Homemade Chai Spice (+ 30 ways to use it)

Homemade chai spice mix is the ultimate warming blend for cool weather baking! A good rule of thumb is to use it anywhere you use cinnamon.

This post was first published October 22, 2018 and was last updated August 22, 2020.

Ok, first of all let’s get real. I’m a white woman from the East Coast of Canada. What the heck do I know about making chai spice? The honest answer is nothing. I am not of Indian heritage, and would never claim this recipe as authentic. That being said, I’ve been making, and baking with, this chai-inspired spice mix for many years. It adds a beautiful depth of flavour to baked goods that I love.

Masala chai is a milky drink originating in India. It’s made with black tea and a blend of spices. Recipes for the spice combination used in Masala chai vary across the states and territories of India, however, the blend generally consists of a mix of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and black pepper.

I love cardamom so over time I’ve bumped up the amount I use to create a very cardamom-forward spice mix. I also like white pepper in place of black for its slight floral notes. Allspice and nutmeg add classic fall flavours that are great in cool weather baked goods. I generally substitute homemade chai spice mix any place I would cinnamon (except cinnamon rolls), however, if you’re looking for inspiration, I have a list of 30 ideas below!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Method
• 30 Uses
• Notes & Tips
• Recipe

Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of this post, or scroll to the bottom of the post, to see the PRINTABLE recipe card with ingredient measurements and full instructions.

Ingredients

Please note that all spices listed are ground spices.

• cardamom
• cinnamon
• ginger
• allspice
• nutmeg
• white pepper
• cloves

Method

Gather the spices and combine them together in a bowl or jar. I used a bowl for photo demonstration purposes, however, to save time, combine everything in the vessel you are storing the chai spice in.

Mix the spices together with a fork or small whisk until well combined. If you’re using a glass jar with a lid you can also add the spices, secure the lid tightly, and shake to combine.

Store the chai spice mix in a dark dry cupboard or pantry like you would any other spice. Use as needed.

30 Uses

Substitute homemade chai spice into any of these great recipes!

Bread

• Mix some into the batter of this apple cheddar loaf cake.
• Bake a white chocolate chai-spiced babka.
• Make vegan cinnamon cardamom buns.
• Add it to this one bowl buckwheat banana bread.
• Swap homemade chai spice for cinnamon in this apple cinnamon quick bread.

Breakfast

• Add maple syrup to a small pot and heat gently. Stir in homemade chai spice to taste and serve warm over pancakes, French Toast, or a Dutch Baby.
• Make slow cooker apple butter and serve over oatmeal, granola, or spread on toast.
• Try a touch in this hearty strawberry baked oatmeal.
• Make your own version of this whipped brown butter spread. Your breakfast bagel will thank you!
• Roast pears with brown sugar and chai spice for a tasty oatmeal topping.
• Add a teaspoon or two to your favourite granola recipe.
• Add some to these grain-free morning glory breakfast cookies.

Drinks

• Heat milk in a pot on the stove. Mix in homemade chai spice to taste with a splash of maple syrup for a homemade chai steamer.
• Make the chai-spiced milk as mentioned above and serve it mixed with cold brew coffee.
• Mix into eggnog for a festive holiday drink!

Desserts

• Add chai spice to your favourite tea biscuit recipe and serve with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
• Bake this toffee apple upside down cake.
• Make a bread & butter pudding with sourdough and fresh fruit.
• Use it in this roasted butternut squash pie filling recipe. It’s better than pumpkin! Seriously!
• CARROT CAKE. Need I say more? This one is THE BEST.
• Mix it in, or sprinkle it on, rice pudding.
• Make chai-spiced whipped cream.
• Mix a teaspoon or two into your favourite pie crust recipe.
• Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of chai spice to this frosting recipe for cakes or cupcakes.
• Try some in this vegan gluten-free chocolate chunk ginger cake.
• Bake this spicy apple galette with coffee glaze.
• Make this gluten-free rhubarb crisp and add some to either the fruit or the topping. Your choice!
• How about chai-spiced ice cream?
• Make my chai-spiced Rice Krispie squares. They are legit!

Notes & Tips

Cardamom has its own unique spicy flavour, but not everyone likes it. If you’re looking for a cardamom substitution, I would recommend omitting it completely, and adjusting the other spice measurements to taste.

Feel free to play with this recipe! Other spices you could add in to homemade chai spice are star anise, fennel seeds, or even a small pinch of salt. Increasing the amount of pepper adds heat to the mix which is really nice in a hot drink.