Dalgona Coffee Recipe: Make Whipped Coffee At Home

Question 1

What is Dalgona coffee?

Accepted Answer

Dalgona coffee, also known as whipped coffee or beat coffee, is a trendy Korean drink made by whipping instant coffee, sugar, and hot water into a thick, creamy froth. The foam is spooned over cold milk, creating a layered treat with a bittersweet coffee top and smooth milk base. It went viral on TikTok in 2020 for its simple recipe and Instagram-worthy look. No special equipment is needed—just a bowl, whisk, or hand mixer. Serve it hot or iced for a cafe-style experience at home. Each serving typically has about 100-150 calories, depending on milk type and sugar amount. It's naturally dairy-free in the foam but customizable with any milk.

Question 2

What ingredients do I need for Dalgona coffee?

Accepted Answer

The classic Dalgona coffee recipe uses just four ingredients: 2 tablespoons instant coffee (like Nescafe), 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons hot water, and 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based). Heat water to near-boiling for best whipping results. Sugar provides structure to the foam, so white granulated works best—avoid substitutes like honey. For vegan versions, use coconut or oat milk. Optional add-ins include a pinch of salt for balance or cocoa powder for a mocha twist. This makes one serving; scale up as needed. Prep time is under 10 minutes, with most effort in whipping the foam to stiff peaks.

Question 3

How do I make Dalgona coffee at home?

Accepted Answer

Start by combining 2 tbsp instant coffee, 2 tbsp sugar, and 2 tbsp hot water in a bowl. Whip vigorously with a hand mixer, whisk, or electric mixer on high for 5-10 minutes until the mixture turns golden, thick, and holds stiff peaks—like meringue. Pour cold milk into a glass, add ice for iced version, then spoon the froth on top. Swirl gently or stir before drinking. No mixer? Use a jar—shake for 15 minutes or French press plunger. Test readiness by lifting the whisk; peaks should stand. Serves one; total time 10 minutes. Perfect for beginners with this foolproof ratio.

Question 4

Why won't my Dalgona coffee foam properly?

Accepted Answer

Common issues with Dalgona foam include not whipping long enough, wrong water temperature, or ingredient swaps. Use hot (not boiling) water around 160-180°F to dissolve sugar fully without deflating bubbles. Whip at least 5 minutes to stiff peaks—under-whipping leaves it runny. Instant coffee granules are key; brewed coffee won't work. Too much water dilutes it, so stick to 1:1:1 ratio. Humidity or cold bowl can hinder aeration—warm the bowl first. If using a spoon, it takes 15+ minutes; switch to a mixer for speed. Once peaked, it holds for hours. Troubleshoot by tasting: bitter means more sugar needed next time.

Question 5

Can I make vegan or low-calorie Dalgona coffee?

Accepted Answer

Yes, adapt Dalgona coffee easily for vegan or low-cal diets. Swap dairy milk for almond, soy, or oat milk—unsweetened versions cut calories to under 100 per serving. Use coconut sugar or a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit (1:1 ratio), but test whipping as erythritol may not peak as well. The foam stays vegan naturally. For fewer calories, halve sugar to 1 tbsp and add vanilla extract for flavor. Iced with skim milk or sparkling water base saves more. A standard serving has 120 calories; vegan tweaks drop it to 80. Experiment with matcha powder for green tea version. Links to full vegan recipe variations on our site.

Ingredients

Instructions

Last Step:

Notes

Nutrition