Caffeine lovers spend a startling amount of money at coffee shops per year. 

The average 25 to 34-year-old spends $2,008 per year. 35 to 44-year-olds spend slightly less at $1,410 per year. 

We’re not judging them—those morning lattes are hard to resist, but what if we told you your trusty ol’ Keurig could make them just as good as your favorite barista does? 

Keep reading to learn how to make a latte with a Keurig! 

Keurig Machines

Keurig machines are notorious for quick and easy coffee. With that said, let’s look at the most popular latte-making machines.  

K-Cafe SMART Single Serve

This machine does all the dirty work for you. It’s complete with a two and four-ounce coffee shot button and milk frother. 

It also includes features such as: 

• Brew ID: Pod recognition that provides recipe options 
• Cafe Creations: Step-by-step directions for specialty drinks 
• Barista Mode: Instructions for creating fan favorites, like lattes and cappuccinos

K-Latte Single Serve

The K-Latte is like the K-Cafe without the smart features and two-ounce shot option.

However, it does include the four-ounce shot option and milk frother, which is all you need for a latte! 

The K-Latte doubles as a classic Keurig machine, as well. It brews 6, 8, and 10 ounces of coffee if you’re in the mood for a plain ol’ cup of joe. 

K-Elite Single Serve 

Aside from the milk frother, the K-Elite has everything you need for crafting the perfect latte, including a strong brew option and a four-ounce brew size. 

The machine also has an iced brew option for those that prefer iced lattes. 

While the K-Cafe, K-Latte, and K-Elite machines are the most popular among latte lovers, any single-serve Keurig machine will get the job done.

How the Keurig Milk Frother Works

The K-Cafe and K-Latte are complete with milk frothers. You can also purchase a Keurig Hot and Cold Frother to accessorize your current single-serve machine. 

Each model is user-friendly and gets the job done. Let’s discuss the difference between the three. 

K-Cafe and Keurig Hot and Cold Frother 

The K-Cafe’s Frother and Keurig Hot and Cold Frother are the same. 

The tool froths both hot and cold, as well as for a latte and cappuccino. The inside of the frother has a whisker at the bottom, as well as a 4-ounce and 6-ounce line. 

The 4-ounce line is for cappuccinos, and the 6-ounce line is for lattes. 

Pour your choice of milk up to the appropriate line, and then secure the lid.

Use the toggle button to choose cold or from three levels of hot, then press the K button to begin frothing. 

K-Latte Frother 

The K-Latte machine only froths hot and for a latte, but it still has an indicating line. 

Similarly to the K-Cafe frother, pour your choice of milk up to the 6-ounce line, and then cover the frother with the lid. 

Press the K button and sit back as the machine heats and foams your milk.  

Both machines will beep once they begin frothing and should finish within three minutes. Once the display lights turn off, your milk is ready for pouring.  

How To Make a Latte With the Keurig Frother

Once you learn to make a latte with your Keurig machine and frother, there’s no going back. Your wallet will appreciate it, too! 

To help you get started, we’re going to break down how to make a latte with a Keurig step-by-step. 

1. Froth Your Milk 

Pour your choice of milk up to the line labeled latte on the interior of your frother, select your temperature preference, and hit the K button to begin. For a sweeter alternative, use flavored creamer or half-and-half. 

2. Brew a Dark-Roast K-Cup 

In complete honesty, you can use any K-cup, but a dark roast tastes most similar to espresso. 

If you have a K-Cafe or K-Latte, select the shot size. If you have a single-serve Keurig machine without a shot option, brew the smallest cup size for a stronger result. 

3. Sweeten It Up

Prefer your coffee sweet? Add a flavored syrup, such as vanilla or caramel, to your frothed milk and stir before pouring over your coffee. 

4. Pour the Milk Over Your Coffee

Once your coffee finishes brewing and your milk is done frothing, pour the milk over your coffee for a fluffy latte. Lastly, spoon some leftover milk on top for a foam top. 

All that’s left to do is enjoy!

What’s the Difference Between a Latte and Cappuccino on Keurig?

The amount of steamed milk and foam is the primary difference between a latte and a cappuccino. 

Lattes are a 1:3 ratio—one part espresso and three parts steamed milk with a thin foam top. Cappuccinos are a 1:1:1 ratio—one part espresso, one part steamed milk, and one part foam top. 

You may be thinking, “How can I make a latte with a Keurig if it can’t brew espresso?” 

While Keurig machines cannot produce authentic espresso, dark K-cups combined with small and strong brew options closely reflect the espresso in lattes and cappuccinos.

The Keurig milk frothers also differentiate between the two drinks. As previously mentioned, Keurig’s milk frothers contain two lines—a 4-ounce line labeled latte and a 6-ounce line labeled cappuccino. 

The difference in the measurements attempts to meet traditional ratios to closely reflect a classic latte and cappuccino. 

How you pour the frothed milk can also help you achieve a beverage that closely resembles a latte or cappuccino.

For instance, when you add steamed milk to a cappuccino, pour it with the bottom of the spoon pressed against the top of the liquid. Doing so holds back the foam, so you can add it on top of the steamed milk after and achieve a 1:1:1 ratio.

When you add the steamed milk to a latte, pour it freely, then spoon what’s left on top of the drink as a thin foam top.

How to Froth Milk for a Cold Latte or Cappuccino With Keurig K-Cafe

The K-Cafe comes in two versions. We’ve already mentioned the Keurig K-Cafe SMART Single Serve machine, but there is also a less advanced version called the K-Cafe Single Serve Coffee Latte and Cappuccino Maker. 

Although both machines’ milk frothers are simple to use, let’s break down how to make a cold latte or cappuccino with each one. 

K-Cafe SMART Single Serve 

The K-Cafe SMART machine has an attached Keurig Cold and Hot Milk Frother. Making a cold latte or cappuccino with it is as simple as pouring your choice of milk up to the appropriate line and then use the toggle button to select cold. 

Press the K button to start frothing. Once the lights on the frother turn off, you can brew your coffee over ice by selecting the iced button on the top of the machine. 

K-Cafe Single Serve Coffee Latte and Cappuccino Maker 

This machine works a little differently but is just as easy to use. It has a removable milk frother cup that is dishwasher safe. 

Like the larger frother, the cup has a latte and cappuccino line. It also has three buttons that read “LATTE, CAPP, AND COLD” 

Pour your milk up the appropriate line, press the COLD button, and then either the LATTE or CAPP button. The frother will immediately begin steaming your milk.

Other Latte Recipes With Keurig

Iced Latte

Keurig machines simplify at-home iced lattes. The brand manufactures machines tailored to cold lattes, such as the K-Cafe and the Keurig Hot and Cold Frother.

Follow the directions above to make an iced latte with one of these machines.

If you don’t have these tools on hand, don’t fret!

You can make an iced latte with a hand-held frother and a single-serve Keurig machine, such as a K-classic or K-Mini.

To do so, brew the smallest-size cup possible of a dark-roast K-cup. As your coffee brews, froth 6 ounces of chilled milk. Pour the milk over the iced coffee and enjoy.

Vanilla Latte

Making a vanilla latte with a Keurig machine will require a vanilla k-cup, vanilla syrup, and your choice of milk.

First, pour a tablespoon of vanilla syrup into the bottom of your coffee cup. Brew a shot or small-sized cup of the vanilla K-cup on top of the syrup.

Use a hand-held or Keurig milk frother to steam the milk. Once done, pour it on top of the coffee.

If you don’t want to add the vanilla syrup at the bottom of your coffee cup, you can stir it into the milk after frothing it but before pouring it over the coffee.

Chai Tea Latte

Making a chai tea latte with your Keurig machine only requires two ingredients—a chai k-cup and your choice of milk.

Use a milk frother to froth your choice of milk. Next, brew a shot size or small cup of the chai k-cup. Lastly, pour the frothed milk over the chai k-cup.

Fancy up the warm beverage by stirring a flavored syrup, such as vanilla or salted caramel, into your frothed milk.

Spoon what’s left of the steamed milk on top of the beverage as a foam top. Add whipped cream and cinnamon for an even sweeter treat!

Caramel Latte

To make a caramel latte with the Keurig, you’ll need three ingredients—a caramel coffee k-cup, your choice of milk, and caramel syrup.

Add a tablespoon of caramel syrup to the bottom of your coffee cup, and then brew a shot or small cup of your caramel coffee k-cup.

Use a milk frother to steam your choice of milk. Once complete, pour it over the caramel coffee.

You don’t have to stop here! Top the sweet coffee drink with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.

Dress up the drink with a pinch of sea salt or caramel chips.

Before You Go 

Learning how to make a latte with a Keurig won’t only save you time in the mornings, but it’ll also save you money.

Has this list of ways to make coffee shop beverages at home been helpful?

Feel free to share your additional thoughts in the comments or share the article with a fellow coffee fanatic!