How to Make a Skinny Vanilla Latte At Home
Make this Skinny Vanilla Latte recipe at home in 5 minutes using only 4 ingredients and 5 steps. Sweet, steamy and frothy, this vanilla latte drink pushes all the limits by using healthy, wholesome, plant-based ingredients that will warm your soul and blow Starbucks out of the water!
Yummy! Don’t you just love all things vanilla? Especially when it’s paired with a double espresso, frothy almond milk, gourmet sugar-free French vanilla syrup and dairy-free whipped cream. You can’t get much healthier than that, I guarantee it! You can make this skinny latte in your microwave or using an espresso machine; it’s that easy.
This vanilla latte is inspired by my vegan pumpkin spice latte and pairs well with some of my favorite vegan breakfast recipes, including my vegan banana bread muffins, banana peel bacon, vegan banana pancakes, and my vegan blueberry lemon muffins. Oops, I almost forgot my vegan orange Julius.
🥛 Ingredients for Skinny Vanilla Latte (With Substitutions)
- unsweetened vanilla almond milk – almond milk is one of the best plant-milks to use in a latte because it froths quite nicely. One cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk has only 45 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 0 carbs and 0 cholesterol compared to whole milk which has 150 calories, 5 grams of fat, 12 grams of carbohydrates and 35 milligrams of cholesterol per serving. Plant milk is far healthier than cow’s milk and doesn’t involve exploitation or cruelty to animals. Of course, if almond milk is unavailable you can use the plant milk of your choosing.
- Stevia sugar-free vanilla syrup – most sugar-free vanilla syrups are loaded with artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame or erythritol that have been purported to have unhealthy side effects. NuNaturals Stevia vanilla syrup is derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant that’s native to South America. Vanilla syrup adds a rich, warm flavor to many coffee drinks, including this skinny vanilla latte.
- espresso – an espresso machine has a dual purpose: it both steams and froths the milk. This is the espresso machine I use and I love it. Alternatively, you can use a regular coffee maker and pack it with espresso grounds or plain coffee to ensure it’s extra-strong. You can also froth your plant milk using my favorite hand-held milk frother. For more ways to make espresso, see below.
- non-dairy whipped cream – I use dairy-free Readiwhip that I purchase from my local grocery store. An alternative to this would be any non-dairy whipped cream you can find, or you can whip up the top fatty portion of a can of heavy coconut cream, instead (this will add a coconut flavor to this French vanilla latte and add more calories, but it will still be delicious.
☕ Making Espresso At Home
To enjoy a latte, or any of the Starbuck’s copycat recipes at home, you’ll need a fool-proof method for making espresso. You can easily make homemade espresso with any of the following kitchen tools:
- espresso machine – my favorite way to make espresso at home is with a countertop espresso machine. This is the one I use. These machines make high quality espresso similar to the kind you get from your local coffee shop.
- manual espresso maker – don’t want a machine sitting out on your countertop? No problem. You’ll get similar results using an ultra-chick manual espresso maker.
- Moka Pot – one of the least expensive methods (this one costs less than $20) of making espresso at home. Makes classic dark, rich, smooth espresso coffee in minutes right in your home kitchen
- French press – another inexpensive tool you can use to make a vanilla latte at home (that’s less than $20) is a French press. If you’ve never had espresso or coffee from a French press, you must experience the difference. It makes regular coffee too!
🥄 How To Make a Skinny Vanilla Latte
1. Heat plant milk in the microwave for about 2 minutes or until hot. Make two shots of espresso or very strong coffee. Set aside. Pour heated milk in an espresso pitcher (or any kind of small pitcher). Froth the milk until foamy and it has doubled in size.
TIP: if you have an espresso machine with a milk frother you can simply steam and froth the plant milk using this.
2. Divide espresso into two mugs. Add sugar-free vanilla syrup and stir well.
3. Divide plant milk into mugs filled with espresso making sure to reserve the foam for the top.
5. Top each mug with a thick layer of foam.
6. Finish with a dollop of non-dairy whipped cream. Serve immediately and enjoy!
🍯 How To Make Homemade Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup
Making sugar-free vanilla syrup for this coffee recipe is super easy.
- Combine 2 cups of filtered water, 1/2 cup stevia crystals or powder and 2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract into a small saucepan. Stir well. Bring to a simmer.
- Add 2 tablespoon cornstarch to 1/8 cup of water and stir. Pour into saucepan. Increase heat to medium high while stirring constantly. Once mixture comes to a gentle boil, keep boiling for one full minute while continuing to stir constantly. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature.
- Pour mixture in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
🥤 Frothing and Steaming the Plant Milk
The best way to froth milk when making this recipe is with an espresso machine that has a milk frother, which also steams the milk making it nice and hot. However, if you don’t have an espresso machine, you can heat the milk on the stovetop and froth it using:
NOTE: please be careful when frothing milk in a regular blender. Be sure to hold the blender lid tightly as the liquid may be very hot.
🥃 Variations
- make it iced – to make an iced vanilla latte, fill a large tumbler glass to the rim with ice, add the vanilla latte that you made following the steps above, stir and then top with whipped cream.
- add cinnamon – make this vanilla latte recipe even more festive by adding 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to your espresso or strong coffee before brewing. Finish with a cinnamon stick.
💭 Frequently Asked Questions
A standard skinny vanilla latte is made with espresso, whole milk and vanilla syrup. Calories galore! A skinny vanilla latte is generally made with non-fat milk and sugar-free vanilla syrup.
However, skim milk and regular sugar-free vanilla syrup are not the healthiest food choices. My healthy skinny vanilla latte is made with unsweetened almond milk and Stevia sugar-free vanilla syrup.
A cup of almond milk has only 40 calories compared to 91 calories in a cup of skim milk. If you drink one cup of almond milk a day for a year, this means you’d save nearly 19,000 calories by making the switch from skim milk. Now that’s skinny!
The skinny version of my vanilla latte has only 111 calories per serving, 3.0 grams of fat, and 0 cholesterol. Plus, is loaded with calcium!
Yes, this delicious vanilla latte is completely gluten-free.
This one sure is. This latte recipe calls for unsweetened almond milk and Stevia-sweetened sugar-free vanilla syrup which eases the calories (111 calories per serving) and sweetens it naturally.
🥞 Serving Suggestions
This easy vanilla latte goes great with so many vegan breakfast and dessert recipes. Check out just a few below:
- Lemon Blueberry Loaf
- Vegan Blueberry Lemon Muffins
- Vegan Lemon Poppyseed Cake
- Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes
- Vegan Banana Pancakes
- Banana Peel Bacon
- Vegan French Toast Recipe
- Apple Pie Overnight Oats
- Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
🥂 More Beverages You’ll Love
Have you tried this? Why not leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, and sign up for my newsletter!
Skinny Vanilla Latte Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond milk or plant milk of your choosing
- 2 tbsp vanilla syrup sugar-free
- 2 shots espresso
- 2 ounces whipped cream non-dairy
Instructions
- Heat plant milk in the microwave for about 2 minutes or until hot. Make two shots of espresso or very strong coffee. Set aside. Pour heated milk in an espresso pitcher (or any kind of small pitcher). Froth the milk until foamy and it has doubled in size. TIP: if you have an espresso machine with a milk frother you can simply make the espresso, steam and froth the milk using this.
- Divide espresso into two mugs. Add unsweetened vanilla syrup and stir well.
- Divide plant milk into mugs filled with espresso making sure to reserve the foam for the top.
- Top each mug with a thick layer of foam.
- Finish with a dollop of non-dairy whipped cream. Serve immediately and enjoy!
So much better when you make them at home than spending too much on them in the coffee shop and having your order messed up! Perfect every time.
Indeed, I agree! Thank you Allyson!
I want this skinny vanila latte looks so yum and perfect treat.
Thanks Swathi!
looks amazing! can’t wait to test it out!
Thank you Imsen. Be sure to let us know how you liked it!
Your Skinny Vanilla Latte will definitely be a hit in my house! Thanks for sharing!
Mine too! Thanks Charles!
I was looking for a recipe for vanilla latte, thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to try it soon!
Thanks Shadi. You’ll love it.
Ooo I love this lighter tasting latte for an anytime pick-me-up. So easy too! Thank you!
Thanks so much Shelby.
I can’t wait to try this I haven’t had a latte in so long. They just have too many calories. I’m excited for this!
Thank you Beth. This one only has 111 calories per serving.
I love a good 5 minute recipe!
Me too! Thank you Jess.
I have not been to Starbucks for over 3 years. No need to. Making drinks at home is easy and saves you money too.
My sentiments exactly! Thanks Glorie!
Love a good vanilla latte! Thanks for the recipe!
You’re so welcome, Elizabeth, thank you.
This is my new favourite skinny latte recipe. Really easy to make and seriously delicious. Almond milk really does froth well!
So glad you loved it. Thank you Jacqueline.
This was a refreshing and creamy drink. I loved every sip. Thank you for sharing!
Of course. Thank you for trying it, Andrea.