Spiced Vanilla Chai Oatmeal tastes like your favorite chai latte! Be swept away on a culinary adventure, as you dive into a creamy bowl of wholesome oatmeal perfectly flavored with a blend of black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and vanilla. Gluten-free and Vegan Options.
Do you ever have a flash back to memories from your past?
For me it has always been smells that transport me vividly back into time. Every time I drink chai tea, I immediately remember my first experience with it. My friend and I met at a coffee shop while we were at college and she ordered a Chai Latte. I spun my head around at her so fast--Why aren't you getting your normal Caramel Chocolate Latte?! I was shocked and confused. We were both obsessed with our decadent chocolatey treat.
Turns out, she had a new love. Chai Latte.
And after one sip of my friend's beverage, I quickly regretted my order and was wishing I was indulging in my her latte. The Chai Latte was full of warming sweet and spicy flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and vanilla. It was creamy and rich and perfectly sweet. I was hooked. And so began my love affair with Chai Lattes.
And if you have hung out around her any length of time, you know, I have a SERIOUS love affair with recipes made with oats.
Combining Chai Latte with my morning oatmeal, at first seemed odd, but oh man, this creamy vanilla chai oatmeal has quickly become a staple at my house.
Spiced Vanilla Chai Oatmeal
I totally hit a home run with this easy breakfast recipe. All the sweet and spicy, rich and warmth of one of my favorite lattes in the form of one of my ultimate breakfasts--oatmeal.
Homemade Vanilla Chai Oatmeal is a flavorful way to start the day and feels a little like an exotic escape to India--just minus the passport or travel time!
Notes on Chai Oatmeal
- I like to make a large batch of homemade chai seasoning to have on hand to add to my tea or my oatmeal. I will even make a homemade Chai Lattes by adding 1 teaspoon homemade chai seasoning to 1 cup freshly brewed black tea and frothing milk for an easy DIY Latte.
- You can use any milk you like in this Chai Oatmeal recipe. I love to use unsweetened vanilla almond milk for the extra vanilla flavoring, but coconut milk, cow's milk and soy milk all work.
- Be sure to use decaffeinated black tea if serving to your children for breakfast, or keep the caffeine to get your morning fix all from your bowl of oatmeal.
- If you would like to use Chia tea bags in place of black tea bags, I recommend still adding ½ to 1 teaspoon homemade chai seasoning to your oatmeal for optimal chai flavor.
- To keep this healthy oatmeal recipe gluten-free, be sure to use certified gluten-free oats.
- If like your Chai spicy, add in a dash of ground black pepper to this oatmeal.
More Oatmeal Recipes
- Slow Cooker Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Overnight Oats
- Healthy Baked Sweet Potato Oatmeal
- Instant Pot Oatmeal
Spiced Vanilla Chai Oatmeal
Ingredients
For the Spiced Vanilla Chai Oatmeal
- 2 black tea bags
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons chai seasoning
- 2 cups old fashoned oats
- 2 teaspoons ground flax seed optional
- 3 cups milk of your choice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Homemade Chai Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon all spice
Instructions
For the Chai Seasoning
- Mix all the spices together and store in air-tight container for up to 3 months.
For the Chai Oatmeal
- In a medium saucepan, bring water, milk, chai seasoning and tea bags to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds so milk does not scold.
- Discard tea bags and stir in oats. Cook until thick, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in vanilla extract and serve.
Notes
- Use any milk you like.
- In place of a black tea bag you can use a chai flavored tea. I would still add in ½ to 1 teaspoon chai seasoning for flavor.
- If you don't want to make chai seasoning to have on hand, use ¾ teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, cardamon, and all spice and a pinch of cloves.
- To keep this gluten-free, be sure to use gluten free oats.
- Nutrition facts are based on using almond milk.
Cynthia
I was looking for something light I can eat for a late night snack and I thought why not oatmeal? Only I have no more fruit and I wanted to avoid sugar, it being near bedtime. This recipe hit the spot - so warm and comforting on a chilly autumn evening!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed! This is such a healthy snack--any time of the day!
Joyce B
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE oatmeal, even enjoying it for my supper frequently, and I love chai tea and chai lattes, so is right up my alley!!
Kristen Chidsey
I am right there with you Joyce, I LOVE oatmeal any time of the day! I am also glad you enjoyed this combo 🙂
RMAU
Oats, Greek yogurt, almond milk, cinnamon, and peaches are refrigerated in a jar overnight to make a delicious overnight oatmeal everyone will love.
Kristen Chidsey
I agree
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
This would convince my daughters to eat breakfast in the morning! They are chai addicts!
Kristen Chidsey
And we all know how important breakfast is!
Liz
Oats and those warm spices are the perfect pairing. What a delightful way to start the day!!
Kristen Chidsey
I agree Liz.
Joy @ Joy Love Food
I love chai lattes too, great idea to use it to make oatmeal, I would love this for breakfast tomorrow!
Kristen Chidsey
I hope you make it for breakfast!!
Denise Wright
What a great idea! I love Tazo teas and I too fell in love with chai after the first time I had it. Great idea about the oatmeal.
Kristen Chidsey
Tazo is the best!
Taylor Kiser
What a delicious way to start my day! So much I love about this!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Taylor!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan
Why oh why have I never ever done this?!?!? This is such a brilliant idea and you threw in some flax for an additional nutrition boost! Love this Kristen - thanks so much for sharing!
Kristen Chidsey
Well, I do think of myself as awful smart!! Just kidding!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
I wish I had this for breakfast today! I love spiced vanilla chai and eat oatmeal almost every single day. I love that you added the chai flavors to the oatmeal. So good!