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    Home » Real Food » Beverage Recipes

    Easy Homemade Latte Recipe

    December 2, 2022 | By Kristen Chidsey | 58 Comments | *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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     Skip the expensive chain's lattes and make your own at home! This easy recipe will show you how to make a latte step by step without ANY fancy equipment needed. Start with a basic latte recipe and then let your imagination go wild to flavor up your latte exactly how you like! Make a vanilla latte, peppermint latte, mocha latte. And the best part about this recipe? You can use any type of milk you like--so dairy-free latte, non-fat latte, a rich decadent latte--the choice is yours!

    Skip the expensive chain lattes and make your own latte at home! This easy recipe will show you how to make a Homemade Latte without any special equipment.  

    Start with a basic latte recipe and let your imagination go wild to flavor your latte exactly how you like! Make a vanilla latte, peppermint latte, mocha latte--you get the idea. And the best part about this recipe? You can use any variety of milk you like, making this latte recipe perfect for anyone.

    Homemade Latte

    A latte is a coffee drink made with espresso, steamed milk, and a layer of milk foam. And it is downright divine. 

    But instead of purchasing a latte from your favorite coffee shop, which can quickly put a dent in your bank account, you can easily prepare a latte from the comfort of your own home.

    And you don't even need an expensive espresso machine or milk frother. With this simple recipe for a homemade latte, you can enjoy a latte each and every morning--and keep money in your pocket.

    Key Ingredients

    • Coffee: Espresso or strongly brewed coffee is essential for a flavorful latte. Decaffeinated works just the same.
    • Milk: Any variety you like. Skim milk, whole milk, reduced fat. Or for a Dairy-Free/Vegan Latte use non-dairy milk such as almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk. You can even use a flavored creamer for a rich, sweet, flavored latte.

    Tools Needed

    Instead of an expensive espresso machine or fancy milk frother, you only need ONE expensive tool to make a perfect latte.

    A small kitchen whisk.

    Whisking milk after it heats will form bubbles, or aerate the milk, creating a thick milk foam that is crucial for a good latte.

    I do recommend looking for a whisk that will fit inside your coffee mug and I personally find that an aluminum whisk works to produce more bubbles and froth better than a silicone whisk.

    milk, whisk and coffee beans in picture.

    How to Make a Latte

    • Brew the coffee or espresso of your choice.
    • While the coffee is brewing, heat the milk of your choice for 30-45 seconds in a microwave-safe coffee mug.
    • Once the milk is heated, take a small whisk and vigorously whisk back and forth for 15-30 seconds until the milk forms large bubbles and becomes frothy. This will form the foam on your latte.
    Mug with heated milk that is frothed with bubbles.
    • Slowly pour the strong coffee or a shot of espresso into the mug over the frothed milk. The foam will rise to the top of the mug, giving you a pretty close replication of a traditional latte.
    Coffee being poured into a mug with frothed milk.

    Alternatively, you can heat the milk in a glass measuring cup and then whisk your milk until bubble form. Pour coffee or espresso into a mug and then gently pour the frothed milk over the coffee. Spoon the remaining foam on top of your latte.

    Latte with frothed milk

    Flavored Homemade Lattes

    You can opt to use flavored non-dairy milk or a flavored coffee creamer to heat and foam, which will add flavor and sweetness to your latte. The options are as endless as the varieties of creamers. Or you can opt to personally add flavoring to your homemade latte. This will allow you to control the level of sweetness and type of milk yourself.

    • Sweetened Latte: To sweeten your latte, add 1-2 teaspoons of your choice of sweetener to your milk of choice and heat as directed. This will allow the sweetener to dissolve into the milk and add sweetness to the latte. 
    • Vanilla Latte: After heating the milk, add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract and whisk as directed. The vanilla extract will flavor the milk just as a flavored creamer would (without the added sugar--of course, feel free to sweeten as well.) 
    • Mocha Latte: Once the milk has been heated, add 1-2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup. Froth as directed and enjoy a nice touch of chocolate in your latte.

    Serving Suggestions

    Even on the busiest days or on the tightest of budgets, you can indulge in your caffeine cravings with this simple Homemade Latte. It can be enjoyed alone or pair it with your favorite breakfast or brunch recipe, such as the recipes below.

    • Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
    • Sour Cream Coffee Cake
    • Cream Cheese Danish
    • Quiche Lorraine
    • Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

    If you gave this simple recipe for a homemade latte a try, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

    Latte in glass mug with coffee beans on the counter.

    Homemade Latte

    A super simple recipe for a homemade latte that requires no special equipment. 
    4.99 from 75 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Italian
    Cook Time: 1 minute
    Total Time: 1 minute
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 41kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup milk any variety
    • 6 ounces strongly brewed coffee or espresso any variety
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.
    Text Ingredients To Phone

    Instructions

    • Heat the milk for 30-45 seconds in your microwave in the cup you intend to drink your coffee from.
    • Once the milk of your choice is heated, take a small whisk and vigoursly whisk back and forth for 15-30 seconds until the milk forms large bubbles and is frothy.
    • Pour the coffee directly over the frothed milk or brew over the frothed milk. The milk oam will rise to the top of the mug.
    • Alternatively, you can heat the milk in a glass measuring cup and then froth. Pour coffee or espresso into a mug and then gently pour the frothed milk over the coffee. Spoon the remaining foam on top of your latte.

    Notes

    • For a dairy-free/vegan latte, use non-dairy milk such as almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk.
    • Sweetened Latte--add 1-2 teaspoons your choice of sweetener to your milk of choice BEFORE heating milk.
    • Vanilla Latte--add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract to milk before after heating milk but before you add coffee.
    • Chocolate/Mocha Latte--add 1-2 tablespoons chocolate syrup to milk BEFORE heating milk.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 51mg | Potassium: 191mg | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 250IU | Calcium: 149mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This post was originally shared in 2020, but updated in 2022 with a few tips.

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    Categorized Under: Allergy Friendly Recipes, Beverage Recipes, Budget Cooking, DIY, DIY/Condiments/Sauces, Popular Posts, Real Food

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tracy

      January 23, 2023 at 11:11 am

      5 stars
      Great inexpensive homemade latte recipe. I used a whisk attachment for my blender which worked really well. I should’ve used a bigger glass measuring cup to whisk it in though because I forgot about it coming over the sides. Good thing I did in the sink. If I want a chocolate one, I think I’ll just put in a scoop of hot chocolate mix. It was easy and only 2 things to wash or stick in dishwasher. Thanks, Tracy

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 23, 2023 at 2:11 pm

        Wonderful Tracy! I think adding hot cocoa mix or chocolate syrup would make a fabulous chocolate latte.

        Reply
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