Healthy Frappuccino

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This healthy Frappuccino is made with cold brew coffee, protein powder, cacao powder, dates and almond milk. Cool, creamy, delicious and perfect for breakfast or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

If you know me, you know that I love coffee and during the spring/summer months, I live for cold brew coffee!

Some days I’m craving more of a frou-frou drink… which is where my take on a Frappuccino comes in! It’s essentially a mocha smoothie made with cold brew coffee, cacao powder and almond milk. It’s sweetened naturally with dates and is packed with protein!

Homemade frappuccino topped with whipped cream and cacao nibs.

The combo of cold brew coffee and protein makes this healthy Frappuccino an excellent breakfast, mid-afternoon snack or pre/post workout treat. It will cool you down and fill you up, all the while giving you a little energy boost.

What is a Frappuccino?

Starbucks coined the term “frappuccino” but what is it? It’s basically a drink that starts with coffee (or cream) as the base and then it’s blended with ice and other flavored ingredients. It is typically topped with whipped cream and occasionally additional toppings as well.

The Starbucks version isn’t the healthiest – even if you get a low-fat or sugar-free version, it’s loaded with ingredients you can’t pronounce! So I wanted to make my version with simple, delicious ingredients.

Ingredients measured out to make a healthy frappuccino.

Healthy Frappuccino Ingredients

This healthier frapp is made with only six simple ingredients and use dates as a natural sweetener! Here’s what you need:

  • cold brew coffee concentrate – you can make your own cold brew, buy store-bought or simply use chilled coffee.
  • unsweetened vanilla almond milk – any dairy-free milk works, but I love the flavor of vanilla almond milk or creamy oat milk!
  • vanilla or chocolate protein powder – my favorite brand is Nuzest, but feel free to use your fave protein powder.
  • medjool datesmedjool dates are the natural sweetener for this drink.
  • ice cubes – adding ice gives this drink that perfect “frappe” texture.
  • cacao powder – cacao or cocoa powder both work! This adds the chocolate-y mocha flavor.
  • optional toppings – whipped cream or coconut whipped cream and cacao nibs.
Cold brew, cocoa powder, protein powder and dates in a blender.

Flavor Variations

One of the best parts about ordering this drink at Starbucks is all of the variations… that doesn’t mean you can’t recreate them at home! Here are some flavor variations to try:

  • Peppermint – add in a little peppermint extract and top with crushed peppermint candy.
  • Peanut butter cup – make the Frappuccino as directed but add in a little nut butter and sprinkle with chopped nuts.
  • Caramel – add a spoonful of this date caramel sauce while blending and drizzle a little extra on top.
  • Coco-chocolate – Use coconut milk in place of almond milk and sprinkle with toasted coconut.
Blended Frappuccino in a blender.

Can You Make in Advance?

Yes! While the consistency will change a little compared to the fresh version, you can make this healthy Frappuccino in advance and store it in the fridge or freezer. If you do freeze it, just let it thaw in the fridge for a couple hours, stir with a straw and enjoy.

Homemade frappuccino topped with whipped cream.

More Blended Drinks to Try:

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4.46 from 22 votes

Healthy Frappuccino

This healthy Frappuccino is cool, creamy and delicious. Made with cold brew coffee, chocolate protein powder, cacao, dates and almond milk.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

Ingredients  

  • 2/3 cup cold brew coffee concentrate, or chilled coffee
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 – 2 scoops, 25-50 grams total vanilla or chocolate protein powder (I used 2 scoops chocolate Nuzest)
  • 2 pitted medjool dates
  • 2 cups ice cubes
  • 1 teaspoon cocoa or cacao powder
  • whipped cream, optional for topping (use coconut whipped cream for vegan option)
  • 1 Teaspoon cacao nibs, optional for topping

Instructions 

  • Blend: Place all ingredients except cacao nibs into a high powered blend and blend until smooth.
  • Enjoy: Pour into a glass, top with whipped cream and cacao nibs, if using and enjoy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink without toppings | Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 461mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 32g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Smoothie
Cuisine: American
Keyword: healthy frappuccino
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany
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59 Comments

  1. Looks great! Almond milk is such a great alternative. Would love to see some future DIY posts on EBF.

  2. Love the idea of using the cold brew in a smoothie. I just made a batch of it today so I’ll totally make this for breakfast this week! Gotta love coffee and breakfast in one 🙂

  3. Mmmmm… I’m all about cold brew coffee so this smoothie sounds like perfection.

  4. Well those are all my favourite things in one smoothie! I hadn’t thought about using dates to sweeten smoothies before…where have I been!?

  5. Chugging this down now – incredible! So good! Didn’t use the cacao or the nibs and it’s still fantastic (used Vega chocolate powder which is pretty chocolaty!). A winner for sure!

  6. this looks absolutely yummy, healthy and delicious. A great way to get your day going right before a nice workout

  7. I am that girl who brings 3+ jars to work in the morning! One for my smoothie, one for water and one for coffee. Luckily I’ve perfected the waitress hold when walking down the stairs to my car 🙂 Happy to trade two for one with this smoothie! Looks amazing and the perfect pick me up.

  8. WOW! That was an amazing drink!! I drank half and will take the rest to work with me tomorrow. I have a mini blender there, so I’ll add half a frozen banana and maybe some PB powder for a mid afternoon pick-me-up! Will have to try the nibs!

    1. Totally agree about it being a great afternoon pick-me-up! So glad that you liked it. 🙂

  9. Pinned this smoothie–I can not wait to give it a try when the afternoon slump hits this summer and my kids are begging to go to the pool!

  10. This looks really good and I love the addition of cacao nibs! Congrats on your new home!

  11. I’m not a coffee drinker…but when you make it iced and turn it into a shake…I’m all over it! This looks so good!

    1. I don’t think so. Almond milk is made from almonds, where are tree nuts. I’d use another type of milk like oat, rice, hemp or even regular cow’s milk if that works for you!

  12. Love it! I didn’t have chocolate protein powder so I used plain protein powder and added 3 teaspoons cocoa powder to compensate.

  13. Made this today – so good and creamy! Perfect amount of sweetness. I’ll definitely make again, and again…

    1. Yay!! That makes so happy to hear, Hilary! Thank you for coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate the feedback!

  14. 5 stars
    Oh myyyyy goddd, amazing, 10/10, highly recommend anyone to try!! i used vanilla protein powder and it was so delicious.

    1. So glad you loved this, Erin!! Thanks for making it and for the review. I so appreciate it!

  15. 4 stars
    Excelente receta, amo el café, pero recientemente el medico me recomendó una dieta y no encontraba una buena receta, pero gracias, ahora puedo tomar este café saludable

    1. Yay!! I’m so pumped you enjoyed this frappuccino, Carolyn! Thanks for making it and coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  16. 5 stars
    I don’t normally drink caffeine, but I needed something today and this hit the spot. It was just slightly sweet ( my protein powder isn’t sweet) which I liked.I am enjoying the June smoothie challenge.

    1. Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Joy. Thanks for trying it and for the review. I so appreciate it!

  17. 5 stars
    Absolutely love how I can get my morning coffee into a healthy smoothie for breakfast too. Super filling, thanks for the recipe!

  18. 5 stars
    Loved loved this recipe !! What a great afternoon pick me up – the code abs chocolate flavor was delish!!

  19. 5 stars
    Love that this is sweetened with dates, not refined sugar. I made it with 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder instead of the chocolate protein powder and so it only had a hint of chocolate flavor. Next time I will try it with the chocolate protein powder because can you ever have too much chocolate?!

    1. You can never have too much chocolate! So glad you enjoyed this smoothie, Nancy. Thanks for tying it and for the review. I so appreciate it!

  20. 5 stars
    Omg this is definitely being added to being one of my faves!! I used a local coffee shops cold brew coffee and it made this smoothie taste spectacular!!!!! Definitely recommend!!!!

    1. Woo! I’m so glad this frappuccino has been such a hit, Amy! Thanks for trying it and coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!

  21. 5 stars
    This recipe is another winner!! Such a great start to any day or an afternoon pick-me-up! Tastes just like a fancy drink you would get at a fancy coffee shop, but with natural sugar and protein powder too!! Loved it!

    1. Woo!! So glad this frappuccino was a hit, Taylor! Thanks for trying it and coming back to leave a review. It means the world to me!

  22. I love dates so much, can’t believe it took me this long to try them in a smoothie. PERFECTION! Thank you so much, Brittany! (Used a cup of cold brew & I am flying…!)

  23. 5 stars
    I love dates so much, can’t believe it took me this long to try them in a smoothie. PERFECTION! Thank you so much, Brittany! (Used a cup of cold brew & I am flying…!) Remembered to add the stars this time *sigh*

    1. Yay!! I’m so glad this was a hit! Thanks for the review, Jennifer. I really appreciate it 🙂

  24. 5 stars
    This is a great snack on a hot day. I used chocolate protein powder and 4 ounces of homemade cold brew.

    1. So glad you enjoyed this fappuccino, Deb! Thanks for trying it and coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  25. 5 stars
    Just tried it and it was so good ! I was looking for a way to actually enjoy my protein powder and this recipe was perfect!

    1. Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed this frappuccino, Sophie! Thanks so much for making it and coming back to leave a review. It means the world to me!