How we used the Ninja Creami to Hack Starbucks-Style Frappuccinos at Home
🔗This article contains affiliate links -
thank you for supporting the content we create
If you're a Starbucks regular and crave their creamy Frappuccinos, you're not alone. I used to spend £5 or more every time I wanted that perfect icy-smooth blend. But after a few too many receipts, I decided to see if I could recreate the same Starbucks-style Frappuccino at home.
Enter the Ninja Creami—the game-changer I didn’t know I needed. Here's how I used it to make Frappuccinos that taste just like the real thing, without the coffee shop price tag.
Why the Ninja Creami is Perfect for DIY Frappuccinos
The Ninja Creami is marketed for ice cream and smoothie bowls, but don’t be fooled—it’s amazing for frozen drinks too. Its unique spinning blade and frozen pint method create a rich, creamy texture that mimics the Starbucks Frappuccino consistency perfectly.
Unlike a standard blender, the Creami turns a frozen base into something ultra-smooth, thick, and indulgent.
The Homemade Starbucks-Style Mocha Frappuccino Recipe
Here’s my favourite go-to Frappuccino copycat that rivals the Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino.
Mocha Frappuccino Recipe:
- 1 scoop chocolate or mocha-flavoured drink mix or protein powder (optional for a nutrition boost)
- 1/2 frozen banana (for creaminess)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 cup cold brew coffee
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Dash of cinnamon or sea salt
Blend these ingredients briefly just to mix, pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint container, and freeze overnight.
How to Blend the Perfect Frappuccino in the Ninja Creami
Once the mixture is frozen solid, place it into the Creami and run the "Smoothie Bowl" or "Lite Ice Cream" function. If the texture is too thick or powdery, add a splash of almond milk and re-spin. The final product is a frosty, creamy Frappuccino-style drink you can enjoy right at home.
Flavour Variations for Your At-Home Frappuccino
Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s easy to customise your frozen drinks. Here are a few homemade Frappuccino flavours I've created with the Ninja Creami:
- Vanilla Matcha Frappuccino – Matcha powder, vanilla extract, almond milk, honey
- Peanut Butter Mocha Frappuccino – Cocoa, cold brew, peanut butter powder, oat milk
- Strawberries & Cream Frappuccino – Frozen strawberries, vanilla almond milk, a hint of maple syrup
Pro tip: Go slightly sweeter than you think—freezing mutes flavour, so stronger blends perform better.
Cost Comparison: Starbucks vs. Homemade Frappuccino (UK Edition)
| Starbucks Frappuccino | Ninja Creami Frappuccino |
|---|---|
| £5 per drink | Approx. £1.45 per drink |
| 50g+ sugar | Naturally sweetened |
| Limited customisation | Fully customisable |
| Requires a coffee run | Made at home, anytime |
Making Frappuccinos at home isn’t just cheaper—it gives you full control over sweetness, ingredients, and dietary preferences.
Clean-Up and Convenience
One of my biggest hesitations was cleanup, but the Ninja Creami is incredibly easy to rinse out. The pints are dishwasher-safe, and there's no sticky blender mess. It’s fast, simple, and ideal for everyday use—even on busy mornings.
Final Thoughts
The Ninja Creami has completely changed my daily coffee routine. I no longer need to rely on Starbucks for that icy-cold, creamy Frappuccino fix. Whether you're cutting sugar, avoiding additives, or just trying to save money, the Creami is the ultimate at-home solution for gourmet frozen drinks.
If you love Starbucks Frappuccinos and want to recreate them from your kitchen—better tasting and healthier—the Ninja Creami might just become your new favourite appliance.
Coming next: a DIY pumpkin spice Frappuccino just in time for autumn.