How to Foam Milk

Foamed milk is a great addition to drinks like coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. You can use a variety of methods to foam milk. Basic kitchen supplies like electric mixers, blenders, and whisks can be used to foam milk. You can even foam milk by shaking it in a glass jar until it becomes frothy.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Shaking and Microwaving to Create Foam

  1. Image titled Foam Milk Step 1
    1
    Fill a jam or Mason jar with cold milk. Fill the jar with as much milk as you like in your drink. However, since you need room for the milk to expand and foam, do not fill the jar more than halfway with milk.[1]
    • Use 2 percent or non-fat milk since these are easier to froth.
  2. Image titled Foam Milk Step 2
    2
    Shake the jar for 30 to 60 seconds. Place the lid on the jar. Shake the jar vigorously for 30 to 60 seconds, or until the milk has frothed and doubled in size.[2]
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  3. Image titled Foam Milk Step 3
    3
    Microwave the milk for 30 to 45 seconds. Remove the lid. Place the jar in the microwave uncovered. For a standard 1,000-watt microwave, microwave the milk for 35 to 40 seconds.[3]
    • For a microwave with a higher wattage, only microwave the milk for 30 seconds.
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    4
    Remove the jar from the microwave. Since the jar may be hot, use a dishtowel to remove it from the microwave. Pour the foamed milk into your coffee, tea, or hot chocolate as soon as possible.[4]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using an Electric Mixer

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    1
    Heat the milk on the stove. Pour your desired amount of milk into a pot. Place the pot on the stove. Set the heat to medium-low. Heat your milk until it reaches 150 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit (65 to 68 degrees Celsius). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.[5]
    • Use 2 percent, non-fat, or whole milk.
    • If you do not have a thermometer, then heat the milk until it starts to steam, but before it curdles. Milk curdles at 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius).
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    2
    Whisk the milk on low to medium speed. Remove the pot from the heat. Place the whisks of your electric mixer into the pot. Turn on the mixer and whisk the milk on low to medium speed. Whisk the milk until it reaches your desired frothiness, or has doubled in size.[6]
    • If you do not have an electric mixer, you can also use a handheld whisk to froth your milk. Vigorously whisk the milk in a back and forth motion until it begins to foam, about one minute.[7]
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    3
    Pour the foamed milk into your drink. As you pour the milk, use a spoon to hold back the foam. Then spoon the foam on top of your hot chocolate, tea, or coffee.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Foaming Milk with a Blender

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    1
    Heat the milk to 150 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit on the stove. Pour your desired amount of milk into a pot. Place the pot on the stove and set the heat to medium-low. Heat the milk until it starts to steam, or reaches 150 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit (65 to 68 degrees Celsius).[8]
    • If the milk begins to curdle then it is too hot and you will have to start over.
    • Use non-fat, 2 percent, or whole milk.
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    2
    Blend the milk on medium speed. Pour the milk into your blender and place the lid on top. Blend the milk on medium speed until it reaches your desired frothiness.[9]
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    3
    Spoon the foam on top of your drink. First use the spoon to hold back the foam as you pour the warm milk into your drink. Then spoon the foam on top of the drink. Garnish the foam with cocoa powder or cinnamon.[10]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using a Hand Pump Milk Frother

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    1
    Pour cold milk into the glass carafe. Pour the milk until it reaches the max line on the carafe. You can either use 2 percent, non-fat, or whole milk. However, whole milk works best for this method.[11]
  2. Image titled Foam Milk Step 12
    2
    Pump the milk for 30 to 45 seconds. Place and secure the lid with the plunger on top of the carafe. Vigorously pump the plunger up and down for 30 to 45 seconds, or until the milk is frothy. Then remove the lid with the plunger.[12]
  3. Image titled Foam Milk Step 13
    3
    Place the carafe in the microwave. Microwave the milk for 30 seconds for a standard 1,000-watt microwave. The microwave will heat the milk and stabilize it, making the foam a bit stiffer.[13]
    • Only place the carafe in the microwave if it is microwave-safe. If it is not microwave-safe, then preheat the milk on the stove to 150 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit (65 to 68 degrees Celsius) before pouring it into the carafe to pump.
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    4
    Remove the carafe from the microwave. Use a dishtowel to remove it from the microwave since the carafe will be hot. Pour the frothy milk into your favorite drink and enjoy.[14]
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References

  1. ↑ http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-froth-milk-for-cappuccinos-in-the-microwave-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-100716
  2. ↑ http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-froth-milk-for-cappuccinos-in-the-microwave-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-100716
  3. ↑ http://noshon.it/tips/how-to-foam-milk-without-frother-steamer/
  4. ↑ http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-froth-milk-for-cappuccinos-in-the-microwave-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-100716
  5. ↑ http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/8-ways-to-froth-milk/
  6. ↑ http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/8-ways-to-froth-milk/
  7. ↑ http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/8-ways-to-froth-milk/
  8. ↑ http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/8-ways-to-froth-milk/
  9. ↑ http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/8-ways-to-froth-milk/
  1. ↑ http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/8-ways-to-froth-milk/
  2. ↑ http://www.sweetestkitchen.com/2013/03/how-to-froth-milk-without-fancy-machines/
  3. ↑ http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/8-ways-to-froth-milk/
  4. ↑ http://www.sweetestkitchen.com/2013/03/how-to-froth-milk-without-fancy-machines/
  5. ↑ http://www.sweetestkitchen.com/2013/03/how-to-froth-milk-without-fancy-machines/

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 18,183 times.
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Co-authors: 4
Updated: September 15, 2021
Views: 18,183
Categories: Coffee
Article SummaryX

If you want to foam milk, pour whole, 2%, or non-fat milk into a pot, then heat it on medium-low until the milk reaches 155 °F, or until it starts to steam, but before it curdles. If you’re using an electric mixer, whisk the milk on low to medium speed until it doubles in size, or until it has reached your desired frothiness. If you’re using a blender, pour the milk into the container, place the lid on top, and blend on medium speed until the milk has doubled in size. For more tips, including how to foam milk in the microwave, read on!

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