Frothed milk takes drinks to the next level, but did you know that you can also froth oat milk?
The only catch is that oat milk has a very different composition to regular cold milk, so it's more challenging to froth milk with it.
Unfortunately, If you don't get it right you can actually ruin your drink so it's important to use the right method.
But don't worry, because we know everything these is to know about frothing oat milk and in this guide we'll show you how to do it the right way.
Can You Froth Oat Milk? (Does It Work Well?)
Yes, you can froth oat milk. In fact, it is actually one of the best plant-based milk you can use for frothed milk in hot drinks.
This milk substitute offers excellent thickness and creaminess that resembles the texture of dairy milk, which is why it is a perfect option for macchiatos and lattes.
At the same time, many people prefer the taste of oat milk to soy or almond milk in their coffee, especially for frothed drinks.
Is It The Same As Frothing Dairy Milk?
The process is similar, but frothing oat milk is more challenging than dairy milk frothing. This is all down to the composition of the milk types.
Dairy milk has a high fat and protein content which makes milk froth easily. These create a cold foam which gives the frothed cow milk its creamy texture.
It's also what makes frothed milk perfect for latte art.
Oat milk is made from whole, unprocessed, steel cut oats, predominantly consisting of carbohydrates, fats, and protein.
The thinner oat milk is much more watery and doesn't have the same fat and protein to maintain the texture of the steamed milk.
But even with fewer fats and protein, oat milk can still be foam; it’s just a bit more challenging to get the same amount of froth and air bubbles that you would get in cow’s milk.
The Best Oat Milk For Frothing
If you can, look for oat milk that is specifically made for frothing. This is usually find a store bought oat milk which is designed as a barista version of oat milk.
Compared to 'homemade oat milk', these have additional enzymes which help the oat milk to foam up and keep the structure of the foam for longer.
The water to oats ratio tends to be lower as well, so it's thicker.
You don’t have to buy this type of oat milk. Regular ones should work just fine for frothing; the yield isn’t just the same.
How To Froth Oat Milk? (Guide For Great Tasting Coffees At Home)
Frothing up oat milk may not be as easy as frothing dairy milk. However, it’s still easy to learn. You just need a little more patience.
Here's the best methods to do it yourself at home:
By Using A Blender/Food Processor
If you want to froth oat milk on a blender or food processor, all you have to do is pour oat milk in the device and set it at the highest speed.
This is the best method if you're making a foamy layer of oat milk for more than one drink.
Just make sure that there is enough room in the blender or food processor for the oat milk to build foam, but this shouldn’t be a problem unless you’re trying to froth a whole liter of milk.
It will take less time to froth a smaller amount of foam, so it’s best to only blend two drinks’ worth of oat milk at a time.
This is to ensure that you have a nice amount of foam in your drink if you’re making several.
Once the oat milk increases thickness and there’s enough foam for you to work with, pour the frothed oat milk into a microwave-safe tall bowl to heat it.
By Using A Hand Frother
If you have a handheld milk frother, you can create foamy oat milk. Just pour in some cold oat milk and froth it for about 30 seconds until it’s thoroughly mixed.
Next, heat it on the stovetop over medium heat for around 10 minutes while constantly stirring to avoid burning it down until you achieve the desired texture.
The texture can vary from foamy to cream, depending on how long you let it simmer before removing it from the heat. Once done, you can now create your favorite coffee drink.
By Using A Steam Wand
This is the method used in most coffee shops, and if you own an espresso machine, you can use its steaming wand to froth oat milk.
All you need is a milk pitcher and some oat milk, but you need some practice before achieving the right texture, so be patient.
If you don't own an espresso machine you can buy your own steam wand separately.
To start, put some cold water and turn on the steam wand until it’s hot enough for frothing (180F).
Next, pour out the excess water from your cup and add some oat milk to about an inch below where you will place your coffee.
Make sure that it’s not too much oat milk, or it might overflow as the milk rises and when you add other liquid ingredients.
Once you have achieved the right texture with the steam wand, pour in your coffee or add it to another container.
By A Microwave
This is the simplest method to froth oat milk, and you’ll only need a jar and microwave.
The first thing you need to do is look for a jar that could fit your foamed oat milk. Any jar will do; however, you need to ensure enough room for the amount of foam you want.
Generally, you need to have half or two-thirds of empty room in the jar to give the oat milk enough space to froth in.
Next, pour the appropriate amount of oat milk into the jar. Then, shake it to create the foam.
It can take you a few minutes to get the amount of froth you want, but the accurate time depends on how much milk you have in the jar.
Since you have to shake it by hand, choose a jar that’s light enough so you can shake it for a more extended period.
Once you have enough foam for the steamed milk, pour the frothed oat milk into a microwave-safe bowl and reheat it.
By Using A Whisk
Frothing oat milk using a whisk works the same way as using a hand frother. This milk frothing technique will take longer, but it will pretty much give the same effect.
You can do this by hand or use an electric mixer.
To do this, pour the oat milk into a large bowl or if you have a large enough microwave-safe bowl, use that instead. Whisk the oat milk until you see enough foam on it.
Again, this will take longer than other methods, so be patient and just whisk. Before you get foam, you’ll see bubbles forming first.
Just keep going until you see the milk froth. Once you have enough foam, stop whisking.
If you are using a microwave-safe bowl, heat it straight away to make your steamed milk. Otherwise, pour the frothed oat milk into a microwave-safe container and heat it.
What Makes Oat Milk Good For Coffee? (Difference Vs Alternatives)
Oat milk is great for those who are lactose intolerant and most oat milks are gluten free.
Compared to soy and other milk alternatives, oat milk is the closest you can get to dairy milk. Here’s how it compares to other plant-based milk:
Appearance
When it comes to appearance, oat milk can range from tan to gray, depending on how it was processed. Other milk alternatives are lighter and whiter in color.
However, the appearance of plant-based milk doesn’t affect its frothing capabilities. So, you shouldn’t be worried if your oat milk is a little bit darker or grayish than other milk.
Texture
Compared to other plant-based milk, oat milk has a thicker texture and gives a creamy mouthfeel that closely resembles dairy milk.
That’s why it’s easier to froth compared to other milk alternatives. But if you’re buying commercial oat milk, the texture can vary depending on the manufacturer.
However, if you are making your own oat milk, you can change the consistency by adjusting the ratio of water to oats.
Taste
When it comes to taste, oat milk has almost the same flavor as cow’s milk. However, it has an oaty aftertaste. It is also naturally sweeter than dairy milk but not as sugary.
It’s light compared to other alternatives like soy milk, so it works well with many coffee drinks.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Does oat milk froth better than almond milk?
Yes, oat milk froths better than almond milk. This is because it has a similar texture to cow's milk, making the foam form better.
Can you froth oat milk creamer?
Yes, you can froth oat milk creamer just like regular oat milk.
What's the difference between oat milk and barista oat milk?
Barista oat milk has more fat compared to regular oat milk. This is why it can produce a creamier texture that closely resembles dairy.
Does Oatly milk barista froth?
Yes, it does! Oatly Barista is fully foamable, making it easy for anyone (not just baristas) to foam oat milk.
Conclusion
Oat milk has a familiar flavor to dairy milk, and works well as a replacement. Plus, you can create foam with oat milk to give you a dairy free alternative for frothy coffee drinks.
It is basically the same method, but it does take a bit more time to make the best foam.
Hopefully this guide has helped to explain the process and you now feel comfortable whipping up some oat milk froth at high speed.
