Easy Peanut Butter Latte
Peanut butter lovers rejoice! This silky smooth Peanut Butter Latte is perfect for making mornings a bit more bearable, or for sipping on while you cuddle up with a good book. They’re velvety smooth and chock full of creamy peanut butter flavor!
What you’ll love about this recipe:
- Creamy and Indulgent: This isn’t your ordinary latte. The peanut butter gives it a unique, rich twist. Think about the body of a mocha, but with peanut butter instead of chocolate!
- Affordable: Even if you spring for pricey coffee beans, you can make these at home for a fraction of the cost of a coffeeshop drink.
- Adaptable: Want it sweeter, more coffee-forward, or even vegan? This recipe can easily be adjusted to your preference!
The Best Velvety Peanut Butter Lattes
If you’ve never had a peanut butter latte, you have no idea what you’ve been missing!
At least I didn’t, until I tried one at a super cute coffee shop that i stumbled on while in Buffalo for a weekend. One sip and I was hooked!
The rich peanut butter flavor was just so right in a cozy drink, and it gave the latte an amazing creaminess that’s unlike anything I’d had before.
Unfortunately Buffalo is definitely too far for a casual coffee run, and most recipes I found online used peanut butter flavored syrup instead of actual peanut butter. We can’t have that!
After a bit of tinkering in the kitchen, I came up with delicious homemade peanut butter syrup. It’s very similar to the recipe I use to make peanut butter sauce for ice cream, but a little thinner. Mixed into a latte or cup of coffee, it’s a fantastic treat.
Whether you’re a coffee aficionado, a peanut butter lover, or just in the mood to try something new, this Peanut Butter Latte recipe is definitely for you!
Ingredients
Whole Milk (or your milk of choice). I love the richness of whole milk in a latte, but you can use skim milk or even almond or oat milk if you prefer. Just note that the ability of plant-based milk to create foam can vary significantly from brand to brand. For the most consistent results, look for options labelled “barista blend.”
Creamy Peanut Butter. This is the star ingredient! Creamy peanut butter gives the latte its velvety texture and unmatchable flavor.
Brown Sugar. Brown sugar adds a caramel-like sweetness to the latte, complementing the nutty flavor of the peanut butter. Opt for dark brown sugar for a more intense molasses flavor. You can also use maple syrup.
Vanilla Extract. Vanilla adds a little extra something-something and gives the peanut butter syrup extra depth
Sea Salt. Just a pinch enhances the nutty flavor and gives this latte a candy bar feel (butterfringer, anyone?)
Espresso or Strong Coffee. A blend of your favorite coffee gives the latte a well-rounded taste and provides that needed caffeine kick.
Pro Tips
- If you have a milk frother that steams the milk, like a Nespresso aeroccino, you can skip the stovetop! Add the milk and steam until warm, then stir in the peanut butter and vanilla before steaming the rest of the way.
- Make sure to whisk the milk mixture well to ensure the peanut butter combines smoothly with the milk.
- Adjust the sweetness to your taste by adding more or less sugar. You can also use pure maple syrup (not “pancake syrup”) for a less sweet version!
- For major coffee shop vibes, top it off with some whipped cream and a sprinkling of cocoa powder or a chocolate drizzle! Caramel is wonderful, too.
How to Steam Milk for a Latte
Steaming milk is so much more than just heating it up — it’s about creating that perfectly silky, microfoam texture that makes a latte so luxurious.
There are a few ways to do this, depending on what equipment you have:
If you’re lucky enough to have an espresso machine with a steam wand: Start by filling a stainless steel pitcher about one-third full with milk — you need to leave enough room for the milk to expand as it froths up. Place the tip of your steam wand just below the surface of the milk, at a slight angle, BEFORE you turn the steam on. Turn on the steam wand and keep it near the surface at first to incorporate air into the milk and create foam. When you’ve achieved some foam, submerge the wand deeper into the milk. Aim to heat the milk to around 140°F to 155°F, which is hot to the touch but not scalding.
If you have an aeroccino: Place the whisk into the bottom, fill the canister to the bottom line, Put on the top, and press the button. This foolproof method is my personal favorite!
If you’re working on the stovetop: Place a pot of milk on the stove over medium-low heat. Heat the milk gradually, stirring to prevent a skin from forming on the surface and to ensure the milk heats evenly. Heat the milk to about 140°F to 155°F – it will start to simmer, but should not boil. Remove the milk from the stove and whisk vigorously by hand or with an immersion blender.
Frequently asked questions
The difference between a latte and a cappuccino has to do with the ratio of espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk. For a latte, you’ll use mostly steamed milk, with just a thin cap of milk foam. A cappuccino on the other hand is “drier” and traditionally uses a ratio of equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam.
Yes, refrigerate it for up to a week.
Nope! Just add it right to your coffee. It will thicken up some in the fridge, but will smooth back out once it’s in your hot drink.
I don’t recommend it.
Yup!
Oh you sure can – and yes, it does taste like a peanut butter cup! Add 1 Tablespoon of mocha sauce to your latte, or stir 1/4 cup into a full batch of the peanut butter syrup.
If you like making your own coffee drinks, I highly recommend getting a frother. You can get a small handheld one for a few dollars. If you don’t want to do that, you can heat your milk on the stove and use an immersion blender or whisk to froth it up. Scroll up a little bit for more detailed instructions!
Other recipes you might like:
- Irish Cream Cold Brew Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)
- Pumpkin Cold Foam
- French Press Cold Brew
- Apple Butter Latte
Easy Peanut Butter Latte
Ingredients
For the Peanut Butter Syrup
- 1 ½ cup whole milk or milk of your choice
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 Tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
For each Latte
- 1 ½ cups whole milk or milk of your choice
- 2 ounces espresso or strong coffee
Instructions
- Heat 1 ½ cups of milk, peanut butter, and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat just until the peanut butter is fully melted.
- Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract.
- Steam the remaining milk in a separate container.
- Pour the espresso (or hot coffee) into your favorite mug, stir in 1-2 Tablespoons of peanut butter syrup, and top with steamed milk.
- Serve and enjoy piping hot.
