Healthy, Homemade Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino (Dairy-Free)

Skip a trip to Starbucks and enjoy a healthier, whole foods version of this pumpkin spice deliciousness right in the comfort of your own home!

I hate coffee. Many years back I never gave Starbucks even a second thought, because the only thing I ever associated it with was, well, coffee. Much to my surprise, a friend of mine told me one day that Starbucks has drinks without coffee in it. My world was blown. Once an outsider to a plethora of coffee shops, my interest was now piqued. I had to go check it out.

The first taste of a coffee-less Starbucks frappuccino was like opening my stocking of goodies on Christmas morning. To say the least, I was hooked! Over the years, I have savored (ok, devoured) each sip of these delightful drinks. And, oh, how I have had to try every flavor! Yum, yum!

But, there is just one, incy wincy problem. They’re horribly unhealthy. We all know this in our heart of hearts. But I dare you to go to the Starbucks website and check out the ingredients in your favorite frappuccino. It’s laden with sugar and all kinds of extra ingredients that our bodies honestly just don’t need. But thank God we’ve got our own kitchens, and we can whip up some pretty darn good dranks (as my mother used to say), too!

Welcome to a real, whole foods recipe that also happens to be dairy-free! There are two stars in this drink: pumpkin puree and cashew cream. These two form the base of the whole drink, leaving you with a vegetable, healthy fat, and a boost of protein your body needs!

Now let’s take a minute to talk about this thing called “cashew cream.” This lovely kitchen staple is similar to cashew milk, but with much less water. It’s one of the best substitutes for dairy cream by far. And it is extremely easy to make!! (Check out my super easy recipe here.) Coconut cream and milk are delicious, but, let’s be real, do we want EVERYTHING to taste like coconuts in dairy-free cooking? Not me. And almond milk…Don’t you feel like you’re eating “healthy food” when you use the stuff? I do.

This delightful, cooling drink is also sweetened with honey. No hidden, fake sugars. No refined sugar. Just a delicious real food sweetener made especially by our bee friends. And let’s not forget about the spices! A pinch of salt and a blend of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and vanilla are what give our pumpkin and cashew cream life! (Maybe these guys are the true stars?)

How to make a healthy, homemade pumpkin spice frappuccino

Let’s make it already! First, make sure you have cashew cream on hand. Next, add all the ingredients to a high-powered blender (except for 1 cup of ice) and blend it really well for a couple of minutes. Don’t get in a rush! It’s really important to blend it well so you don’t end up with a chalky textured frappuccino! After it’s super smooth, add in that last cup of ice and blend it to your desired consistency. I like mine thick with a few tiny pieces of ice, so I don’t blend it for very long. Finally, add some coconut whipped cream if you have it! That’s it; go enjoy your new fall treat!

A note on the sweetness level

You may be the kind of person who doesn’t like your drinks very sweet. If that’s you, start out with 2 tablespoons of honey and taste the mixture before you add the second cup of ice. If you want it sweeter, add another teaspoon or tablespoon and keep adding until you get to your preferred sweetness level. Keep in mind that the second cup of ice will “water it down” a bit so you may have to get it a tad bit sweeter than you think. You can add more honey after the second cup of ice, but it would be better to add it before if possible!

Check out more fall recipes

Creamy Pumpkin Pie Popsicles (Dairy-Free)

Apple Pie Freezer Fudge (Dairy-Free)

Pumpkin Cashew Freezer Fudge (Dairy-Free)

How to Make Pumpkin Puree

100% Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes (Dairy-Free)