Can You Froth Oat Milk? (What You Should Know)

Last Updated on June 15, 2023 by brewthatcoffee

We all know whole milk makes a delicious froth, but can you froth oat milk? Let’s dive into it!

Adding delicate layers of frothed milk to your coffee-based drink uplifts and enhances the experience. Oat milk is an increasingly popular non-dairy milk option over other plant-based alternatives like soy, almond, rice, or coconut.  

You can froth oat milk. However, it doesn’t produce the same creamy texture as dairy milk, and it’s challenging. Oat milk contains higher amounts of proteins and lipids than its non-dairy counterparts. So, the froth has a more desirable consistency. There are five ways to froth oat milk.

Generally, coffee drinkers prefer oat milk to the other options as its creamier without the distinct taste of soy, almond, and coconut. Frothing oat milk takes a little getting used to and some know-how. However, it’s simple to master. Just be mindful of the different milk consistencies.

Can You Froth Oat Milk?

Yes, you can froth oat milk. Oat milk is the best non-dairy plant-based milk alternative for frothing. It’s affordable and is high in lipid and protein content, more so than soy, almond, and rice milk. Yet, the froth quality isn’t as complex and creamy as dairy.

One thing to know about frothing oat milk is that it separates when heated. It’s essential to begin frothing immediately after you’ve warmed your milk.  

It’s best to use very cold oat milk. The low temperature allows the frothing process more time to build up a decent body of foam naturally. The colder the oat milk, the lighter and bubblier the froth. Some appliances require you to warm your oat milk first- don’t burn the oat milk.

Best Oat Milk For Frothing

Numerous online recipes detail how to make oat milk at home. Yet, many brands of store-bought oat milk have special enzymes that homemade oat milk doesn’t. These enzymes assist the body build-up of the oat milk froth.

Here’s a List of the Best Oat Milk Brands Available:

1. Oatly Barista Edition- This is the best option for frothing. Also, it’s the oat milk brand that Starbucks relies on. The Barista Edition’s unique nutrient ratio distinguishes it from other oat milk brand options. It has a slightly higher vegetable oil content- 3% compared to the traditional 2%.
2. Oatly Full-Fat Oat Milk- The full-fat Oatly Oat Milk consists of 3% fat. It’s sure to give your oat milk a plush foam texture.
3.  Califa Farms Oat (Barista Blend)- This oat milk is specifically designed for coffee-based treats like lattes and cappuccinos.
4. Planet Oat Oat Milk- This brand resembles dairy milk the most in the creaminess of both taste and texture.
5. Chobani (Plain Extra Creamy)- This is another oat milk brand formulated to produce a respectable foam body. Another advantage is that this brand doesn’t separate when heated.
6. Pacific Foods Oat Milk- This brand foams well and tastes creamy.

Why It’s Harder To Froth Non-Dairy Milk

The reason why it’s harder to froth non-dairy milk is that it has less fat. Additionally, dairy milk builds a better froth because it has more protein and lipids. The protein structures the bubbles in the foam, protecting them from bursting.

Compared to all the non-dairy milk alternatives- soy, almond, rice, and coconut- oat milk’s composition has a higher lipid and protein content. As a result, oat milk is the closest option to dairy milk and yields the most desirable froth, and it’s affordable.  

Premium plant-based milk alternatives like macadamia nut milk and cashew nut milk yield a richly textured foam body. But these are pricey, and some may find it too much of an indulgence for everyday use. 

5 Ways To Froth Oat Milk

Fortunately, there are many ways to froth milk, and you don’t need special equipment. The five following ways include both non-electrical and electrical appliances.

Using A Jar

One way to froth oat milk is with a jar and microwave. This is one of the simplest methods that doesn’t require sophisticated or expensive at-home kitchen utensils. An extra advantage is that it requires about a minute of your time.

It’s a good idea to use a mason jar. A mason jar is a tempered glass container with self-sealing rubber ringed lids and metal bands. There is an assortment of mason jar shapes and sizes- from four ounces to half a gallon.

It’s simple to froth oat milk using a mason jar. Pour about one-third of the oat milk into the jar and seal it. Then, shake the jar thoroughly, which will cause the milk to froth. Once you’re satisfied with the state of the frothed milk, remove the lid. Place the open jar into the microwave for 30 seconds.    

Using A Whisk

A whisk is a kitchen utensil that blends oat milk while introducing air into the mixture. Generally, every home has a whisk as it serves basic cooking requirements. Using a whisk to froth oat milk is inexpensive and effortless.

Unfortunately, a simple whisk takes longer and doesn’t produce the same full-bodied foam as an electric milk frother or mixer.

First, you must heat your oat milk. Make sure that it’s heated to scalding. The heating method isn’t important, and it’s up to you how you want to heat your milk. If you’re using a stove, pour the oat milk into a saucepan and heat the stove to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t allow it to simmer or burn.

Pour the heated milk into a baking bowl. Ensure it is large enough for your arm to whisk freely. Whisk the scalding oat milk into a luscious froth. Then, pour the contents into a pitcher and tap the pitcher on your kitchen tabletop to break up the larger bubbles. Pour the foam gently over your coffee.

Using A Food Processor

Using a food processor to blend oat milk requires simply pouring the oat milk into the appliance and setting the dial to the highest speed available. This method produces the best foam. Yet, it costs money to acquire one.

Ensure that the food processor has plenty of space to develop the froth. Typically, the processor has more than enough room. Yet, when frothing any milk type, it usually doubles in volume. It’s a good idea to froth for two cups at a time.

After the oat milk has frothed, place it in the microwave and nuke it for 30 seconds.

Using An Electric Mixer

It’s best to use a handheld electric mixer. These mixers are portable and straightforward to manage and clean. A handheld electric mixer is an excellent method to froth your oat milk quickly and neatly. They’re ideal for the oat milk viscosity.

First, you must get a microwave bowl bigger than the oat milk amount. The size is relevant as when you froth the oat milk, it expands, so you must accommodate for that. Heat your milk in the microwave until it’s scalding- at 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure it isn’t burnt.

Following that, pour your oat milk into a heatproof bowl. Then, place the mixer on the surface of the milk and turn on the lowest speed. This is to develop the body of the foam slowly. Steadily increase the speed, which allows more air into the oat milk mixture. Time is your biggest ally with this device.

Keep the mixture at the oat milk’s surface, ensuring air gets in and helps create your froth. It should take approximately two-and-a-half to three minutes to finish. Thoroughly clean your mixer. It won’t function efficiently if it isn’t properly cleaned.

Using A Blender

Blenders have a few advantages over electric mixers- they’re more affordable and versatile. Additionally, with a blender, you can produce reliable frothing results.

Firstly, you must use cold oat milk for frothing with a blender. Pour your oat milk into the blender pitcher about one-third of the way. Keep in mind that the oat milk will double in volume and have a sizeable frothy layer on top.

After you secure the pitcher lid, turn on the blender to its highest speed for 20 – 30 seconds. You’ll see froth quickly rising to the top of the oat milk. Remove the lid and pour the contents into a microwavable bowl. Heat the milk for thirty seconds.

Using A Hand Immersion Blender

For a hand immersion blender, it’s best to use cold oat milk. Pour the oat milk into a large baking bowl, giving you enough space to maneuver to the blender. Put the immersion blender in the oat milk, ensuring the blades are entirely submerged. Turn the immersion blender on at high speed.

Move the immersion blender up, down, and around the bowl, creating a whirlpool with the oat milk. Continue along the edges of the bowl and watch the oat milk transform into a creamy, frothy foam. The oat milk will double in volume, with a foamy consistency. Turn off the blender.

There is no need to heat the oat milk. Layer the froth over your favorite coffee treat.

What Makes Milk Froth?

The air introduced into the milk via various methods causes the bubbly, frothy mix. So when you shake, whisk, blend, or mix, you create a formula of air and milk- a light, airy milk froth.

Drinks For Adding Oat Milk Froth

Oat milk froth is a guilt-free indulgence for your coffee-based drinks. With either one or two espresso shots of high-quality arabica, oat milk froth is a creamy plant-based substitute to enrich your coffee. Of course, you can always add syrups like Torani syrups or flavor extracts.

Here’s a list of drinks for adding oat milk froth:

• Cappuccino– Cappuccino uses steamed milk as well as frothing. It’s important to distinguish between the two. Steamed milk is heated milk, while frothing introduces air into the heated milk. Swirl one espresso shot with your steamed and frothed oat milk and layer the froth.
• Latte– Depending on your mood, choose either one or two espresso shots and pour the heated oat milk frothing mixture over the espresso. Then top with the remaining delicate froth.
• Matcha– This uses one shot of green tea matcha powder mixed with steamed oat milk and layered with the oat milk froth.
• Macchiato– Macchiatos are simply two espresso shots topped with a layer of oat milk froth.

Frothing Oat Milk vs. Other Plant-Based Milks

Of all the other non-dairy, plant-based alternatives, almond milk is the most difficult to froth as its fat content is comparatively low. However, if done right, it does make a luscious foam. The almond nut addition makes any coffee drink delectable. Rice milk is also a poor option.

Soymilk has a lower protein content than dairy and oat milk. As mentioned above, the protein reinforces the bubbles and protects them from bursting. Soymilk froth is at an immediate disadvantage. However, it does froth.

Coconut milk is a good protein and fat source. It’s full of vital saturated fats- a healthy option. Coconut milk produces a creamy froth with a distinct nutty taste. It’s one of the better non-dairy milk alternatives.

Oat milk is the superlative frothing option. Oat milk is heavy in sugars, fats, and proteins compared to other plant-based alternatives. Therefore, it makes the most textured full-bodied froth.

Frothing Oat Milk FAQs

Here are answers to a couple of oat milk frothing questions.

Conclusion

Oat milk is the better non-dairy alternative to froth as it contains higher lipid and protein amounts than other plant-based milk alternatives. Fortunately, simple kitchen appliances offer many ways to froth oat milk. Oatly Barista Edition is the most recommended store-bought oat milk brand that Starbucks also uses.

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Resources

Oat Milk Nutrition Facts (verywellfit.com)

Oat Milk: How to Make It, Plus Nutrition and Benefits (healthline.com)

Six Of The Best Barista Style Milk Alternatives For 2020 (forbes.com)