How to Use a Milk Frother for So Much More Than Just Foaming Milk

Single-use appliances aren’t really my thing. To start, I share a minuscule Brooklyn apartment with two other roommates, so our kitchen space is limited. And like many twenty-somethings, I’m on a budget, and spending money on something I can only use for one task seems like a waste.

That said, I’m also a big believer in the idea that just because a tool is intended to be single-use doesn’t mean it can’t be manipulated to do so much more. Yes, I have ironed the hem of a dress with my hair straightener. And my waffle iron has waffled everything from frozen hash browns to Pillsbury cinnamon rolls — and it also makes for an excellent panini press. 

The internet is my go-to source of inspiration when it comes to finding new ways to use appliances I already own. And in recent years, social media has been rife with creative ideas to repurpose a tool many coffee and tea aficionados likely have on hand: a milk frother. If you’ve spent any time in the home coffee corners of TikTok, you’re probably already familiar with these handy gadgets. Personally, I swear by the handheld variety — not only is it easier to clean, but it’s also far more versatile.

A handheld milk frother is typically battery-powered, featuring a wand with a tiny circular whisk at the end. When switched on, the whisk spins at high speed, quickly stirring and aerating whatever liquid it’s submerged in. Its portability and ease of use make it a surprisingly handy multi-tasker in the kitchen. Beyond frothing milk, this little tool can whip up salad dressings, fluff scrambled eggs, and even create café-worthy coffee art.

If you’ve been limiting your milk frother to just coffee, it’s time to think bigger. Here’s how.

Emulsify salad dressings

The key to achieving a vinaigrette that remains uniform and feels almost creamy in your mouth is emulsification. This involves combining oil and vinegar so that they create a stable, uniform liquid without separating. To emulsify your salad dressing, you need two additional elements besides oil and vinegar: first, an emulsifier like an egg yolk or mustard, which keeps the tiny droplets of fat (oil) suspended in the liquid; and second, enough speed to disperse the fat into small droplets throughout the vinegar right from the start.

This can be accomplished by vigorously whisking while gradually pouring in your oil or by quickly shaking vinaigrette in a Mason jar — both of which require a bit of elbow grease. For the easiest method and a strategy that will result in a very effective emulsification, why not use your milk frother instead? 

Add your vinegar, seasonings, and emulsifier to a vessel such as a glass measuring cup, deli container, or jar (avoid using something that’s super wide at the base, like a large bowl), and then gradually pour your oil in as you blend everything with the frother. Many content creators add all of the ingredients at once and then whirl with the frother, which will work, but adding the oil slowly will yield the best final texture.

Make fluffier scrambled eggs

When it comes to scrambled eggs, air is your friend. Quickly whisking the eggs until foamy will incorporate more air bubbles into the mixture, resulting in a lighter, fluffier scramble. A milk frother can achieve even higher speeds than you may reach by manually whisking, easily creating all the air bubbles you need.

Crack your eggs into a bowl, along with salt and your seasonings of choice. (To make your eggs even fluffier, I suggest adding a splash of water or milk to the mixture as well. This will evaporate when the eggs are cooked, creating more air bubbles.) Mix with the frother until you see air bubbles have formed, the eggs are fully beaten, and some foam has formed on the top. From there, you’re ready to cook!

Decorate your iced coffees

Anyone who wants to enjoy barista-quality coffee drinks at home probably has a milk frother so they can create as much creamy foam as they desire to top off lattes and cappuccinos. But there’s actually one other way that a milk frother can improve your daily coffee: by decorating it. 

If you’re the kind of person who loves a caramel frappuccino or iced mocha, you’re likely familiar with the way that baristas (or yourself at home) pour caramel and chocolate sauces down the side of a cup — both for presentation and the dispersion of sweet flavor. A milk frother can make applying rings of syrup around the inside of a cup much easier, and more beautiful. 

Simply dip the whisk into your syrup of choice—some users online have even added fruit-based options like strawberry sauce. Then, briefly turn the frother on while it’s inside the glass. It will move at high speed, creating a thin ring of sauce around the interior of the glass, which will still be visible after you pour in the coffee. Many creators add multiple rings of sauce inside to fully decorate the drink and ensure there’s enough of the sweet flavor component.

Create whipped cream for one

Just because you want whipped cream doesn’t mean you have to make enough for five or more people. Besides, why shouldn’t you treat yourself to a single serving of whipped cream when you feel like it? Make a personal ice cream sundae, spoon it on top of a decadent coffee, or enjoy it with some fresh berries in the summer.

Using a hand-held electric mixer to make a very small amount of whipped cream can be challenging, given that there’s not much liquid for the large beaters to whip effectively. A handheld milk frother is ideal for incorporating air into such a small quantity of liquid.

Like when making salad dressing, it’s best to use a vessel that isn’t too wide, as you want the frother to touch most of the cream while whipping. Pour in your heavy whipping cream, add a bit of sweetener like confectioners’ sugar, and then whip with the frother until you achieve stiff peaks.

Take the bite out of tequila

I’m not here to advocate for taking more tequila shots — they generally don’t seem to do good things for people, myself included. But if you are taking a tequila shot, and typically have trouble downing the fiery liquid, then a milk frother might actually come in handy.

The burning sensation you feel when drinking liquor stems from ethanol vapors emitted by the alcohol. However, quickly frothing the liquid and incorporating plenty of air bubbles will briefly cause those vapors to dissipate, allowing the spirit to go down a bit more smoothly. This effect is temporary, so it’s best reserved for a quick sip of alcohol, but we’ve tested it in our office, and it does produce a short-term effect.