My secret to the perfect bowl of oatmeal will have you fantasizing about breakfast all night long.

Oatmeal isn’t just a quick, simple dish—it’s a blank canvas ready for creativity. Before you dismiss it as boring, let’s dive into the endless possibilities! From breakfast to snacks, desserts to dinner, there’s an oatmeal recipe for every mood, occasion, and time of day. Even Ina Garten swears by her daily oatmeal!

You can make your oats sweet or savory, whip up no-cook overnight oats or the classic stovetop variety. Combine them smooth with syrup and milk or load them up with crunchy toppings like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Recently, I’ve added a game-changing ingredient that has me eagerly anticipating the oatmeal I’ll wake up to the next day. Keep reading to find out about this secret ingredient—one that might already be sitting in your pantry.

The Simple Swap That Will Revolutionize Your Oatmeal

Making oatmeal with tea instead of plain water is a total game-changer. Traditionally, oatmeal or overnight oats are made by soaking or cooking oats in water, milk, or plant-based alternatives. But imagine infusing those hearty oats with the deep flavors of freshly brewed tea—filled with hints of spice, herbal aromas, and bright, lively notes in every bite. Once you try this, you might never go back to plain water again. Want more ideas? Check out how you can use those tea bags in other ways!

How to Make Oatmeal with Tea

To swap water for tea, all you need is a pot, water, and a few of your favorite tea bags (see our recommendations below). Simply bring the water to a boil, take it off the heat, and let the tea bags steep for about 5 minutes.

• Stovetop Oatmeal: Remove the teabags from the pot. Just as you would with water or milk, add the oatmeal to the pot containing the steeped tea, and prepare the oatmeal according to the instructions on the packaging. You do not need to incorporate more or less tea than you normally would. Combine the mixture until it reaches your desired consistency. For added sweetness, stir in some maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey while the oatmeal is still warm. 
• Overnight Oats: Oatmeal lovers suggest steeping the tea in a milk of your choice rather than water. Mixing oats with this combination will result in creamier, richer, more luscious overnight oats. If you want added texture and sweetness, incorporate mix-ins like maple syrup or honey, chia seeds, chopped dried fruit, diced berries, or roughly chopped nuts into the oat mixture before letting everything set in a mason jar overnight. Discover some more inspiration with these delicious overnight oatmeal recipes.
  

Our Top Picks for Teas to Elevate Your Oatmeal

• Earl Gray Tea: With its signature hint of sweetness and spice, Earl Grey adds a citrus flavor to oatmeal. This is a more robust tea, flavored with oil from the rind of bergamot orange, and the lovely flavor will come through with each spoonful of oatmeal. If you’re new to the world of tea, check out some of our favorite Earl Grey teas.
• Chai Tea: My personal favorite, chai tea has a beautiful and complex flavor profile. This tea adds a sweet and spicy flavor to oatmeal, with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves and a creamy texture. If you’re for flavors that comfort you like a big, warm hug, this would be my top recommendation. If you’re unfamiliar with chai, learn more about this spiced tea here.
• Chamomile Tea: Mellow and calming chamomile tea has such a beautiful aroma, and the sweet and floral flavors can transform your oatmeal into a delicious opportunity for relaxation and refocus. This soothing tea has notes of apple and honey and is perfect for a morning boost, an afternoon pick-me-up, or winding down after a long, busy day.
• Fruit Tea: Sky’s the limit here! From peach to apple to strawberry to pear to blueberry, there is an entire world of fruit teas to choose from. Whatever flavors you’re craving, there is a fruit tea to complement your oatmeal. Stay on theme and take it one step further by adding chopped fresh berries and dried fruit as well. Creamy Apple Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal is ideal for your next bowl of fruit tea oatmeal.