how to make a latte with Keurig?

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Are you a fan of lattes? But, spending an average of $4-5 on Starbucks doesn’t seem a cheap habit to have. Most Keurig user thinks that Keurig confines them to drinking plain, black coffee. But in reality, you can whip up some pretty cool lattes and other milk-based drinks with your Keurig.

Sound Amazing! As a latte lover myself, I’ve put together a complete guide on How to make a latte with Keurig?

So, by the end of this guide article, you’ll know to make several latte drinks with your beloved Keurig machine. Keep reading to learn about it!

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Can you make a latte with Keurig?

Definitely yes. Although the latte is made with espresso. You need an Espresso machine for the authentic espresso. Since Keurig machines can’t do espresso but regular coffee, so technically you can’t make a traditional espresso-based latte with Keurig.

But fortunately, you can make cafe au lait also known as Caffe Misto (a type of latte made with regular coffee instead of espresso). Its taste is very much similar to a latte, and you don’t need to invest in an espresso machine to make this recipe.

The major difference between a cafe au lait and a normal latte is the coffee ratio.

Usually, in a normal latte, the espresso-to-milk ratio is 1:3.

For cafe au lait, you need less milk, but more coffee. Typically, the recommended ratio for a latte, when prepared with regular coffee, is 1:1 coffee to milk.

I recommend you to use dark roasted k-cup and 2% whole milk as more fatty milk will give extra cream to your drink. You can also use vanilla-flavored syrup or caramel sauce for giving extra flavor to your drink.

However, the steps for preparing a latte are slightly different depending on your Keurig model. So, I have explained the steps for different Keurig models.

How to Make a Latte with Keurig

Among Keurig models, only Keurig K-cafe comes with a milk frother, while all other Keurig machines can only brew black coffee.

To prepare a foamy cup of Latte, obviously, you will be needing a milk frother.

You can buy a standalone milk frother from Keurig. You can also prepare a latte without a milk frother if you are on a budget (more on that later).

An ingredient you need:

  • Your choice of milk
  • A K-cup coffee pod
  • A latte mug
  • A standalone milk frother

Steps include:

  • Froth and heat the milk using a standalone milk streamer.
  • Insert the K-cup pod inside the machine (Dark roast will be best)
  • Press the espresso button and use the smallest brew size (some models will have 6 oz the smallest and some models will have 4 oz the smallest). The trick is to use the smallest size for a dense cup of coffee. If your model has a strong brew button press that too.
  • Once the coffee is prepared pour the frothed milk on top of the hot coffee.
  • Add the syrup and sweeteners to give extra flavor to your drink.

Keurig Models with milk Frother

While making a latte or cappuccino with a Keurig coffee machine, a milk frother makes a huge difference.

So, the question arises which Keurig model has a milk frother?

Keurig K-café series and K-latte are the only two Keurig models with built-in milk frothers. The frother is easy to use and provides convenient frothing options. These models with a milk frother have a special feature that makes espresso-style shots of coffee for your latte or cappuccino.

Read a detailed review of Keurig K cafe

Keurig milk frother has two frothing options: Hot and Cold and two fill lines: the lower (cappuccino) fill line and the max (latte) fill line. For your cappuccino, the minimum fill line allows the frother to add more foam; for a latte, the maximum fill line adds less foam.

Similarly, the hot froth button is best for a Rich cappuccino and latte. Whereas the cold froth button is best when you’re making iced coffee drinks.

The milk frother in the K-Latte only produces hot froth, while the milk frother in the K-Cafe can produce both cold and hot froths. 

What I like about milk frother is it has a nonsticky interior that is easy to clean: Additionally, it is compact and light weighted, so you don’t need to worry if you have limited counter space.

If your Keurig milk frother is not working, check our troubleshooting guide to fix it.

How to Make a Latte with Keurig K-Café?

Keurig K-café is great know for preparing latte and cappuccino drinks.

The ingredient you need:

  • Milk of your choice (Soy, almond, skimmed whatever you like)
  • A K-cup coffee pod
  • Keurig K-Cafe coffee machine
  • A latte or cappuccino mug

Steps include:

  • Fill the milk carafe with the milk of your choice.
  • Push the latte button to start foaming the milk on the Keurig k-cafe.
  • Insert the K-cup pod. My recommendation is to choose dark roast for the full latte experience
  • Press the “Latte & Capp” button and your machine will prepare espresso styled small shot of coffee
  • Now add frothed milk to the freshly brewed coffee.
  • You can also add sweetener or sugar syrup if you like
  • Enjoy!

How to make latte with Keurig without a frother?

Yes! you can make Latte with Keurig without a milk frother too. This is the best way to prepare Latte if you are on a budget.

The trick here is to froth the milk without a milk frother. There are two methods to do it. You can either froth the milk in a blender or in a jar/jug with a closed lid.

First, heat the milk on the stovetop or in a microwave until it starts boiling.

Now pour the milk into the blender and blend it for 30-60 seconds. You will get warm frothy milk.

If you don’t have a blender either then pour the milk into a jar that can be closed with a lid. Now shake the milk vigorously for 30-60 seconds until you notice a good amount of froth.

Now simply combine a shot of coffee from the Keurig machine with the freshly frothed milk and Enjoy!

How to prepare other latte recipes with Keurig?

Once you’re perfected with a standard latte, you can experiment with different latte recipes with your Keurig. Fortunately, the Keurig coffee machine is capable of producing different coffee drinks.

Here are a couple of other latte drinks which you can prepare with your Keurig machine.

Making Mocha Latte with Keurig K cup

You can buy mocha latte k cups from donut shop to prepare this drink

  1. Insert Donut Shop Regular Coffee K-cup in your Keurig.
  2. Press the 10 oz button on your machine. Or you can also brew this on 8 oz settings.
  3. This k cup will have all the ingredients of a latte and you don’t need anything extra.
  4. If you think the flavor is light you can brew another cup using a regular black coffee pod and combine the both.

Making Caramel Latte with Keurig

What you need:

  • Any kind of milk
  • Sugar or any kind of sweetener
  • Caramel Syrup
  • Starbucks Caramel flavoring or vanilla syrup
  • A milk frother

How to prepare

  • Add six spoons of Starbucks caramel flavoring or vanilla syrup to a cup of milk.
  • Now froth the milk in a milk frother. (if you don’t have the frother do it manually as mentioned above)
  • Use a 6 or 4-oz setting to brew your coffee pod.
  • No, combine the brewed coffee and the milk.
  • Add caramel syrup at the top for flavoring.

Making Iced Vanilla Latte with keurig

Making an iced latte is very much similar to making a traditional latte, you need only ice.

Steps include:

  1. Froth the milk in a frother or do it manually.
  2. Place a mug filled with ice cubes under the dispenser.
  3. Insert a K-cup coffee pod of your choice and press the shortest brew size button. If your model has brewed over ice option then press that otherwise choose the strong brew button.
  4. Now combine the frothed milk with the freshly brewed coffee
  5. Also, add some creamer or caramel syrup for extra flavors.

Final thoughts

While obviously, you can prepare an authentic latte or Starbucks style with the Keurig machine. But I am sure that you will love the recipes I have mentioned above.

Keurig coffee machines are actually very versatile, even though many people think that they are limited to brewing only plain, black coffee.

I hope this article helps to prepare several delicious latte recipes at home with your beloved Keurig machine.

Frequently asked question

Can you add milk to Keurig?

Nah! never do that!
You should never put milk in a Keurig – or any other drip coffee maker. This can easily damage your machine and it’s almost impossible to clean. Check out our detailed article on it.

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