If you too have been swooning over iced oat milk matcha latte and oat milk coffee, then you have come to the right place. All the latte, cappuccino, and other specialties have one thing in common – Milk Foam.
When trying to make one of these amazing coffee beverages at home, you must have come across this common question: Can you froth oat milk? Yes, you can froth Oat Milk. The protein and fat content, which largely affects the frothing of milk is present in oat milk. Even though the amount of protein present in oat milk is lower than compared of cow’s milk, oat milk still does a great job at creating milk foam.
To give a clear comparison 1 cup of oat milk has around 6% protein, while 1 cup of whole milk has 15% protein. So due to the difference between the nutritional values in regular milk and vegan milk, the texture and taste will be different. But it is also said to be one of the best alternatives for dairy in your beverages.
What Is Frothed Milk?
Frothing milk is the process of aerating the milk, which then results in bubbles forming around the milk. This creates a light and frothy texture resulting in milk foam. Most milk-based beverages that are served in cafes need milk foam.
Science Behind Oat Milk Frothing – Everything You Need To Know
Believe it or not, milk isn’t just plain liquid. There is a whole science behind why and how milk foams. The process of foaming milk involves incorporating air into the milk while heating it. This causes the milk to create spheres around the air and then the protein in the milk stabilizes the bubbles that are the foam.
Let’s look at the main factors responsible for the soft creamy foam on your cappuccino and latte.
Milk Nutrients
Milk is a complex liquid and consists of several chemical compounds. Any kind of milk will have three basic macronutrients – Protein, Fats, and Carbohydrates. The protein in the milk is one of the most important contributing factors that result in foamy milk.
When frothing milk air is incorporated into the milk, during this process the protein in the milk forms spheres around the milk and stabilizes the bubbles in the form of milk foam.
The fats in the milk impact the quality of the milk more than the quantity of foam in the milk. All forms of milk can foam regardless of their fat content.
The underlying difference here is that milk with higher fat content such as whole milk will create a more soft and creamy foam. While milk with less or no fat content such as skim milk will create dry foam.
Temperature
The temperature at which the milk is steamed or frothed can adversely affect the milk foam.
If you foam milk at a lower temperature than the one recommended the foam will be thin and the bubbles will not be stable. If you overheat the milk while frothing the protein will unwind and also result in unstable milk foam.
Therefore to achieve the perfect foam, the heating temperature of milk makes a huge difference.
The ideal temperature when frothing whole milk is between 139℉ to 150℉. And when foaming Oat Milk the ideal temperature is 149℉/ 65℃.
Difference Between Frothed Milk & Steamed Milk
The main difference between frothed milk and steamed milk is that frothed milk has a light and airy milk foam perfect for a cappuccino. Steamed milk, on the other hand, creates a thick and creamy microfoam which results in a shiny velvet-like structure perfect for lattes.
Key Differences:
To understand how frothed Milk is different from steamed Milk, let’s discuss some key differential points:
Process
The process of steaming milk is a little more complicated than frothing milk. During the process of steaming the milk is heated and milk is exposed to steam. Due to the high pressure of the steamer, the fats in the milk expand and create foam.
While with frothing milk, the air is incorporated into the milk which creates larger air bubbles in the milk resulting in light and airy foam.
Texture
Frothed Milk has a light and airy structure. It is more suitable for drinks like cappuccino as it requires milk foam in larger quantities. When frothing milk it doubles in volume and creates larger air bubbles and milk foam.
On the other hand, the texture of steamed milk is thick and velvety. The process of exposing steam to the milk creates smaller bubbles in the milk so it does not double in volume. Steamed milk is perfect for drinks like a latte or flat white.
Temperature
With frothed Milk, there can be both cold as well as hot milk froth. But, with steamed milk, it is always hot.
Different Coffee Drinks – Steamed or frothed?
| Coffee | Proportions |
| Cappuccino | Made of 1 part espresso, 1 part steamed milk, and 1 part milk foam. |
| Latte | Made of ⅓ espresso, ⅔ steamed milk, and a small layer of milk foam. |
| Mocha | Made of 1 part espresso, 1 part hot chocolate, and 1 part steamed milk. |
| Macchiato | Made of a shot of espresso and topped with foamed milk. |
| Flat white | Made of 1 part of espresso and 2 parts of steamed milk. |
Can You Get Cold Foam With Oat Milk?
Yes, you can make cold foam with oat milk. Cold Foam is made with non-fat milk, which means a dairy-free version of cold foam can certainly be ordered or made.
The process required to make oat milk cold foam at home is simple and can be made with easily available equipment at home.
We wrote an article on how can you get cold foam with oat milk at home – Read it here.
TOP Methods To Froth Oat Milk With Or Without A Frother?
One of the best and most common methods is to use a Milk Frother to foam milk, but if you do not have a Milk frother we will also be talking about how you can foam Milk without a Milk Frother.
Frothing Milk Using A Milk Frother
There are mainly three types of Milk frothers – Electric, Handheld, and Manual Milk frothers.
1. How to froth milk in an electric milk frother
The process of frothing Milk in an Electric frother is simple and can vary on different devices. But, they have a simple and basic approach and shouldn’t take you a lot of time to figure out.
Here is a step-by-step instruction on how to froth almond milk using an Electric Milk Frother.
Step 1: This is the preparation stage, so begin with pouring milk into the milk jug of the frother. For the quantity of milk to be poured follow the markings on the frother. Most automatic milk frothers come with a marking on the vessel indicating the maximum quantity of milk to be poured so ensure the quantity of milk is right.
Step 2: The next step involves setting the temperature and froth density. Most high-end milk frothers come with temperature settings. This is really helpful especially when a different type of milk requires different temperature settings.
Step 3: Honestly, there is no step 3. Once you have turned on the machine, the frother will do its own job. Most electric frothers are fully automatic so if you have a model that has an auto-off feature you can walk away and let the frother do its own thing.
Once the Milk has become all frothy, transfer it to your coffee cup and enjoy!
TIP: The best way to go about using an electric milk frother is to follow all the instructions carefully given by the manufacturer and follow all the tips given in this guide, this will save you a lot of time and energy.
2. How to froth milk using a handheld milk frother
A milk frother wand is a perfect option if you want an easy no-fuss frothing solution. It is easy to use, battery-operated and portable
Step 1: Heat your Oat Milk up to 149℉/ 65℃. If you do not have a thermometer, just heat it to the point it’s warm or you see bubbles on the side of the pan. Do not let it boil. Take it off the heat and add the milk to a frothing pitcher or milk jug.
Step 2: Before beginning to use the wand make sure to take it near your kitchen sink and purge it first. This will remove any excess water from the wand which would avoid watering down your milk. Place the frother wand above the milk and dip its head below the milk. Do not dip it too deep into the container as it will make a loud noise and also will not give you the consistency for the foam. Now, switch on the frother and hold it in its place.
Step 3: Tilt your pitcher slightly if you are comfortable, if not hold it straight. Next keep frothing for around 40 to 60 seconds or until you see bubbles forming and milk getting frothy.
Step 4: Since the frother and pitcher are both open you can keep checking on your progress. You may choose to move the wand in circular motions. Once you have reached your desired consistency of foam you can switch off the frother. Transfer the foamy milk into your cup of coffee and enjoy!
Quick Tip
Grooming foam
Even after the best practices and using the best milk frothers we have noticed that there are some larger bubbles in the foam. A quick tip on the container usually helps eliminate the larger bubbles. This method however won’t work if the frothing was not done right and there are several larger bubbles.
3. How to froth milk using a manual milk frother
A manual milk frother is another great method to froth any form of milk. Especially if you do not want to invest in heavy equipment. It does not require any electricity or battery and does a pretty decent job at foaming milk.
Step 1: Prepare the hot or cold milk that you want to froth as per your preference. If you want to use hot milk, heat it to the right temperature. Now, fill the carafe with the milk. Some models of the manual frothers do have a marking indication for the quantity of the milk to be poured. However, if it does not contain a marking fill it up to one-third of the vessel.
Now attach the lid or cap of the frother. Make sure that it is placed correctly so that the milk doesn’t spill while frothing.
Step 2: Once everything is set and in place. Start pumping the plunger up and down. Building up to your speed. The faster you pump the more aerated the milk will become and hence resulting in more froth. However, remember to temper your strength as you are the force behind manual milk frothers, and putting too much pressure may result in damaging the frother especially if you’re using a milk frother that has a glass body.
Step 3: After around 30 seconds stop and check your progress. If it still requires a few more seconds of plunging to get the perfect froth, you may froth for longer.
Once you’re satisfied with the consistency of the foam you can transfer it to another vessel or pour it on top of your coffee.
Milk Frothers are extremely efficient in frothing milk. If you enjoy creating milk foam for your morning coffees it is a must. Here is a list of 8 Best Milk Frothers for Oat Milk – Click Here.
Frothing Milk Without A Milk frother
While there are several ways you can froth milk, we will be talking about the top 3 ways you can get foamy Oat Milk without using a Milk Frother.
1. Frothing oat milk using a hand blender
Using an immersion blender is one of the most commonly used methods for blending soup or gravy. While this may seem like an easy method, it can create a huge mess in your kitchen if not done carefully.
To begin with, take cold milk in a pot or a milk jug, immerse the hand blender in the milk and switch it on. Let it blend for around 60 to 120 seconds to get foam on your milk. Be sure to be very careful while blending the milk as the consistency of the milk is lighter than any soup or gravy, hence it can splatter all over while blending.
You can use the blender for longer if you feel you have not gotten the desired result. This process creates a very light and airy foam on top of the milk and air bubbles are usually larger but it works if you’re looking for lightly foamed milk.
2. Frothing oat milk using a mixer
Using a blender to froth milk is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get creamy foam on milk. If you have ever noticed before when you make a milkshake in a blender, once you’re done blending it forms small bubbles on top. This is how we get frothy milk using a blender.
Pour cold milk into a blender and blend it at high speed for around 60 seconds. After 60 seconds bubbles will start to appear, if you need more foam on top blend it again for a few seconds. This shall get you good results for cold foam.
3. Frothing oat milk using a french press
Using a french press to froth milk is similar to using a manual milk frother. A french press comes with a plunger and a built-in filter that has tiny holes in them. It is used to filter coffee grounds and separate them from the water.
Surprisingly a french press can be used as an excellent milk frother. The process involved in frothing milk is similar to the manual milk frother. Put milk in the french press, the quantity of the milk should not be more than one-third of the equipment.
Now, take the plunger and pump it up and down continuously. The longer you continue pumping the frothier the milk will become. In about 60 seconds you should have a good frothy milk consistency, now you can use it for your coffee!
4. Frothing oat milk with a glass jar or a shaker
Using a glass jar or a shaker bottle is the easiest method to froth milk without a milk frother. The process is really simple, fill the jar with milk. The quantity of the milk should be around two-thirds of the jar, not more than that. Now shake the jar vigorously.
As you begin shaking the jar bubbles will start to appear, the more you shake the more air will get incorporated, and the frothier the milk will become. Once you are done with the process you can pour it over your coffee.
Also Read: How To Froth Oat Milk With Or Without A Milk Frother
Cold Brew Coffee With Cinnamon Oat Milk Foam Recipe
Who doesn’t love a nice iced coffee? This refreshing cold brew with cinnamon oat milk foam is all you need this summer. It is delicious, easy to make, and perfect for summers.
Find out the recipe for this delicious icy beverage here!
Conclusion
Whether you are a vegan or lactose intolerant, Oat Milk is the perfect alternative to cow’s milk. It is thick and delicious, filled with nutritious properties. There is just so much you can make with oat milk.
Whip a nice latte or cold brew with oat milk foam – oat milk tastes good with everything. Try out the above methods to froth oat milk at home and prepare cafes-style beverages at home with ease.
