If you enjoy coffee shop cold foam but would prefer a lighter dairy-free alternative, this Dairy Free Cold Foam Recipe is your new best friend.
It is thick, creamy, silky, and it’s so simple to make at home!
All you need is some full-fat coconut milk, a splash of vanilla or a little favorite sweetener, and then the milk you tend to get in your iced coffee.
This version was made from lots of trial and error with different milks and textures, and as a result, is really surprisingly close to traditional cold foam without the heavy cream! Even the most die-hard dairy lovers are shocked at how rich and indulgent it is.
If you enjoy tasty fun drink add-ins, we have lots of additional fun recipes on our site like an olive garden peach bellini tea recipe, fresh kitchen creamy white ginger sauce recipe that you’ll want to check out next time!
Why You’ll Love Dairy Free Cold Foam
This cold foam is remarkably creamy due to the full-fat coconut milk. After a good shake, it comes out nice and thick even without fancy tools or dairy.
It’s customizable too-you can add vanilla extract, maple syrup, flavored syrups, or keep it unsweetened if you enjoy a more natural flavor. It sits on top of iced coffee ice and melts beautifully, almost like a fancy cloud of foam.
Best of all, it’s quick to make and uses simple ingredients that you might already have. Once you try it, you won’t want to go back to heavy cream.
Ingredients Required for Dairy Free Cold Foam Recipe
Before you start, make sure you have all the following ingredients listed below for this Dairy Free Cold Foam Recipe
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk (not light)
- 1–2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla syrup
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (or sweetener of your choice)
- ½–1 cup milk of your choice (macadamia milk recommended)
- Espresso or strong brewed coffee
- Ice
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk (not light)
- 1–2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla syrup
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (or sweetener of your choice)
- ½–1 cup milk of your choice (macadamia milk recommended)
- Espresso or strong brewed coffee
- Ice
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
How To Make Dairy Free Cold Foam
Just follow these easy steps to make your own Dairy Free Cold Foam at home
1: Shake the Coconut Milk
Start by opening the can of full-fat coconut milk. Pour the contents into a large mason jar. Do not worry if the coconut milk has separated with the thick part floating on top and the liquid below. We will shake the jar later to combine. Secure the lid on the jar and shake for 20 to 30 seconds until completely emulsified.
2: Add Vanilla
Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (or more to taste) to the jar. Shake again so that the vanilla gets evenly mixed in with the coconut cream.
3: Make Your Coffee
Brew your espresso or coffee of choice. If you like your coffee sweetened, you may want to directly stir in 1 tablespoon of maple syrup into your hot espresso.
4: Prepare the Cup
Fill your glass with ice and add in your milk of choice (macadamia milk is amazing in this recipe). Then, add your sweetened espresso on top.
5: Add the Cold Foam
Next, by spooning or pouring, you are going to add the creamy coconut to the top of the coffee. As you sip, the coconut cream will stay thick on top and slowly integrate into your coffee.
6: Serve and Enjoy
Insert a straw or drink from the cup right away. The cold foam will remain fluffy and creamy, giving you true café cold foam, no dairy required!
How to Store Dairy Free Cold Foam Properly?
You can keep any extra coconut cold foam in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. Shake well each time before use – natural separation is normal. You will not need to reheat-simply scoop the foam and enjoy it over iced drinks at any time.
What to Pair and Serve with Dairy Free Cold Foam
1. Iced Vanilla Latte
We love adding this cold foam on top of a simple iced vanilla latte. It melts in slowly and makes the whole drink taste extra creamy.
2. Iced Caramel Coffee
Caramel and coconut foam are a perfect match. We drizzle a little caramel inside the cup first-it tastes like a coffee shop treat.
3. Cold Brew Coffee
One of our favorite pairings! The strong cold brew balances the sweet coconut foam beautifully.
4. Matcha Latte
We were surprised how well the foam sits on iced matcha. The flavors blend slowly and taste super refreshing.
5. Iced Chai Latte
The warm spices of chai mixed with cool, fluffy foam is always a winning combo when we want something cozy but cold.
6. Mocha Iced Coffee
The chocolate flavor with the creamy foam tastes almost like a dessert. We make this one a lot on weekends.
7. Iced Cinnamon Coffee
A sprinkle of cinnamon inside the coffee plus the silky foam on top makes it taste like a holiday drink.
8. Strawberry Iced Tea
Yes-tea! The light fruit flavor pairs surprisingly well with coconut. This combo is perfect for hot afternoons.
9. Affogato-Style Treat
We sometimes pour a shot of hot espresso over ice cream, then add a spoon of cold foam. It’s simple but feels fancy.
10. Fruity Sparkling Water
For a light, refreshing twist, we add foam to berry-flavored sparkling water. It gives a creamy float vibe we love.
My Personal Experience With this Recipe and Some Tips
I tried this dairy-free cold foam one morning, and I was so happy! It was soft, creamy, and sat on my coffee like a little cloud. I didn’t miss the milk at all. It felt fun to make, and it made my drink taste special. Now I make it every day!
Some Tips
1. Shake the can well. This helps the coconut milk get smooth and creamy.
2. Use cold milk. Cold milk makes the foam fluffy.
3. Add a little sweet. A tiny bit of syrup makes it yummy.
4. Taste as you go. Add more vanilla if you like it.
5. Use full-fat coconut milk. It makes the best foam.
6. Shake before each use. The milk can settle, so shake to make it smooth again.
FAQs on Dairy Free Cold Foam Recipe
Here are some common questions I’ve got you covered about the Dairy Free Cold Foam Recipe.
1. How do I make dairy-free cold foam?
From our experience, the easiest method is shaking full-fat coconut milk in a mason jar. Add vanilla and a little sweetener, then shake until thick and creamy. It takes less than a minute and stays fluffy on iced coffee.
2. What does Starbucks use to make their non-dairy cold foam?
Starbucks usually uses plant-based milks like almond, oat, or soy along with flavored syrups. They blend it with a high-speed cold foamer. We tested the same idea at home, and full-fat coconut milk gave us the closest, creamiest texture.
3. How do you make cold foam without cream?
The trick is using a milk with enough fat to foam. Full-fat coconut milk works best for us. Shake, blend, or froth it until it thickens. You get that café-style cloud without any dairy.
4. What is the 3/2-1 method for cold foam?
It’s a simple ratio baristas use: 3 parts milk, 2 parts flavoring, 1 part thickener. For dairy-free versions, we swap the thickener with coconut cream or a small amount of maple syrup.
5. Why is my dairy-free cold foam not getting thick?
Usually the coconut milk isn’t cold enough or doesn’t contain enough fat. Make sure it’s full-fat, chilled, and well-shaken.
6. Can I make dairy-free cold foam with oat milk only?
You can, but it won’t get as thick. We found that oat milk foams lightly, like soft bubbles, while coconut milk becomes creamy.
7. Does dairy-free cold foam separate in coffee?
It slowly melts in, just like regular cold foam. If it separates quickly, it may need more shaking or a slightly thicker coconut cream base.
8. Can I sweeten my dairy-free cold foam?
Yes! Maple syrup, honey, vanilla syrup, or sugar-free sweeteners all work. We prefer maple syrup because it blends smoothly.
9. Can I store dairy-free cold foam?
Absolutely. Keep it in a sealed jar for up to 3 days. Shake well before using-natural separation is normal.
10. What milk makes the thickest dairy-free cold foam?
In our testing, full-fat coconut milk always creates the richest, café-style foam. Oat, almond, and soy can work, but none get as creamy as coconut.
This Dairy Free Cold Foam Recipe proves you don’t need dairy to enjoy a creamy, rich iced coffee topper. It’s easy, no-fuss, affordable, and delicious enough to transport you right to a coffee shop.
Give it a try, and then you can have fun making your daily coffee drink feel special! If you enjoyed this recipe, take a look at some of our other fun drinks and desserts on the website, and be sure to let us know how it turned out!
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