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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Chai Frappe

    Published: Jul 7, 2021 by Janessa

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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! 

    Chai Frappe with a straw sitting on a wooden table

    Made with just cashews, dates and a tea bag (plus water and ice), they couldn’t be easier! And they are wholesome enough that you might even be able to rationalize having this treat as a snack.

    I do.

    Next time you’re craving a milkshake, want a cold drink to cool you off or just an afternoon pick me up, I encourage you to give one of these a try!

    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
    Chai Frappe with flowers in the background

    The Method

    1. 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. 
    2. 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.
    3. Add ice and blend again. Now that the mixture is cooled off and creamy, add ice to achieve the desired slushy consistently.
    4. 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.

    Leftover Storage

    This Chai Frappe is very quick to make and is best fresh! I don't recommend keeping leftovers or making this ahead.

    Chai Frappe on a wooden table.

    Dietary Notes

    If you have dietary restrictions, check the packaging of specific ingredients that you use to ensure they are compliant. This recipe is:

    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Naturally Sweetened
    • Paleo
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegan

    And if you liked this recipe...

    ...you might also like:

    • Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
    • Blueberry Spinach Smoothie
    • Cashew Shrimp Alfredo

    Chai Frappe

    A healthy copycat recipe that is easy to make and so refreshing!
    5 from 18 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 299kcal

    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
    US Customary - Metric

    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

    Substitutions
    4-5 regular dates or 1 tablespoon of maple syrup can be used in place of the Medjool dates.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Sodium: 4mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 32g
    Did you make this recipe?Let me know what you thought in the comments below!

    More Healthy Snack Ideas!

    • Crispy Baked Sweet Plantains (Plus How to Peel!)
    • Chunky Chocolate Granola
    • Easy Creamy Cashew Queso Dip
    • Healthy Flourless Oatmeal Cookie Bars
    « Pork Banh Mi Burgers
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. ChihYu

      March 23, 2022 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      So refreshing and delicious! Love how easy it is to make - can't beat homemade!

      Reply
      • Janessa

        March 23, 2022 at 7:39 pm

        Thank you for your kind review ChihYu! I'm so glad that you liked it!

        Reply
      • Lauren

        May 22, 2022 at 5:45 pm

        5 stars
        Very refreshing - will be making this all summer!

        Reply
        • Janessa

          May 22, 2022 at 5:53 pm

          Yay! I'm glad you liked this recipe! Thank you for your kind review, Lauren!

          Reply
    2. jennifer

      March 24, 2022 at 5:10 am

      5 stars
      How smart that the cashews soak while the tea is seeping - genuis! Will be making this later in the week and so excited, yum!

      Reply
      • Janessa

        March 24, 2022 at 8:26 am

        I hope that you enjoy it, Jennifer! Thank you for taking the time to leave this nice review.

        Reply
    3. Hope

      March 24, 2022 at 3:36 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Janessa

        March 24, 2022 at 4:46 pm

        Rooibos chai tea would definitely work! I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    4. Donny

      March 24, 2022 at 4:33 pm

      5 stars
      I always have these ingredients on hand so I'll be making this a lot! Love that it's sweetened with dates.

      Reply
      • Janessa

        March 24, 2022 at 4:47 pm

        Thank you for this kind review! I hope you enjoy them!

        Reply
    5. Megan

      March 28, 2022 at 11:09 am

      5 stars
      SO yummy! Thanks for this recipe. I am so pleased about cashews and dates replacing dairy and sugar!! 🙂

      Reply
      • Janessa

        March 28, 2022 at 1:09 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Megan. Thank you for your kind review!

        Reply
    6. Andrea Pannell

      June 20, 2022 at 12:17 pm

      5 stars
      So raw and refreshing! Love the honest ingredients

      Reply
    7. Andrea

      June 20, 2022 at 12:33 pm

      5 stars
      I need to try this deliciousness ASAP! Love all the healthy ingredients.

      Reply
    8. Anita

      June 20, 2022 at 1:10 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    9. Carrie

      June 20, 2022 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds absolutely delicious! And I am loving that it is a healthier version- less guilt. 😉

      Reply
    10. Irena

      June 20, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      5 stars
      I love chai tea but have never had it as a frozen drink. It works so well, great in summer. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

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    Janessa

    Hi, I'm Janessa and I'm passionate about sharing recipes that are made with wholesome ingredients, are quick and easy and most importantly, delicious!

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