Homemade Chai Spice Mix Recipe {Only 6 Ingredients!} | PWWB (2024)

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5 from 8 reviews

Homemade Chai Spice

GF Gluten-Free

Posted by Jess Larson on September 18th, 2018 (Updated December 27, 2023)

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE SALES LINKS. PLEASE SEE MY FULL DISCLAIMER POLICY FOR DETAILS.

A simple & easy 6-ingredient recipe for Homemade Chai Spice mix with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, & allspice. Make a batch to keep on your spice rack for all of your chai spiced fall & holiday baking this year!

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Homemade Chai Spice Mix Recipe {Only 6 Ingredients!} | PWWB (1)

Prep: 5 min

Cook: 0 min

Yield: ⅓ cup

It happens every freaking year.

During the early weeks of September, the whole world inevitably goes crazy for all things pumpkin.

But for me? Pumpkin just doesn’t do it. I don’t know why, but it never really has. I tried my first pumpkin spice latte a few years ago & was SHOOK when I realized it was actually orange.

Seriously. Pumpkin just isn’t my jam.

Chai spice, on the other hand? Man oh man, do I LOVE anything chai spice.

The warming & cozy notes of chai spice are perfect for fall months as warm & muggy summery air gives way to cooler, crisp weather.

this Recipe for Later!

This chai spice mix is pretty much my BFF throughout the fall & winter. I figured it’s about time to share it here so you can obsess over it, too!

Homemade Chai Spice Recipe Highlights

You’ll fall in love with this homemade chai spice recipe because it’s…

  • EASY. This simple spice blend is made with just 6 ingredients. To your favorite jar or spice container, add the spices (listed below) and shake it up to combine. It’ll keep on your spice rack for up to 1 year!
  • FESTIVE. I love a spicy chai, and this chai spice mix is bold & full-flavored yet totally warm & cozy.
  • VERSATILE. Use chai spice to add another layer of flavor to your baked goods or add a pinch to a cup of coffee for instant fall flair. It’s also a welcome addition to seasonal co*cktails!
  • A GREAT GIFT. Because it’s easiest to buy chai spices in bulk, I like to portion out chai spices into individual spice containers. I keep them on hand as seasonal hostess gifts & they’re also a great special little something for office or teacher gifts for anyone who loves to bake. For the ultimate cozy gift, pair a jar of homemade chai spice mix with cute mugs &/or spoons!

TGI-Chai Spice Season! ♡ Read on to learn more about this Homemade Chai Spice Mix, or jump straight to the recipe & get cookin’!

Ingredients in Chai Spice Mix

I created this chai spice recipe after trying what feels like just about every single chai spice mix recipe on the internet. As someone who loves super spicy & cardamom-forward chai flavors, many of the recipes I tried just fell a little flat for me. They used tons of cinnamon & tiny little pinches of the other chai spices – I could really only taste the cinnamon.

My chai spice mix is super simple to make & only calls for 6 ingredients:

To create the spicy & bold flavors that I expect when I taste something that is supposed to be chai flavored, I add generous amounts of both ginger & cardamom to this chai spice mix. If you love a spicier chai, this chai spice recipe is for you!

Homemade Chai Spice Mix Recipe {Only 6 Ingredients!} | PWWB (3)
Homemade Chai Spice Mix Recipe {Only 6 Ingredients!} | PWWB (4)

A couple of quick tips & tricks

Buy spices online or in bulk to save $$$. The spices you need to make chai spice mix can be a little costly, especially if you rely on grocery store prices. Cardamom & allspice, especially, are really expensive when you buy them in the little jars from the grocery store spice aisle. I suggest ordering the spices online & buying them in bulk to get extra bang for your buck. You can make a big batch of chai spice – extras make wonderful gifts! I provide links for some great bulk spices in the Recipe Card, below.

Store in airtight containers. Since we’re dealing with more expensive spices, you definitely want to make sure your chai spice stays fresh & flavorful for as long as possible. Storing it in a good airtight container is super important. I use these mason jars for my own spice rack. Weck jars are great too!

Make it your own. I chose the 6 spices included in this chai spice recipe to keep it simple & easy to remember. For extra flavor, try adding ground black pepper & a split vanilla bean pod. Holy yum! More details included in the Recipe Notes, below.

Homemade Chai Spice Mix Recipe {Only 6 Ingredients!} | PWWB (5)

How to Use Homemade Chai Spice Mix

The beauty of this easy chai spice mix (other than the fact that it smells SO freaking good) is that it’s really, really versatile. It’s perfect for autumn, football season, Thanksgiving pies & baked goods, and any other cozy occasion you can think of!

Homemade Chai Spice Mix Recipe {Only 6 Ingredients!} | PWWB (6)

A few teaspoons of chai spice mix will take pretty much any cozy fall recipe up another cozy notch!

Try adding homemade chai spice mix to…

  • COFFEE. Most easily, I like to make cozy chai coffee on any cool fall morning. Stir a few pinches of chai spice into your morning coffee or even sprinkle a bit into coffee grounds being brewed through a coffee filter. If you want something that feels like a super special treat, to your chai spice coffee, add a tablespoon of pure maple syrup, a splash of cream or milk, & a little pinch of kosher salt. OMG… chai spice heaven.
  • BAKED GOODS. If you want to feel fancy, add some chai spice to your favorite baked goods, like these Chai Scones with Maple Chai Glaze.
  • APPLE DESSERTS. Apples & chai spice pair really well together. Feel free to replace the spices in your favorite apple pie or apple dessert 1:1 with chai spice mix to add an extra kick of flavor. This time of year, I love Chai Spiced Apple Crisp.
  • & PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING ELSE! Like, a sprinkle of chai spice mixed with brown sugar in oatmeal, a pinch onto buttery toast (chai spice/sugar toast!!), in co*cktails, pancake mix, crumb cakes, and more!

FAQ: Can I Make Chai Tea with this Chai Spice Mix?

We actually recommend adding this homemade chai mix to baked goods recipes, similar to our Chai Scones. If you are hoping to make a true masala chai, you’d want to look for a recipe using whole spices as this mix would likely result in a gritty texture if added directly to a tea or milk mixture. We’d recommend checking out a chai mix from a brand like Tazo tea!

Homemade Chai Spice Mix Recipe {Only 6 Ingredients!} | PWWB (7)

Cozy chai vibes on repeat. All. Season. Long. I cannot wait for you to try this Chai Spice Mix! If you do give it a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @playswellwithbutteronInstagram. I LOVE hearing about & seeing your PWWB creations! Happy cooking! ♡

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Homemade Chai Spice Mix Recipe {Only 6 Ingredients!} | PWWB (8)

Homemade Chai Spice Mix

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 8 reviews

  • Author: Jess Larson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: ⅓ cup 1x
  • Category: Sauces & Condiments
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

A simple & easy 6-ingredient recipe for homemade chai spice mix with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, & allspice. Make a batch to keep on your spice rack for all of your chai spiced fall & holiday baking this year! It also make the perfect homemade gift!

Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

Add all listed ingredients to an airtight container or jar. I like to use these mason jars, or these Weck jars. Seal the jar, and shake to combine. Store on your spice rack, at room temperature, for up to 1 year. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Buy spices online or in bulk to save money! The spices you need to make chai spice mix can be a little costly, especially if you rely on grocery store prices. Cardamom & allspice, especially, are really expensive when you buy them in the little jars from the grocery store spice aisle. I suggest ordering the spices online, &/or buying them in bulk to get extra bang for your buck. You can make a double or triple batch of chai spice – extras make wonderful hostess gifts! My favorite spices are linked above.
  • Make it your own. I chose the 6 spices included in this chai spice recipe to keep it simple & easy to remember. A few things you could add in to add extra flavor, if you’re into that kinda thing, are ½ tablespoon of ground black pepper. A split vanilla bean pod is another fun way to add tons of flavor to this chai spice. Cut a whole vanilla bean pod down the middle, and submerge it into the chai spices. As it sits on your spice rack, the vanilla’s flavor will infuse itself into the chai spice. Yum!

Follow along with Plays Well With Butter onInstagram,YouTube, Facebook, andPinterestfor more unfussy recipes that pack a big punch of flavor!

  • American
  • No-Cook
  • 10 Ingredients or Less
  • 30 Minutes or Less
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Girls Night
  • Thanksgiving

Homemade Chai Spice Mix Recipe {Only 6 Ingredients!} | PWWB (11)

If there’s 1 thing to know about me, it’s this: I am head-over-heels in love with food. I’m on a mission to make weeknight cooking flavorful, fast, & fun for other foodies, & PWWB is where I share foolproof recipes that deliver major flavor with minimal effort. Other true loves: pretty shoes, puppies, Grey’s Anatomy, & my cozy kitchen in Minneapolis, MN.

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Homemade Chai Spice Mix Recipe {Only 6 Ingredients!} | PWWB (14)

Homemade Chai Spice Mix Recipe {Only 6 Ingredients!} | PWWB (2024)

FAQs

What is chai spice made of? ›

The Spices

Chai can include a number of different spices. Cardamom is the most common ingredient, followed by some mixture of cinnamon, ginger, star anise and cloves. Pepper, coriander, nutmeg and fennel are also used, but they are slightly less common. Every family has a blend to suit its tastes.

What are the ingredients in seven spice chai tea? ›

Ingredients. Organic unrefined jaggery cane sugar, cinnamon, natural black tea extract (5.2%), star anise, cardamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, black pepper.

What are the ingredients for masala chai? ›

Ingredients
  • 3 green cardamom pods, bashed and husks removed.
  • ½ cinnamon stick.
  • 2 cloves.
  • 3 black peppercorns.
  • ½ tsp ground ginger.
  • 2 tsp loose leaf black tea leaves, such as Assam.
Mar 17, 2023

What is the difference between chai and spiced chai? ›

' While both chai tea and masala chai are made with black tea, their main difference is the spices used in their preparation. Chai tea is essentially just black tea with milk and sugar, while masala chai is prepared with a blend of spices that typically includes cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper.

What is the difference between spiced chai and regular chai? ›

A 'masala chai' is a chai tea with milk and a hint of spices – cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon mostly. Saunf wali chai is the same milk tea flavored with fennel seeds. The main difference between chai and masala tea is the addition of spices.

Are chai tea spices healthy? ›

Some of the health benefits of chai tea include: Boosting the Immune System: Chai tea is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to boost the immune system and prevent various diseases. The spices in chai tea, such as ginger and cinnamon, are known for their immune-boosting properties.

What spices are in Twinings chai tea? ›

Commonly used spices/Masalas in Chai are:
  • Ginger- This may be dried ginger called “ Saunth “ or may be fresh ginger.
  • Cardamon -or Elaichi Chai.
  • Cinnamon or DalchiniChai.
  • Aniseed, Anise or Saunf Chai.
  • Basil leaves- Tulsi Chai.
  • Mint leaves- Pudhina Chai.
  • Lemon Grass -Gavathi Chai.
  • Black pepper-Kali Miri.
Jul 6, 2016

What flavouring is chai tea? ›

Chai Flavouring

A traditional spiced tea blend. Black tea mixed with spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger and black peppercorns. Chai Natural Flavouring provides a full earthy flavour which is sweet and spicy. Add to your baking, cooking, drinks and more.

Can you make chai spice without cardamom? ›

I did make one huge mistake in thinking that I had some cardamom in my cabinet. Turns out I didn't and the grocery store near me did not have cardamom pods either so I had to make it without. Now, cardamom is kind of the signature spice in chai but I have to say, the drink was still freaking delicious without it.

Is chai an anti inflammatory? ›

Reduces Inflammation: The anti-inflammatory properties of chai can also help reduce inflammation in the body. This can be particularly beneficial for people with conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and other chronic diseases. Promotes Digestion: Chai contains ginger, which is known for its ability to aid digestion.

What chai mix does Starbucks use? ›

Tazo Chai Concentrate (Starbucks brand)

You can find their products in most grocery stores. This is the tea that Starbucks uses for its tea lattes and other beverages. Starbucks uses a special (and more concentrated) version of the Tazo Chai Concentrate that is not sold commercially.

How is chai made? ›

Chai consists of black tea brewed with water, milk, spices and a sweetener, such as honey or sugar, offering a fragrant and sweet aroma and flavor. The spices included in chai can vary, but the most common spices used are cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and cloves.

Can I use garam masala in chai? ›

If you ask one hundred Indian home chefs for their favorite garam masala mix for spicy chai, you'll probably get 101 different recipes. That's because everyone has their favorite spices and masala chai lovers like to add those they love in their favorite tea drink.

What makes chai special? ›

The Chai latte features an extraordinary balance and harmony between milk and spices. The milk softens the spicy flavours, while the condiments themselves give the milk a special flavour, aroma and texture.

What does chai spice taste like? ›

Chai tea is one of the tastiest beverages around! It has a wonderfully warm, spicy flavor that is incredibly inviting. Chai tea has a sweet, spiced flavor that is similar to black tea with notes of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, and clove. It is typically creamy and has a subtle sweetness.

Does chai spice have caffeine? ›

One cup of chai from the powdered form has 25 to 55mg of caffeine while in the concentrate, it's more likely to be 30 to 35mg. Compare that to roughly 120mg in your average cup of coffee and it's obvious that if you want to be a lively bag of beans, you'll probably want to stick to those, well, coffee beans.

What did chai taste like? ›

Chai is a complex blend of flavors characterized by a balance of bold black tea leaves and different spices. Without a doubt, the most powerful notes in a cup of chai are cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves.

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