Bubble Tea Pearls with Honey Jasmine Milk Tea

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Chewy homemade tapioca pearls paired with fragrant honey-sweetened jasmine milk tea for a delightful Taiwanese-inspired drink. This asian-inspired asian ready in about 60 minutes pairs tapioca starch, boiling water, bags jasmine tea bags for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.4 (10 ratings) Prep: 40 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: To make tapioca pearls, pour 1/2 cup boiling water over 1 cup tapioca starch in a heatproof bowl; stir quickly with a spoon until dough forms. When cool enough, knead dough on a surface until smooth and pliable.
  2. Step 2: Roll dough into 1/4-inch thick logs and cut into small 1/4-inch pieces; roll each piece into a tiny ball. Boil 6 cups water in a pot, add pearls, and cook for 15 minutes until translucent and chewy. Drain.
  3. Step 3: Soak cooked pearls in a mixture of 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1/4 cup water for 10 minutes to sweeten.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, steep 3 jasmine tea bags in 4 cups hot water for 5 minutes; remove bags and stir in 3 tbsp honey until dissolved. Let tea cool slightly.
  5. Step 5: Fill glasses with 1/4 cup sweetened tapioca pearls, pour in 3/4 cup jasmine milk tea (made by mixing cooled tea with 1 cup milk), stir well and serve with wide straws.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Bubble Tea Pearls with Honey Jasmine Milk Tea take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (40 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Bubble Tea Pearls with Honey Jasmine Milk Tea?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tapioca starch from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Bubble Tea Pearls with Honey Jasmine Milk Tea?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Bubble Tea Pearls with Honey Jasmine Milk Tea for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Bubble Tea Pearls with Honey Jasmine Milk Tea?

Asian asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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