Viral for all the right reasons, Dalgona Coffee is an absolute showstopper — an incredibly fluffy and rich whipped coffee layered over ice-cold (or steaming hot!) milk. With just three staple pantry ingredients and a few minutes, you’ll feel like a café barista right at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Just Three Ingredients: All you need is instant coffee, sugar, and water — no fancy equipment or frills required.
- Barista-Worthy Aesthetic: Each cup of Dalgona Coffee is gorgeously layered, frothy, and totally Instagrammable.
- Customizable for Every Mood: Make it hot or iced, go bold with flavors, or choose your favorite milk for your own twist.
- So Satisfying to Whip Up: Watching the magic transformation from dark liquid to fluffy cloud is its own reward!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the greatest joys of Dalgona Coffee is just how simple — yet essential — each ingredient is. Every component punches above its weight, creating that iconic flavor, velvety texture, and picture-perfect contrast in every cup.
- Instant Coffee: The star of the show! Choose your favorite instant — a flavored option like vanilla praline adds a decadent note.
- Sugar: Not just for sweetness — sugar is what creates the stable, cloud-like whip that floats on your milk.
- Hot Water: Just a splash, but it’s the key to dissolving and activating the coffee and sugar for maximum foaminess.
- Milk: Go classic with dairy milk or choose any plant-based milk for a personalized base, chilled or hot as you like.
- Ice Cubes (optional): For a true iced treat, a handful of ice keeps things cool and fun — but you can skip for a cozy hot version.
Variations
Dalgona Coffee is the perfect blank canvas for creativity! You can easily adapt it depending on what you have on hand, your diet, or just what kind of treat you’re craving today.
- Flavored Syrups: Stir in a dash of hazelnut, caramel, or vanilla syrup to your milk for an extra punch of café flavor.
- Non-Dairy Milk Options: Almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk all provide a lovely twist and can suit any dietary need.
- Less Sweet: Prefer your coffee more intense? Simply cut back the sugar, adjusting to your taste.
- Chocolate Dalgona: Sprinkle cocoa powder over the top or even whisk in a little cocoa with your coffee mixture before whipping!
How to Make Dalgona Coffee
Step 1: Combine and Prep
In a medium mixing bowl, add your instant coffee, sugar, and hot water. The magic ratio? Equal parts of each — that’s what gives Dalgona Coffee its signature froth. Give it a quick stir to combine and get ready for the fun part.
Step 2: Whip to Fluffy Peaks
Grab your handheld mixer, stand mixer, or trusty milk frother and whip the mixture on high speed. Watch as it transforms into a pale, glossy cloud and stiff peaks form — this takes just 2-4 minutes! If you’re up for a mini workout, whisk by hand (it’s totally possible, just expect about 400 swift whisks!).
Step 3: Assemble and Serve
Fill your favorite glass with ice cubes if making it iced, then pour in cold or hot milk. Generously dollop your whipped coffee cloud right on top. Let the layers shine, grab a spoon or straw, and swirl together just before sipping!
Pro Tips for Making Dalgona Coffee
- Choose the Right Coffee: Only instant coffee (not ground or brewed) will whip up into that iconic, fluffy cloud — classic or flavored, the choice is yours!
- Use Boiling Hot Water: Water that’s freshly boiled dissolves both the coffee and sugar perfectly, setting you up for maximum volume and shine.
- Chill Your Milk for Iced Dalgona: Pop your glass and milk in the fridge for a few minutes before pouring to keep the whipped topping crisp.
- Hand-Whisk Success: If using a whisk, use a wide bowl and a rhythmic back-and-forth motion; you’ll get those glossy peaks with a little patience!
How to Serve Dalgona Coffee
Garnishes
A sprinkle of cocoa powder, a dusting of cinnamon, or even a few chocolate shavings on top of your Dalgona Coffee adds both beauty and flavor. For extra decadence, try a drizzle of caramel or a few crunchy espresso beans.
Side Dishes
This coffee is the ultimate treat with buttery, flaky pastries like croissants or Danish twists. It also pairs wonderfully with chocolate chip cookies, almond biscotti, or even a simple buttered toast for a dreamy snack.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Dalgona Coffee in a clear glass or mason jar to show off those luscious layers. For parties, try mini shooters as a dessert sipper, or offer a DIY Dalgona “bar” where guests can whip and garnish their own cups!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover whipped coffee, store it in a tightly covered container in the fridge for up to 2 days. It may lose a little volume, but a quick whip will revive its fluffiness!
Freezing
While you can technically freeze whipped Dalgona Coffee, it loses that lovely airy texture when defrosted. It’s always best enjoyed freshly whipped, but you can freeze any leftover mixture as a fun coffee ice cream topper.
Reheating
To enjoy your Dalgona hot, simply warm your milk first, pour into a mug, and top with chilled (or just-whipped) coffee. The coffee whip itself doesn’t need reheating — just give it a quick stir to refresh if needed.
FAQs
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Can I use regular brewed coffee for Dalgona Coffee?
Unfortunately, brewed coffee won’t whip up into the signature creamy cloud. You need instant coffee granules because they contain properties that allow the whip to develop structure and volume.
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How do I make Dalgona Coffee less sweet?
Absolutely! Just use less sugar in the whipping stage, but remember that the sugar also helps stabilize the foam. Using a little less will reduce sweetness but keep some structure.
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Is it possible to make Dalgona Coffee vegan or dairy-free?
It’s so easy! Use almond, coconut, soy, oat, or any dairy-free milk you love. The whipped topping itself is naturally vegan as long as your instant coffee and sugar are plant-based.
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What equipment works best to whip Dalgona Coffee?
An electric hand mixer or stand mixer is quickest, but a good milk frother also does the trick. Don’t have those? A hand whisk and some elbow grease yield beautiful results with a bit more time!
Final Thoughts
Dalgona Coffee is more than just a trendy treat — it’s a playful, satisfying way to bring a little joy to your day (and a smile with every sip). If you haven’t tried whipping up a glass yet, there’s no better time; grab your favorite mug and discover this irresistible, velvety creation for yourself!
Print
Dalgona Coffee Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Whipping
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make the popular Dalgona Coffee, also known as Korean Whipped Coffee, at home. This creamy and frothy coffee is a delightful treat for coffee lovers.
Ingredients
For the Whipped Coffee:
- 1 Tbsp instant coffee (I used Moccona vanilla praline)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp hot water
For Serving:
- 3/4 cups milk (~1 cup), chilled or heated
- Ice cubes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Whipped Coffee: Combine instant coffee, sugar, and hot water in a mixing bowl. Whisk on high speed until stiff peaks form (2-4 mins).
- Serve: Add ice cubes to a mug, pour milk, then top with whipped coffee. Serve.
Notes
- 1 Tbsp = 15 ml
- I haven’t tried other forms of coffee (such as freshly ground coffee) with this recipe. Instant coffee works best for the creamy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 176 kcal
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 81mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 18mg
