Healthy Frappuccino
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Published May 05, 2021, Updated Jun 12, 2023
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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!
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.
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 dates – medjool 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.
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.
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.
More Blended Drinks to Try:
- Creamy Iced Coffee in Your Blender
- Mocha Cherry Smoothie
- Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie
- Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Popular Coffee Recipes:
- Whipped Coffee (Dalgona Coffee)
- How to Make Cold Brew Coffee
- Creamy Iced Coffee in Your Blender
- Protein Coffee
Healthy Frappuccino
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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is a great snack on a hot day. I used chocolate protein powder and 4 ounces of homemade cold brew.
So glad you enjoyed this fappuccino, Deb! Thanks for trying it and coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!
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*
Yay!! I’m so glad this was a hit! Thanks for the review, Jennifer. I really appreciate it 🙂
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…!)
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!
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!
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!!!!
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!
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?!
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!
Loved loved this recipe !! What a great afternoon pick me up – the code abs chocolate flavor was delish!!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Anne. Thanks for the review, I appreciate it!
Absolutely love how I can get my morning coffee into a healthy smoothie for breakfast too. Super filling, thanks for the recipe!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Lara. Thanks for the review, I appreciate it!
This was a great pick me up. Thanks for the recipe.
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.
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Joy. Thanks for trying it and for the review. I so appreciate it!