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    Home » Type » Drinks

    Cozy Warming Oat Tea Recipe With Cinnamon and Honey - Easy to Make!

    Published: Feb 26, 2023 · Modified: Jun 18, 2023 by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · 51 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Oat Tea is a cozy warm drink flavored with cinnamon, honey, and vanilla that's said to have immune-boosting benefits.

    front view of glass mug of hot oat tea on marble countertop

    If you like the flavor of oatmeal, this cozy winter drink is for you. Cinnamon, honey, and vanilla pair beautifully with the flavor of oats in this warming beverage.

    In This Article

    • What is Oat Tea?
    • The Story Behind This Oat Tea Recipe
    • What Does Oat Tea Taste Like?
    • The Best Easy Oat Tea Recipe
    • How to Make This Vegan
    • Flavor Variations
    • Make it Into an Oat Tea Latte
    • More Warm Winter Drinks to Make
    • Oat Tea Recipe with Cinnamon, Honey, and Vanilla

    What is Oat Tea?

    Not to be confused with oat straw tea or an oat milk latte, oat tea (also called oatmeal tea) is something else entirely.

    Oat tea is the liquid derived from boiling oats in water!

    top view of oat tea with dish of oats on marble countertop

    The Story Behind This Oat Tea Recipe

    Back in January 2011 when I first shared this recipe on my website, this is the narrative I shared...

    Old man winter has made himself at home. And while I really don’t mind his arrival, it’s the goodies he tends to bring with him, like colds, flus, and less than 10 hours of sunlight each day here in Buffalo that I don’t enjoy. 

    Being asthmatic, I’m especially prone to lung infection, particularly pneumonia. (I’ve gotten it every year since I’ve moved from Florida back to New York…hmm, perhaps a sign that I need to move back to Florida?) 

    Anyway, I’ve been feeling a little under the weather, and I’m of the mindset that prevention is the best cure. So, as of late I’ve been getting my fill of things like tahini in dessert (because the magnesium in sesame seeds helps promote respiratory health by preventing airway spasm and asthma), green veggies, and homemade soups. And now tea made out of oatmeal!

    It was over a year ago that I reviewed Tosca Reno’s Eat Clean Cookbook, but one of the recipes that really stood out to me was Oat Tea. Tosca says it’s "for fighting colds during the winter season and strengthening your immune system year round". 

    If that doesn’t sound like the perfect trick to have up your sleeve, I don’t know what does!

    I'm pretty open-minded about food, which is why I recently decided to give this a try. (Incidentally, I wonder if eating a bowl of oats in the morning has the same effect, or is it something about drinking the liquid? Very interesting.) 

    pot of oat tea
    Isn't the glass teapot pretty?! It's available on Amazon!

    What Does Oat Tea Taste Like?

    So, you're probably wondering how does oat tea taste? 

    I have to preface what I’m about to say by telling you that I adore the flavor of oatmeal and eat it frequently for breakfast. 

    Now, on the other hand, oat tea is a very interesting drink, to say the least. 

    Its taste is decent; cinnamon, honey, and vanilla make sure of that. (Its flavor is like a bowl of cinnamon oatmeal!)

    However, it’s viscous and, well, slimy. 

    If you’ve made oatmeal you’ll understand what I mean – you know how the oats and water are a bit slimy at first until all the water is absorbed? Well this tea is just the slimy water.

    Not that it was bad, just different. But if it helps keep me from getting sick I’d drink it again in a heartbeat.

    homemade oat tea latte

    The Best Easy Oat Tea Recipe

    Ingredients

    oat tea ingredients
    • Old-fashioned rolled oats - the star ingredient!
    • Water - the liquid base of the "tea"
    • Cinnamon stick - or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Sea salt - to elevate the flavors
    • Honey - this is our sweetener here; you can also use maple syrup, agave nectar, or even sugar
    • Vanilla - lends lovely flavor and aroma to this warm drink, almost making it smell like freshly-baked oatmeal cookies

    How to Make Oatmeal Tea

    how to make oat tea
    1. Add the oats, water, and cinnamon stick to a small saucepan and bring up to a boil.
    2. Turn the heat down and simmer (covered) for 30 minutes. 
    3. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve and discard the oats. Stir in the honey and vanilla. Serve warm.
    overhead view of oat tea in glass mugs with glass teapot

    How to Make This Vegan

    Use maple syrup, agave nectar, or sugar as the sweetener instead of honey.

    Flavor Variations

    Cinnamon is a classic pairing with oats and it's delicious in this oat tea! However, feel free to play with the spices here. Cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger are all good choices.

    Make it Into an Oat Tea Latte

    To make this into an oat tea latte, simply mix 1 cup of oat tea with ¼ cup of steamed milk per serving.

    oat tea in glass mug

    More Warm Winter Drinks to Make

    • 5 Minute Rose Latte Recipe with Vanilla
    • Honey Apple Cranberry Ginger Tisane
    • Traditional Hot Toddy
    • Dirty Chai Latte
    front view of oat tea in glass mug with cinnamon stick

    Let's Connect

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    Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.

    To stay up-to-date, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!

    oat tea recipe featured image

    Oat Tea Recipe with Cinnamon, Honey, and Vanilla

    By: Faith Gorsky
    Oat Tea is a cozy warm drink flavored with cinnamon, honey, and vanilla that's said to have immune-boosting benefits.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 minute min
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 35 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats
    • 4 cups water
    • 1 cinnamon stick
    • 1/16 teaspoon sea salt (1 pinch)
    • 1 tablespoon honey raw and local if possible
    • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Add the oats, water, and cinnamon stick to a small saucepan and bring up to a boil.
    • Turn the heat down and simmer (covered) for 30 minutes. 
    • Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve and discard the oats.
    • Stir in the honey and vanilla.
    • Serve warm.

    Faith's Tips

    • Recipe Inspiration: This recipe was inspired by and adapted from Tosca Reno's recipe for Oat Tea in her Eat Clean Cookbook.
    • Vegan Version: Use maple syrup, agave nectar, or sugar as the sweetener instead of honey.
    • Spices: Cinnamon is a classic pairing with oats and it's delicious! However, feel free to play with the spices here. Cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger would all be good.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Oat Tea Recipe with Cinnamon, Honey, and Vanilla
    Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
    Calories 35 Calories from Fat 2
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 0.2g0%
    Saturated Fat 0.04g0%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g
    Sodium 49mg2%
    Potassium 20mg1%
    Carbohydrates 7g2%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 5g6%
    Protein 0.4g1%
    Vitamin A 3IU0%
    Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
    Calcium 18mg2%
    Iron 0.2mg1%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword Oat Tea, Oat Tea Recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
    oat tea pin

    This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on January 10, 2011. I updated it with more information on February 26, 2023.

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Betsy says

      February 28, 2023 at 6:34 pm

      5 stars
      This tasted like a cinnamon oatmeal cookie - without all the calories!

      Reply
    2. Kat says

      January 15, 2011 at 10:41 pm

      I've never heard of oat tea before, this looks really interesting so I will try it

      Reply
    3. Dina says

      January 13, 2011 at 5:00 pm

      I'm a big fan of Tosca's. I have the books but I don't remember this recipe. Sounds good for the winter months!

      Reply
    4. Magic of Spice says

      January 13, 2011 at 2:55 pm

      I am also asthmatic, but I do pretty well health wise although Spring with the allergies can cause me some trouble. I drink echinacea tea but have never tried this oat tea.
      Interesting to be sure...the health benefits probably make up for the sliminess :)

      Reply
    5. Florian @ frenchyscuisine.com says

      January 12, 2011 at 1:04 pm

      That's a funny way to use cinnamon ! Bravo

      Reply
    6. Carolyn Jung says

      January 11, 2011 at 11:38 pm

      Wow, this is a new one on me, too. I wonder what the oats actually do in this to help fight colds? I can see how any nice hot liquid with a little honey will make ya feel worlds better. But oats, huh? Interesting. ;)

      Reply
    7. Reeni says

      January 11, 2011 at 8:53 pm

      I love the flavor of oats but sliminess is one thing I can do without! In any event - I hope this helps Faith!

      Reply
    8. Louise says

      January 11, 2011 at 7:54 pm

      huh, i do love tosca, but slimy? i would definitely try it if it's that good for you. hope you are weathering the cold! spring is almost here.
      chef louise

      Reply
    9. Ameena says

      January 11, 2011 at 6:54 pm

      Sorry to hear you are prone to pneumonia! That must be a horrible thing to have to go through year after year. I do think that Florida would be the perfect cure for that!

      Oat tea is a wonderful cure until that happens...I have never heard of such a thing!

      Reply
    10. FOODESSA says

      January 11, 2011 at 6:47 pm

      Just the mention of the word viscous has made me cringe...really not for me. What is for me is steel-cut oatmeal (at least 3 times per week) and high anti-oxidant apples like the Red delicious which has 5x more than most apples. It's been researched and tested that apples help strengthen lungs...and I personally will take all the help I can get ;)
      Faith, it seems that besides our love for chocolate and cheese...we both have pesky problematic lungs...hmmm.

      Thanks for sharing this experimentation with us ;o)
      Ciao for now,
      Claudia

      Reply
    11. BeadedTail says

      January 11, 2011 at 6:12 pm

      I would never have thought of oat tea before! Very interesting and it's wonderful that it has healing abilities!

      Reply
    12. Blond Duck says

      January 11, 2011 at 5:19 pm

      I had pnuemonia twice when I was a kid and was hospitalized for it. IT sucks! Have you tried emergenc?

      Reply
    13. Beth says

      January 11, 2011 at 5:14 pm

      What an interesting post! I do like oatmeal, so I wonder how I'd like this tea. If it helps with your pneumonia, it must be pretty powerful.

      Reply
    14. Victoria says

      January 11, 2011 at 4:13 pm

      Hmmm, slimy tea, sounds interesting... but people eat and drink all kinds of unusual things for the health benefits! I hope you can keep the illnesses away! :)

      Reply
    15. Patty Price says

      January 11, 2011 at 3:49 pm

      Faith- I like the wholesome sound of Oat tea and the idea of it's cleansing effects but I get the idea of slimy oatmeal water. I think I would want a bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon and a cup of regular tea to go along! I'm going to try your roast broccoli that is more my cup of tea, lol. Happy New Year and I look forward to following your blog in 2011;-)

      Reply
    16. Nicole, RD says

      January 11, 2011 at 3:28 pm

      Hehe, I love how you described it as slimy :) I don't mind that filmy, slickness of oats - I actually really like it :) And this tea sounds delicious to me! Take care of you! No pneumonia this year!!

      Reply
    17. Louanne says

      January 11, 2011 at 12:32 pm

      Hmmm, I do love oatmeal, so if the taste is similar and it helped me to stay well, I'd probably drink it :)! Hope it helps you feel better, Faith!

      Reply
    18. Krista says

      January 11, 2011 at 11:59 am

      I don't know about slimy tea, Faith. But you're right in that if it prevents illness it's worth it. It's gotta taste better than cough med's, right? ;)

      Reply
    19. Tanvi@SinfullySpicy says

      January 11, 2011 at 11:28 am

      This is a very original tea drink.I m a complete tea drinker and love to taste different kinds.This recipe attracted me coz its different from the usual.Thanks for sharing this.First time here.Loving your site a lot.

      Reply
    20. briarrose says

      January 11, 2011 at 11:18 am

      What a neat tea. I'm not sure I could get past the texture though. ;)

      Reply
    21. Julie M. says

      January 11, 2011 at 11:17 am

      Wow! Now THAT is an interesting recipe! Did it help out with the asthma?

      Reply
      • admin says

        January 11, 2011 at 11:39 am

        Julie M., Tahini helps with asthma (if you're interested, see here for more info). The oat tea is supposed to help build immunity and I really have no idea whether it truly works or not (I'll try anything though!). I am feeling a little better, so maybe it does help...fingers crossed! :)

        Reply
    22. Steve @ HPD says

      January 11, 2011 at 11:04 am

      Oat tea? I've learned about a dozen new things here, but this may be the most interesting.

      Reply
    23. Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says

      January 11, 2011 at 10:20 am

      I too love oatmeal, but when you describe it as slimy I get scared! Of course I am curious so I must give it a try.

      I've actually never heard of oat tea... It's unique for sure. Hope you feel 100% soon!

      Reply
    24. Lucy says

      January 11, 2011 at 10:03 am

      What an interesting idea! Hope it works and that you stay well :)

      Reply
    25. Mia says

      January 11, 2011 at 9:34 am

      Ha ha, id have it in a heartbeat too , the orange juice ie!
      I love oats , but jus not all the time , tahini i loveee,all the time!
      Bdw, i almost always have a cafe in the mornings , and flavrd with exactly the same u use to flav the oat tea , cinnamon and vanilla , cinnamon or honey and vanilla :-)
      Sometimes i add in a bit of cardamon too but i always get adventurous there!
      And bdw, exactly when i think of ya , u hop by and make my day, thannk u!
      And brite sunshine new year to ya!

      Reply
    26. Aipi says

      January 11, 2011 at 9:19 am

      Wow..that's very innovative..a must try recipe!

      Reply
    27. Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says

      January 11, 2011 at 8:44 am

      Although unusual, I'd definitely be willing to try this.

      By the way, your blog is so beautiful... just wanted you to know.

      Reply
    28. Rich says

      January 11, 2011 at 8:06 am

      I'm sorry to hear you're feeling a little under the weather, Faith; I hope the tea helps out!

      Reply
    29. Anna Johnston says

      January 11, 2011 at 7:54 am

      Hmmmm.... Now this sounds good, when I was in London a few years back, I got SUPER sick and had to come home to Momma to get better. I wonder if your super Oat Tea would have assisted in the healing of me? Hope you don't get ill again this winter, I shall send you some Aussie sun!

      Reply
    30. Barbara says

      January 11, 2011 at 7:36 am

      I adore oatmeal, especially McCanns, but I am going to pass on oat tea, thank you very much!
      Come on back to Florida, Faith! Although it's been pretty cold down here this year too. But at least it's green. :)

      Reply
    31. Jessie says

      January 11, 2011 at 6:35 am

      Oat tea, wow! I've never even thought of making tea from oats, but if it will keep me from getting sick - I'm with you on that one ;) I think alternating OJ and oat tea will be perfectly acceptable :P I admit, I'm not a big fan of the sliminess of oats, but I'd still like to try this tea sometime.

      Sorry to hear you've been feeling under the weather :( I hope the tea perks you right up!

      Reply
    32. chriesi says

      January 11, 2011 at 5:03 am

      That is so interesting! I am definitely going to try it. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    33. Angie's Recipes says

      January 11, 2011 at 4:42 am

      This is such an interesting recipe. Well, I would for sure to drink it if it's beneficial to the health even though slimy...

      Reply
    34. Maria @ Scandifoodie says

      January 11, 2011 at 3:21 am

      Sounds interesting! I love trying new healthy teas and drinks :-)

      Reply
    35. Sharon says

      January 11, 2011 at 3:07 am

      Your post couldn't have come at a better time! I've been sneezing nonstop with a terribly sore throat. I'm worried I might be coming down with something because I hate being sick. Plus the tea sounds delicious, I'd have it anytime. Would definitely want to try this!

      Reply
    36. Katerina says

      January 11, 2011 at 3:04 am

      This is so original. I have never thought of that. The cinnamon stick really adds to the taste.

      Reply
    37. sophia says

      January 11, 2011 at 2:36 am

      I've never heard of this tea...I must let my mom know!! She's having a cold right now, and her immune defense is lower due to menopause...I'm sure she'll really appreciate this, esp since always have all those ingredients at hand. Thanks, Faith! And I hope you stay warm and flu-free!

      Reply
    38. Rosa says

      January 11, 2011 at 2:35 am

      That is an interesting and original drink! It must have a lovely flavor.

      Cheers,

      Rosa

      Reply
    39. Veronica says

      January 11, 2011 at 12:52 am

      Interesting! I've never thought of oats as having any immunity boosters. Crazy! No vitamin c, no antioxidants (or are there?)...makes me wonder what the magic is. You go girl, I love your willingness to try new things.

      Reply
    40. Monet says

      January 10, 2011 at 11:56 pm

      Indeed this does sound very different...but I'm all about trying new things! I am so sorry to hear that you are so prone to sickness during these cold months. I hope that all your healthy eating keeps you strong! Thank you for sharing this with me. I hope you had a lovely Monday. I am trying to stay warm in Austin...we finally got a cold snap down here!

      Reply
    41. Cara says

      January 10, 2011 at 11:55 pm

      Koreans do the same thing with barley and rice, minus the the cinnamon and honey seasonings.

      Reply
    42. lequan says

      January 10, 2011 at 11:29 pm

      This is quite an interesting drink. Thanks for your honesty about the slime. I know I wouldn't mind giving this a try if it'll boost my immune system. Think it might take some getting used to though. Thanks for another eye opener, Faith.

      Reply
    43. Swathi says

      January 10, 2011 at 10:52 pm

      Faith,

      Oats tea sounds delicious and healthy.

      Reply
    44. Priyanka says

      January 10, 2011 at 10:44 pm

      This is absolutely new to me! I have never tried oat tea before!

      Reply
    45. Honey @ honeyandsoy says

      January 10, 2011 at 10:13 pm

      Oh no, hope this oat tea keeps you warm and feeling better, Faith! I am one who will try anything to stave off sickness, so thanks for this tip!

      Reply
    46. Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz says

      January 10, 2011 at 9:34 pm

      Slimy drink, I hope the bowl of oatmeal in the morning is just as good, I am feeling a little under the weather since this morning. Hope NYC does not get the best of you and the tea works for you!

      Reply
    47. Lisa says

      January 10, 2011 at 9:20 pm

      Interesting! I've never heard of oat tea...and I'm not sure I really want it :)
      But, that doesn't mean I'd never try it if someone told me it would do something magical for my immune system. Or maybe if they paid me :)

      Reply
    48. Carol says

      January 10, 2011 at 9:16 pm

      Looks interesting! My husband gets asthmatic bronchitis. I'll suggest this to him, he loves oatmeal.
      Hope you feel better!

      Reply
    49. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

      January 10, 2011 at 9:04 pm

      How fascinating! I've never heard of this as a tea and I'm trying to imagine the texture now! I'll keep this up the sleeve come Winter time :D

      Reply
    50. Erica says

      January 10, 2011 at 7:51 pm

      Interesting for sure! I'm not sure I could do the slime...but I do love oatmeal. You definitely need to come back down south ;)

      Reply

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