Your Favorite Coffee Shop's Oat Milk Latte: The Simple Recipe Revealed

You don’t need a $5 drink and a long line to enjoy a rich, creamy oat milk latte. With the right method, ingredients, and tools, you can make it at home—often better than what you’d get at your local spot. Here’s how to nail the taste, texture, and balance.

What You Need To Get Started?

Before you get to the recipe, you’ll need a few things:

Espresso maker or strong coffee setup: If you don’t own an espresso machine, you’re not out of luck. A Moka pot, AeroPress, or Nespresso machine can work with slight adjustments.

Oat milk that froths well: Look for barista-style oat milk like Oatly Barista, Califia Farms Barista Blend, or Minor Figures. These are formulated to steam and foam like dairy milk.

Milk frother or steam wand: A steam wand is ideal, but a handheld frother or French press can give you a good texture if you heat the milk first.

Burr grinder (if using whole beans): A consistent grind matters. The Baratza Encore or Fellow Opus delivers solid results without going fully pro.

Fresh espresso or bold coffee beans: Look for medium-dark to dark roast beans with chocolate, nutty, or caramel notes. Brands like Stumptown Hair Bender, Counter Culture Big Trouble, or Lavazza Super Crema are all solid picks.

Oat Milk Latte Recipe: Barista-Style

Ingredients

1 shot (or 2 ounces) of espresso

6–8 ounces barista-style oat milk

Optional: dash of vanilla syrup or maple syrup

Steps

1. Brew your espresso or strong coffee.

For AeroPress: use 17g of coffee with 50–60ml of water at 200°F. Steep for 1 minute, then press.

For Moka pot: fill the basket with medium-fine ground coffee, add water, and brew on medium heat.

2. Heat oat milk to about 140–150°F.

Use a thermometer for accuracy. Don’t boil it—it should be warm enough to steam but not scald.

3. Froth the milk.

With a steam wand: stretch the milk for 3–4 seconds, then submerge to swirl and heat evenly.

With a frother: tilt your container slightly and froth until velvety.

With a French press: pour warm milk in, plunge quickly for 10–15 seconds.

4. Pour espresso into a mug. Add a small amount of milk first to blend. Then slowly pour the rest of the frothed milk, holding back the foam until the end.
5. Top with foam. Optional: drizzle a tiny bit of maple syrup or sprinkle cinnamon.

Recipe Variation: Iced Oat Milk Latte

Perfect for warm days or afternoon breaks.

Ingredients

2 shots of espresso (or 4 ounces strong brewed coffee)

¾ cup oat milk

Ice

Optional: 1 tsp vanilla or brown sugar syrup

Directions

1. Brew espresso and let it cool slightly.
2. Fill a glass with ice.
3. Add syrup if using.
4. Pour oat milk over the ice.
5. Slowly pour espresso on top for a layered look.
6. Stir before drinking.

This version works well with the same barista-style oat milks. For an extra chill touch, freeze leftover brewed coffee in ice cube trays and use those instead of regular ice.

Recipe Variation: Brown Sugar Shaken Oat Latte

Inspired by coffee chains, but easy to make at home.

Ingredients

2 shots of espresso

1 tbsp brown sugar

Dash of cinnamon

½ tsp vanilla extract

¾ cup oat milk

Ice

Directions

1. Brew espresso and pour it into a cocktail shaker or mason jar.
2. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Shake while hot to dissolve the sugar.
3. Add ice and shake again until frothy and cold.
4. Pour into a glass and top with oat milk.

It’s sweet, spiced, and smooth—especially with espresso made using beans like Verve Streetlevel or Blue Bottle Three Africas.

Choosing The Right Oat Milk

Not all oat milks work the same. Regular versions can separate or turn thin when heated. Barista blends contain stabilizers and a touch more fat, helping them froth and hold texture.

Top Options

Oatly Barista Edition ($5–$6): Consistent, creamy, and the most widely used in shops.

Califia Farms Barista Blend ($4–$5): Slightly lighter but still foams well.

Minor Figures Barista Oat ($5–$6): Subtle sweetness and good balance, works hot or iced.

You can store most in the pantry until opened. Once opened, keep refrigerated and shake before using.

Gear That Makes A Difference

If you’re ready to improve your lattes, these upgrades are worth considering.

Espresso Machines

Breville Bambino Plus ($500): Fast heat-up, excellent steam wand, compact.

Gaggia Classic Pro ($450): Durable build, mod-friendly, solid steam power.

Nespresso Vertuo Next ($180): Pod-based but with decent crema and convenience.

Grinders

Baratza Encore ESP ($199): Perfect for espresso or pour-over, reliable grind size.

Fellow Opus ($195): Sleek design, easy dial-in, works well across brewing styles.

Frothers

Nespresso Aeroccino 4 ($120): No-hassle frothing, hot or cold.

Instant Milk Frother ($40): Budget pick, solid texture for the price.

For French press users, you already have a manual frother. Just don’t plunge too hard—gentle, fast plunges work best.

Beans For Oat Milk

Some beans taste flat or overly sharp when paired with oat milk. Others shine.

Try these:

Stumptown Hair Bender: Chocolate, cherry, and toffee notes.

Counter Culture Big Trouble: Round, nutty, sweet.

Verve Streetlevel: Fruity, balanced, versatile.

Lavazza Super Crema: Smooth, low acidity, affordable (around $20 per 2.2lb bag).

Beans should be used within 2 weeks of opening. Store in an airtight container away from sunlight.

When To Use Each Method

Espresso Machine: Best flavor and control. Ideal for daily drinkers or latte lovers.

Moka Pot: More intense and affordable. Good for weekend brews or budget setups.

AeroPress: Compact, great for small kitchens or travel. Produces strong coffee that pairs well with milk.

Nespresso: Quick and consistent, especially when paired with a separate milk frother.

For iced lattes, espresso shots work better than brewed coffee. They retain more flavor after being chilled or poured over ice.

Final Thoughts: What To Try Next?

Start with the classic oat milk latte and dial in your milk and espresso. Once it feels right, try the iced or brown sugar version for a change. If you’re still using regular oat milk, switching to a barista blend improves texture and flavor fast.

Looking to upgrade? A better grinder or frother can boost consistency more than expected. Compare barista oat milks, try new beans, and explore gear that fits your setup. Just one good recipe might replace your go-to café order.