Cool and creamy, this Chai tea frappe is so easy and delicious. This healthier copycat recipe is made with just 3 wholesome ingredients, it is naturally sweetened, dairy free and so delicious.
Jump to:
Have you ever had the McDonald’s Vanilla Chai Frappe or the Starbucks Chai Crème Frappuccino? If you haven’t, imagine a chai latte turned into a milkshake. It’s so good!
As a teenager, I had one anytime I was anywhere near the Golden Arches! Now though, I wouldn’t feel too great if I did and so I haven’t had one in years. But I still crave them occasionally and wanted to come up with something that would fill the void.
Enter this healthy copycat version that TASTES LIKE THE REAL THING!
Made with just cashews, dates and a tea bag (plus water and ice), they couldn’t be easier!
The Ingredients
- Cashews- It is important to use raw cashews so that they blend up into a creamy consistency. Don't use roasted or salted cashews.
- Chai Tea Bag- In order to make this recipe quick and easy, I like to use chai tea bags. If doubling the recipe, I find one bag for the batch to be sufficient but I use two if I’m tripling it.
- Medjool Dates- Feel free to use less or more to suit your tastes. Alternatively, you could use regular dates (~4-5) or maple syrup (~1 tablespoon).
- Hot Water and Ice
The Method
- Soak cashews, dates and tea bag in the jar of the blender. Just 5 minutes in hot water softens the cashews and provides a strong enough tea for the base.
- Blend into cashew chai cream. Since the steeped tea and slacked cashews are quite hot, add ¼ cup of ice to blend. The mixture should be creamy and room temperature.
- Add ice and blend again. Now that the mixture is cooled off and creamy, add ice to achieve the desired slushy consistently.
- Enjoy immediately!
Tip: For best results, use a high powered blender. It will still work with a regular blender but it may take longer and you might end up with more ice chunks.
Leftovers and Storage
This Chai Frappe is very quick to make and is best fresh! I don't recommend keeping leftovers or making this ahead.
LET ME PLAN YOUR DINNERS! Join my email list and receive My FREE Meal Plan (Including Grocery List!) as a gift>>>
And if you liked this recipe...
...you might also like:
- Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
- Blueberry Spinach Smoothie
- Cashew Shrimp Alfredo
- Honey Roasted Cashews
- Pina Colada Mocktail
Recipe Card
Chai Frappe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup raw cashews
- 1 chai tea bag
- ⅓ cup boiling water
- 1 and ¼ cups ice cubes divided
- 2 pitted Medjool dates plus additional to taste
Instructions
- Into the jar of a high powered blender, place the cashews, dates and chai tea bag. Pour boiling water over top and allow to steep for 5-7 minutes.
- After steeping, remove the tea bag and add ¼ cup of ice. Blend on high for 30-60 seconds until smooth and creamy. Add the last cup of ice and blend for an additional 30-60 seconds until desired slushy consistency is reached.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
More Healthy Snack Ideas!
ChihYu says
So refreshing and delicious! Love how easy it is to make - can't beat homemade!
Janessa says
Thank you for your kind review ChihYu! I'm so glad that you liked it!
Lauren says
Very refreshing - will be making this all summer!
Janessa says
Yay! I'm glad you liked this recipe! Thank you for your kind review, Lauren!
jennifer says
How smart that the cashews soak while the tea is seeping - genuis! Will be making this later in the week and so excited, yum!
Janessa says
I hope that you enjoy it, Jennifer! Thank you for taking the time to leave this nice review.
Hope says
I love how creamy this looks - what a great idea with the cashews. I only have rooibos chai tea bags at home do you think they will work as well?
Janessa says
Rooibos chai tea would definitely work! I hope you enjoy it!
Donny says
I always have these ingredients on hand so I'll be making this a lot! Love that it's sweetened with dates.
Janessa says
Thank you for this kind review! I hope you enjoy them!
Megan says
SO yummy! Thanks for this recipe. I am so pleased about cashews and dates replacing dairy and sugar!! 🙂
Janessa says
I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Megan. Thank you for your kind review!
Andrea Pannell says
So raw and refreshing! Love the honest ingredients
Andrea says
I need to try this deliciousness ASAP! Love all the healthy ingredients.
Anita says
I usually use milk like regular cow milk or almond milk to make this. I need to try this since I never knew you can use raw cashew to make a delicious frappe.
Carrie says
This sounds absolutely delicious! And I am loving that it is a healthier version- less guilt. 😉
Irena says
I love chai tea but have never had it as a frozen drink. It works so well, great in summer. Thanks for sharing!
Vicky says
It is still really warm where I live, and I love the fact that I can enjoy this yummy treat without having to leave my house. The dates add a wonderful sweet flavor and the whole thing is just super refreshing!
Janessa says
Thank you for your kind review, Vicky!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
I love the chai flavours and this did not disapoint. So delicious with the cashew nuts too.
Janessa says
Thank you for your kind review, Amanda!
Jyoti Behrani says
This Chai frappe recipe is great!! It was delicious and easy to make. Thanks for the recipe and the clear instruction!
Janessa says
I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Jyoti!
Michele says
So delicious. I loved it as a frozen drink. This will become a regular recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Janessa says
I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Michele!
Beth says
This chai frappe sounds amazing and so healthy! Easy to make too.
Janessa says
Thank you for your kind review, Beth!
Susan says
I too love McDonald’s chai frappe but gave them up because of all the sugar. This is so fantastic. I love them and now so do all of my friends. Thanks so much
Janessa says
I'm glad you like this recipe, Susan! Thank you for your kind review.
Kristy says
Soooo delicious!! I love the healthier ingredients, even though my husband doesn’t look for healthier. In fact, he usually chooses against them as he finds they “just don’t taste as good”. But this recipe even got his five stars and it was a staple for watching ball games all summer!!!
Janessa says
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Kristy! Thank you for your kind review.
Sharon says
Perfect day to do these. This is my FAVORITE summer drink.
Janessa says
I'm so glad that you liked this recipe, Sharon! Thank you for your kind review!
Loretta says
You Chia Frappe is my favorite summer drink Janessa. Thanks for sharing.
I just recently discovered that I have osteoporosis and one thing that can help build or maintain bone density are prunes, so I now swap out the dates for prunes with the equally yummy taste...
and a win win for me 🙂
Janessa says
I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Loretta! Thank you for the kind review and notes about substituting with prunes!