Tea Bag Oatmeal

My go-to way of making the best flavoured oatmeal! Cooking oats in brewed tea is just the most warming and comforting way of enjoying oatmeal. I will truly never get tired, as this recipe is so easily customisable!
Experiment, play around and use whatever tea bag you please. My current favourites are Earl Grey, chai, and rose tea <3

As someone who has been consistently eating oatmeal for years, I have played around with flavours, spices and methods of preparing my go-to oats.

But this method of cooking the oatmeal is by far the best. Some years ago, I remember impatiently waiting for my oatmeal to thicken while sipping tea, coming to the realisation that I could throw everything together and enjoy both at the same time.

The result was a cozy, comforting bowl of oats that I to this day have not gotten sick of.

I love how easy it is to switch up the flavour depending on my mood or the weather outside the window: bright mint on busy weekdays, cosy chai on slow Sundays, jasmine green when I want something light.

A little honey or maple syrup together with be a splash of milk and a handful of fruit, and breakfast is done. This has become my go-to oatmeal recipe—quick, customizable, and always exactly what I need.

And whenever I don’t feel like waiting for the tea to brew, I throw the tea bag in the pot. Could be messy fishing it up again, but it’s quick and still delicious!

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TEA & TOPPING IDEAS (my favourites!)

Cozy & Spiced – perfect for autumn

• Chai – Warming and comforting
  Great with: maple syrup, banana, pecans, pumpkin spice!
• Ginger or Apple-Cinnamon Herbal – Zingy and autumnal.
  Great with: apple, raisins, almond butter.

Bright & Citrusy

• Earl Grey (bergamot) – Light floral citrus.
  Great with: honey, blueberries, lemon zest, vanilla yogurt.
• Lemon Ginger – Fresh and energizing.
  Great with: poppy seeds, Greek yogurt, extra lemon zest,

Calm & Comforting

• Vanilla Rooibos – Naturally sweet, caffeine-free.
  Great with: dates, toasted coconut, dark chocolate chips.
• Chamomile – Soft, honeyed flavor.
  Great with: pear, walnuts, drizzle of honey.

Fresh & Green

• Jasmine Green – Floral and delicate.
  Great with: strawberries, pistachios, a touch of honey.
• Matcha – Bright and earthy. Also check out my matcha latte oats: https://bowlsbyalyssa.com/matcha-latte-oatmeal/
• 
  Great with: Sliced banana, strawberries, toasted coconut, white chocolate chips.
• Mint/Peppermint – Clean and cooling.
  Great with: cacao nibs, raspberries, vanilla.

Floral

• Hibiscus – Floral, berry-like and tart.
  Great with: honey, blueberries, lemon curd or zest.
• Rose Herbal – Gentle rose perfume.
  Great with: pistachio, cardamom, white chocolate.

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OATMEAL-LIQUID RATIOS

For 40 g gluten-free quick-cook oats:

• Thick & spoon-standing: 180–200 ml liquid (¾–⅞ cup)
• Creamy (my default): 220–240 ml liquid (scant 1 cup–1 cup)
• Looser / “latte” style: 260–280 ml liquid (1⅛–1¼ cups)

Use any mix of milk + water. Milk = creamier, water = cleaner/tea-forward.

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TIPS AND BREWING TIME

• Black tea: 3–5 minutes
• Green tea: 1–3 minutes
• White tea: 2–3 minutes
• Herbal tea (Tisanes): 5–7 minutes
• Oolong tea: 2–3 minutes (rolled oolong may need 4–6 minutes)

• Want stronger flavor? Use 2 tea bags or less liquid to steep.
• Caffeine-free mornings: rooibos, chamomile, peppermint.
• Add vanilla, cinnamon, or cardamom at the end to round out any flavor.

Follow package instructions:
When in doubt, follow the specific brewing time recommended on the tea’s packaging.

Adjust to your taste:
Start with the shorter end of the recommended time and taste. If you prefer a stronger flavor, steep for longer.

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ADDITIONS

Adding a splash of milk as the oats thicken enhances the flavour. You can also brew the tea in a cup (250ml) of hot milk before adding the oats. This works best with strong teas like chai, as the milk balances out the taste.

To get the oats creamy, I like adding a tablespoon of Greek yoghurt on low heat towards the end as it simmers. Make sure the temperature is low so that the yoghurt doesn’t curdle.

PROTEIN+

To make the oatmeal more satiating and nutritious, I like adding a scoop of protein powder mixed with a little water or Greek yoghurt (also known as “whey drip”). I add this mixture as the oats are on low heat towards the end.

Adding “watered down” whey protein like this hinders the whey from curdling in the oats.

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INGREDIENTS

Rolled oats: 40g, about 1/2 cup
Go-to for creamy oats in ~5 minutes.
Use what you have:
Quick/instant oats = softer, creamier, cooks in 2–3 min. Start with 220–230 ml liquid (they absorb faster).
Steel-cut = chewy; use ¼ cup (40 g) and 350–375 ml hot tea, simmer 18–25 min.
I use Gluten-free quick cook oats.

Brewed tea – 250 ml (1 cup)
Milk vs water: tea brewed in water = brightest tea flavor; in milk = creamier and softer. Do half-and-half for balance.

Spice – 1 tsp, optional (but elevates the taste)
Layer flavour to match your tea:
Hibiscus: orange zest.
Chai/Breakfast: cinnamon + cardamom (pinch nutmeg).
Earl Grey/Jasmine: vanilla + lemon zest.
Mint: cocoa powder or vanilla.

Salt – a pinch
Makes oats taste sweeter and rounder. Don’t skip!

Splash of milk and/or Greek yoghurt (to finish)
Stir in at the end for creaminess.

Sweetener (to taste, optional)
Honey, maple, brown sugar, or date syrup. Start with 1–2 tsp and adjust.

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DIRECTIONS

1. Bring a cup (250ml) of water in a small pot to a boil and add tea bag. Brew for 3–7 minutes, depending on your tea.*
   
   Remove the tea bag when the desired brew is reached. Note that the longer you brew the tea for, the stronger the taste. If you like a stronger tea, you can further cook the oats with the tea bag.
2. Add the oats and a pinch of salt to the pot. Cook the oatmeal over medium heat until thickened to your liking, stirring occasionally for extra creaminess. Add an optional splash of milk if desired. I recommend adding extra spices like cinnamon and cardamom here.
3. Pour the oatmeal into a bowl and add desired toppings. Enjoy your comforting, tea bag oatmeal!

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RECIPE