Learn how to froth milk without a frother or fancy coffee machine. You can use a hand-held immersion blender or a regular stand blender to make foamy frothed milk like your favorite coffee shop.

These days, with more time at home and time to experiment in the kitchen, I’ve noticed a lot of people are choosing to tackle big projects like homemade bread, pasta and other cooking adventures that are challenging and, I’m sure, totally satisfying.
And then I’m over here with the attention span of a gnat wondering how I can doctor up a box of macaroni and cheese or make soup with five pantry ingredients. We all handle times of uncertainty in different ways – some people write novels and some people are just happy to recall, with accuracy, what day it is.
But, I have been tinkering and thinking about simple things that could a little brightness to each day and, for me, that’s been frothing milk for coffee. It’s a little thing, but somehow dressing up my plain-Jane mug of coffee with a frothy, foamy cap of milk has offered some nice moments. Is it at the same level of making your own sourdough starter? Nope. But, I think we should pace ourselves – we can always work up to more challenging projects.
How to Froth Milk (without a Frother)
It isn’t hard to do and you can totally do a DIY version with a microwave and a blender – either a stick blender or stand blender. You also don’t have to make shots of espresso to make an “authentic” coffee drink. I just use my regular old drip coffee and dress it up with frothed milk.
I sort of modeled this after a cafe au lait, which is equal parts coffee and milk. So, for me, I like about 1/2 cup of each per serving.
Instead of steaming the milk, I just warm it up in the microwave first. It takes between one and two minutes – you want to heat it so it’s steaming hot but not to the point that it starts to boil. Depending on your microwave you may need more or less time. You can also warm it on the stove.
Once it’s hot, you can “froth” it using an immersion blender (my favorite way) or a regular stand blender.
- If you use a stick blender, the head will need to be completely emerged in the milk so choose a narrow container with tall sides. The tall sides will prevent the milk from spilling out.
- Blend continuously until it starts to foam – it only takes about a minute.
- You can also use a regular blender. Just pour the milk in and process until it turns foamy.
To get that nice, frothy top pour the milk into your coffee using a spoon or knife to hold back the foam. Then, spoon the foam on top.
About the Milk
The best is whole milk, but it will work with 2% milk, too.
I have also tested it with almond milk which sort of works. You will get some froth, but not as much as regular milk. One thing I like about the almond milk version is that it has a really wonderful nutty-scent when you warm it up.
Of course, you can gussy-up your drinks with a dusting of cinnamon over the top or a sprinkle of grated chocolate if you’re feeling fancy-like.
Happy frothing ☕


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How to Froth Milk
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
You don’t need a fancy coffee machine or frother to make foamy frothed milk for your coffee. This DIY foamed milk is easy and a nice way to dress up your coffee.
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee
Instructions
- Heat the milk in a microwave safe measuring cup (like pyrex) or bowl for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. You don’t want to milk to boil – it should be steaming hot when it’s ready. Depending on your microwave you may need more or less time. You can also warm the milk in a saucepan on the stove.
- Immersion blender: if you use this method, pour the hot milk into a narrow container with high sides. The milk should cover the head of the immersion blender. Run the blender for a minute or two or until the milk has developed a frothy foam.
- You can also use a regular stand blender, just pour the milk into it and pulse several times until the milk bubbles and foams.
- Pour the coffee into the mugs. Pour the frothed milk (use a spoon to hold back the foam) and then spoon the milk foam on top. If you want to get fancy garnish with a dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder.
Notes
You can also use 2% milk or almond milk. The milk might not be as frothy and thick, but it will work.
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of recipe
- Calories: 76
- Sugar: 6.2g
- Sodium: 54.8mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5.8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 12.2g
Keywords: how to froth milk, frothed milk with an immersion blender
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