Best non-dairy Milk for Frothing

If you are like most coffee drinkers, you want to enjoy a delicious latte or cappuccino without all the dairy.

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to dairy milk, you’re in luck because there are plenty of non-dairy options available. But with so many choices, it can be hard to know which one is best for frothing. 

The best non-dairy milk for frothing is here! With this guide, you’ll be able to make creamy and delicious espresso-based drinks with non-dairy milk – from oat milk to soy milk. We’ve tested them all so that you don’t have to.

Point of reference – Whole Milk

The four essential components in whole milk that contribute to the ability of froth are:

• Fat
• Protein
• Sugars
• Minerals

Out of these, fat and protein are the key elements to look for when choosing non-dairy milk for your espresso drinks.

Fat

Whole milk contains 3.5% milkfat, which is responsible for the rich and creamy texture that we all love. When milk is steamed, the fat molecules expand and create tiny bubbles of air. These bubbles are what give frothed milk its characteristic foam.

Many plant-based kinds of milk add fat to their products to approximate the taste and texture of whole milk. Almond milk, for example, often contains added oils like sunflower oil or safflower oil.

If you’re looking for non-dairy milk that will froth well, make sure to check the label and choose one that has a higher fat content.

Proteins

Protein also plays an important role in creating foam. While the proteins in milk are mostly casein, there are also whey proteins present. These whey proteins are responsible for the stability of the foam and prevent it from deflating quickly.

Whole milk also contains 3,4% -3,5% protein, which helps to stabilize the foam and prevents it from collapsing. When selecting non-dairy milk, look for one that has a similar protein content.

Other Components

Sugars and minerals help to sweeten the milk and give it body, but they are not essential for frothing.

When choosing non-dairy milk, make sure to select one that is high in fat and protein. The best non-dairy milk for frothing will have a similar fat and protein content to whole milk.

Whole milk is the best choice for frothing, but there are plenty of non-dairy alternatives that will work just as well. 

List of best non-dairy milk for frothing

Here’s a list of the best non-dairy milk options for frothing, perfect for creating creamy, foam-topped lattes and cappuccinos without using traditional dairy milk.

Our best choice is Oatly’s oat drink, which is specifically designed for baristas. This Swedish company’s oat drink contains 3% fat and 1,25% protein, which makes it ideal for frothing. This is the most popular choice among baristas and coffee shops.

Texture

The foam was very creamy and stable, with small bubbles. It was very easy to work with and had a smooth texture.

Taste

The taste was very mild and slightly sweet. It had a light oat flavor that wasn’t too overpowering.

Overall

This is our top choice for the best non-dairy milk for frothing. It’s specifically designed for baristas, and it produces great results. If you’re looking for a delicious and creamy latte or cappuccino, Oatly’s oat drink is the way to go.

If you’re looking for an alternative to Oatly, Pacific’s Barista Series oat milk is a great option. This oat milk has a similar fat and protein content (3.33% and 1.67%, respectively), which makes it ideal for frothing.

Texture

The foam was creamy and sturdy, with no big bubbles. It was simple to work with and had a pleasant texture.

Taste

The flavor was very light and slightly sweet. We detected a faint oat taste, but it wasn’t too strong. 

Overall

Pacific’s oat milk is a great alternative to Oatly. It produces great results and has a similar taste and texture. If you’re looking for delicious non-dairy milk for your coffee drinks, Pacific’s oat milk is a great choice.

If you’re looking for non-dairy milk that’s high in protein, Pacific’s soy milk is a great option. This soy milk has 2,1% protein, which is higher than most other plant-based milks.

Texture

The foam was creamy and stable, with small bubbles. It was the easiest to work with and had a smooth texture. This is the ideal option for novices since it’s the most simple to produce great foam.

Taste

The taste was very mild and slightly sweet. We detected a faint soy flavor, but it wasn’t too strong. It is the most similar to whole milk in taste out of all the options.

Overall

Pacific’s soy milk is a great choice if you’re looking for non-dairy milk that’s high in protein. It produces great results and has a similar taste and texture to cow’s milk. If you’re looking for an alternative to dairy milk, Pacific’s soy milk is a great choice.

Other types of plant-based milk

There are many other types of plant-based milk that can be used for frothing, but they might not produce the same results as the ones above. Soy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk are all popular choices, but they have a lower fat and protein content than whole milk. This means that the foam might not be as stable or creamy. If you’re looking for the best results, we recommend sticking to the milks that are specifically designed for frothing.

Almond milk

It is not the first choice for frothing, most of them are basically water with barely any almonds. Look very closely at the label to make sure there is a higher percentage of almonds. The more almonds, the more stable the foam will be. If possible, choose almond milk that contains at least 2% almonds. Almond milk has the least calories of all non-dairy milks that we’ve tested.

The safest choices are barista editions which are made specifically for foaming and have a higher fat content.

Coconut milk

The main issue with coconut milk is that it usually contains additives and preservatives that can negatively affect the foam. If you’re looking for the best results, we recommend choosing coconut milk that’s organic and doesn’t contain any added ingredients.

Another issue with coconut milk is that it has lower fat content than most other plant-based milks. This means that the foam might not be as stable or creamy. If you’re looking for the best results, we recommend sticking to the milks that are specifically designed for frothing.

Macadamia milk

It lacks fat and protein, which are essential for creating a creamy and stable foam. Some of us like its taste, but if you are looking for the best results, we recommend sticking to the milks that are specifically designed for frothing.

Cashew milk

It has a wonderful taste and is one of the most delicious plant-based milks on the market. It doesn’t have as much fat as some of the other selections. This implies that the foam may not be as sturdy or creamy as it would be if you froth oat milk. If you enjoy sweet and Nutty flavors, we recommend trying cashew milk in your coffee.

Rice milk

It is usually very thin and watery, which makes it difficult to froth. It also has a sweet taste that some might not enjoy in their coffee. It is also pretty high in calories.

Frothing Tips for non-dairy milk.

If you want to Froth any type of non-dairy milk, we recommend using a barista edition or one that is made specifically for frothing. These kinds of milk usually have a higher fat and protein content, which will produce better results.

When frothing any type of plant-based milk, it’s important to use a container that’s specifically designed for frothing. This will help to create a smooth and consistent foam.

If you’re having trouble creating stable foam, we recommend adding a small amount of vegetable oil to the milk. This will help to stabilize the foam and make it easier to work with.

Finally, don’t forget to preheat your milk before frothing. This will help to create a smoother and creamier foam. Heat it to about 140F degrees using a microwave or stovetop.

You may use whatever method you prefer for frothing. We recommend using an espresso machine, a french press, or a hand-held frother.

Espresso Machine

If you have an espresso machine at home, you can use the steam wand to froth your milk.

Turn on the steam wand and move it around in a circular motion. Be careful not to let the tip of the wand touch the milk, as this will create large bubbles.

Continue moving the wand until the milk is frothy and doubled in size.

French Press

If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use a French press to froth your milk.

Pour the milk into the French press and pump the plunger up and down vigorously. Continue until the milk is doubled in size and frothy.

Handheld Frother

Pour the milk into a jar or container and insert the frothing wand. Turn it on and move it up and down until the milk is frothy.

With these tips in mind, you should be able to create beautiful latte art with plant-based milk. experiment and find the milk that works best for you.

Why Won’t My Milk Froth?

If you’re having trouble getting your milk to froth, there could be a few reasons why.

One reason could be that your milk is too cold. Milk needs to be heated to around 140F degrees to froth properly. You can heat it using a microwave or stovetop.

Another reason could be that your milk doesn’t have enough fat. Plant-based milks that are specifically designed for frothing usually contain added fats, which help to create a stable foam. If your milk doesn’t have enough fat, you can try adding a small amount of vegetable oil to help stabilize the foam.

Check if the milk is fresh. If it’s been sitting in the fridge for a while, it might have gone bad and this could also be affecting the results.

Finally, make sure that you’re using a container that’s specifically designed for frothing. This will help to create a smooth and consistent foam.

Conclusion

The best non-dairy milks for frothing are oat and soy milk. They are both high in fat and protein, which makes them ideal for creating a stable and creamy foam.

Use our list to pick the best and safest non-dairy milk for your needs, whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or just want to cut down on dairy.

Just to recall the best milks we have found are:

1. Oatly – Oat Drink – Barista Edition
2. Pacific Food – Barista Series – Oat Original
3. Pacific Food – Barista Series – Soy Original

If you’re looking for non-dairy milk that’s lower in calories, we recommend trying cashew milk. It has a sweet and nutty flavor that goes well with coffee.

Rice milk is usually quite thin and watery, which makes it difficult to froth. It also has a sweet taste that some might not enjoy in their coffee.

Never be afraid to experiment with different non-dairy milks until you find the one that works best for you. And always remember to froth your milk properly to create beautiful latte art.