A flat white recipe might not be as difficult as you think. This drink is a favourite among coffee drinkers here at home in Australia, and its popularity is spreading worldwide. While a relatively easy recipe to make with so few ingredients, the precision required to make a perfect flat white means some people struggle. Whether you’re a professional barista looking to up your coffee game or if you just want to make café-style coffee at home, this easy flat white recipe will take you through the steps to get it right every time.
What is a Flat White?
Before getting into our flat white recipe, let’s take a quick look at what it is. A flat white is a coffee drink made with a double shot of espresso and steamed milk which is served in a smaller cup. Its defining feature is its microfoam milk with tiny, fine bubbles that create a smooth, velvety steamed milk texture rather than a thick layer of airy foam.
The Australia and New Zealand Debate
Coffee culture enthusiasts in Australia and New Zealand have long debated around where exactly the flat white originated. While the truth about where the flat white was born remains unclear, what we do know is that the flat white appeared on menus in both countries during the early 1980s. Since then, the flat white evolved to spread to all corners of the globe, gaining popularity among coffee beverages in the early 2000s as part of the third wave coffee movement.
Ingredients & Equipment
Ingredients:
A flat white recipe is simple as it only uses two ingredients: beans and milk.
For the beans, use fresh roasted if possible for the most flavourful coffee. Look for coffee beans roasted within the past two weeks as they can lose their flavour quickly. Medium to dark roasts work well, though many baristas prefer a medium roast that provides a bold coffee flavour without overpowering the milk. You’ll need about 18-20 grams of coffee beans for a double shot of espresso coffee.
Whole milk is best for a flat white recipe as it creates the best microfoam texture. If this isn’t an option for you, oat milk is the next best option. Skim or soy milk also steams reasonably well and produces acceptable microfoam, and soy milk’s flavour can overpower the espresso. Almond milk, coconut milk, and other nut milks face similar challenges with texture.
Equipment:
A proper coffee machine with a steam wand is the best tool for creating a perfect flat white at home. If you don’t have an espresso machine, a Moka pot, AeroPress, French press, or even a microwave can do in a pinch, but each of these options falls short in one way and won’t be able to create a true flat white.
Ideally you’ll need a coffee grinder to grind your beans instead of just using espresso powder. Burr grinders are your best choice, but blade grinders can also do the job.
Lastly, you’ll need a milk pitcher or jug for steaming and a small cup for serving.
A thermometer also helps if you’re new to making flat whites, or you’re just obsessed with getting the temperature absolutely perfect.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making a Flat White Coffee
1. Prepare the Espresso
Espresso forms the base of your flat white. Grind your coffee beans to a fine consistency similar to table salt. Measure out 18-20 grams (roughly 3-4 tablespoons) of coffee beans for your double shot of espresso.
Distribute the ground coffee evenly in your portafilter (the handled metal basket that comes with your espresso machine) and tamp it firmly with consistent pressure.
Lock the portafilter into your espresso machine and start the extraction. Your shot of espresso should take 25-30 seconds to pull and produce about 2 ounces of concentrated coffee. The espresso should look thick and syrupy with a golden crema on top.
2. Steam the Milk
Pour cold whole milk into your pitcher, filling it about one-third full.
Turn on the steam and introduce air during the first 3 to 5 seconds by keeping the wand tip near the surface. You’ll hear a slight hissing sound as you froth milk.
Position the steam wand just below the surface of the milk at a slight angle (estimate 20 degrees) so that the milk rolls in a whirlpool motion, breaking down large bubbles.
Continue heating until the milk reaches 60-65°C.
Turn off the steam before removing the wand from the milk. The texture for your flat white should now look shiny and smooth, without any large bubbles visible on the surface.
3. Pour and Combine
Give your milk pitcher a gentle tap on the counter to pop any remaining large bubbles.
Hold your cup at a slight angle and pour the steamed milk from about 5-10 cm above the cup. Pour steadily in the centre of the espresso shot. Pour as soon as you can to maintain the microfoam quality.
Equipment Maintenance
Make sure you clean your equipment between uses. Coffee oils and milk residue quickly build up, negatively affecting the taste of future flat whites made with the same machine.
Purge your steam wand with a small burst of steam then wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Clean your portafilter by knocking used coffee grounds into the bin after each use, then rinsing the basket under hot water. You should also descale your machine every few months by filling the reservoir with either a commercial descaler or a white vinegar and water solution, running it through the system, then flushing it multiple times with fresh water.
If your espresso machine has a three-way valve, you should back flush it regularly in line with the instructions in the manual which should have with the machine.
Coffee Art for Beginners
Latte art is one of the most recognisable features of modern coffee shop culture. The beautiful patterns you see on top of milk-based coffee drinks might look difficult, but they are possible at home with practice and the right technique. While lattes are the easiest drinks to make coffee art with due to the extra milk and larger cup sizes, flat whites aren’t a bad place to practise latte art basics.
Start with refining your pour. Pouring from 2-3cm above is ideal; any higher than 10cm and the milk risks sinking to the bottom of the cup. A fast, thick stream pushes the white milk outward across the crema, making it easier to create visible patterns. Holding your pitcher still in one spot produces circular patterns, side-to-side movements create zigzag lines, and pulling the pitcher backward while pouring draws patterns out into leaf shapes.
Best Flat White Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basics of this flat white recipe, it’s time to expand your horizons. Flavour syrups like vanilla and caramel add a simple twist, while others prefer a single shot over the traditional double.
If you’re looking for a bigger change an iced coffee flat white recipe largely follows the same steps. The difference is you place ice cubes in your cup first to pour the espresso over.
Difference Between a Flat White vs. Other Coffee Drinks
There are three things which separate a flat white recipe from other coffee drinks. First, a flat white recipe uses a double shot of espresso, using a greater ratio of espresso to milk for a stronger coffee flavour. Second, it has its signature velvety microfoam as opposed to the thick froth or minimal crema of other coffees. Finally, a flat white traditionally comes in a smaller cup (usually 5 or 6 ounces) so the coffee to milk ratio creates a stronger, more concentrated taste.
Latte
A latte uses more milk than a flat white and traditionally comes in a taller cup. Together, this dilutes the espresso and leads to a milder taste.
Cappuccino
The main difference between a cappuccino and a flat white is their foam content. A cappuccino has much more foam on top, creating distinct layers between the espresso, steamed milk, and froth. Cappuccinos occasionally come in larger cups than flat whites as well.
Macchiato
A macchiato uses less milk than a flat white, giving it a stronger espresso flavour.
Ready to Make a Flat White at Home?
Now that you know how to make the perfect flat white coffee recipe, the only thing left to do is practise, practise, practise. By enrolling in a barista course, you can fast track your skills under the professional guidance of an expert trainer, and learn how to make other coffees too! You don’t need to want to become a barista, anyone with a passion for coffee can enrol.
Armed with the knowledge, all you need are fresh coffee beans and the right equipment to enjoy this delicious flat white coffee whenever you want. Now that you can make your flat white coffee at home, your morning coffee will never be the same.
FAQs
Can I Make Flat Whites Without an Espresso Machine?
Yes, but it won’t be the same as a proper espresso machine is the best way to extract espresso and steam milk. The results you get from other methods like the Moka pot or AeroPress might be okay with practise, but won’t measure up to what a proper flat white should be.
What's the Best Way to Roast Coffee Beans at Home?
Home roasting requires a specialised coffee roaster, but can also be done with a microwave or modified popcorn machine. To roast coffee beans, heat green coffee beans to 200-230°C while listening for cracking sounds.
What is the Flat White Nutrition Content?
A standard flat white made with whole milk contains approximately 120-150 calories, provides about 6-8 grams of protein from the milk and has roughly 6-7 grams of fat.
