How to Make Oat Milk Tea at Home
A creamy, plant-based twist on your everyday cup — ready in under 7 minutes, made with a barista-grade oat milk that steams and froths just like dairy.
If your regular milk tea has started to feel heavy, or you're simply looking for a dairy-free way to keep your chai or latte habit alive, oat milk tea is the easiest swap you'll make this year. Oats bring a naturally sweet, mildly nutty flavour that holds up beautifully against strong tea, and unlike some plant milks, a good barista-style oat milk won't split or curdle when it hits hot tea or espresso.
Below is a simple recipe you can make in your own kitchen, along with a quick look at why oat milk is worth switching to in the first place.
The Benefits of Making Tea with Oat Milk
Not all oat milks are created equal — a lot of what makes oat milk tea taste good comes down to the milk itself. We used Barista Oat Milk from The House of Umami for this recipe, and here's why it works so well for tea and coffee drinks:
- Made from 97% whole-grain oats, so it has a naturally creamy body without needing added thickeners
- 100% vegan and completely dairy-free, making it suitable for lactose-intolerant and plant-based diets
- Enriched with calcium and essential vitamins, so you're not losing nutrition by skipping dairy
- No added sugar, gums, or preservatives — just a clean, honest ingredient list
- Froths and steams smoothly, so it holds its texture in hot tea, chai, or matcha instead of separating
Barista Oat Milk, 1L
The oat milk we used in this recipe — crafted to froth and steam well, with a clean ingredient list and no added sugar. Works equally well in tea, coffee, and matcha.
Shop Barista Oat Milk →Oat Milk Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- Barista Oat Milk 1 cup
- Black tea bag or loose leaf 1 tsp
- Water 3/4 cup
- Honey or maple syrup 1 tsp, optional
- Cinnamon or cardamom 1/4 tsp, optional
Method
Frequently Asked Questions
Does oat milk curdle in hot tea?
A well-made barista-style oat milk, like the one used here, is formulated to hold up in hot and acidic drinks without splitting. Regular oat milk not designed for hot beverages can sometimes curdle, so it's worth choosing one labelled "barista" for tea and coffee.
Can I make oat milk chai the same way?
Yes. Simmer your chai masala and tea leaves in water as usual, then top with steamed and frothed oat milk instead of dairy milk. The oats' natural sweetness pairs especially well with warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.
Is oat milk tea healthier than regular milk tea?
Oat milk is naturally dairy-free and, when unsweetened, lower in saturated fat than whole milk. A product enriched with calcium and vitamins, with no added sugar or preservatives, helps you keep the nutritional value of your tea without the dairy.
Can I use oat milk tea for iced tea too?
Definitely. Brew your tea strong, let it cool, and pour it over ice with cold Barista Oat Milk for a creamy iced tea latte — no need to warm the milk first.