17 Best Chai Recipes That Go Beyond Tea

Chai is more than just a tasty drink, and these delicious chai recipes are proof!

A hot cup of chai (Indian masala tea) is just what you need on a cold day or when you’re feeling under the weather. And remember, it’s called “chai,” not “chai tea.”

And while it’s excellent in teas and lattes, there’s so much more you can do with it. Its sweet, savory, and spicy flavor makes food taste amazing, no matter the time of year.

Think cookies and biscotti or even blondies and donuts. There’s a chai recipe out there for everyone!

Get ready to enjoy chai in a whole new way!

1. Chai Latte Cupcakes with Caramel Brulée Frosting

These chai latte cupcakes are the essence of fall packed into a sweet, mouth-watering treat. Infused with warming spices and brown sugar, they’re simply irresistible.

What’s not to love? They’re fluffy, moist, and sweet with a hint of spice. There’s also fluffy caramel frosting smothered generously over.

But that’s not all. The final touch is a sprinkle of crunchy salted caramel brulée candy. This explosion of flavors makes them impossible to resist!

2. Masala Chai Tiramisu 

For a fun mash-up, try this chai tiramisu. It’s a no-bake dessert blending Indian and Italian flavors. It has the comforting taste of masala chai and a soft, inviting texture.

Instead of coffee, dip ladyfingers in masala chai. Next, layer them with chai-spiced mascarpone cream. Prep time only takes 20 minutes! It’s an impressive dessert that’s secretly so simple. 

Add dark rum if you wish, and enjoy this delightful fusion.

3. Chai Cookies

Have your chai tea, and eat chai cookies, too! They combine the comfort of a warm cup of chai with the pleasure of a chewy cookie.

They’re thick, soft, and have a rich depth of flavor. Each bite releases a burst of warm, aromatic spices that scream chai.

The dough is mixed with chai spices and rolled in chai sugar. This double dose of chai ensures every bite is packed with flavor.

4. Chai Cake with Chai Cream Cheese Frosting

This chai cake with chai cream cheese frosting is a joy to the senses. Both the cake and frosting are infused with spices. Double the chai, double the fun!

The chai flavor comes from a mix of spices. There’s cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and black peppercorns. Some recipes also call for allspice, nutmeg, and star anise.

5. Starbucks Chai Tea Latte

Thanks to its soothing and comforting taste, the Starbucks chai tea latte has a large fan base. It’s a perfect blend of frothy milk, black tea, and a mix of spices. You get the warmth of cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon, all balanced in a frothy, aromatic brew.

The only thing is, it’s expensive. Luckily, there’s a way around that with this copycat recipe. You can make the same tasty tea latte at home at a fraction of the cost.

6. Vanilla Chai Overnight Oats

Vanilla chai overnight oats are a delight for breakfast. They’re hearty, sweet, and packed with the warmth of chai spices. 

And it’s all about convenience. Simply mix the ingredients in a jar, put it in the fridge, and you have a tasty meal ready to go by morning.

They’re dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and gluten-free, to boot! Nutritious can also be delicious.

7. Keto Chai Spice Donuts 

Don’t you wish you could always start your day with donuts? It’s such a shame they’re so bad for us. These keto chai donuts are a different story, though. They’re made with almond flour and filled with comforting chai spices. 

They’re sweet and tender, and you get cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves in each bite. They bring all the warm flavors of chai tea but in a keto-friendly form!

8. Chai Spice Vegan Pear Pie

This chai spice vegan pear pie offers a delightful mix of chai spices and caramelized pears. It all comes together in a flaky, buttery vegan pie crust.

While pumpkin pie is a traditional Thanksgiving favorite, it’s fun to try something new. This pear pie does just that. It’s filled with chai spices, offering a nice twist from the typical fare.

Don’t let the idea of making a pie intimidate you! This recipe is easy, and the pie dough is simple. It’s the easiest vegan pie crust you’ll ever make.

9. Spiced Chai Popsicles

These spiced chai popsicles are a refreshing treat with bold flavors. They’re perfect for hot days but still carry warm holiday spices.

You start by brewing a strong batch of black chai. Add a blend of six spices: cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg. 

Then, mix in some milk to give each popsicle a creamy texture. A bit of maple syrup takes the edge off the strong tea and ginger.

If you want to get fancy, add some toppings. A drizzle of white chocolate and a sprinkle of pistachios will take them to the next level. Yum!

10. Chai-Spiced Granola

This chai-spiced granola is yet another nourishing breakfast option. It has oats, toasted nuts, and seeds spiced with flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. A touch of maple adds a hint of sweetness.

Oats give a hearty base with a good amount of fiber. Sultanas, almonds, cashews, and seeds bring texture, flavor, and nutrition.

The mix of spices offers a warming and energizing start to your day. 

11. Chai Spiced Streusel Banana Bread

This chai-spiced banana bread takes comfort food to a new level. 

It’s not just your average banana bread. It goes the extra mile with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, and cloves.

And that streusel topping? OMG, it’s beyond incredible.

Plus, it’s super moist, flavorful, and easy to make.

12. Chai Biscotti

These chai biscotti make a tasty tea-time treat. They carry the warm flavors of chai spices. They’re perfect for dipping in your morning brew.

Biscotti are long cookies that are twice-baked, resulting in a super crisp and crunchy texture.

Don’t be fooled by their fancy appearance. Making biscotti is surprisingly simple!

13. Keto Chai Chia Pudding with Coconut Milk

This keto chai chia pudding with coconut milk is a spicy, sweet, creamy, and fragrant delight. You make the masala chai from scratch using fennel seeds, star anise, cinnamon bark, etc. The result is a pudding with a nice kick.

Pistachios and chocolate shavings top this delightful dish, complementing the Indian flavors perfectly. 

14. Vanilla Chai Almond Butter

This creamy vanilla chai almond butter is the perfect blend of sweet and spice. It’s not just good, it’s addictive! 

It features the comforting taste of vanilla chai and the creamy goodness of almond butter. And if you’re not into almonds, you can switch up the recipe with your favorite nut.

Spread it on warm toast, a freshly baked muffin, or a slice of crisp apple. 

15. Upside Down Apple Chai Cake 

This upside-down apple chai cake is a taste of fall on a plate. It’s rich and soaked with the flavors of the season. 

With melted butter in the mix, this cake is dense and keeps its moisture, giving each slice a hearty bite.

This recipe uses spelt flour to create a whole-grain cake. If you don’t have it on hand, all-purpose flour works well, too.

16. Pumpkin Chai Blondies    

If you’re a fan of pumpkin season, you’re in for a treat! These blondies are soft and chewy with the perfect amount of sweetness.

Apart from pumpkin, they’re also infused with chai spices. And this dessert is plant-based, too. What more can you ask for?

17. White Chocolate Chai Fudge

This white chocolate chai fudge is the perfect balance of indulgence and warmth. It’s chewy, ooey-gooey, and infused with warm chai spices. 

It’s not only delicious but also incredibly simple to prepare. Just toss all the ingredients in a pot, warm them up, and then pour the mixture into a pan to cool. Yes, it’s that simple!