Copycat McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Frappe Recipe

If you’ve been craving that icy, chocolate-loaded McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Frappe but don’t feel like hitting the drive-thru, I’ve got you covered. This copycat recipe lets you make the creamy, coffee-kissed drink at home with simple ingredients.

I’ll be honest, I first tried recreating this on a hot afternoon when I didn’t want to pay $5 for something that melts in minutes. To my surprise, it was ridiculously easy and tasted almost too close to the original. And yes, I’ll walk you through the exact recipe, plus nutrition facts, caffeine details, and even what’s going on with the whole “discontinued” rumor.

What’s in a McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Frappe?

The original McDonald’s version is a frozen blend of coffee, cream, chocolate chips, and chocolate syrup, topped with whipped cream. My homemade take keeps the flavor while being customizable.

Ingredients for DIY Copycat Frappe

• 1 cup strong brewed coffee (cold)
• 1 cup whole milk (or almond milk if you prefer lighter)
• 1 ½ cups ice
• 3 tbsp chocolate syrup
• 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
• Whipped cream + extra chips for garnish

Blend everything until smooth but slightly textured with chips. Pour into a tall glass, top with whipped cream, and enjoy!

This is basically what’s inside the McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Frappe ingredients list, minus the processed stabilizers.

Nutrition, Calories & Caffeine Explained

A medium McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Frappe is usually around 560–590 calories, depending on the exact version. The copycat recipe above comes in lighter, about 420–450 calories if you skip extra sugar.

Does it have caffeine? Yes. Because it’s coffee-based, you’ll get roughly 80–90mg of caffeine per medium serving. That’s like a small iced coffee.

And for those wondering, is McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Frappe gluten-free? Sadly, no. While coffee and chocolate themselves are gluten-free, cross-contamination and thickeners in McDonald’s syrups make it risky for strict gluten-free diets. At home, though, you can easily make a safe version with certified gluten-free chocolate syrup.

Availability: Discontinued or Coming Back?

Here’s the big question: what happened to McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Frappe? In many U.S. locations, it was quietly discontinued. Fans on Reddit keep asking, “Is the Chocolate Chip Frappe back at McDonald’s?”—and answers vary by store.

Interestingly, McDonald’s has recently tested Hershey’s Chocolate Chip Frappe in select markets. In some places, it shows up as a seasonal or “limited-time” drink. So if you’re searching “Chocolate Chip Frappe near me,” you might see Hershey’s branding instead.

Bottom line: it’s not a permanent menu item everywhere, but you can absolutely bring it back to life in your kitchen.

Variations & Flavor Twists

The fun part of making it at home? You can tweak it any way you want.

• Mocha Chocolate Chip Frappe – Add an extra shot of espresso and dark cocoa powder for more coffee punch.
• Oreo Chocolate Chip Frappe – Blend in crushed Oreos for texture (trust me, kids love this).
• Hershey’s Frappe Style – Use Hershey’s syrup and extra chips to mimic the newer release.
• Starbucks-Style Chocolate Frappe – Skip the chips and keep it smooth, closer to Starbucks’ chocolate frappuccino.

Sometimes I even freeze leftover coffee in ice cube trays and use those instead of regular ice. The flavor gets way stronger.

The Bigger McDonald’s Frappe Picture

The McDonald’s Frappe menu has always revolved around Mocha and Caramel. Fans often compare them:

• Caramel Frappe McDonald’s calories → ~500–550 in medium.
• Mocha Frappe McDonald’s nutrition → Similar, but with a richer chocolate taste.
• Chocolate Chip Frappe → Heavier because of the extra chips and syrup.

People also ask, How much is a frappe at McDonald’s? Prices vary, but expect around $3.49–$3.79 for a small, and $4.49+ for a large.

So yes, it’s a treat. But making it at home? Way cheaper—and you control the sweetness.

FAQs: Quick Answers

How to make McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Frappe at home?
Blend cold coffee, milk, chocolate syrup, sugar, ice, and chocolate chips until smooth.

What’s in it?
Coffee, cream, chocolate syrup, and chocolate chips, topped with whipped cream.

How many calories?
Around 560–590 at McDonald’s; 420–450 if homemade with lighter tweaks.

Does it have coffee or caffeine?
Yes—about 80–90mg in a medium.

Is it gluten-free?
Not at McDonald’s. But you can make a safe gluten-free version at home.

Why was it discontinued?
McDonald’s streamlined its menu. But it sometimes comes back as a limited-time flavor.

Is it good?
Fans say yes—it’s sweet, chocolatey, and dessert-like. Some think it’s too sweet, which is another reason I prefer my homemade version.

Conclusion: Make It Anytime You Want

The McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Frappe might not always be on the menu, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out. With a few pantry staples and a blender, you can whip up this frosty treat in minutes.

In my experience, homemade tastes better, not just because it’s fresher, but because you can adjust it to your mood. Extra coffee for busy mornings, or extra chocolate when you just need comfort.

So next time you’re craving one, skip the drive-thru. Your kitchen is the new McCafé.