How to Foam Milk

Co-authored by Jaden Zhao

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
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]
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- Use 2 percent or non-fat milk since these are easier to froth.
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
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]
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- For a microwave with a higher wattage, only microwave the milk for 30 seconds.
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

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]
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- 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).
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]
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- 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.
- Keep in mind that this type of foamed milk won't work well for latte art.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Foaming Milk with a Blender

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]
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- 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.
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

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]
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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]
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- A pump frother can work if you're looking to make cold foam.
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]
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- 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.
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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