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 and holy yum! My son and I devoured it.
Mmm, the shake sounds delish! And lol it’s true! Whatever you make will be a great hit. If I was there I would love some sugar cookies!
Yum! This sounds awesome! Also, right after I read this post my brother randomly posted this on FitFluential Food’s FB wall:
“Anyone have a lead on a low or no calorie Chai powder that I can add to a protein shake? If there isn’t one out there I will make my own. Thoughts?”
How crazy is that?!? Clearly, I lead him straight here 😉
LOL too weird!
Yum! I just tried this but added some spirulina-based vanilla smoothie mix to give it a protein boost–fantastic!
@Amber with Slim Pickin’s Kitchen: You can find sugar-free Chai syrup online–sold with other coffee flavoring syrups. Don’t know what the ingredients are though–you’d want to check them. Not a powder, and not as good as this recipe, but very easy to add to your shakes.
Another thought would be to brew up some really strong, milky chai tea and freeze it in ice cube trays, then add a few of cubes to your shakes when you blend them.
I have a distinct feeling these are about to become my salvation for the rest of exams — especially since I’ve got a big bunch of ripe bananas just waiting to be frozen sitting on my counter. Watch out, Bankruptcy Code… I have CHAI MILKSHAKES!
Have you ever added protein powder to these for added nutrition? Just wondered if it would make it too thick and icky. Sounds so yummy for breakfast but love high protein.
Answered on pinterest 😉
I made this today with some almond milk (with a touch of coconut creamer) brewed with Koni Masala Chai. It was absolutely divine!
When you mentioned bake sale I couldn’t help but picture Mini Deep Dish Cookie Pies…. *drool*
Darn it, I wish I’d read your comment before the bake sale! Those would’ve been adorable!
I just made this shake for breakfast and it was delish! I love chai but don’t like the caffeine so this let’s me have the tasty chai caffeine free. What a great idea, thank you!!
how do you brew milk with chai tea bag?
Just do it the same way as you would if it were water :).
I just made this and it made my heart sing. sooooooooooooooooooo good!!