A batch processing method is used to fabricate foams comprising of a blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and Novatein, a protein-based thermoplastic. Various compositions of Novatein/PLA are prepared with and without a compatibilizer, PLA grafted with itaconic anhydride (PLA-g-IA). Pure Novatein cannot form a cellular structure at a foaming temperature of 80 8C, however, in a blend with 50 wt % of PLA, microcells form with smaller cell sizes (3.36 mm) and higher cell density (8.44 3 10 21 cells cm 23 ) compared to pure PLA and blends with higher amounts of PLA. The incorporation of 50 wt % of semicrystalline Novatein stiffens the amorphous PLA phase, which restrains cell coalescence and cell collapse in the blends. At a foaming temperature of 140 8C, NTP 30 -PLA 70 shows a unique interconnected porous morphology which can be attributed to the CO 2 -induced plasticization effect. V C 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45561.