Easy Spiced Oat Milk Latte (Dairy-Free)
This spiced oat milk latte is the cozy drink you didn't know you needed. It's warm and infused with a fragrant blend of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger. Made with creamy oat milk and freshly brewed espresso, it's the kind of comforting beverage that makes cooler mornings feel a little more grounded.
Whether you're starting your holiday morning with something warm and grounding or simply looking for a cozy ritual on a chilly winter day, this spiced oat milk latte brings gentle comfort with every sip. It's an easy, homemade way to feel a little more rooted, no matter how busy the season gets.
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Unlike heavily-sweetened store-bought lattes, this version gets its depth of flavor from whole spices and creamy oat milk. There are no syrups or specialty equipment required. Pair it with a Banana Oat Muffin, Tomato Basil Breakfast Casserole, or Pumpkin Overnight Oats.
Oat milk is my go-to for vegan lattes (try my oat milk matcha latte here) because of its naturally creamy texture and mild flavor, but you can easily adapt this drink to suit your preferences. Whether you enjoy it as part of a slower morning or holiday ritual, it's a simple way to bring warmth and nourishment to your day.
If you want try making your own oat milk from scratch, check out my Homemade Strawberry Oat Milk recipe. You can also find a full collection of my plant-based drinks and smoothies here.
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If you're looking for more ideas beyond this oat milk latte, I've put together a free list of 100+ plant-forward meals and snacks to make planning easier. These recipes are simple, satisfying, and full of variety.
Ingredients
This cozy latte starts with creamy oat milk, chosen for its naturally sweet flavor and ability to froth well without dairy. Warming spices like cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, whole cloves, and fresh ginger infuse with the milk and bring festive, chai-like depth. This oat milk latte is great for slow holiday mornings or graoun ding winter rituals. A pinch of salt enhances the flavor, while freshly brewed espresso adds boldness and balance. Top it off with a dusting of cinnamon for an inviting, coffee shop-style finish.
Substitutions
- Oat milk: Swap oat milk with almond, soy, cashew, or dairy milk. Whatever you prefer or have available. For extra creaminess, use a barista-style milk or stir in a spoonful of coconut cream.
- Coffee base: No espresso machine? Use ½ cup strong brewed coffee instead.
- Sweetener: This recipe is unsweetened as written, but you can stir in maple syrup, brown sugar, or your favorite sweetened to taste.
- Spices: Omit the spices for a regular oat milk latte or try adding nutmeg or allspice. Swap in ground spices (about a pinch to ¼ teaspoon each) if you don't have whole ones. The flavor will be stronger with ground spices.
Making Ahead and Storage
This latte is best served fresh, but you can simmer the spiced oat milk up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat before serving. Froth the milk just before pouring if you want café-style foam.
FAQ
Yes, an oat milk latte can be a nourishing option, especially when made without a lot of added sugar. Choosing unsweetened oat milk and customizing your drink to your preferences makes it easy to enjoy your way.
Absolutely. Oat milk is one of the best non-dairy options for lattes because it steams and froths beautifully, offering a creamy texture and slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with coffee.
A spiced latte typically includes warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, or ginger, combined with steamed milk and espresso. This version uses oat milk for a dairy-free base, whole warming spices for a rich, infused flavor, and espresso to tie it all together.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Spiced Oat Milk Latte (Dairy-Free)
Equipment
- saucepan
- whisk
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups oat milk
- 2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
- 6 cardamom pods, smashed
- 10 whole cloves, smashed
- 1 inch piece ginger, halved
- 1/16 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup freshly brewed hot espresso coffee
- Ground cinnamon for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oat milk, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, whole cloves, ginger, and salt in a small saucepan over low-medium heat for 10 minutes, or until warm and just starting to bubble.
- Pour the warm oat milk through a fine-mesh strainer and into a liquid measuring cup. Whisk vigorously until the milk is frothy and has bubbles. (You can also pour the milk into an automatic frother if you have one.)
- Pour the brewed espresso coffee into a mug. Pour frothed milk on top.
- Dust with ground cinnamon if desired and enjoy!
Notes
- Storage: This latte is best served fresh, but you can simmer the spiced oat milk up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat before serving. Froth the milk just before pouring if desired.
Can I use ground cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves instead of whole for the milk infusing? What amounts would you recommend?
Ground spices are what I already have in my cupboard 🙂
Hi A, you could use ground spices but I haven't tested the amounts. I'd probably try with relatively small measurements - about 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and just a pinch or ground cardamom and cloves since they can be pretty strong. Let me know how it goes if you try it. Thanks!
Mmm... that's a nice way to have coffee. I had everything except fresh ginger and espresso (thanks, Scandinavian baking heritage), so I used ground ginger in the pot and strong coffee otherwise. Ground cinnamon on top was worthwhile, just like the recipe. Usually I add sugar when I use oat milk in coffee, but I didn't feel the need today. The spices are providing comfort.
The spices are so comforting, right? So happy you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for commenting, Elle!
I'm looking for more ways to use oat milk! Definitey making this one - I love all the spices in it 🙂
Thanks, Ginger! The spices make it extra cozy 🙂