Thick, creamy vanilla chai breakfast shakes…
Have you ever tried chai tea?
My college roommate got me hooked on chai sophomore year, and the spicy beverage helped me through many a winter’s bike ride to class. I invested in a stainless-steel travel mug, which I’d fill with hot tea and stuff into the side pocket of my backpack. Today’s recipe is a milkshake version of that comforting chai.
(P.S. To anyone who currently attends SMU: buy a cheap bike. In the years I was there, two of my bicycles were stolen—locks and all!)
A thick, creamy, and secretly healthy milkshake with sweet chai spices.
Perfect for a post-workout drink or a late-night snack…
Or even for breakfast!
Vanilla Chai Breakfast Shakes
Vanilla Chai Breakfast Shakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk of choice, or less for a thicker shake
- 1 very ripe frozen banana (Banana-Free Version Here)
- 1/2 tsp each cinnamon and powdered ginger
- Tiny dash each: pepper, cardamom, ground cloves, and nutmeg (You can omit any or all if desired. Or omit all the spices and simply brew your milk with a chai tea bag, then chill before blending)
- 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- optional sweetener if desired
Instructions
Crazy-simple directions: Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Serve cold, or gently heat if a hot drink is desired instead. (Side note: I bet if you make a bigger serving and tweak the recipe a bit, it could make a good ice cream. I might have to work on that!)
Link Of The Day:
Just made this shake with raw cows milk and cream, and it’s AMAZING. So simple. Why didn’t I think of it?
Oh my gosh, I just made this and it’s sooooooo good! I made it with coconut milk, a little honey and no ice cream and it was just perfect! The kids loved it too – although I dialed way back on the cloves and cardamom for them. Thank you! This will be a new regular recipe for us 🙂 We also love your deep dish chocolate chip cookie pie, especially since it’s so easy for my young kids to make with me and it’s so tasty – we had it the other day with a small scoop of mint chip ice cream on top.
If I want to go the chai tea bag route, are there any brands you like best or recommend?
Thanks!
Try Bigelow. It can be found in most grocery stores and is really good!
This is absolutely amazing!! Thank you!
I made this this morning, only without the banana and cardamom (good thing I looked too, or I would’ve put coriander in instead!) THIS IS DELICIOUS!!! I added extra almond milk and probably 7 or 8 tsp of stevia. This is absolutely fantastic
My two-year old LOVES these! We have them at breakfast almost every morning, and he will ask for them after nap time, too. Thanks for giving me a healthy alternative to juice!
I was disappointed to read the, “I detest pepper” comment. My Indian friends taught me to make chai using white pepper. It gives a wonderfully mysterious “bite” to the chai experience. Taste is completely different than black pepper….try it!
Super tasty!
Made mine in a single serve blender with a little less milk, turned out exactly like soft serve ice cream! Might have been because the banana I used was pretty large, though.
Either way, super delicious!!
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WOW! A kindred spirit – I detest pepper too. My husband has to add it if he wants it. I never cook with it.
I will be trying this shake as soon as the snow is over here – Mother’s day and we have 6 inches of snow.
Just made this for a mid-day snack and it was SO GOOD! Coming back here for some more recipes!
Another hit Katie!!! I love chai so I figured this would be good. I added vanilla protein powder for that extra boost! Thanks and please keep these delicious breakfast shakes and smoothies coming yours are by far the best!
YUM!!!! I just had to make 2 in a row because I wouldn’t share with my 6 year old daughter, who also loved it. One of my new favorites!!
🙂 Thank you for making them!
Or you could plan ahead and the night before heat the cup of milk and put a chai teabag in it to infuse the chai flavors. Refrigerate overnight and use in the smoothie in the morning. Works great if you are not someone that has all the spices in your cupboard.
I would suggest adding some vanilla whey protein powder
You can also add the contents of a chai tea bag and blend!