I was surprised to learn that there are quite a lot of milk frother uses aside from creating that barista-quality foam for coffees. As an avid coffee drinker, I purchased a milk frother so that I can make cappuccinos, lattes, and my other favorite creamy Starbucks drinks right at home.
Little did I know that this handy device would be a gem to have in my kitchen for many reasons. From enhancing a wide range of beverages to helping whip up simple meals, there are plenty of uses for a milk frother – some of which might even surprise you.
In this article, let’s explore the different creative milk frother uses to help you make the most out of your tool. If you don’t have a milk frother yet, I also shared some reasons why you absolutely need one, whether you’re a coffee drinker or not.
Why You Need A Milk Frother At Home
A milk frother is a versatile kitchen gadget designed to create a rich, creamy foam by incorporating air into milk. The milk foam is typically used to enhance the flavor and texture of different coffees and other frothy drinks. Milk frothers come in various types, including handheld, manual, and automatic models, each offering different levels of convenience and control.
The first time I learned how to use a milk frother wand, I almost didn’t put it down. It was fall, so I made my fall-themed coffee recipes throughout the season. This continued over the holidays and my family enjoyed our Christmas coffees with a delicious, velvety milk froth on top every time. Needless to say, the milk frother became an essential tool in our kitchen.
As time passed by, I discovered its versatility, which made me love it even more. So if you’re contemplating whether to buy a milk frother or not, perhaps these reasons can convince you to finally get one.
Enhanced Coffee Experience
If your favorite coffee makes you smile every morning, imagine what your reaction would be if it’s topped with a delightful creamy milk foam. The added texture and richness can transform an ordinary cup into a cafe-quality drink, making your coffee experience feel more indulgent and luxurious. If you want to take it even a step further, try doing some latte art using your milk frother!
Convenience
Milk frothers exist for one reason – to make frothing milk easier and more convenient. Before they became available, one had to whisk warm milk vigorously by hand for minutes just to create milk foam. And that’s just for one cup of coffee!
A milk frother offers the convenience of quickly creating the perfect foam for your drinks with minimal effort and in the comfort of your own kitchen. On top of that, a milk frother is light, portable, and easy to use – no need for a big, clunky kitchen appliance to make great coffee!
Versatility
As mentioned, a milk frother can be used to make a variety of both hot and cold drinks with ease. Beyond coffee options, this tool can also be used to enhance other beverages such as hot chocolate, matcha lattes, and milkshakes.
Additionally, this versatile tool is also ideal for making non-dairy milk alternatives more appealing for those who are avoiding dairy or have lactose intolerance. It can froth non-dairy milks like oat, cashew, coconut, soy, quinoa, and almond milk, giving it a creamy and delicious texture.
Cost-Effectiveness
A milk frother allows you to create cafe-quality drinks right at home, which helps you save money. Even if you usually order the cheapest coffees in Starbucks, you’ll still spend less if you make your own. Not only that, but you get to customize your drinks just the way you like it – you can control the ingredients and avoid added sugars or any unhealthy additives.
Creative Culinary Uses
It turns out that a milk frother is not limited to just beverages. It’s a handy tool that can be used in both everyday cooking and personal culinary projects. A frother can whip the right amount of air into your food, giving it a light and fluffy texture. It’s also ideal for stirring liquids thoroughly and removing lumps from mixtures.
You can create something as simple as whipped cream for drinks and desserts or as special as an emulsified sauce for a gourmet dish. So if you like experimenting in the kitchen, you’ll find a milk frother useful.
Creative Milk Frother Uses To Try
Now it’s time to learn the different milk frother uses! Let’s explore the various innovative ways you can use your milk frother, from making amazing drinks to enhancing your kitchen creations.
Homemade Beverages
Aside from coffees, you can use your milk frother to make an upgraded version of many homemade drinks. So even if you’re not a coffee drinker, you’ll still benefit from having one in your kitchen. Here are some beverages you can make using a milk frother:
Hot Chocolate: Froth milk and mix it with your favorite chocolate powder or syrup to make the richest and creamiest hot chocolate ever. Make this comforting treat topped with marshmallows, cinnamon, or maple syrup.
Tea Lattes: Are you a fan of Starbucks green tea drinks? Save money and make them at home – just blend matcha powder with frothed milk and you’ll have a perfectly creamy matcha latte. If you’re more of a chai tea drinker, add milk foam to your spiced chai blend for a delicious pumpkin spice chai latte!
Green Drinks: Add creaminess to your mixture of fruits and veggies for a nutritious and vibrant green drink. Whether you prefer green juices or smoothies, adding a rich milk foam to your healthy drinks can make them more appealing to drink.
Milkshakes: What’s better than a milkshake? A frothy milkshake! Milk foam can enhance the texture of milkshakes, making them extra creamy and smooth, especially when combined with your favorite ice cream!
Protein Shakes: Instead of using a blender to make your single-serving protein shakes, use a milk frother. It can create a smooth and frothy shake and you won’t have any protein powder residue leftover.
Golden Milk: Make your homemade golden milk richer and creamier by adding frothed milk. Just add the froth to your mixture of turmeric, ginger, and other spices for a warm and vibrant drink.
Coffee Creamer
As much as I love adding milk foam to my coffee, sometimes I like to change it up a bit. From time to time, I make homemade coffee creamer using my milk frother. Here’s how to make a smooth and delicious coffee creamer at home:
- Combine sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk in a bowl.
- Pour the mixture into a small pan and warm over low-medium heat until hot but not boiling.
- Pour the warm milk into a glass pitcher along with your choice of flavorings and sweeteners (I like using maple syrup and vanilla bean).
- Dip the head of your frother into the milk, turn it on, and hold it in place for about 30 seconds. Continue frothing until you’ve reached your desired consistency.
You can also add a seasonal spin to your creamer by adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. My eggnog creamer is always a hit during the Christmas season!
Whipped Cream
If you enjoy baking pies or making ice cream sundaes at home, you should always have some whipped cream available. Forget store-bought and save money by making your own whipped cream at home. It’s easy and if you use your milk frother, you can save your arm from a workout! Here’s how to make whipped cream using a milk frother:
- Pour cold heavy whipping cream into a bowl (the deeper, the better).
- Place the head of your frother into the cream and switch it on.
- Move the frother up and down until the cream becomes stiffer or you achieve your desired consistency.
Soups
Soups are a staple in our daily meals. Whether you’re a fan of instant or slow-cooked soups, a milk frother can make the difference between a flat bowl of soup and one that has the smoothest and creamiest texture. Here’s how to make a hearty creamy soup with the use of a milk frother:
- Prepare all the ingredients you’ll need to make your soup including the soup base, vegetables, protein, seasonings, and spices.
- Heat your broth or cream soup base in a pan over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
- Add the vegetables and spices and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
- If you’re cooking a creamy soup, you can blend the soup directly into the pot. Move the frother around to make sure the blending is even. If you prefer a frothy texture, froth some warm milk separately and add it to the soup.
- Add salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed.
- Add pre-cooked meat to the soup and wait until heated through.
- Remove the soup from heat and divide into individual bowls. If you frothed milk separately, add a dollop of foam to the top of each bowl before serving.
Pancakes and Waffles
Creamy coffees are not the only thing that milk frothers can make for breakfast – you can also enjoy upgraded pancakes or waffles. Here’s how to make fluffy, pillowy pancakes using your milk frother:
- Carefully separate the egg whites from the yolks.
- Froth the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Stop frothing when stiff peaks appear; otherwise the whites will deflate and your pancakes will become dense.
- Gently fold the frothed egg whites into your pancake batter. You can also use this mixture to make waffles.
- Cook your pancakes or waffles as usual, enjoying the lighter, airier texture.
Sauces and Salad Dressings
A milk frother is also an excellent tool for making creamy sauces and emulsifying salad dressings. But as a beginner, let’s start with a basic vinaigrette, which I believe is a great first step before learning more complex sauces and salad dressings. Here’s how to make a delicious vinaigrette using a milk frother:
- In a glass jar, combine balsamic vinegar, seasoning, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic or ginger.
- Slowly add in any neutral vegetable oil (I use extra virgin olive oil) to the mixture.
- Froth until all ingredients are well-combined.
Yes, you can shake the jar until all ingredients mix, but why do it the hard way when you’ve got a milk frother? Save your arms and froth your salad dressing!
Scrambled Eggs
You already know that you can froth eggs to make them fluffier. When you’re making scrambled eggs, an important step is beating the eggs before cooking. If you use a milk frother to do the job, you’ll incorporate more air into the eggs, resulting in a lighter, fluffier texture. Here’s how to make fluffy scrambled eggs using a milk frother:
- Crack the eggs into a bowl and season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
- Dip the frother into the eggs, turn it on, and froth the eggs until they have a light, foamy texture. Stop frothing when the eggs start to stiffen and the foam stabilizes. Over-frothing can cause the eggs to lose their fluffiness.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat and add a small amount of butter or oil, making sure that it evenly coats the bottom of the pan.
- Pour the frothed eggs into the heated pan.
- Use a spatula to gently stir the eggs. Cook the eggs slowly, stirring occasionally until they are just set but still soft and fluffy.
If your eggs are fresh out of the fridge, make sure to bring them to room temperature first. These will beat quicker and will create more volume when frothed compared to cold eggs.
Cocktails
If a rich and creamy froth can enhance your coffee, you can expect it to do the same to your favorite cocktails. Adding foam to a cocktail can enhance its visual appeal, improve its texture and mouthfeel, and improve its overall flavor profile. I first tried using my milk frother on winter cocktails and it did not disappoint.
Usually, placing egg whites in a jar and shaking it vigorously is how cocktail foam is created. But with a milk frother around, you’ll have a gorgeous foam for your drink in seconds. Here’s how to make cocktail foam using a milk frother:
- Prepare your foam mixture. This typically includes egg whites, a bit of simple syrup, and a splash of citrus juice to stabilize the foam. For a vegan alternative, you can use aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas.
- Pour your ingredients into a small deep container.
- Froth the mixture for about 30 seconds, tilting the glass to get the perfect whirlpool angle.
- When the foam reaches a stable, fluffy consistency, spoon it onto the top of your cocktail.
Wrapping Up
Discovering the different milk frother uses was really enjoyable for me. I can’t believe that a simple, affordable tool can be so versatile around the kitchen. It makes such a great gift for moms, grandmas, and anyone who likes to cook. Of course, any coffee lover would be happy to receive one, too.
If you found this article helpful, bookmark it or share it to your family or friends, I’m sure they would love to learn the surprising uses of a milk frother, too!