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How To Froth Milk Without Frother: 7 Ways

Published by: Chef Matty Riedel • Updated: October 26, 2023

That delicious cup of coffee tastes great when it has a little froth on it. But sometimes, we have a coffee machine at home but not a frother. When you get used to it, you want it all the time. Most good things make us feel that way. But that doesn’t mean you have to head out and buy a frother. So, if you got on the internet looking for options, well, you’ve certainly come to the right place. Making a DIY version of it is actually quite easy. Ok so how to froth milk without frother?

How To Froth Milk Without Frother

There are plenty of ways (we found 7!) to keep your coffee authentic with a little bit of frothed milk using any of the techniques we will talk about. As they say, let’s begin without further ado.

1. Shake The Jar

The easiest, cheapest and the most obvious way is sometimes the best answer to your problems. That holds true even for the lack of a frother. If you want your milk to be frothy, all you need is a good jar with a lid. You don’t need anything other than the things you see in your kitchen every day.

What You’ll Need

  • Milk
  • Cup
  • Container with a tight-fitting lid

If you don’t have a jar with a lid, you can still froth your milk using an insulated mug or flask. This is especially useful when you are dealing with hot milk because you don’t want to risk burning your hands. It’s not enough to be creative, you have to be smart too.

Of course, if you are not confident about your shaking skills, especially with hot milk, you can always shake cold milk and then heat it. Here’s how you do it.

  • Step 1: Get a container like a water bottle, mason jar, or flask with an airtight lid. Empty milk bottles are also a good option.
  • Step 2: Warm the milk in a microwave or on the stove. Basically, whichever way you do it usually.
  • Step 3: Pour the heated milk into the container of your choice to less than half its capacity. This is very important.
  • Step 4: Close the container and shake it vigorously.
  • Step 5: Do this for about 45 to 60 seconds to make sure the milk froths.
  • Step 6: Pour the end result into your cup.

2. Using A Hand Whisk

Here’s another easy way of frothing your milk without a frother. That’s by using a hand whisk and here’s how you do it.

  • Step 1: Heat the milk so that it is a little warm. Don’t overheat it.
  • Step 2: Get a bowl that is wide and pour the milk into it. Once again, make sure that the bowl is filled only to half its capacity. And that’s the maximum.
  • Step 3: Take your hand whisk and move it gently in a circular fashion. As the foam starts to form the volume will increase, so be mindful of that.
  • Step 4: Pour the end result into a cup when you like the amount of froth and you are done.

3. Using A Regular Blender

This is yet another appliance that is usually there in many kitchens. So, if you have a blender in your house, your problem is solved. You just need to keep a couple of things in mind.

  • Step 1: As usual, you should warm the milk to medium heat.
  • Step 2: Pour the milk into a container that is meant for your blender. Don’t fill up the container to more than half its capacity because the steam will need some space.
  • Step 3: Once you switch on the blender, you will see that the froth starts to form in about a minute.

4. Using An Immersion Blender

Now, if you have an immersion blender or a stick blender, you can follow pretty much the same procedure to froth your milk. Here’s how you get the details right.

  • Step 1: As mentioned before, you need to warm the milk a little bit.
  • Step 2: Pour the warm milk into a large and deep pot.
  • Step 3: Put the stick blender into the milk such that the blades are submerged in the milk.
  • Step 4: Keep the blender on low mode and keep going till the milk is frothy enough.

The only problem with this method is that it can get a bit messy if you don’t get the proper container. You might spill the milk and if you don’t keep it just warm you might end up with injuries. That’s why the pot has to be deep. Very deep.

5. Using A French Press

French press is a favourite among some coffee drinkers but it has more uses than just making amazing coffee. You actually can use it to make some delicious froth to go with your cup of coffee. Here’s how you do it.

  • Step 1: Take the lid off the chamber using a plunger.
  • Step 2: Add milk to the chamber to less than half its capacity as usual, except this time, the milk doesn’t have to be warm.
  • Step 3: Make sure the plunger is still pulled but put the lid back on.
  • Step 4: Adjust the plunger such that there is no air inside the chamber.
  • Step 5: Keep pumping and in no time you will see the foam form on top of the milk.

If you used cold milk to do this, you will need to warm it using a microwave or a stove. Make sure that the pumping process is vigorous so that you don’t have to spend too much time doing it. The gap you leave in the chamber is to make sure that there is enough space for the froth when it forms.

And finally, leave the frother milk in the chamber for about a minute before you proceed.

6. Using A Microwave

This is another easy way and you don’t need any appliances at all apart from the microwave itself.

How To Froth Milk Without Frother: in a jar
  • Step 1: Get a microwave-safe container like a mason jar and pour milk into it.
  • Step 2: Warm the milk in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
  • Step 3: Remove it from the microwave, make sure the jar isn’t too hot and shake it until you see the froth.

You can also use this method for a small-sized canning jar. And remember not to put  a lid on the container when you warm it. Once again, the milk should not be at boiling temperature but only warm.

7. Using An Electric Mixer

You can also use an electric mixer instead of a hand mixer to get the same kind of froth. In fact, this is a better way to froth your milk compared to the hand whisking technique.

How To Froth Milk Without Frother - in a blender?

How To Froth Milk Without Frother: The Bottom Line

Frothing cold milk is also an option. In fact, it is easier than frothing warm milk. All you need to do is warm it after frothing the milk so that it’s a perfect addition to your cup of coffee.

Whether you warm it on a stove or microwave, you should remember not to boil it. Just make it warm and then go about your business. These are some of the easiest ways to froth milk without a frother. And coffee lovers all over the world will be happy not to purchase another appliance for this little sip of heaven.

Chef and Restaurant Owner Matty Riedel
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