Homemade Chai Spice

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! 
A silver spoon rests on a white & gray marble surface filled with a spoonful of ground chai spice mix. Surrounding the spoon are several raw forms of the spices that go into this homemade chai spice mix.

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 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 cocktails!
  • 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!

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.

A side angle shot of a small mason jar filled with ground homemade chai spice that rests atop a white & gray marble surface.

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!

A small mason jar filled with homemade chai spice mix rests atop a white plate filled with the raw ingredients that make up the spice mix: ginger, cinnamon, cardomom, allspice, cloves, nutmeg. A spoon rests inside the mason jar. The plate sits atop a white & gray marble surface with additional chai spice ingredients scattered.

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 cocktails, 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!

A silver spoon rests on a white & gray marble surface filled with a spoonful of ground chai spice mix. Surrounding the spoon are several raw forms of the spices that go into this homemade chai spice mix.

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 @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. I LOVE hearing about & seeing your PWWB creations! Happy cooking! ♡

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
A silver spoon rests on a white & gray marble surface filled with a spoonful of ground chai spice mix. Surrounding the spoon are several raw forms of the spices that go into this homemade chai spice mix.

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

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 on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest for more unfussy recipes that pack a big punch of flavor!

Hi there, I'm Jess!

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.

Topics

Sign up for our newsletter

Leave a Rating & Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. 2.17.24
    Monica said:

    Thank you for this wonderful recipe!






    • 2.19.24
      Emma @ Plays Well With Butter said:

      So glad you enjoyed, Monica! 🙂

    • 3.24.24
      J. Schroeder said:

      How much of the chai spice mix do you add to your cup, and do you mix it with milk or a mixture of milk and water?

  2. 1.18.24
    Mary McCullegan said:

    I absolutely love a hot cup of chai. I didn’t have any of the chai bags or loose tea so when I found this recipe I mixed it together and it was absolutely perfect! I probably put about half a teaspoon in my teacup, but of course it’s whatever strength you like. Thank you for an awesome recipe!! I’ll definitely be sharing this.






    • 1.19.24
      Emma @ Plays Well With Butter said:

      Hi Mary, we’re glad to hear this mix worked well for you as a tea! Thank you for the review! 🙂

  3. 1.15.24
    Shirley said:

    Thanks for the Chai recipe. How much would you use to make a tea bag?

    • 1.16.24
      Emma @ Plays Well With Butter said:

      Hi Shirley! We recommend using this recipe for adding a touch of chai spice to flavor to baked goods rather than using for a chai tea or chai latte. For example, you can add the spices to a recipe like our Chai Scones. If you are hoping to make tea, 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. Hope that’s helpful!

  4. 9.4.23
    Doodledaddy said:

    Good recipe, for a version of the recipe using ground spices where the whole ones would not work. But I must say, pumpkin and chai spices mixed together to make a pie is out of this world delicious, and you are doing yourself a huge disservice, if you have never tried it! I have never cared for plain, sweet pumpkin, either, but put those extra spices and some brown sugar with it, and I promise you, it is a taste that you may find that you actually crave! I eat pumpkin pies with chai spices in them all year long, and they really do not need that much sugar, either! They have become as much of a craving and comfort for me as chocolate!






    • 9.5.23
      Emma @ Plays Well With Butter said:

      We couldn’t agree more!!

  5. 9.13.22
    Grace said:

    i would just like to say it isn’t the “whole world” that goes “crazy” for pumpkin in sept. just the northern hemisphere – and even then it is really only the north america continent

    • 9.14.22

      Safe to assume that statement was one made hyperbolically.

  6. 7.24.21
    Trish Stroble said:

    I just found your recipe with the correct ratios. But I made blueberry chai pudding with tofu and looked up the spices in chai. I realized that Chinese five spice mix has all of them so I used that plus extra cinnamon because I love cinnamon. but I still can’t find Stevia that I like and that’s the sweetening that was called for in this recipe.

  7. 6.28.21

    You mention for the cooler months but I get a lot of Iced Chai drinks and also add Espresso and people love it.






    • 7.5.21
      Erin @ Plays Well With Butter said:

      Hi Patrick! Since we are based in MN, most people associate warm chai spice with the cooler months here but we’re totally up for chai any time of year as well! Especially a dirty iced chai during the summer months, enjoy!

    • 12.8.21
      Jacqui said:

      What is the ratio of powder to liquids?

      • 12.30.21
        Erin @ Plays Well With Butter said:

        Hey Jacqui! We recommend using this recipe for adding a touch of chai spice to flavor to baked goods rather than using for a chai tea or chai latte. For example, you can add the spices to a recipe like our Chai Scones, adding to pancakes or maybe even sprinkling a bit in coffee grounds that will go through a coffee filter. 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. Hope that helps!

  8. 2.28.21
    Hannah Gold said:

    How much should I add to my black tea? Is there a recipe you recommend?

    • 4.9.21
      Erin @ Plays Well With Butter said:

      Hi Hannah! This Homemade Chai Spice is really intended for adding to baked goods to introduce the chai spice flavor. For example, a recipe like our Chai Scones, adding to pancakes or maybe even sprinkling a bit in coffee grounds in a coffee filter. 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. Hope that helps!

  9. 1.2.21
    Susie said:

    Very yummy! I was out of allspice (who runs out of allspice?!) but it was still excellent. I added a couple dashes if black pepper for an extra little kick. I use it in black tea with honey and frothed milk for a delicious chai tea latte without the Starbucks price tag!






    • 3.9.21
      Erin @ Plays Well With Butter said:

      Hi Susie! So glad you could tailor the spice mix to your liking & with what you had on hand – thank you for sharing!!

  10. 1.2.21
    Srees said:

    Very yummy! I was out of allspice (who runs out of allspice?!) but it was still excellent. I added a couple dashes black pepper for a little kick. I use it it my black tea with honey and frothed milk for a delicious chai tea latte.






    • 2.8.21
      Erin @ Plays Well With Butter said:

      Your homemade chai tea latte sounds delicious!! So glad you enjoyed!

  11. 9.25.20
    tf said:

    Have you or anyone added this to tea and how was it?

    • 4.9.21
      Erin @ Plays Well With Butter said:

      Hey Tanya! We actually recommend adding this Homemade Chai Mix to baked goods recipes, similar to our Chai Scones. You could even add to pancake mix or maybe even sprinkling a bit in coffee grounds being brewed through a coffee filter. However, 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!

      • 9.26.22
        Pam B said:

        I actually use this recipe for my chai tea. I add a half teaspoon of the mix with a mixture of almond milk and black tea and maple syrup for the sweetener. I put it in my Vitamix on 10 for a few seconds. No grit, plenty of froth. You would think you just got a treat from Starbucks. Thanks for the recipe.

        • 9.27.22
          Erin @ Plays Well With Butter said:

          Hi Pam! Thanks so much for sharing using a high-powered blender sounds like a great way to ensure the chai spice mix gets well integrated for a creamy chai tea. 🙂

  12. 9.14.20
    Jenny said:

    Really keen to make this mixed spice recipe and give to family & friends as a gift as well as enjoying myself.
    I am new to chai brew making…are you able to guide me on quantity of water to spice mix ratio when making a tea brew?

    • 4.9.21
      Erin @ Plays Well With Butter said:

      Hi Jenny! We actually recommend adding this Homemade Chai Mix to baked goods recipes, similar to our Chai Scones. You could even add to pancake mix or maybe even sprinkling a bit in coffee grounds being brewed through a coffee filter. However, 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!

  13. 8.29.20

    Hi there! I conceived of this post as a starting point for all of you who love chai, that spicy and fragrant milky tea drunk across most of India and much of east Africa. I wanted to show you the five essential spices that, once procured, will help you make a delicious cup of spicy tea. But then I ran into difficulties. Chai comes in so many forms and flavors. what would be better for me?

    • 4.9.21
      Erin @ Plays Well With Butter said:

      Hi Hugo! This mix is intended to be used for adding to baked goods! If you’d like to make a Chai Spice tea you’ll want to use whole spices. We’d recommend checking out a brand like Tazo tea!

  14. 8.22.20

    I made it after reading this post. And it’s such as a delicious. Thank you for sharing this recipe.

    • 3.9.21
      Erin @ Plays Well With Butter said:

      So glad you enjoyed, Sophia!! Thank you for sharing your experience!

  15. 6.4.20
    Jen said:

    Delicious. I’ve tried a few chai recipes and all leave a little bit to be desired. This is by far my favourite, bookmarked, printed and shared with friends and family. Thank you!






    • 6.4.20
      jess said:

      Jen! I’m so glad you love this chai spice mix – really think the ginger & cardamom is key. Thanks so much for sharing with your family & friends. Enjoy!!!

  16. 2.29.20
    Stephen said:

    This spice mix is really tasty in strong coffee and then blended with 1-2 tablespoons of butter, a scoop of plain collagen peptides and 1-2 teaspoons of MCT oil. Very creamy and keeps your blood sugar stable. No sugar needed.






    • 3.2.20
      jess said:

      Wow, your coffee drink sounds absolutely amazing, Stephen!! Thanks so much for sharing, & I’m so glad that you’re enjoying this chai spice mix!

  17. 9.18.18

    I probably have one PSL a year. It’s a tradition! Then the rest of the season it’s Cinnamon Dolce or Chai spice! Love a 6 ingredient recipe!!! thanks, girl.
    PS. Can we talk about pumpkin bars? I love pumpkin bars. You should too.

    • 9.20.18
      jess said:

      mmm not into them, but i have a feeling if you made me yours i’d be V into them. (capital V.) let’s make it happen, mkay? xo