The ultimate copycat Wendys frosty, made with just 3 simple ingredients! You can make it in minutes, and it tastes just like the real thing!
Wendys frosty fans unite… I’ve come up with the most perfect copycat EVER! It tastes just like the real deal, and is so simple to make… I bet you can’t guess the secret ingredient!
Growing up, I was a HUGE Wendys frosty fan. Okay, who am I kidding… I still am! Now they have the vanilla flavor, but my heart still belongs to the original chocolate flavor.
I’ve been trying for a long time to recreate that classic frosty flavor… to no avail. Don’t get me wrong, I made some pretty delicious chocolate shakes, including this boozy one, but none that were just right.
So what gives Wendys frosty that classic “frosty” flavor? Read on to find out!
HOW TO MAKE A WENDYS FROSTY AT HOME
There seems to be two schools of thought on this one. One version involves chocolate milk, sweetened condensed milk and cool whip, which you mix then put into an ice cream maker. I’ve honestly never tried that version, mainly because I didn’t want to lug out my ice cream maker lol. Plus, most people probably don’t own one! My version is based very similarly on Todd Wilbur’s version from one of his Top Secret Recipes books. It’s 3 easy ingredients:
- vanilla ice cream
- nesquick powder
- milk
Does it seem weird to you that it doesn’t use chocolate ice cream? That stumped me too… so I made two versions, one with chocolate and one with vanilla. The vanilla one totally came out on top!!
IS WENDYS FROSTY A MILKSHAKE
It’s weird… because they never call it that on their menu. But the ingredients of ice cream and milk certainly scream milkshake to me. So in my mind, it’s totally a milkshake!
Now I have to ask… and don’t think I’m TOO weird here… but are you a frosty/fry dipper? I always dip my fries in my frosty. That sweet and salty combo is just perfect, and there’s something fantastic about a perfectly crispy, salty fry scooping up some thick chocolate frosty.
Currently, I don’t have any French fries here on the blog, but it’s absolutely something I have planned this year. Plus, I’m working on a great copycat Wendys chili for the Fall!
HELPFUL TIPS TO MAKE THIS COPYCAT WENDYS FROSTY
- Make sure you soften the vanilla ice cream. Just leaving it out on the counter for 5-10 minutes should do the trick.
- If you don’t have nesquik powder, another chocolate milk powder (like Ovaltine) works well too.
- The recipe makes a frosty with a classically semi-melted consistency. If you prefer a “harder” or thicker frosty, use slightly less milk.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS COPYCAT FROSTY
- Blender – I’ve been using this blender for years and I love that it still works amazingly well!
- Nesquik – This is what you’ll want to look for.
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT OTHER READERS’ COMMENTS FOR TIPS AND REVIEWS.
AND DON’T FORGET, IF YOU’VE MADE THIS RECIPE, LEAVE A COMMENT AND PLEASE GIVE IT A STAR RATING LETTING ME KNOW HOW YOU ENJOYED IT!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
- 4 cups vanilla ice cream (softened slightly)
- 1 cup milk (I usually use whole)
- 8-9 tsp Nesquik powder
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to blender, cover, and blend until smooth and creamy (you may have to scrape the sides of the blender once, then blend again).
- Pour into serving glasses and serve with a straw or spoon.
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Chef Tips
Video
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Jerkface says
I had to laugh when I read the ingredients, hoping for something very similar to a Wendy’s Frosty. The reason I laughed? Because this recipe is exactly what I use to make my own milkshakes which taste nothing like a Frosty.
I rate this 1 out of 5 because it doesn’t taste anything like a Wendy’s Frosty.
I would rate this 5 for a darn good chocolate milkshake but it’s not a Frosty and does not deserve to be labeled as such.
I’ve tried the other recipe she mentions (with the Cool Whip) and it tastes much more like a Frosty.
Amanda says
What a lovely name you’ve chosen for yourself. We all have our own tastes, and it sounds like this wasn’t for you. No worries; can’t please everyone. Maybe you can come up with your own version of a Wendy’s Frosty, then create your own site to share it on 🙂
Michael Dunham says
I needed to use less milk so it was thicker like a Wendy’s frosty
Kathy says
My son was missing Wendy’s frosties! We haven’t gone anywhere in months due to covid, but this totally hit the spot!
Nancy says
I made a Frosty for one using 1 cup ice cream, 1/4 cup milk, & 2 heaping tsps of Swiss Miss( out of Nesqiuk). It was perfect!
Rimmy says
So good!! I’m a fries/frosty fan too! Yummmmm. I’m so sad we just ran out of mesquite powder because I want to make this again. Going to the store tomorrow! :):):):)
Jessica Moran says
Absolutely perfect! My family was craving frosties but restaurants were closed. I have made this recipe for other people as well and they all agree that this tastes just like a Wendy’s frosty (one person said it was better)!
Kathy says
Can you freeze these? I’d like to make individual servings for my mom that she can just pull out of the freezer.
The Chunky Chef says
Yes, you definitely can 🙂 She’ll want to let them sit in the refrigerator to semi-thaw to be the same frosty consistency, but the flavor will be the same.
Nazia says
Can you use nesquick chocolate setup as a substitute for the nesquick chocolate powder????🤨🤨🤨🥺
The Chunky Chef says
I’ve never used or seen nesquik chocolate setup, so I can’t say for certain if that would work.
Dg says
I think they mean chocolate syrup. I was wondering the same.
Kevin d Brown says
Yep. I bet autocorrect changed syrup to setup.
Wanda says
Yes I use nesquick syrup and it works perfectly.
Pat Hutchinson says
i think if you used chocolate malt it would taste more like a Wendy’s frosty
Christine brown says
You absolutely right the malt does taste like it !!
Olivia says
This is incredible!!! I used frozen vanilla yogurt, 1% milk and Ovaltine. It tasted like the ice dream at Chick-fil-A, but chocolate! CRAZY good! My family is in love!
Beth Mack says
I am hoping to try and cut the sugar back on this Frosty recipe.. I’m thinking I could use sugar-free vanilla ice cream and a low or sugar-free chocolate milk powder if I can find it. I’m wondering if the milk could go down a notch to say 2%? So has anybody done a version of this more suited to a diabetic? Unfortunately, I have to pass on it every time I am at Wendy’s.
The Chunky Chef says
I’ve not tested any of those, but I’m pretty sure they’d work alright 🙂
Olivia says
Tastes just like it but I would recommend not softening the ice cream mine came out too runny
The Chunky Chef says
All depends on how frozen your ice cream is to begin with 🙂
Lynn says
When fat is removed from food sugar is added, low fat or 2% milk has added sugar. To reduce sugar intake for a diabetic suggest whole milk and avoid “low fat” foods, always read the label.
Tammie B. says
This recipe is the REAL DEAL.
It works with coconut ice-cream and almond milk as well (I have milk allergies, but Nesquik has no dairy).
Thank you for this labor of LOVE!
Ginny says
I made the one with chocolate milk and cool whip plus condensed sweetened milk. I just mixed it and put in loaf pan and froze. It wasn’t as smooth but I ate every bit. Loved it.
Sherry Mann says
Can you use chocolate milk?
The Chunky Chef says
I’ve only tested this recipe as written, so I can’t say for certain that it would taste the same.
Ms. Lyons says
Thank you so much for this!!! Tastes exactly like Wendy’s and I can make a dozen for the price of two 😁😁😁😁
Gwendolyn says
Hey can we use cocoa powder instead?
The Chunky Chef says
I’ve only tested this recipe as written, so I can’t say for certain that it would taste the same.
Jessica @FitnessEquipmentsLab says
Hi Amanda, Oh my goodness – Just like Wendy’s! I used organic vanilla ice cream, organic 2% milk and Ovaltine and it came out perfectly!
amanda @ fake ginger says
My kids love Frostys! This recipe is going to be a summer staple!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This looks really refreshing! Perfect summer drink!
Dee says
Total frosty fry dipper here! I can’t wait to make these!
Jen says
I am totally going to make this right now! I used to love these but haven’t had one in forever!
wade says
hey jen you havent had one forever…..im confused….forever means for all future time…for always….so it sounds like you have never had one
Chelsea says
Wade, I’m confused, but you sound like a complete A&&…
Misty says
Hey Wade, not confused at all when I say you sound like a troll. . . . Or a high schooler with way too much time on their hands so they feel the need to criticize/make fun of others & the euphemisms they use. . . . Online, of course. The kind that wouldn’t dare talk to strangers like this to their faces.
Brenda says
Misty, I couldn’t have said it better. What a jerk.
Cameron says
The consistency is a little off but I was making it in hundred degree heat, but overall it is spot on.
Erin Dee says
This looks so yummy! What a great treat for the summer!
I Heart Naptime says
WOW, so easy and delicious! My kids would love this frosty recipe!