10 Best Cappuccino K-Cups (Tastes Like A Barista Made It)

Love cappuccinos but hate waiting in line and paying for them? Me too. That’s why I decided to stop relying on Starbucks and find a way to make a great cappuccino at home.

I already used my Keurig to make quality coffee at home; I just needed to find the right cappuccino K cups. There are a lot out there, so I started trying and testing them to see which delivered the coffee that came closest to a coffee shop cappuccino.

I narrowed it down to the best 10 cappuccino K cups that let me indulge my cappuccino cravings, and in this guide, I'll introduce them to you so you can make your own quality cappuccino without leaving the house.

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10 Best K-Cups For The Perfect Cappuccino!

1. Grove Square French Vanilla

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Let's start with one of the best cappuccino K cups, the Grove Square French vanilla.

This creamy French vanilla cappuccino is one of the most authentic pods I've tasted, and it's best for anyone who enjoys a sweet cappuccino.

Grove Square uses a light roast coffee that adds a slightly bitter note to the cappuccino without overpowering it.

The powdered creamer, sweetener, and French vanilla all add a level of creamy sweetness that makes it really easy to drink. This is definitely a K cup for sweeter coffee lovers.

It's also easy to make, with everything in one single pod. There are no separate milk froth packets and no need to stir anything in, which means that even inexperienced coffee makers will find it a breeze. Plus, there's less waste to clean up afterward.

Each cappuccino K cup contains around 80 calories, higher than other brands, but you don't need to add any milk, cream, or sugar.

This actually limits the overall calorie count and makes it suitable for drinking throughout the day.

I recommend the Grove Square cappuccino K pods to anyone who loves sweet, milky coffee drinks.

They also make hazelnut and caramel cappuccino K cups for those who want to try different flavors.

Related Article - Best Light Roast K Cups

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2. Victor Allen's Coffee Sweet and Salty Caramel

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If you love flavored cappuccinos and lattes, you'll love the Victor Allen sweet and salty caramel cappuccino K cup.

It gives you all the sweetness to excite your taste buds, combined with some fresh coffee to give you a mild energy boost.

With a name like sweet and salty caramel, you expect a sweet drink, and that’s exactly what you get. However, the salty undertones do add another dimension to the flavor profile.

Victor Allen uses a medium roast coffee instead of a light roast that other brands use.

This adds a slight bitterness and more intense flavor to the cappuccino and prevents it from becoming sickly sweet.

Despite the sweetness, it’s not too unhealthy. It has a reasonably low-calorie count (70 per serving), which is less than the Grove Square French Vanilla cappuccino K cup or Indulgio cappuccino pod. It’s also cholesterol free.

Plus, this cappuccino K cup is all in one pod, with no need for a separate milk froth packet. This makes it quicker and cleaner to make your favorite brew.

This is one of the sweetest cappuccino K cups on the list, and definitely not for people who love strong, black coffee.

However, this is one of the best cappuccino K cups for anyone who enjoys a sugary cappuccino.

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3. The Original Donut Shop One-Step Classic Cappuccino

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These are the best cappuccino K cups for anyone who wants an authentic barista-level cappuccino at home.

The blend and ratio of coffee, milk, and sweetener make the Original Donut Shop cappuccino K cups one of the most realistic options.

The Original Donut Shop use dark roast coffee beans in their cappuccino K cups to give a deeper, more intense flavor.

Powdered milk and sweetener are included in the pod, but the bitter coffee flavor is very prominent. This makes this cappuccino K cup very close to a fresh cappuccino.

These cappuccino K cups don't just have authentic flavor; they're also easy to use. It's all in one pod, and the Original Donut Shop has made their K cups easy to clean and recycle. That's better for the planet and means you produce less waste.

The only downside of these K cups is the calorie count. The sweetener and powdered sugar make each K cup over 100 calories, one of the most calorific cappuccino K cups on the list.

However, I think it’s worth it for the authentic flavor, even if it means you drink them less frequently.

It isn't easy to get a true cappuccino at home, but the Original Donut Shop has come very close here.

If you want a convenient cappuccino at home, then this is my top pick.

Related Article - Best Dark Roast K-Cups

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4. Gevalia Cappuccino Espresso

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Gevalia cappuccino K cups offer a very authentic cappuccino at home.

They are frothier and creamier than other cappuccino K cups, perfect for those who want creamy richness that rivals a freshly made barista brew.

Gevalia K cups are so creamy because they use two separate pods; one for the froth and one for the coffee. This is slightly less convenient than the all-in-one variety, like Grove Square K Cups, but it gives you that distinctive layer of rich froth to enjoy.

The cappuccino K cups all contain a medium roast coffee that adds a deep and bold coffee flavor.

The K cups don't have as much sweetener as other brands, and there are definitely more bitter notes.

If you love strong coffee, then you'll enjoy the bitter coffee taste, but you can always stir in your own sugar if you want.

This K Cup doesn't make a sweet cappuccino like the Victor Allen or Grove K cups, but it is very similar to a wet cappuccino you get from a coffee shop. These are the best cappuccino K cups for those who love authentic frothy coffee.

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5. Barissimo Caramel Cappuccino

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If you prefer light, sweet flavors, then you'll love the Barissimo Caramel Cappuccino K cups.

There's absolutely no bitterness in these cappuccino K cups, so they're great for even the most casual coffee drinkers.

The Barissimo cappuccino K cup is made with a medium roast coffee and is pre-sweetened with caramel flavors.

There’s a good flavor balance, but it is on the sweet side, and while you can taste the coffee, it really is in the background.

What makes this one of the best cappuccino K cups is the smoothness.

The velvety milk coats your taste buds and makes it so easy to drink. It's one of the most appetizing K cups on the market, and I could drink them all day.

However, there are 70 calories in every serving, and while that is less than the Gevalia or Victor Allen blends, it’s still good to keep them as an occasional treat.

If you like a light, balanced, and sweet coffee, I recommend the Barissimo cappuccino K cup.

It may not have the most authentic flavor, but the caramel notes and smooth milk make it one of the most enjoyable homemade alternatives.

Related Article - Tasty Medium Roast K-Cups

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6. Double Donut Cappuccino

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The Double Donut cappuccino K cup combines donut and caramel flavors to give the ultimate sugary indulgence.

If you love sugary coffee drinks, this is the perfect cappuccino K cup for you.

This is another single-pod cappuccino with coffee, milk, sugar, and sweeteners all in one. Caramel is the stand-out flavor in these K cups, and while the coffee is there, there's no strong coffee taste.

What I love about these K cups is their smoothness. The cappuccino mixture is so easy to drink, and the milk foam actually feels close to the real thing.

These K cups are compatible with all Keurig K cup brewers, but one thing to note is that they can clog up your machine.

I would advise cleaning your Keurig before and after use and avoiding making too many coffees in succession.

If you are a classic coffee lover, then these K cups aren't for you, and I would recommend the rich-tasting coffee pods from Gevalia or Original Donut Shop instead.

However, if you love sugary, smooth coffees that are easy to drink, these are the best cappuccino K cups for you.

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7. Indulgio White Chocolate Caramel Cappuccino

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Indulgio has the most variety of any brand, and their white chocolate caramel cappuccino is one of their best cappuccino K cups.

If you like sweet but distinctive coffees, I recommend these cappuccino K cups.

My worry with the Indulgio white chocolate caramel flavor was that it would be overly sweet, especially seeing as they use a very light roast coffee, but the flavor actually works very well.

The combination of white chocolate, caramel, and hints of bitter coffee comes together to produce rich-tasting coffee.

Don't get me wrong, this Keurig K cup is clearly on the sweeter end of the spectrum, but it’s not sickly sweet.

These cappuccino K cups have a luxurious texture to back up the flavor.

It’s not quite the same as steamed milk, but the frothy layer is thicker than the Victor Allen Keurig K cup and makes it a more delicious cup of flavored coffee.

Indulgio lives up to its name with this indulgent cappuccino. It’s definitely only for those with a sweet tooth, but it works well as a sugary pick-me-up throughout the day or as an after-dinner treat.

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8. Crazy Cups Flavored Hot or Iced Cappuccino

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Crazy Cups make one of my favorite cappuccino K cups for hot weather. They make sweet-flavored coffees that can be made hot or cold, perfect for anyone who loves an iced cappuccino.

Crazy Cups have two exciting flavors; caramel delight and vanilla cloud. Both of these two flavors are sweet but balanced.

They have a stronger coffee taste than the Double Donut or Indulgio K cup pods, and there's more depth of flavor from each of the single-serve coffee pods.

Despite the sweet flavor, there’s a lot of high-quality Arabica coffee in each of the coffee pods.

The pods themselves are bigger than standard single-serve cups and include about 30% more medium-roast coffee. This gives a more flavorful taste and balances the sweetness.

Plus, the extra Arabica coffee gives it a bigger caffeine kick, which makes it a good morning brew or a tasty afternoon pick-me-up.

This is my top pick for those who love strong, sweet coffee. You can make it with hot milk or pour it over ice to cool you down on a hot day.

Related Article - Best Hot Chocolate K-Cups

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9. Twisted Pine Coffee Mocha Cappuccino

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Twisted Pine mocha cappuccino coffee cup pods perfectly blend the flavors of hot cappuccino and mocha.

If you love a chocolate-dusted cappuccino from a coffee shop, this is the best K cup for you.

The Twisted Pine blend is one of my favorite cappuccino K cups because it will produce rich-tasting coffee every time.

There's no sweetener, but the chocolate flavor enhances the coffee flavor, and the layer of steamed milk makes it velvety smooth.

It coats your entire mouth and makes it so easy to drink.

Each K cups pod contains Twisted Pine dark roast coffee that gives a bold and bitter flavor perfect for those who love stronger brews. It's much more intense than the Grove Square or Indulgio pods which use light roasts.

These full-bodied K cups are close to a real cappuccino, and this brand offers high-quality coffee at a fairly reasonable price.

If you like strong, traditional coffees, then you'll love these K-cup pods.

Related Article - Best Mocha K-Cups

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10. Smart Sips, Gourmet Cappuccino

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If you love flavored syrups in your cappuccinos, you’ll love these K cups. Smart Sips gourmet cappuccino variety pack gives you bags of flavor and lots of choice.

Smart Sips offer 4 flavors to choose from:

• Cinnamon flavor
• Hazelnut flavor
• Almond Cookie flavor
• French Vanilla flavor

These are all classic cappuccino pairings and flavors that could be added by a barista during the coffee brewing process. They all work well and enhance the cappuccino taste.

Each of the hot cappuccino K cup pods is filled with medium roast Arabica coffee beans, powdered milk, and sweetener.

These pods aren’t quite as sweet as the Double Donut cappuccino Keurig K cup, but they are definitely on the sweeter side.

I love these K cups, but they don't taste as much like a real cappuccino as some other brands.

Their coffee flavor is disguised, and there's less milk foam, so it isn't the same as a quality cappuccino.

However, the mix of flavors makes these really enjoyable coffees that stand out from the crowd.

The variety makes it easier to mix up your coffee routine, and it's the top choice for sweet coffee lovers who enjoy something different every day.

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Perfect Cappuccino K-Cups Compared For You

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Buyer's Guide: How To Find The Best Cappuccino K-Cups

Price (Per Count)

The average price of a K cup can vary massively depending on the brand you choose, the quality of the coffee, and the flavors.

Many brands also offer better prices for larger quantities.

The average K-cup will cost $0.60-$0.80.

However, cappuccino pods to can cost more because they contain coffee, powdered milk, sweeteners, and flavors (depending on the type of K cup).

Each Keurig K cup will cost around $0.70-$0.90. Some are cheaper, but some premium brands will charge over $1.20 per cappuccino K cup.

All the cappuccino K cups on the list offer good value for money.

If you are on a tight budget, I recommend the Victor Allen K cups, as they are the cheapest per unit.

Similarity to a Cappuccino

A cappuccino is a distinctive coffee made with coffee, steamed milk, and milk froth in a 1:1:1 ratio.[1]

When you're buying a cappuccino K cup, you want it to be as close to the taste as possible as a coffee shop cappuccino.

Espresso is used in the traditional coffee brewing process for cappuccinos.

However, Keurig machines and most K cups make drip coffee rather than espresso, so the flavor is always slightly different.

Plus, cappuccino K cups use powdered milk instead of fresh milk. This can still give you a frothy layer, but it’s not exactly the same texture.

This, unfortunately, means that Keurig K cup brewers will never be able to make a true cappuccino. However, some K cups can come close.

For the most authentic cappuccino, I would recommend looking for two things:

1. Dark roast coffee. This will balance the sweetness and give some bold intensity that a cappuccino needs.
2. A separate milk froth K cup or froth packets. This will give a richer texture that is closer to a true cappuccino.

Gevalia K cups produce the most realistic cappuccino.

They have the best espresso K cups for cappuccino and separate milk froth packets to give you the flavors and textures of an authentic cappuccino.

Flavor Profile

The flavor of cappuccino K cups varies massively. This is influenced by:

• The coffee beans used
• The roast level
• Sweeteners & other flavorings

Generally, K cups will make either sweet cappuccinos or strong cappuccinos.

If you prefer a sweet cappuccino, you should choose a flavored K cup with added sweetener, and I recommend the Double Donut cappuccino K cups.

If you prefer a strong cappuccino, you should look for an unflavored cappuccino with no added sweetener. I recommend either the Twisted Pine or Gevalia cappuccino Keurig cups.

There's no right or wrong answer here; it all comes down to how you prefer your cappuccino.

It's worth thinking about before you select your K cups and experimenting to see which you like the most.

Added Sugar

Cappuccino K cups often contain added sweetener and sugar to enhance the taste. In some cases, this sweetener is sugar-free, but in others, it’s not.

The Twisted Pine and Gevalia cappuccino Keurig cups both contain no added sugar and are suitable for those with a strict calorie count.

However, the Indulgio and Double Donut cappuccino pods both have high calories and a lot of added sugar.

If you want to stay healthy and avoid drinks with high calories, then I recommend checking the manufacturer's nutrition information on the side of the packaging before you purchase.

Calories

Cappuccino Keurig cups generally contain 50-80 calories per serving, but this will vary depending on the amount of sugar, sweetener, and milk added.

This is a lot more than your standard instant coffee.[2]

Most of the cappuccino Keurig cups on the list are within that range, but if you're trying to limit your calorie intake, then I recommend the Barissimo pods, as they contain under 70 calories.

The Indulgio K pods are the most indulgent and calorific (110 calories), so they may not be suitable if you're trying to cut back.

The calorie count for all K cups should be found on the nutrition information on the side of the packaging. I recommend checking this before you buy any K cups.

Roast Level

In general, a dark roast coffee is best for cappuccinos. This is because dark roast coffees have the most intense flavor that cuts through the creamy milk and gives you that slightly bitter contrast.[3]

The roast level of cappuccino K-pods will vary, and I have included some light, medium, and dark roasts on the list.

If you like a strong coffee flavor, go for a dark roast K cup like Twisted Pine blend. If you prefer sweeter coffees, I suggest a light roast K cup like the Grove Square French Vanilla K cups.

Caffeine Content

Most of us drink coffee to get a little extra buzz of energy. The caffeine content in K cups is generally 80-150mg per pod, noticeably lower than some coffee shop coffees.[4]

However, cappuccino K cups usually only have 50-100mg of caffeine. This is because there’s less regular coffee and more milk and sugar in the K-cup pod.

If you want a high-caffeine cappuccino, the Crazy Cups cappuccino pods are your best bet. These contain more coffee and around 110mg of caffeine per serving.

Remember, you can also get decaf cappuccino K cups if you want to cut back on your caffeine intake.

Related Article - Best Decaf K-Cups

Coffee Machine Compatibility

When making coffee with a Keurig, you need to make sure that the coffee pods are compatible.

Keurig K-cup brewers will only work with K-cups and no other coffee pods, so you need to purchase an actual cappuccino K-cup.

Unfortunately, not all K-cups are compatible with all Keurigs.

Some of the newer models (particularly the Keurig 2.0) aren’t compatible with some older K-cups, so you won’t be able to use them.

All 10 cappuccino K cups listed above can be used with any Keurig K cup brewer.

However, if you are buying different cappuccino pods, I recommend checking the manufacturer's instructions to make sure it’s compatible.

Environmental Impact

Almost 30,000 coffee pods end up in landfill sites every year.[5] However, all K cups are actually recyclable; it's just that some of more recyclable than others.

Some brands, like Smart Sips, have made their packaging landfill degradable to make it easier to protect the world, allowing users to dispose of their K cups most conveniently.

Other brands don’t always have this feature, but you can still protect the environment by emptying the pod, rinsing out the grounds, and recycling the pod.

If you want to lower your environmental footprint, try looking for brands with clear information on how to recycle the Keurig pods.

Related Articles:
Best French Vanilla K-Cups
Best ESE Pods

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Common Cappuccino K-Cup Questions

Do cappuccino k-cups taste like a real cappuccino?

Cappuccino K cups don't taste exactly like cappuccinos because they don't use espresso or real milk. However, some cappuccino K cups come very close and give a delicious coffee close to what you would purchase from a coffee shop.

What is the Difference Between Espresso and Cappuccino?

Espresso is a concentrated shot of coffee. Cappuccino is espresso topped with steamed milk and milk froth in a 1:1:1 ratio.

Is there sugar in cappuccino K-Cups?

No, most cappuccino K cups don't have sugar, but some have sweeteners to enhance the taste. Many K-cups (like French vanilla cappuccino K cups) have flavors to change the taste, allowing users to select the one they like the most.

How do you use K-cup cappuccino?

You generally use a cappuccino K cup like any other K cup. Place them in the Keurig machine, choose the size, and press start so the hot water flows through it. Even inexperienced coffee makers should be able to do it easily.

How long are cappuccino K-Cups good for?

A cappuccino K cup will last for at least 8-12 months if properly sealed, regardless of the expiration date. However, the coffee will start to taste less fresh after the expiration date, so it's worth checking the packaging and consuming it before then.

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What Is The Best Option To Get?

Keurig brewers offer a convenient way to make delicious cappuccino coffee from your kitchen counter. You just need to get the right K cup.

All the cappuccino K cups on my list deliver an amazing taste that's similar to a real cappuccino.

My top pick is the Grove Square French vanilla cappuccino. It has a balanced flavor and a beautifully creamy finish that anyone will enjoy.

However, I've tried to include something for everyone, and hopefully, there’s a cappuccino K cup on the list that will make your taste buds sing.

Resources:

1. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cappuccino
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/instant-coffee-good-or-bad
3. https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/6/2/29
4. https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/caffeine-levels-in-high-street-coffees-vary-significantly-which-finds-ay7cA4G1zh1S
5. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10074145/Nearly-30-000-coffee-pods-end-landfills-month-one-takes-500-years-decompose.html