This non-dairy alternative contains beta-glucan, which has been linked to improved gut health. Make sure to check out the Best Oat Milk Brands of 2020 before hitting the store. You can also use cashew milk and almond milk if you prefer.

Cacao Powder – An antioxidant-rich powder that adds a chocolate-y flavor and pairs so well with coffee. This is where we got the mocha part of the name.... and will never ever take it back. It's soooo good!

Cauliflower and bananas blended in a caffeine smoothie

How to make a coffee smoothie

Now, this isn't any coffee smoothie— this is a breakfast smoothie that'll keep you full and energized (and satisfy your coffee craving). You will need...

  • cauliflower
  • banana
  • cacao
  • vanilla extract
  • oat milk (or other non-dairy milk)
  • dates
  • brewed coffee (or cold brew)

It’s important to make sure the coffee is cold for this recipe. Cool it in the fridge before adding to the blender (or put a few ice cubes in it). When ready, place all of the ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

Adding protein powder to a coffee smoothie to make it more filling

What kind of coffee to use

There are a few different methods for making coffee for your smoothie:

If using a drip coffee maker, brew a pot of coffee and reserve a few cups for making smoothies. Cool the coffee to room temperature before using in the smoothie. Pour any extra coffee in a mason jar or glass container and store in it the fridge for up to 5 days. Or pour the room temperature coffee into an ice cube tray and freeze for future smoothies.

As for beans, I always recommend supporting your local coffee roaster. For me, that's Mountaineer Coffee Roaster in our central Florida small town.

freshly roasted coffee beans

You can use instant coffee if that’s what you’ve got on hand. Simply make a cup of instant coffee according to the directions on the package. For stronger coffee flavor, add an extra serving of instant coffee granules. Let the coffee cool to room temperature before using it in a smoothie. You can also add instant coffee granules directly to your smoothie. Add 1-2 teaspoon of instant coffee to your blender along with the rest of the ingredients.

If using store-bought cold brew coffee, follow the instructions on the bottle to make ¾ cup coffee. It’s usually a 1:4 ratio of coffee to water.

Healthy Coffee Alternatives

If you're trying to be more mindful of what you put in your coffee (or even drinking caffeine in general), we've been there! Here's a few tasty options that I think you might like to play with:

Green Tea Smoothie: This recipe not only gives you a pep in your step, it also has ingredients that help burn fat and boost your metabolism. Now talk about a great way to start the day!

Healthy Coffee: How I turned a cup of coffee into a substantial meal that keeps me full until lunch.

Spiced Almond Milk: This warm and soothing beverage is what I drink when I'm trying to taper off of coffee. It's warm, tasty and nourishing.

recipe shot of mocha smoothie

 

Healthy Coffee Smoothie using protein and caffeine

Energizing Mocha Coffee Smoothie

5 from 10 votes
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe
Sip on this cool and creamy coffee smoothie for breakfast or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. 
Total Time15 minutes
Servings1 smoothie

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup brewed coffee (cooled in the fridge)
  • 1 banana (frozen )
  • 1 medjool date (pitted (or 1 teaspoon maple syrup))
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup cauliflower (frozen)
  • ¼ cup oat milk (or other plant milk of choice)
  • ½ tablespoon cacao powder
  • 1 serving Protein Smoothie Boost (optional)

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients into the blender.
  • Blend on high until creamy.
  • Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately. 

Video

Nutrition (estimated)

Calories: 241kcal (12%) Carbohydrates: 57g (19%) Protein: 5g (10%) Fat: 2g (3%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Sodium: 57mg (2%) Potassium: 974mg (28%) Fiber: 8g (33%) Sugar: 37g (41%) Vitamin A: 234IU (5%) Vitamin C: 46mg (56%) Calcium: 131mg (13%) Iron: 2mg (11%)
« Fall Salad with Candied Pecans
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maeve Hennessy

    March 29, 2022 at 9:22 am

    Hiya love your smoothies just not a fan of bananas is there anything I can substitute it with was thinking avocado but would need something to sweeten it would u just add more dates if so how many I followed what one of your followers said and put in chia seeds am also amazed at the cauliflower didn't notice it at all and I don't eat any veg so this will def be a plus for me.keep up the great work

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      March 29, 2022 at 1:33 pm

      You can def try adding in another date or two to sweeten it up. Another option is to add a little maple syrup. So glad you are enjoying the smoothies. It's amazing how you can sneak in some veggies and make them taste yummy!

  2. Deb Barrow

    August 30, 2021 at 11:55 am

    5 stars
    This is an awesome smoothie. I am breaking the habit of drinking "hot mochas". This is much-needed, healthier and more satisfying replacement!

    Reply
  3. Tricia S.

    February 16, 2021 at 9:47 am

    5 stars
    This is so good! Who needs Starbucks when you can have this! You can’t even tell there is cauliflower in it.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 19, 2021 at 9:35 am

      Amen Tricia!! Way to rawk the healthy option!

  4. Jess

    February 10, 2021 at 2:26 pm

    This looks really good, can't wait to give it a try tomorrow morning! I'm curious where the bulk of the 33g of sugar comes from? Is it the protein powder?

    Reply
  5. Nicola

    January 21, 2021 at 4:21 am

    What can I substitute the cauliflower with? I suffer from severe IBS and find that cauliflower makes it worse.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      January 22, 2021 at 8:31 am

      Hi there Nicola - you can add either additional banana (1/2 or less) here or try about 1/4-1/2 of an avocado. Both will add the creaminess that the cauliflower brings. To add the nutritional benefits the cauliflower brings as a cruciferous veggie, you could try adding a touch of kale or cabbage. If you give it a try, let us know what you think!

  6. Johanna

    January 03, 2021 at 9:34 pm

    Ok, i saw this and i wanted to try it before leaving a comment. But let me say i LOVE it!.. I did change it a bit, but it worked out great. i was full of energy without a crash or feeling the need of more coffee. My changes were:
    NO brewed coffee changed for 1/2 Tblsp instant coffee and 1/2 Tblsp of coffee grounds.
    1 cup of almond milk
    NO protein powder changed for 1 tsp of chia seeds
    Did i mentioned that i loved it!.. Thanks so much I've been looking for a good tasting coffee smoothie recipe... Now we need a caramel flavored.

    Reply
    • Johanna

      January 03, 2021 at 9:45 pm

      Correction on coffee portion NOT tablespoons it's teaspoons. 1/2 TEASPOON of instant coffee and coffee grounds. Sorry about that..

    • Simple Green Smoothies

      January 04, 2021 at 12:58 am

      Yeah!!! So glad you loved it! And i looove your idea on a caramel one— we could totally do that with dates!

  7. Jessica

    December 01, 2020 at 12:13 pm

    5 stars
    I don't drink coffee but I'd be interested in trying this with Dandy Blend.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 12:14 pm

      That sounds good! Let us know how it turns out!

  8. Amanda

    November 16, 2020 at 10:04 am

    5 stars
    I love this combination and the added boost of protein!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 9:11 am

      It's so good, isn't it?!

  9. Kat

    November 16, 2020 at 6:47 am

    5 stars
    One word: Yum! My sister is obsessed with those sugary flavored coffee creamers. I feel like this would be a great swap and can't wait to share it with her.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 9:11 am

      This would be an awesome swap for those!!

  10. Kim

    November 13, 2020 at 3:41 pm

    5 stars
    Coffee and a Smoothie? Yes, please!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 9:12 am

      I know, right?! Goodbye Starbucks, hello SGS coffee smoothies!!

  11. Linda Lehman

    November 03, 2020 at 11:34 am

    I added a handful of power greens...also delicious!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 9:12 am

      Awesome way to get your greens, Linda!

  12. Dawn

    November 01, 2020 at 3:21 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh! My new coffee fix! Refreshing and filling!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 9:12 am

      Love it, Dawn!

  13. Brittany V.

    October 29, 2020 at 11:28 pm

    I feel like I have read somewhere that it’s not safe to eat frozen veggies without heating them first. Listeria in particular doesn’t die in the freezer. Do you think using fresh along with ice would work?

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 9:13 am

      Hey Brittany. If you feel more comfortable making it that way, you can def do that. Just fyi- we try to use ice sparingly because it's pretty tough on blender blades. 🙂

  14. Jasmine Stevenson

    October 26, 2020 at 5:44 pm

    Thank you For this recipe!!! I can’t wait to try !!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 9:14 am

      You're so welcome, Jasmine!

  15. Mary Ann

    October 26, 2020 at 1:05 pm

    5 stars
    Loved this smoothie! I just tried it this morning. I was worried about the cauliflower, but I did not taste it as what Jen mentioned on this recipe.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 9:14 am

      Yay, Mary Ann! So glad you loved it!!

  16. Julia

    October 25, 2020 at 5:00 pm

    Ooooooh, just reading the recipe gives my motivation to do smoothies again a new kick! Thanks for that. I am so curious about the cauliflower. Can't wait for tomorrow morning! Greetings from Germany

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 9:15 am

      Guten tag, Julia! Let us know what you think of this smoothie after you give it a try! 🙂

  17. Erin

    October 25, 2020 at 12:57 pm

    5 stars
    Just got the coffee for this, and soaking oats for the milk now!

    Reply
    • Erin Mottayaw

      October 29, 2020 at 11:35 pm

      Update: one serving was a bit too small for my Vitamix, so I actually made this again this week and doubled the recipe. Blended much more smoothly, and now I have leftovers.

    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 9:16 am

      That's good to know, Erin! Thanks for the update and the tip!

    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 9:16 am

      Woo hoo!!

  18. Tesha

    October 25, 2020 at 12:08 pm

    This smoothie is something my day needs, is there something else I can use in place of the cauliflower?

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 9:17 am

      I'm not sure, Tesha. If you don't care for cauliflower, you could leave it out.

  19. Olivia

    October 25, 2020 at 11:21 am

    5 stars
    This looks so good..... Is there any reason I can't use cashew milk instead of oat milk?

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 01, 2020 at 9:18 am

      Hey Olivia! You can use any plant-based milk you have on hand. 🙂

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Jen hansard blogger at Simple Green Smoothies About

I'm Jen Hansard, mom of two, plant-based foodie, adventure junkie + cookbook author.

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