Name: Can You Froth Almond Milk?
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: almond milk

So, can you froth almond milk? Yes! But then again, it’s a little more complicated than a straight yes, so read on. I’ve also included directions (and step-by-step photos) on how to froth almond milk four different ways.

Out of all plant-based milks, almond milk is one of the best options when it comes to frothing milk. Some people will tell you that soy is the best for frothing, while others will say that soy is the worst.

However, it seems that almost everyone agrees that almond milk is a good choice.

To successfully froth almond milk, you just need to heat the almond milk a bit higher than you would dairy milk. If you’re a frothed milk aficionado, you might want to consider a few things before getting started: freshness, temperature, protein content, and fat content.

The higher the fat content, the more froth you get. And high protein content means the foam will last longer. So if you’re at the store comparing brands and one brand has more fat + protein than the others, go with that one.

Dairy vs. almond milk frothing

Since almond milk has a different blend of proteins and fat than dairy milk, it responds differently to frothing.

If you froth almond milk like regular dairy, the results might be lacking or chunky.

Many brands that produce almond milk offer a version specifically designed for frothing and use in coffee drinks, typically labeled as “barista almond milk.” The protein content is altered to improve frothing capabilities.

So, a coffee-specific variety of almond milk makes a big difference. If you’re looking for that perfect long-lasting foam for your morning cappuccino, then purchasing this frothing-specific almond milk is the best option.

But to be honest, I never use it.

Can I just froth normal almond milk?

Yes! And that’s what I’m going to show you today. Above, you can see that Silk Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk was used here.

I personally don’t like the gums in that product, so I use unsweetened plain almond milk that just contains water, almonds and salt. Note! This is the kind you need if you’re paleo or keto.

I always buy store-brand and get results that look like the pictures below. And I don’t even use fresh almond milk, but the shelf-stable kind.

By the way, Silk doesn’t have a barista almond milk edition in the US. In Canada, they do! It seems to be new.

I mentioned earlier that barista editions are your best option. That’s because I can’t guarantee that every brand of almond milk will froth as well as you see in my photos, but the barista editions should give you even more froth than what you see, regardless of brand.

Can I use cashew milk instead?

I rarely use almond milk and prefer cashew milk. My results aren’t quite as frothy as the pictures, but almost.

I’ve read a lot of people saying that cashew milk doesn’t work well for frothing, but it works well enough for me. And again, I use store-brand, shelf-stable, unsweetened cashew milk with just water, cashews and salt.

How to froth almond milk

It’s just like frothing dairy milk, but you warm the almond milk a bit higher. This is what you do:

Heat the almond milk to 150 °F (65 °C).

Place in a jar, mug or glass that’s large enough to froth the almond milk without making a mess.

Froth using an electric frother, handheld frother, a French press or a blender. Photos of each method are below!

Handheld milk frother

Heat the almond milk to 150 °F (65 °C).

Place in a jar, mug or glass that’s large enough to froth the almond milk without making a mess.

Insert the milk frother so the tip of the wand is close to the bottom of the cup.

Switch on the power button and move the frother up and down until the milk has doubled in volume.

Electric milk frother

If you want to use the heating function, you need to check the manual to see what temperature the milk is heated to. As I mentioned earlier, if the almond milk is not at the correct temperature, it won’t froth as well.

If you’re unsure of the temperature your electric frother heats milk to, you can always try a small amount and see if it works.

If you have a small amount of almond milk left and can’t risk wasting it, it’s best to heat the milk on the stovetop to the correct temperature first, and then select the frothing setting on the frother (rather than using the heat and froth function).

Pour your preferred almond milk into the electric milk frother. Ensure the level is positioned between the minimum and maximum markers.

Secure the lid and place the frother on the power base and switch it on.

Some brands will automatically switch off when they’re ready. If yours doesn’t, then stop it when it looks nice and frothy.

French Press

Pour almond milk that has been warmed to 150 °F (65 °C) into the bottom of the French press.

Place the press on a hard, flat surface.

Place the lid with the plunger on the press. Make sure the pouring outlet is closed.

Froth the almond milk by moving the plunger up and down until you reach the consistency of froth you want.

Allow it to rest for about a minute for the froth to thicken even more.

Blender

This one is your last choice. If you don’t have any of the three aforementioned tools (which all create foam about equally), a blender will suffice, but it doesn’t generate a substantial amount of foam.

Pour in almond milk that has been warmed to 150 °F (65 °C).

Blend at medium speed for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until frothy.

Tips

The most important factor when frothing any milk is temperature. If it’s too hot, you’ll wind up with a chunky texture, not that silky smooth goodness you want in your coffee. If it’s too cold, you won’t get much action.

The best way to ensure the best foam is to use a thermometer.
It’s crucial never to let almond milk come to a boil.
If you don’t have a thermometer, you can heat the almond milk for 30 seconds in the microwave and then froth. This is a rough estimate, as the exact time needed to reach the proper temperature will vary depending on the temperature of your milk, the size and material of your mug, the amount of milk you use, the wattage of your microwave, and other factors.
Keep in mind that cold almond milk will not froth as well as warmed almond milk.

I hope this answers your question! If you have any more, please leave them in the comments below, and I’ll get back with an answer. Enjoy!