Embrace the cozy, warming flavors of chai spice in a cool and creamy breakfast treat with this incredible Chai Tea Smoothie! This recipe blends strongly brewed chai tea with frozen banana for creaminess, almond milk, smooth almond butter, naturally sweet dates, and a blend of classic chai spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. I absolutely adore starting my day with this Chai Tea Smoothie – it’s like getting the comfort of a warm chai latte and a nourishing breakfast all in one glass! It blends up in just minutes, making it perfect for a quick energy boost on a beautiful spring morning like today, April 30th!
Why You’ll Love This Chai Tea Smoothie
- Warming Chai Spice Flavor: Captures the beloved blend of spices found in chai tea – cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice (and often ginger, cardamom in the tea itself).
- Creamy & Satisfying: Frozen banana and almond butter create a wonderfully thick and creamy texture.
- Quick & Easy Breakfast/Snack: Blends together in minutes once your tea is brewed and chilled (or use pre-chilled tea!).
- Healthy & Energizing: Packed with fiber from oats (if used in variations), healthy fats from almond butter, and natural sweetness from dates and banana.
- Dairy-Free & Vegan Option: Uses plant-based milk and natural sweeteners.
Ingredients for Chai Tea Smoothie
Here’s what you’ll need to blend up this delicious and spiced smoothie. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Almond butter (smooth, natural) (Nut Butter)
- Ice cubes (Ice)
- Strong brewed chai tea, chilled (Tea) (Used 2 tea bags for 1 cup in original)
- Unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice) (Liquid)
- Cinnamon (Spice)
- Nutmeg (dash) (Spice)
- Cloves (dash) (Spice)
- Allspice (dash) (Spice)
- Pitted dates (Sweetener/Fruit)
- Frozen banana, cut into chunks (Fruit)
- Vanilla extract (optional) (Added based on similar recipes)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the classic spice blend in this Chai Tea Smoothie, but feel free to customize:
- Add Protein Powder: Blend in a scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder (plant-based if needed) for extra staying power.
- Different Nut/Seed Butter: Use peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter (for nut-free).
- Add Oats: Include ¼ cup of rolled oats for extra fiber and thickness (makes it even more breakfast-like!).
- Make it Green: Add a handful of baby spinach – the chai spices usually mask the flavor well.
- Different Milk: Use oat milk, soy milk, cashew milk, coconut milk beverage, or dairy milk.
- Add Ginger: Blend in a small piece of fresh ginger for an extra zesty kick, enhancing the chai flavor.
How to Make a Chai Tea Smoothie
Making this cozy Chai Tea Smoothie takes just one simple step in the blender:
Combine and Blend
- First, I make sure my brewed chai tea is completely chilled. (Brewing it ahead and chilling it overnight in the fridge is perfect!)
- Into my high-speed blender, I add all the ingredients: the almond butter, ice cubes, chilled strong chai tea, almond milk, cinnamon, dashes of nutmeg, cloves, and allspice, the pitted dates, and the frozen banana chunks. I also add a splash of vanilla if I’m using it.
- I blend everything on high speed for approximately 45 seconds, or until it’s perfectly frothy, smooth, and completely blended. If it seems too thick, I add a splash more almond milk or chilled tea. If too thin, another ice cube or piece of frozen banana helps.
- Pour and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Chai Smoothie
Here are my secrets for making the perfect Chai Tea Smoothie:
- Use Strongly Brewed, CHILLED Tea: Don’t use weak tea or hot tea! Brew it strong (2 tea bags per cup recommended) and chill it completely for the best flavor and texture.
- Frozen Banana is Key: Creates that essential thick, creamy, cold smoothie texture without needing excessive ice.
- Dates for Natural Sweetness: Pitted Medjool dates blend beautifully and add natural sweetness and fiber. Soak them briefly in warm water if they seem dry.
- Adjust Spices: Start with the recommended dashes of nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Taste and add slightly more if you love a very spicy chai flavor.
- High-Speed Blender Recommended: Helps break down the dates and frozen banana smoothly.
How to Serve
This Chai Tea Smoothie is best served immediately after blending! Enjoy it:
- For Breakfast: A quick, satisfying, and energizing way to start your day.
- As a Snack: A healthy and flavorful pick-me-up between meals.
- Post-Workout: A good option for refueling (especially with added protein).
- In a Tall Glass: Pour into your favorite glass, maybe with a reusable straw.
- Garnished: A sprinkle of cinnamon on top looks lovely.
Make Ahead and Storage
Smoothies are always best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture and nutrient content. Storing blended smoothies is not ideal as they tend to separate.
Prep Tip: Make smoothie prep packs! Freeze brewed and cooled chai tea into ice cube trays. Portion dates, spices, and optional seeds/protein powder into freezer bags along with frozen banana chunks. In the morning, dump one pack into the blender, add almond butter and milk, and blend!
FAQs about Chai Tea Smoothie
- Can I use a chai tea concentrate instead of brewed tea?
- Yes, you can use store-bought or homemade chai tea concentrate. Adjust the amount based on the concentrate’s strength and sweetness, likely reducing or omitting the added dates/sweetener. Substitute it for some or all of the almond milk.
- What kind of nut butter works best?
- Smooth almond butter (as suggested) or peanut butter works well. Choose a natural variety (just nuts and salt) for the best flavor and consistency. Cashew butter would also be delicious and creamy.
- How can I make this smoothie more filling?
- Adding protein powder, Greek yogurt (if not dairy-free), more nut butter, rolled oats, or chia/flax seeds will all increase the protein and fiber content, making the Chai Tea Smoothie more substantial.
Enjoy this creamy, spicy, energizing, and incredibly easy Chai Tea Smoothie! It’s a delicious way to enjoy your favorite chai flavors in a cool new way.
Print
Chai Tea Smoothie
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1-2 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Drinks, Smoothie, Snack
- Cuisine: American, Fusion
Description
This Chai Tea Smoothie blends the warm spices of chai tea with creamy banana, almond butter, and dates for a flavorful and satisfying drink, perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Ingredients
- 1 cup strongly brewed chai tea, chilled (brewed from 2 tea bags)
- 1 frozen banana, cut into chunks
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other milk)
- 2 tablespoons almond butter (or other nut/seed butter)
- 5 pitted dates (preferably Medjool)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Dash of ground nutmeg
- Dash of ground cloves
- Dash of ground allspice
- 10 ice cubes
Instructions
- Brew and Chill Tea (Prep Ahead): Brew 1 cup of strong chai tea using 2 tea bags (or loose leaf equivalent). Let it cool completely, then chill thoroughly in the refrigerator (at least 1-2 hours or overnight).
- Freeze Banana (Prep Ahead): Peel, slice, and freeze 1 banana until solid (at least 2-3 hours or overnight).
- Combine Ingredients: Place the chilled chai tea, frozen banana chunks, almond milk, almond butter, pitted dates, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and ice cubes into a blender.
- Blend: Secure the lid and blend on high speed until the mixture is frothy, completely smooth, and creamy. If the smoothie is too thick, add a splash more almond milk; if too thin, add a few more ice cubes.
- Serve: Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chai Tea: Brew the chai tea strong for the best flavor. Ensure it’s completely chilled before blending.
- Frozen Banana: Using a frozen banana is key for a thick, creamy, cold smoothie texture.
- Dates: Medjool dates are soft and blend easily, providing natural sweetness. If your dates are dry, soak them in hot water for 5-10 minutes, then drain before using. Adjust the number of dates based on desired sweetness.
- Almond Butter: Adds creaminess and healthy fats. Substitute other nut or seed butters if desired.
- Spices: Adjust the amount of warming spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice) to your preference.
- Storage: Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately after blending.