Get Cozy With This 6 Ingredient 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 and 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.
As someone who loves super spicy and cardamom-forward chai flavors, many of the recipes I tried just fell a little flat for me. They used tons of cinnamon and tiny little pinches of the other chai spices – I could really only taste the cinnamon.
To create the spicy and bold flavors that I expect when I taste something that is supposed to be chai flavored, I add generous amounts of both ground ginger and ground cardamom to this chai spice mix.
If you love a spicier chai, this chai spice recipe is for you. I’m in love with this spice mix and I figured it’s about time to share it here so you can obsess over it, too! TGI-Chai Spice Season!
Can I Make Chai Tea with this Mix?
We recommend adding this homemade chai mix to baked goods recipes. If you are hoping to make a true masala chai, you’ll 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. Check out a chai mix from a brand like Tazo tea!
Key Ingredients, Tips and Tricks
I chose the 6 spices included in this chai spice recipe to keep it simple and easy to remember but there are a few extra tips and tricks to help you get the most bang for your buck!
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Buy Now → A couple of quick tips and tricks
Buy spices online or in bulk to save $$$. The spices you need to make chai spice mix can be a little costly. Cardamom and allspice, especially, are really expensive when you buy them in the little jars from the grocery store spice aisle. I suggest ordering 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! Check out the Recipe Card Ingredients for links to some great bulk spices, below.
Make it your own. For extra flavor, try adding ground black pepper and a split vanilla bean pod. Find more details in the Recipe Notes, below.
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 and baked goods, and any other cozy occasion you can think of!
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, and a little pinch of kosher salt. Chai spice heaven!
- BAKED GOODS. If you want to feel fancy, add some chai spice to your favorite baked goods, like our Chai Scones or Chai Oatmeal Cookies.
- APPLE DESSERTS. Apples and 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.
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 and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. We LOVE seeing your PWWB creations! Happy cooking! ♡
Print
Homemade Chai Spice Mix (Big, Bold Flavor!)
- 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 made with ground spices – cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Make a batch to keep on your spice rack for all of your chai spiced fall & holiday baking this year!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground cardamom
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- ½ tablespoon ground allspice
- ½ tablespoon ground cloves
- ½ tablespoon ground nutmeg
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 and 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, and/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 and 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!
How much do you use for a cup of tea with 8 ounces of liquid?
Hi Lisa! We recommend using this recipe for adding a touch of chai spice to flavor to baked goods (like our Chai Scones) rather than using for a chai tea or chai latte. This mix would likely result in a gritty texture if added directly to a tea or milk mixture – whole spices work better for tea. However, we’ve had some readers use this mixture for tea with good results, so you’re welcome to try it! 1/2 tsp spices to 8oz of milk seems to be the consensus 🙂
Thank you so much for this recipe. I waS making rugelach and I made this spice without knowing it was a Chai spice..My family loved the rugelach and wanted to know what the flavor was, and it was so different. I said I mixed a few spices and wanted to spice things up a little. Now I know what it’s called. Thank you again for the recipe. I will measure it out and put into jars in my pantry. I found it can also be put into iced tea. What a great spice.
Hi Bette, it’s definitely a flavorful and delicious blend of spices! So glad to hear you enjoyed it! 🙂
Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
So glad you enjoyed, Monica! 🙂
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?
Was looking for a chia spice recipe because most store bought chia tea concentrates are too weak for me. I found your recipe on the web made myself a cup of chia tea and was in heaven . Thank you for sharing, a great recipe.
So glad to hear this blend worked great for your tea, Diane!
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.
Hi Mary, we’re glad to hear this mix worked well for you as a tea! Thank you for the review! 🙂
Thanks for the Chai recipe. How much would you use to make a tea bag?
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!
I added 1/2 t. to 8oz of milk. I blended it and it turned out great. Added a shot if espresso for a dirty chai. Very good!
We LOVE a dirty chai!! So glad you enjoyed!
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!
We couldn’t agree more!!
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
Safe to assume that statement was one made hyperbolically.
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.
You mention for the cooler months but I get a lot of Iced Chai drinks and also add Espresso and people love it.
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!
What is the ratio of powder to liquids?
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!
How much should I add to my black tea? Is there a recipe you recommend?
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!
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!
Hi Susie! So glad you could tailor the spice mix to your liking & with what you had on hand – thank you for sharing!!
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.
Your homemade chai tea latte sounds delicious!! So glad you enjoyed!
Have you or anyone added this to tea and how was it?
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!
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.
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. 🙂
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?
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!
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?
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!
I made it after reading this post. And it’s such as a delicious. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
So glad you enjoyed, Sophia!! Thank you for sharing your experience!
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!
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!!!
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.
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!
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.
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