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How to froth milk without a frother: jar, cafetière, whisk and microwave

Four ways to froth milk without a frother, using a cafetière, a jar and the microwave, a whisk, or a pan, with safety notes, the best milks to use and when a cheap frother is worth it.

By Hoppin Hopper editorial teamUpdated Prices checked 5 min read

If you want to know how to froth milk without a frother, the good news is that you probably have the kit already. A cafetière makes the best foam of the kitchen-cupboard options, a jar and a microwave is the quickest, and a whisk works at a push. None of them will match a steam wand for silky microfoam, but they’re fine for a frothy cappuccino or hot chocolate. We haven’t tested this in person. The methods below follow published guides from Starbucks at Home UK and machine makers’ milk advice from Sage and De’Longhi, all read on 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.

How to froth milk without a frother: the short answer

  • Best foam: a cafetière. Warm the milk, pour it in and pump the plunger.
  • Quickest: a jar. Shake cold milk hard, then take the lid off and microwave it.
  • No special kit: a whisk and a tall mug.

Whichever you choose, leave room for the milk to double in size.

Who it isn’t for: anyone wanting latte art. These methods make bubbly foam, not the glossy microfoam you pour patterns with. For that, see our guide on how to steam milk.

Method 1: the cafetière (French press)

This is the one to try first, especially if you’re making drinks for more than one person. Starbucks at Home suggests the cafetière for frothing larger batches.

  1. Heat the milk to about 60°C. Use a pan or the microwave, stir now and then, and don’t let it boil. If you don’t have a thermometer, aim for hot but not steaming hard.
  2. Pour it into a clean cafetière. Fill it no more than halfway, as the milk needs space to double.
  3. Pump the plunger. Hold the lid on and move the plunger up and down, starting slowly and getting faster. Starbucks says about 30 seconds, or until the milk has doubled.
  4. Let it settle for a moment, then pour the milk and spoon the foam on top.

Rinse the cafetière and mesh straight away, before the milk dries on. Coffee oils left in the mesh can flavour the milk, so make sure it’s clean before you start.

Who it isn’t for: anyone with a very small cafetière. A one-cup pot doesn’t leave much room for the milk to expand.

Method 2: the jar and microwave

This method froths the milk cold, then sets the foam with heat.

  1. Fill a jar halfway with cold milk. Starbucks at Home’s guide uses 150ml.
  2. Screw the lid on tightly and shake hard for 20 to 30 seconds.
  3. Take the lid off and microwave the milk for 30 to 45 seconds.
  4. Pour or spoon it onto your coffee.

Safety notes

  • Never put a metal lid in the microwave. Take it off first.
  • Use a jar that’s safe for the microwave. Check it isn’t cracked, and handle it with a cloth, because glass gets hot.
  • Don’t shake hot milk in a sealed jar. Shake it cold, then heat it.
  • Watch it in the microwave. Milk can rise quickly and boil over.

Who it isn’t for: anyone without a microwave. You can warm the milk in a pan instead and spoon the foam on top, though you’ll lose some of the foam.

Method 3: the whisk

A whisk is the slowest of the three, but it needs nothing special.

  1. Heat the milk to about 60°C in a pan or the microwave, without boiling it.
  2. Pour it into a tall mug, leaving room for it to double. Starbucks at Home’s guide uses 236ml.
  3. Whisk in circles, starting near the bottom of the mug. Starbucks says 15 to 20 seconds. When the milk starts to thicken, lift the whisk to just under the foam.
  4. Stop when it’s doubled in volume.

Starbucks at Home’s guide covers both a whisk and a battery frothing wand, which works the same way but faster. A balloon whisk in a saucepan also works, if you tilt the pan and whisk briskly.

Who it isn’t for: anyone short on time or patience. It’s hard work to get much foam by hand.

Method 4: the pan on the hob

If you only want warm, slightly frothy milk, heat it gently in a pan and whisk as it warms. Stop before it boils. You won’t get much foam, but it’s fine for a milky coffee or hot chocolate. Keep stirring so the milk doesn’t catch on the bottom of the pan.

Which milks froth best

Machine makers give useful guidance here, even if you’re frothing by hand:

  • Start cold. Sage tells you to start with cold milk, and De’Longhi says milk straight from the fridge, at about 5°C, gives the best results.
  • Dairy milk: De’Longhi’s Magnifica Evo manual lists whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk as all suitable for frothing.
  • Plant milks: the same manual lists soya, almond and oat drinks, and suggests “barista” versions for the best froth.
  • Don’t overheat plant milks. Sage says not to go above about 55°C with non-dairy milk, because it can separate or curdle. For dairy, Sage aims for around 60 to 65°C.
  • Still not foaming? De’Longhi suggests trying a different brand of milk.

Our guide to the best oat milk for coffee compares barista-style oat drinks.

Who it isn’t for: anyone using long-life milk straight from the cupboard. Chill it first, as both makers advise starting cold.

When a cheap frother is worth it

If you make frothy drinks most days, a cheap handheld frother saves time and effort. The Lakeland Foamie Rechargeable Milk Frother is £9.99 at Lakeland, checked 3 Oct 2026. It’s a battery whisk that charges by USB-C, and you use it in a mug of warm milk, much like Method 3. See it at Lakeland. Our Lakeland Foamie frother review has more detail.

An electric jug frother heats and froths the milk in one go, which is the easiest option of all. Compare them in our guides to the best milk frothers, the best milk frothers under £50 and the best handheld milk frothers.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who makes a frothy coffee once a week. The cafetière in your cupboard does the job.

Where to go next

Ready to make the drink? See how to make a latte at home and how to make a cappuccino at home.

FAQ

Can you froth milk in a cafetière? Yes. Warm the milk, pour it in no more than halfway, and pump the plunger for about 30 seconds.

Can you froth cold milk? Yes. Shaking cold milk in a jar works. Heat it afterwards with the lid off if you want a hot drink.

What milk froths best without a frother? Cold milk froths best. For plant milks, De’Longhi suggests barista versions.

Why won’t my milk froth? It may be too warm to start with or overheated. Try fresh, cold milk, or a different brand.

Sources

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Topics

  • Milk

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