If you love the creamy, spiced sweetness of Thai milk tea overnight oats, you are going to be obsessed with this recipe. It takes just 5 minutes to prep and makes 1 to 2 servings of the most flavorful, dreamy breakfast you can imagine. Think bold black tea, warm spices, and a rich coconut milk base all packed into a jar you prep the night before.
Thai milk tea is a popular drink you find at bubble tea shops all over the US. It has a bright orange color and a sweet, spiced flavor that is totally unique. Now you can enjoy all of that in a healthy, filling breakfast bowl.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super quick prep: Just 5 minutes of work the night before and breakfast is ready when you wake up.
- No cooking needed: The oats soften overnight in the fridge so you never have to turn on the stove.
- Tastes like a treat: The spiced tea and coconut milk combo tastes indulgent but is actually packed with nutrition.
- Great for meal prep: Make 2 jars at once and have breakfast covered for two mornings in a row.
- Naturally customizable: Easy to make dairy-free, vegan, or lower in sugar depending on your needs.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats, which get too mushy)
- 1 Thai tea bag or 1 tablespoon loose-leaf Thai tea blend (look for it at Asian grocery stores or online; you can substitute with a strong black tea bag plus a pinch of star anise)
- 1/2 cup brewed Thai tea, cooled (brew it strong for the best flavor)
- 1/3 cup canned coconut milk (full-fat gives the creamiest result; lite coconut milk works for fewer calories; oat milk or almond milk are also great substitutes)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (these help thicken the oats and add fiber; hemp seeds work too)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (this is key for that authentic Thai tea flavor; substitute with maple syrup or honey for a lighter version)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of ground cardamom (optional but adds a warm, floral note that makes these taste even more like real Thai tea)
- Pinch of ground cinnamon
Optional toppings: A drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, fresh mango slices, toasted coconut flakes, or boba pearls for a fun bubble tea vibe.
How to Make Thai Milk Tea Overnight Oats
- Brew the tea: Steep your Thai tea bag in 1/2 cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Let it cool to room temperature or pop it in the fridge to speed things up. You want it fully cooled before mixing.
- Combine the dry ingredients: Add the rolled oats and chia seeds to a mason jar or any container with a lid. Give them a quick stir to mix everything together.
- Add the wet ingredients: Pour in the cooled Thai tea, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Add the spices: Sprinkle in the cardamom and cinnamon. Give it another good stir so the spices are evenly mixed throughout.
- Seal and refrigerate: Put the lid on your jar and place it in the fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight. The oats will absorb all that delicious liquid and get thick and creamy.
- Stir and add toppings: In the morning, take your jar out of the fridge and give it a stir. If it looks too thick, add a splash of coconut milk. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Perfect Thai Milk Tea Overnight Oats
Always use old-fashioned rolled oats and not instant oats. Rolled oats hold up much better overnight and give you a chewier, more satisfying texture.
Brew your Thai tea extra strong by letting the bag steep for 5 to 7 minutes. This makes sure the tea flavor really comes through after the oats soak it up overnight.
Let the brewed tea cool completely before mixing. Pouring hot tea over the oats can make them go mushy before they even hit the fridge.
Taste the mixture before you refrigerate it. Thai tea can vary in sweetness depending on the brand, so adjust your condensed milk or sweetener to your liking right at the start.
For a gorgeous layered look, do not stir everything together. Instead, pour the coconut milk on top of the tea and oat mixture right before serving for a stunning visual effect.
Flavor Variations
Mango Thai Tea Oats: Blend half a cup of fresh or frozen mango and stir it into the oat mixture. Top with mango chunks in the morning for a tropical twist.
Boba-Inspired Oats: Cook a small batch of tapioca pearls and add them as a topping right before eating. They bring that classic bubble tea experience straight to your breakfast bowl.
Vegan Version: Swap the sweetened condensed milk for coconut condensed milk or a drizzle of agave syrup. Use full-fat coconut milk and you have a fully plant-based breakfast.
Protein-Packed Thai Tea Oats: Stir in one scoop of vanilla protein powder with the wet ingredients. This bumps up the protein content significantly and keeps you full until lunch.
Iced Coffee Thai Tea Oats: Replace half of the brewed Thai tea with cold brew coffee. The combination of coffee and spiced tea is bold, rich, and totally energizing.
Storage Tips
Store your Thai milk tea overnight oats in a sealed jar or airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days, which makes them perfect for weekly meal prep.
Always add your toppings right before eating and not before storing. Toppings like fruit and granola get soggy or mushy if they sit on top of the oats overnight.
Do not freeze overnight oats. The texture of the oats and chia seeds changes a lot when frozen and thawed, so it is best to keep them in the fridge only.
If your oats get too thick after a day or two in the fridge, just stir in a little extra coconut milk or regular milk until they reach the consistency you like.
Nutrition Information
These estimates are based on one serving using full-fat coconut milk and one tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk. Your numbers may vary based on specific brands and substitutions.
- Calories: approximately 380 kcal
- Protein: approximately 9 grams
- Carbohydrates: approximately 48 grams
- Fat: approximately 17 grams
- Fiber: approximately 7 grams
- Sugar: approximately 14 grams
Using lite coconut milk and a natural sweetener like maple syrup can bring the calorie count down to around 300 kcal per serving. Adding a scoop of protein powder can push the protein up to around 25 grams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Thai milk tea taste like?
Thai milk tea has a sweet, creamy, and slightly spiced flavor. It is made from strongly brewed black tea blended with spices like star anise, cardamom, and tamarind, then mixed with sweetened condensed milk. The result is a warm, floral, and sweet drink that tastes totally unique.
Where can I find Thai tea bags in the US?
You can find Thai tea bags or loose-leaf Thai tea blends at most Asian grocery stores, international food markets, and online retailers like Amazon. Look for brands like Pantai or Number One Brand Thai Tea Mix. In a pinch, a strong black tea bag plus a pinch of star anise and cardamom makes a great substitute.
Can I make this recipe without sweetened condensed milk?
Yes, absolutely! You can use maple syrup, honey, agave, or coconut sugar instead. The flavor will be slightly different since sweetened condensed milk adds a rich creaminess along with sweetness, but the oats will still taste amazing. Start with one tablespoon and adjust to your taste.
Do I have to let overnight oats sit for a full 8 hours?
The minimum soak time is about 4 to 6 hours to let the oats soften fully. Overnight is ideal because it gives the oats plenty of time to absorb all the liquid and develop a thick, creamy texture. If you are in a hurry, 4 hours is the shortest amount of time you should wait.
Why are my overnight oats too runny or too thick?
If your oats are too runny, add more chia seeds and let the mixture sit in the fridge for another hour. Chia seeds are great thickeners. If your oats are too thick, just stir in a splash of coconut milk or any other milk you have on hand until you reach your preferred consistency.
These Thai milk tea overnight oats are honestly one of the most fun and flavorful breakfast recipes you can add to your routine. They are easy, prepped in just 5 minutes, and deliver a breakfast that feels like a total treat. Whether you are a longtime Thai tea lover or trying it for the first time in oat form, this recipe is sure to become a morning favorite. Give it a try tonight and wake up to the most exciting jar in your fridge!
