This recipe is for the folks who love those coffee shop frappés but want a homemade version that’s just as creamy and delicious. With the Ninja SLUSHi machine, you can make a smooth, frosty coffee frappé right at home—no blender needed! This recipe combines chilled coffee, milk or cream, and a touch of sweetness for a perfectly thick and refreshing drink.
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Whether you prefer a classic coffee frappé, a rich mocha, or a sweet caramel twist, this easy recipe is fully customizable to your taste. Plus, it’s great for meal prep—store leftovers and enjoy an icy coffee treat anytime! Be sure to read my How-to Guide and Honest Review of the Ninja Slushi Machine here. You’ll also love my Ninja Slushi Strawberry Lemonade Slush Recipe.
Key Ingredients
- Coffee – The Base & Flavor: The heart of any frappé! Whether you use cold brew, brewed coffee, or espresso, coffee provides the bold, caffeinated foundation of the drink. Using chilled coffee helps the Ninja SLUSHi freeze it faster and more evenly. If you like a stronger coffee flavor, opt for espresso or double-strength cold brew.
- Heavy Cream, Milk, or Creamer – The Creamy Factor: Adds richness and a smooth texture to prevent the frappé from being too icy. Heavy cream makes it thick and indulgent, similar to coffee shop frappés. Whole milk or half & half provides a balance of creaminess without being too heavy. Pro Tip: For an ultra-thick frappé, use a mix of heavy cream + whole milk!
- Vanilla Extract – Enhancing the Flavor: A little vanilla goes a long way! It rounds out the coffee’s bitterness and adds a subtle sweetness without overpowering the drink.
- Simple Syrup or Sugar – The Key to Perfect Freezing: The machine requires at least 4% sugar to freeze properly. If your coffee is unsweetened, adding sugar or simple syrup ensures the right slushy consistency. Simple syrup blends seamlessly without graininess. Flavored syrups (vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, mocha, etc.) add sweetness and flavor in one step. Want a sugar-free or natural sugar version? Use honey, agave, or this sugar-free simple syrup.
- Caramel or Chocolate Syrup – Optional for drizzling.
How to Make a Ninja Slushi Coffee Frappé
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare the Coffee Base: Brew strong coffee or espresso and let it chill completely in the fridge. I skip all of this and use cold brew. It’s already chilled and ready to go!
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large measuring cup or pitcher, combine the chilled coffee, milk/cream, vanilla extract, and simple syrup (or sugar). Stir well to fully dissolve the sugar (if using it).
- Fill the machine: Lift the bail handle and remove the mixing vessel. Pour the coffee mixture into the vessel, ensuring it stays between the MIN (16oz) and MAX (64oz) fill lines. Secure the vessel back into the machine.
- Select the “Frappé” Setting: Power on the Ninja SLUSHi™ and choose the “Frappé” mode. Let the machine run for 15-45 minutes, depending on the sugar content and temperature of the liquid. Mine took 25-30 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the cycle is complete, place a cup under the self-serve spout and pull the handle to dispense your frappé. Top with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, or chocolate shavings for an extra indulgent touch!
How to Make the Frappé Thicker?
Follow these tips and you can’t go wrong:
- Use Whole Milk or Heavy Cream: Higher fat content = richer texture. Instead of using skim or almond milk, switch to whole milk, half & half, or heavy cream for a thicker, more luxurious frappé. Dairy-free options like oat milk or canned coconut milk (full-fat) also work well.
- Increase the Sugar Content: The Ninja SLUSHi requires at least 4% sugar for proper freezing. If your frappé isn’t freezing thick enough, add 2-3 tbsp of simple syrup, honey, or a flavored coffee syrup per cup of liquid. Check out this sugar free syrup, it’s what I like to use.
- Reduce the Liquid Ratio: A higher ratio of milk to coffee can also make it creamier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Add 1-2 tablespoons more syrup or sugar and restart the cycle.
Yes! You can use brewed coffee, cold brew, or espresso. Just make sure it’s chilled before adding it to the machine for faster freezing.
Yes! The machine requires at least 4% sugar content for proper freezing. If your coffee is unsweetened, add 2-3 tablespoons of sugar, simple syrup, or a flavored coffee syrup per cup. I have found that zero calorie allulose) works.
Yes! You can use whole milk, half & half, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Thicker milk (like whole or oat) will make it creamier, while lighter milk may result in a thinner texture.
For caramel, add 2 tablespoons of caramel syrup before freezing and drizzle caramel sauce on top after serving.
For mocha, mix in 2 tablespoons cocoa powder or chocolate syrup with the coffee before freezing.
Yes! Blend ½ scoop of protein powder with the coffee mixture before adding it to the machine. It may slightly thicken the drink.
It takes about 15-45 minutes, depending on the sugar content and starting temperature of your coffee. It took mine 25-30 minutes.
Of course! Just use decaf coffee instead of regular, and follow the same steps.
How to Store
You can store leftovers in the machine, but you need to keep the machine running to maintain the frozen texture for up to 12 hours. If you turn it off, the frappé will melt.
If you want to store leftovers outside of the machine, store them in an airtight container in the freezer. It will keep well up to a month. For short term storage, store the coffee in an insulated container. Shake or stir well and add a few ice cubes if it has melted too much. Drink within 12 hours for best flavor.
Ninja Slushi Coffee Frappé (Vanilla Caramel)
Want to save this recipe for later?
I’ll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups coffee Chilled for faster processing. I used cold brew espresso.
- 1/4 cup heavy cream, milk, or creamer Adjust to suit your taste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup or sugar. I used 2 tablespoons, which isn't overly sweet. Add more to suit your taste.
- caramel, chocolate syrup, or whipped cream Optional for drizzling.
Instructions
- Brew strong coffee or espresso and let it chill completely in the fridge. I skip all of this and use cold brew. It’s already chilled and ready to go!
- In a large measuring cup or pitcher, combine the chilled coffee, milk/cream, vanilla extract, and simple syrup (or sugar). Stir well to fully dissolve the sugar (if using it).
- Lift the bail handle and remove the mixing vessel. Pour the coffee mixture into the vessel, ensuring it stays between the MIN (16oz) and MAX (64oz) fill lines. Secure the vessel back into the machine.
- Power on the Ninja SLUSHi™ and choose the “Frappé” mode. Let the machine run for 15-45 minutes, depending on the sugar content and temperature of the liquid. Mine took 25-30 minutes.
- Once the cycle is complete, place a cup under the self-serve spout and pull the handle to dispense your frappé. Top with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, or chocolate shavings for an extra indulgent touch!
Notes
For mocha, mix in 2 tablespoons cocoa powder or chocolate syrup with the coffee before freezing.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.