A chocolatey, cold, creamy cross between a milkshake and soft serve. This Homemade Frosty is hard not to love especially when it’s made with lighter ingredients and packed with protein.
Update: This post was originally published in 2022. The recipe was updated in mid 2026 with new images and updated body content.
Better than Wendy’s Frosty
I am Team Frosty over McFlurry any day. Especially when I can make my Frosty at home, with healthier ingredients. This recipe mimics both the flavors and texture of a real Wendy’s Frosty, and the only thing we’re missing is the fries to dip in!
This Homemade Frosty is so simple and comes together in just 5 minutes (you’d probably spend more time waiting for it in the drive thru line!). he whole family will love including the kids!
Banana and ice get blended up with milk, cocoa, protein powder, and the secret ingredient, cottage cheese, for the most perfect fluffiness and creaminess. You’re going to want to have this homemade chocolate Frosty as an afternoon or post workout snack, for dessert, or for the real deal, served on your next burger night with homemade french fries, no ice cream maker required!
And if you’re looking for more sippable treats, also try this Triple Berry Cheesecake Milkshake, this Key Lime Pie Milkshake, this Mocha Madness Smoothie, this Chocolate Cherry Smoothie, or this Raspberry Chocolate Smoothie, too!
Recipe Ingredients
- Ice Cubes – The base of our smoothie is ice. But I promise, with all of the additional creamy and chocolatey ingredients mixed in, it won’t taste like a slushie.
- Banana – Along with the ice, banana serves as the base of our frosty. It also contributes to some sweetness, so it’s best to use a ripe one.
- Cocoa Powder – To create a rich chocolate flavor.
- Chocolate Milk – I like Fairlife 2%. You could consider whole milk or even heavy cream for a super rich frosty if that’s what you’re craving.
- Cottage Cheese – Gives the milkshake a rich and creamy texture creating the perfect frosty consistency.
- Protein Powder – I used Clean Simple Eats Brownie Batter.
See the recipe card below for a full list of simple ingredients and measurements.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Add all of the ingredients except ice into a blender. Blend on high for 40-60 seconds or until combined (and the cottage cheese is smooth). Then add the ice and blend until thicken. The texture is what makes this Homemade Wendy’s Frosty so great.
2. Garnish with PBfit, chocolate syrup, crumbled G2G bar (code: APOP for a discount), chocolate chips, whipped cream, etc. Serve immediately with a straw or a spoon.
Can I make a homemade Vanilla Frosty?
Definitely! Swap the cocoa powder for a teaspoon of vanilla extract and use vanilla protein powder regular milk and you’re all set!
Or even get creative and try different flavor variations like a strawberry frosty using vanilla protein powder, strawberry milk and strawberries in addition to or instead of banana.
Recipe FAQs
You can freeze this Homemade Frosty recipe after it’s made. For storage, place in a freezer-safe container with a lid in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, let sit out on the counter at room temperature for ~30 minutes or or fridge for 2-3 hours until desired consistency is reached.
This frost is a great canvas fro all of your favorite toppings. Add whipped cream, mini chocolate chips, crumbled protein bar, granola or cereal. Consider drizzling on chocolate or caramel sauce. Or add a spoonful of peanut butter or granola butter. Want to make it really nostalgic? Bake up some freezer french fries to dip in for a real drive thru experience.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating and comment in the recipe card below. Thanks for visiting!
Homemade Frosty Recipe (Healthy and High Protein)
Equipment
- blender
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 banana, frozen
- 3/4 cup Fairlife 2% Chocolate Milk
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 4%
- 1/4 cup Cool Whip
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder, I used Clean Simple Eats Brownie Batter
- 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder, **essential if not using chocolate milk
- 8 ice cubes
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender except the ice.
- Blend on high for 40-60 seconds or until cottage cheese is smooth. Blend longer if any chunks remain. Then add the ice and blend again. The texture is what makes this Homemade Wendy’s Frosty so great.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with PBfit, crumbled G2G bar (code: APOP for a discount), chocolate chips, whipped cream, etc.
Nutrition
Notes
more of our favorite Smoothie Recipes…
- Healthy Green Smoothie
- High Protein Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Blueberry Banana Smoothie
- Cherry Garcia Smoothie
- Greek Yogurt Fig Smoothie
- Instant Coffee Mocha Madness Smoothie
- Tropical Smoothie Copycat Bahama Mama
- 5-minute Butternut Squash Smoothie
- Healthy Chocolate Chip Mint Smoothie
- Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie
This is my FAVORITE!! Literally tastes JUST like a chocolate frosty.
Oh MY you’re gonna wish you tried this sooner. SO thick, creamy, and delicious
I am going to make this my after-gym smoothie. It’s delicious, filling and quick and easy to make. Thanks for this recipe!!
I love the dark cocoa powder flavor, and this frosty is soooo good. I’ve made it with and without the xanthan gum and it is better with it.
I have no idea why it took me this long to look up a recipe for homemade Wendy’s frosties. I’ve always loved them, but I’m so pleased to find a healthier option (that tastes just as good!) and not spend so much money going out to eat. Win win!
This drink is great! I was skeptical at first, but it’s just as good as the real thing. The only difference is that you can taste the banana and protein powder more. The texture of this shake is very smooth and creamy—no ice cream required! It tastes like a thick milkshake topped with whipped cream.
This homemade Wendy’s Frosty was so delicious. It’s chocolatey, creamy, and easy to make. My husband likes it as well! I would love to recommend giving this a try!
Sooo tasty! I made it dairy free with plant milk, coconut cool whip and coconut yogurt instead of cottage cheese and it was so delicious!
This is insanely good & close to the real deal without the artificial ingredients. cannot recommend enough!
I had a craving for a frosty and was happy to find this recipe. I love ice cream and this is a great replacement!