Coffee was first introduced to Europe and the Western world in 1526. Now, many coffee drinks require frothed milk. The standard procedure requires specialized coffee machines. However, there is a quick and easy alternative to making frothy milk using your microwave and a jar.
To make frothed milk using a microwave, pour it into a microwave-safe container until it’s an inch from the brim and set it on high for twenty to thirty seconds. But handle it with care, and use low-fat to 2% milk or soy milk for a dairy-free option.
Using this method is both convenient and economical. You can save money by preparing your favorite hot at home. Furthermore, using this method to froth milk is a quick process. Let’s take a closer look at using your microwave to get the perfect milk froth.
How Do You Steam Milk in a Microwave?

The microwave may not be the most obvious choice for steaming milk. However, it is the quickest and most convenient way to get homemade froth.
Many methods vary in the exact details. Before we get into the details, let’s look at steaming milk in the microwave:
- Pour milk into a microwave-safe container, such as a coffee cup or jar. Fill the container to an inch or so from the brim.
- Place the container in the microwave at its center. That helps ensure that the milk heats evenly.
- Set the microwave to ’high’ (on any <900w microwave) and set the timer for twenty to thirty seconds.
- Carefully remove the container. Keep in mind that it will be hot to the touch. If all went to plan, you should have steamed milk.
The Challenges with Using a Microwave to Steam Milk
Unfortunately, these simple steps only cover the basics, and some things could go wrong. Let’s discuss some examples and what you can do to prevent them.
Boiling Over
Microwaves tend to boil liquids rapidly. But unfortunately, even the quickest reaction time is not always enough to prevent the milk from boiling over. If you have had this experience, you are familiar with the messy result.
Conduct the Heat
A heat-conductive object could help. But unfortunately, microwaves and metals do not make for a happy match. Rather than set your kitchen aflame in the resulting explosion, you could try uncooked spaghetti sticks.
Use a Sealed Container
Alternatively, you can use a container with a lid that seals firmly. A jar is ideal for this purpose. The catch is that the container can build up in pressure with a tightly sealed lid. Opening a heat-pressured container can cause burns and injury.
That is a problem because, left to cool, most of the froth will dissolve into the milk. Fortunately, there are precautions that you can take to work around the problem.
Note: It is crucial that you only use a microwave-safe jar. The lid must not be made of metal.
Oven Mitts
You could use oven mitts to remove the jar from the microwave and open it safely. However, it will still seep through the gloves if you spill any.
Make a Set of Small Holes in the Lid of the Container
A more convenient approach is to make two small holes in the jar’s lid. Space the holes about an inch apart.
That will allow the jar to retain enough heat and pressure to froth your milk while releasing excess steam. In addition, you can wash and reuse the jar daily.
The Milk Won’t Froth
A couple of factors impact how well milk will froth in the microwave. However, most are easy to identify and resolve.
The Milk is too Cold
We all store our milk in a refrigerator; however, we often forget that refrigerators are adjustable. So, depending on your setup, your milk could be much cooler than the average temperature for stored milk.
The standard refrigerator temperature in the US is 40° F. If you need to keep your refrigerator at a lower temperature, let your milk container stand for a minute or two before placing it in the microwave.
It is best to refrain from attempting to extend the duration you microwave your milk. That is because microwaves heat by exciting molecules and causing friction on a tiny scale. That makes it exponentially easier to burn the milk.
Different Types of Milk are More Difficult to Steam This Way
The way that different types of milk react in a microwave can dramatically impact the result when you try to use this method.
Different kinds of milk have different solubles, fats, and sugar (in the form of lactose). Each difference alters the way that a microwave excites the molecules in the milk. So, which types of milk are easier to steam when using your microwave?
Which Type of Milk is Best for Steaming?

Generally, the best milk for steaming is whole milk. However, using a microwave, there are better milk options for steaming. That is because whole milk has a fat content that makes it more susceptible to burning if heated too quickly.
The better option is low-fat or 2% (reduced-fat) milk. They heat up more consistently. That makes either option a more reliable choice when using a microwave.
However, the two types of milk are not the first choice for specialty coffee connoisseurs.
What is the Ideal Temperature for Steamed Milk?
The Specialty Coffee Association recommends heating milk to 139-149°F or a maximum temperature of 158°F. The exact temperature will vary between different kinds of milk, non-dairy milk, and the initial temperature of the milk.
Should You Froth Your Milk Before Steaming?
If you have access to a French Press, you can use it to froth your milk before steaming it in the microwave. In most cases, doing so makes the process much easier.
You will get a creamier foam from frothing your milk before the steaming process. However, pre-frothed milk behaves differently than plain milk when heated.
Therefore, it is best that you first do a couple of test runs. The following steps should help you figure out what works best with pre-frothed milk:
- Pre-froth your milk, and remember the consistency you choose. It is crucial to closely reproduce the same froth level each time before using your microwave.
- With your microwave’s power set to full, start at a 10-second timer, and work your up in increments of 10 seconds.
- You will need a fresh cup of pre-frothed milk each time you test the ideal duration, so prepare three to four servings (and one spare for after).
- Once you find the best result, snap a photo of the spare milk as it is pre-frothed and then the result after steaming.
- Store the photos in a notes app, along with a quick recipe. That way, you will make it easier to reproduce the same results.
Can You Steam Dairy-Free Milk?
While you can steam certain non-dairy milk, the results will vary greatly. The best way to know how well non-dairy milk will froth is by comparing its protein content with that of dairy.
All dairy milk contains an average of 0.28 ounces of protein per 8 ounces. Let’s have a look at how the most popular non-dairy kinds of milk compare:
- Soy milk: 0.24 ounces of protein
- Oat Milk: 0.14 ounces of protein
- Almond milk: 0.07 ounces of protein
- Coconut milk: 0.00 ounces of protein
- Rice milk: 0.00 ounces of protein
As we can see, soy milk should steam well, while rice—and coconut milk are unlikely to produce any froth.