I’ve been making, and baking with, this chai-inspired spice mix for many years. It adds a beautiful complexity to recipes like these chai-spiced Rice Krispie treats.
Cardamom is one of my favorite spices. One of the main ways I use it is in this carrot cake with pineapple, which is requested for almost every family birthday.
Over time I’ve bumped up the amount of cardamom I use in my homemade chai spice. I also prefer white pepper over black for its less-intense flavor.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ It’s made with basic pantry ingredients.
✔️ It keeps for a long time stored in a dark pantry or cupboard.
✔️ It’s a nice change from using only cinnamon.
Ingredients
- Ground cardamom—a spice, native to India and its surrounding areas, including the Middle East and Indonesia. It’s made by grinding the dried seed pods of the green (also called true) cardamom plant.
- Ground allspice—made from grinding the dried berries of a plant called Pimenta Dioica. The dried berries look like peppercorns and the flavor is similar to clove.
- Ground white pepper—produced by grinding the inner seed of black peppercorns. White pepper has a softer, more subtle flavor than black pepper.
Ingredient Swaps
- Cardamom—has its own unique spicy flavor, and it may not be for everyone. Instead of trying to substitute it, I recommend omitting it completely, and adjusting the other spice measurements to taste.
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 complete instructions.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Measure out the ground spices into a bowl or jar.
Mix together with a fork or small whisk until well combined. If using a jar, measure the spices directly into the jar, secure the lid, and shake to combine.
Store homemade chai spice in a dark dry cupboard or pantry as you would any other spice. Use as needed.
EXPERT TIPS
1. Use new or recently opened spices, or grind them yourself.
2. Store spices in a dark, dry spot to maintain freshness.
3. Play with the measurements and make your own unique spice blend!
Recipe Notes
- Feel free to play with this recipe! Other spices you can try are star anise, ground fennel seeds, or even a small pinch of salt.
- Increasing the amount of pepper adds heat to the mix which is quite lovely in a hot drink.
Recipe FAQ
The word chai actually translates to tea. Masala chai is tea mixed with a bit of milk and spices, and is commonly called chai tea or chai latte in North America.
Recipes vary depending on tradition and preference, however, usually include cardamom, cinnamon, and clove.
No. Cinnamon is a spice made by grinding the bark of a native Sri Lankan tree called the Ceylon cinnamon tree. The word chai means tea.
Try Homemade Chai Spice In These Recipes
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Printable Recipe Card
Homemade Chai Spice Mix
Equipment
- measuring spoons or digital kitchen scale
- small bowl or glass jar with lid
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cardamom, ground
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground
- 2 teaspoons ginger, ground
- 1 teaspoon allspice, ground
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
- 1 teaspoon white pepper, ground
- ½ teaspoon clove, ground
Instructions
- Mix the ground spices together with a fork or small whisk until well combined. If using a jar, measure the spices directly into the jar, secure the lid, and shake to combine. Store homemade chai spice in a dark dry cupboard or pantry as you would any other spice. Use as needed.
Notes
- Feel free to play with this recipe! Other spices you can try are star anise, ground fennel seeds, or even a small pinch of salt.
- Increasing the amount of pepper adds heat to the mix which is quite lovely in a hot drink.
Jeannette (Jay Joy) says
I really didn’t know that this Homemade Chai Spice can be interchangeable with things we put cinnamon on. I agree. It surely is perfect for the cool weather.
Matt - Total Feasts says
I’ve never made chai spice before, but I’ve always loved it. The aroma and taste just insist you relax. Great ideas for its use, thank for sharing and thanks for the shoutout!
Mahy says
It’s been on my to-try list for quite a long time, but I guess now that I’ve stumbled upon your post, it is finally time to change that. Really looking forward to it – so excited!
Leslie says
Love the creativity in this post! Love me some chai! One of my all-time favorite drinks. Especially excited about the chai egg nog, yogurt, and French toast! All wonderful ideas!
Swathi says
Your chai spice combo is really nice, instead of white pepper if you use whole black pepper it will become traditional version.
Kelly says
Oh ok that’s good to know, I will try that next time! Thanks so much Swathi!
Byron Thomas says
So glad to have found this. I love making my own spice mixes and blends. I’m a little bit of a spice rack junkie. I never buy the blends because I have the individual spices in my spice rack and can mix and blend as needed.
Bernice says
Kelly! this is such an awesome post…so informative and wow, who knew there were so many ways to use chai? This is just the perfect autumn post.
Kelly says
Aw, thanks Bernice! I really so use it in almost everything this time of year! Making a batch of chai-spiced rice krispie squares this week. *drool*
Leanne @ Crumb Top Baking says
This is definitely the time of year where I make a big batch of chai spice to have on hand for baking. I don’t think the recipe I follow has white pepper in it, so I’ll have to give your recipe a try! And thanks for including so many different recipes that can use chai. I hadn’t thought of adding it to my morning glory cookies, but I’m definitely trying it. Thanks for the shout out Kelly! Pinning. You’ve actually inspired me to create a new Pinterest board for fall baking!
Kelly says
Amazing, thanks so much for sharing Leanne! I found out through another comment that white pepper isn’t traditional but it gives me an excuse to use up the jar I have in my pantry! lol
Elaine says
Thanks so much for all your great ideas for using this spice mix! I’m inspired!
Kelly says
Hooray! Thanks so much for reading Elaine!
Kristen says
Homemade chai spice is the best!!! I used to look around for a chai blend but there was always so much sugar and other stuff in it that didn’t need to be there. This is way better and we use it all the time. I will be giving yours a try, because its always nice to switch it up now and again.
Kelly says
That’s awesome Kristen! It’s so hard to go back to store bought once you realize how easy it is to make it at home. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
kevin says
love the site..
but you do know, that Chai means Tea and Masala means mix, right?
so, a Chai Tea is really tea tea..
but i do love the site, and seeing as how i from across the harbour originally, i give full props to the down east flavour of your project..