Oats are no longer what we thought of as “boring healthy food”. It started gaining popularity in recent years when vegan milk alternatives started coming into the picture. According to reports, it is the second most popular vegan milk alternative after Almond Milk.
But apart from it being the new trend, it has exceptional nutritional benefits. It is high in fiber, vitamins, and proteins, and serves as an excellent milk substitute for people who have allergies or are lactose intolerant.
One of the most commonly asked questions about oat milk from coffee lovers are, Can you froth Oat Milk, or If you can make latte art using Oat Milk? In this article we will be diving deep into the science behind frothing milk, Is it even possible to froth Oat Milk, and How to froth Oat milk with or without a milk frother?
The Science Behind Frothing Milk
Believe it or not, milk isn’t just plain liquid and 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℃.
Can You Froth Oat Milk?
After getting clarity on the science behind frothing Milk, this question is a no-brainer.
Yes, you can froth Oat Milk. The protein and fat content which largely affect the frothing of milk is present in Oat Milk. Even though the amount of protein present may be low when compared to conventional diaries, that does not mean you cannot froth Oat Milk.
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 the best alternative for dairy in coffee.
Learn more about if you can froth oat milk here!
How to Froth Oat Milk?
Now that we are clear on the science behind frothing milk, let’s see the different ways in which you can froth milk. One of the best and 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 Oat Milk Using A Milk Frother
There are mainly three types of milk frothers –Electric, Handheld, and Manual Milk frothers.
Here is a list of the 8 best milk frothers for oat milk – Check it out!
1. Electric Milk Frothers
Electric Milk Frothers are the most famous option if you want to get high-quality foam within seconds. Most electric frothers also serve as milk steamers.
The capacity of frothing milk can vary from 115ml of milk to 250ml. Electric devices are great for non-dairy milk like almond milk, oat milk, etc.
Most electric frothers have an auto-off feature which means after you pour the milk and turn on the machine, you can completely walk away while the device is frothing milk. Whether the device is dishwasher safe or not would vary on different brands and their style.
For example, the Breville Milk cafe has a detachable milk jug that is dishwasher safe. But, the Nespresso Aeroccino which is also a great Milk frother is not dishwasher safe.
How To Froth Milk In An Electric 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 oat milk using an Electric Milk Frother.
Step 1: This is the preparation stage, so begin by 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.
Recommended Electric Milk Frother – Breville BMF600XL Milk Cafe Milk Frother
The Breville Milk frother tops our list for Electric Milk frothers as it comes with amazing benefits and features. It is more on the expensive side of equipment but we feel the price is totally justified for the service it offers.
Special Features:
- It offers adjustable temperature settings.
- It is a fully automatic device
- The Milk jug is dishwasher safe, which makes it super easy to clean.
If you would like to look at other options for Electric frothers, Read our article on the Best Electric Frothers.
2. Handheld Milk Frothers
A handheld milk frother is the most commonly used milk frother. They are a battery-operated frother wand. It comes with a whisk on one end.
When you dip the whisk wand in milk, it helps incorporate air in the milk which creates small bubbles and milk foam. They come at a very reasonable price and create fairly good foam.
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 the 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 to 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.
Recommended Handheld Milk frother– Powerlix Milk Frother
The Powerlix milk frother is number one on our handheld milk frothers list for a reason. It is made of good quality stainless steel which means the product would not break easily. It has a really powerful motor that gives 19000 rotations per minute which means it can create creamy foam within seconds!
Special Features :
- It is made of stainless steel which ensures durability
- Powerful Motor can foam milk within seconds
- Easy to use and clean
3. Manual Milk frothers
A Manual Milk frother is a plunger-style frother. In appearance, they look very similar to a French press. It comes with a Milk carafe, a plunger and at the bottom of the plunger, there is a mesh screen.
When you add milk to the carafe and pump the milk using the plunger the mesh screen helps aerate the milk which creates milk foam.
Hand pump milk frothers are affordable, easy to use, and clean but it does require more effort in frothing milk than the electric or handheld milk frother.
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 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.
Recommended Manual Milk Frother –HIC Milk Creamer Frother
The HIC Milk Frother is a stainless steel frother that ensures durability. The product includes a frothing pitcher and a lid. The lid comes with a built-in double mesh aerator which helps in frothing the milk efficiently.
One of the great features of this milk frother is that it is dishwasher safe thus making it easy to clean. You can also heat milk on the stovetop in the pitcher
Special Features:
- Made of stainless steel
- Can be heated on the stove
- It is Dishwasher safe
Frothing Oat 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 Glass Jar
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 warm 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. You can also create the foam first and then pop the jar in the microwave for around thirty seconds, this way it might take you a little longer to create the foam.
2. Frothing Oat Milk Using A Microwave
To froth milk using a microwave involves two steps:
- Take a glass jar or microwavable jar and fill the half jar with milk. Close the lid tightly and shake the milk in the jar vigorously.
- After shaking the milk for around 1 to 2 minutes bubbles will start to appear and the milk will become frothy. Now pop the jar in the microwave for about 30 to 60 seconds.
This will give you soft and airy foam for your cappuccino! This method was a lot similar to the jar method mentioned in the beginning. The only difference was we used the microwave to stabilize the foam on the top, so it holds the foam for a longer period.
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 warm 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 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!
If you do not own a professional Milk frother you can use the above methods to create Milk foam. We cannot promise that these will give the best results, but they create decent foam to enjoy a good cappuccino.
Here are 9 ways you can froth milk without a milk frother!
Can You Get Cold Foam With Oat Milk?
Cold brew with cold foam is the newest coffee trend, that you’ve probably come across. Oat Milk has become the go-to substitute for coffee lovers, or people who prefer non-dairy milk.
It is also said to have exceptional nutritional benefits. But, can you froth oat 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.
Find out more about making cold foam using oat milk here!
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 summer.
Find out the recipe for this delicious icy beverage here!
Final thoughts
Oat Milk pairs wonderfully with the flavor of the coffee. The smooth texture of Oat Milk is perfect for enjoying beverages like cappuccino and latte. Learning how to froth Milk is one skill that every coffee lover should learn to enjoy deliciously crafted coffee beverages from the comfort of their home!
