Home Barista Guides · Updated November 4, 2026 · By BaristaBetter Editorial Team

How to Froth Milk Without a Frother: 5 Ways

How to froth milk without a frother: jar, whisk, French press, hand mixer and blender. Steps, times and milk choice from two published guides.

Five methods compared

Ways to froth milk without a frother
Method	How	Time
Jar	Fill no more than halfway, seal tightly, shake, then pour.	About 30 to 60 seconds (WebstaurantStore); about 30 seconds (The Manual)
French press	Warm milk, press one-third to half full, pump the plunger at the top of the milk.	About 30 seconds
Whisk	Whisk warm milk vigorously in a heatproof bowl or pan.	About a minute (The Manual)
Hand mixer	Lowest speed in a tall heatproof container, raise slightly for denser foam.	No time given
Blender	No more than halfway, lid on, highest setting (WebstaurantStore); medium (The Manual).	15 to 20 seconds (WebstaurantStore)

Sources: WebstaurantStore (updated Feb 2026) and The Manual, last checked 2026-11-04. They differ on blender speed and jar time, so treat times as a start.

The jar method, step by step

Jar frothing: four steps

Warm the milk. WebstaurantStore says 140 to 160 °F is ideal for frothing; The Manual says about 140 °F. Do not boil or scald it.
Pour it into a jar no more than halfway. Foam needs space to grow.
Seal the lid tightly and shake. Until the milk has foamed up.
Pour. Spoon the foam over your coffee.

Milk and what we could not confirm

Both guides say whole milk froths most easily because of its fat. WebstaurantStore also lists 2%, skim and non-dairy milks, and says non-dairy ones may need testing to find one that froths well. Neither guide discusses heavy cream or coffee creamer, so we give no method for them. Pair the foam with a latte or cappuccino, or read choosing a milk pitcher size if you will steam milk later.

Sources and last checked

Frequently asked questions

What can you use instead of a milk frother?

A jar, a whisk, a French press, a hand mixer or a blender, per WebstaurantStore and The Manual. Warm the milk first.

How do you manually froth milk?

Warm it to about 140 to 160 °F, then add air by shaking in a jar, pumping a French press plunger, or whisking vigorously.

Can I froth milk with a whisk?

Yes. Warm the milk, pour it into a heatproof container and whisk back and forth vigorously. The Manual puts it at about a minute, and more whisking gives more foam.

Can I make a DIY milk frother at home?

A lidded jar is the simplest. Fill it no more than halfway, seal it and shake for about 30 to 60 seconds.

Can you froth creamer or heavy cream?

Neither of our sources covers them, so we give no method. Both say whole milk froths most easily because of its fat.

What milk froths best?

Whole milk, per both guides. WebstaurantStore says non-dairy milks may need testing to find one that froths well.

This article reflects independent editorial research and disclosed buying criteria. This is not a substitute for your machine's manufacturer manual or professional service guidance. Some links on this page are Amazon Associates affiliate links; see our affiliate disclosure for details.