Steamed Milk
Learn how to steam milk at home — with or without a steamer wand — for lattes, chai, steamers and more.
Servings 1 serving
Calories 37kcal
Ingredients
- ¼ cup milk dairy or non-dairy
Optional mix-ins
- 2 ounces espresso for a café latté, cappuccino or flat white
- ½ cup brewed chai tea for a chai latte
- ½ to 1 ounce simple syrup for a steamer drink
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon cocoa powder, sprinkles, or other toppings (optional)
Instructions
Steamer wand method
- Pour milk into a steaming pitcher. Submerge the steam wand just below the surface of the milk and turn on the steam. Keep the wand near the surface to incorporate air and build foam, then lower it to heat the milk through. Stop when the milk reaches 140–150°F (60–65°C).¼ cup milk
- Tap the pitcher on the counter and swirl to smooth out the foam. Pour into your drink immediately.
Microwave method
- Pour milk into a microwave-safe cup or jar. Heat in 20–30 second intervals, stirring between each, until warm but not boiling — about 140–150°F (60–65°C).¼ cup milk
- Use a handheld milk frother to froth until foamy. Pour immediately.
Stovetop method
- Pour milk into a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm gently, stirring occasionally, until steaming but not boiling — about 140–150°F (60–65°C).¼ cup milk
- Use a handheld milk frother to froth until foamy. Pour immediately.
Preparing drinks
- Cafe latte: Add a shot of espresso and simple syrup to a heatproof mug. Top with steamed milk and a thin layer of foam.2 ounces espresso, ½ to 1 ounce simple syrup
- Cappuccino: Add a shot of espresso and simple syrup to a heatproof mug. Top with steamed milk and a thick layer of foam.2 ounces espresso, ½ to 1 ounce simple syrup
- Flat white: Add steamed milk to heatproof mug, using less milk than a latte for a stronger, creamier drink. Top with a shot of espresso.2 ounces espresso
- Chai latte: Add steamed milk to brewed chai tea or a shot of chai concentrate.½ cup brewed chai tea
- Steamer drink: Stir a splash of simple syrup or flavored syrup into steamed milk and top with foam.½ to 1 ounce simple syrup
Notes
Milk temperature: Don't heat above 150°F (65°C) — overheated milk loses its sweetness and can taste scalded.
Frothing tip: For the frother method, fill the cup no more than halfway to leave room for the foam to expand.
Non-dairy milk: Oat milk and whole milk froth best — thinner milks like skim or rice milk produce less foam.
Reheating: Don't reheat steamed milk — it won't froth again and the texture will suffer. Steamed milk is best enjoyed immediately and doesn't hold well — the foam will deflate and the milk can form a skin on top as it sits.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5cup steamed milk | Calories: 37kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 92mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 99IU | Calcium: 75mg
