Spiced Banana Chai Tea Smoothie
Start your day with a naturally sweet and creamy Chai Smoothie. You only need four ingredients, and no super sweet concentrates or powdered mixes in this banana smoothie recipe with the perfect hint of vanilla and warm spices you love in a Chai tea latte. But now you can enjoy it as a frosty breakfast, snack, or even dessert.
I love tea, but when the temperature goes up, my cravings for a mug of my favorite hot drink definitely go away for a while. But one day, despite the steamy weather, I was craving the flavors of a Chai tea latte.
It was then that I saw this Vanilla Chai Breakfast Shake from Chocolate-Covered Katie. It sounded fabulous, but I was feeling a bit lazy didn’t want to deal with getting a pinch each spice and ending up with a bit too much cardamom or pepper. Plus I wanted to taste, you know, the actual tea.
So I took Katie’s suggestion and simply used a Chai tea bag. This does require a bit of planning. You’ll have to prepare your Chai-infused milk in advance. But if you know you’ll want to make one in the morning, just prep it in the evening when you toss a banana in the freezer.
The next morning you’ll be ready to enjoy a creamy and delicious and refreshing banana smoothie with the perfect hint of vanilla and warm spices.
It’s also perfect if you love a Starbucks Chai Frappuccino, but want to save on calories, sugar, AND money. This version is easy, cheap, and healthy! You can even make it vegan!
Chai Tea Smoothie
You only need four ingredients, a few minutes of advance prep work, and a quick spin in the blender to enjoy a cool and creamy version of your favorite Chai latte. It’s also a healthy copycat of the Starbucks Chai Creme Smoothie.
Made with actual tea brewed in milk so it doesn’t get watered down. And there are no super sugary concentrates or powdered mixes, with the natural sweetness coming from banana. And you don’t have to worry about pulling a bunch of spices out of your cabinet.
Here is a brief overview so you can see just how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities and details.
But don’t skip my PRO TIPS below!
Ingredients
- Milk – you can use unsweetened almondmilk or cashewmilk to save calories and make it dairy-free. Or use dairy milk or sot milk if you want to add some protein.
- Chai tea bag – you can use your favorite, and have the choice to make it with caffeine or decaffeinated
- Banana – the more ripe your banana, the sweeter your smoothie will be without adding any sugar. It will need to be frozen, and will freeze faster if you cut it into chunks before you freeze it. But you can also just break apart a whole frozen banana.
- Vanilla extract – this is optional, but it adds to that rich, creamy flavor.
How to make a Chai smoothie
Several hours or the night before you want to enjoy your chai tea smoothie:
- Place a banana in the freezer, already cut into chunks if you want it to freeze faster.
- Heat the milk in a small pot on the stove or for a minute or two in the microwave until it is hot and just starts to steam.
- Add the teabag, let cool slightly, and refrigerate until completely chilled.
When you want to drink your chai tea smoothie:
- Add the Chai-infused milk, banana, and vanilla to your blender and blend until smooth.
- Enjoy immediately.
You can also garnish with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or some banana slices.
Recipes for tea-lovers
- Chai Tea White Chocolate Puppy Chow
- Earl Grey Frozen Yogurt
- Chai Sugar Cookies
- Swirled Strawberry Banana Matcha Smoothie
- Boba Thai Iced Tea Popsicles from Pineapple and Coconut
More favorite smoothie recipes
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- Blueberry Cheesecake Smoothie
- Creamsicle Orange Smoothie
- Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
- Coconut Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Chai Tea Smoothie Recipe
I hope you’ll leave a comment and give it a FIVE STAR rating or share a review on Pinterest or photo on Instagram!
Tag me @cupcakekalechip and use #cupcakesandkalechips!
Chai Tea Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetenend almondmilk or your choice of dairy or non-dairy milk
- 1 Chai tea bag (regular or decaffeinated)
- 1 very ripe frozen banana, cut into chunks
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat your milk in a small saucepan on the stove for a minute or two in the microwave, just until it is hot and starting to steam.
- Put the tea bag in the milk and place in the refrigerator until chilled.
- Combine the tea-infused milk, banana, and vanilla in a blender and blend until smooth.
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy!
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Ashley says
Brianne, this recipe looks so yummy! I’m definitely going to try this one!
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I hope you have a chance to try the chai tea smoothie recipe, Ashley!
Lona says
I just found this recipe on Pinterest, but had to leave a comment. It looks so yummy. I love chai. But get tired of drinking the same version. I am going to try this one.
Rheanna says
This sounds so great. But I have a banana allergy. Any suggestions as to what to use instead??
Brianne Izzo says
Hmmm, I use banana for natural sweetness and a creamy texture. I’ve heard of people using avocado or tofu in smoothies for that creaminess, but then you would definitely need to add something to sweeten it up.
julia ou says
oh my goodness…… i am an avid tea drinker AND a banana lover….. how have i not tried this? thanks for sharing!
Melissa @ Fit 'n' Well Mommy says
This looks yummy! I’ll be making this once the weather warms up!
I just stumbled upon your blog and I LOVE all of your recipes! I look forward to following it!
Amee says
This sounds so refreshing! Thank you for sharing on Fit and Fabulous Fridays!!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks Amee!
Alyssa says
Thanks for linking up to Showcase Your Talent Thursday, you have been featured! http://whatscookinglove.blogspot.com/2012/06/showcase-your-talent-thursday-11.html
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thank you so much!! I am truly honored!
shannon @ a periodic table says
brianne, this looks incredible! i’m a complete sucker for chai tea – i could drink it nonstop. i don’t, but i could. and this sounds so easy! totally going to try this for breakfast this week.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks! Hope you like it!!
Alyssa says
This smoothie sounds wonderful! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing at Showcase Your Talent Thursday!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks!! Hope you enjoy!
Mary @ Fit and Fed says
Hi Brianne, I have a Vitamix, but I gave my student son a Magic Bullet for his apartment. We have lots of smoothies! A Chai smoothie sounds great, I’ll have to give it a try.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I love my Magic Bullet, but would love the power of a VitaMix. But I just won a Ninja that should arrive this week, so I can;t wait to try that.
Meagan says
I found you through dessert stalker! This looks great. When I get a vitamix I’ll have to try it!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
So happy you found be and stopped by. It is so yummy! Hope you get to try it. I would LOVE to get a VitaMix. I’m just using my Magic Bullet for now.
Sarah says
Oh yum! I want this smoothie right now! I’ll have to try this with my favorite chai tea – Celestial Seasonings Thai Coconut Chai.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Oooh, I haven’t tried Coconut Chai. I’ll have to look for it. I bet it would be awesome in here, especially with the coconut almond milk.
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
Oh my gosh, I posted a chai smoothie recipe yesterday! Great minds think alike. 😀 I love hot chai, but in the summer, it’s so much better in smoothie form!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I know, I saw that and couldn’t believe it!!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
We are on the same wavelength with food! Speaking of which, I totally need to try your strawberry cheesecake smoothie too. 🙂
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I know! Well, I am definitely not a vegetarian, but I do enjoy vegetarian recipes, so love getting ideas from you.
Debi says
MMMMM…Sounds wonderful and I have frozen bananas in the freezer! Thank you for sharing Thursday’s Treasures Week 37. I hope you will join again each week. <3 and hugs! http://www.recipesformyboys.com/2012/06/thursdays-treasures-week-37.html
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
So happy to join the party. I hope you do get to try this. I always keep bananas in my freezer for smoothies.
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
This smoothie sounds tasty. Love strawberry and coconut together. Your little guy is so cute. He looks so happy with his strawberry loot.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
He did have a lot of fun, but probabaly more fun eating the strawberries and jam and smothies and fruit leather 🙂
Joan [email protected] and more says
Perfect for a summer day! Love this, thanks for sharing! Pinning.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks for stopping by and for the pin!
mjskit says
During the winter the hubby and I have a hot chai for our afternoon tea. Now it’s too hot for hot tea but these chai smoothies sound like a perfect replacement!! Great smoothie!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Oh yay! I hope this is a way for you to enjoy your chai in the hot months.
TastefullyJulie says
Glad to see your post. I hope your blog troubles are over!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
They went in and couldn’t find any malicious code, but they are “hardening” my site to protect it for the future. They said I could post even while they are working on it, but this may be a light week.
BigFatBaker says
This is gorgeous! I love me some chai tea. I’ll have to freeze one of my bananas and make this tomorrow!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thank you! I see we both went the Chai route. Heading over to check out your post now!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
I make something like this all the time but add a bunch of other stuff so it’s more hearty like a breakfast shake. Love the flavors 🙂
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Yeah, I almost wrote in there that you could add flax, chia seeds, protein powder, a bunch of other things to beef it up a bit.
K-bobo @ Gormandize with A-dizzle & K-bobo says
This looks delicious! What a great smoothie idea, I’ve never thought of putting tea in my smoothies but now I will definitely have to try this!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks – yes, Katie had an awesome idea! So glad I found her recipe which inspired this one.
Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground says
Oooooo, I LOVE chai! What a great way to enjoy it’s fabulous flavors! Pinning so I’ll remember.
Thanks for sharing!
Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks for the pin. Hope you like it!
Melissa Likes To Eat says
I love coffee. I like tea too but coffee is the way to go for me. Before I enjoyed coffee, my favorite drink was a chai tea latte so this recipe looks like something I’d enjoy. 🙂
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I hope you give it a try. I am sure Chai latte lovers will love it!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
I can not stand coffee, but I love tea. This sounds like a great smoothie. I am going to have to try it soon!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks! I hope you like it. It is super-easy but very tasty.
Eliot says
Chai tea and bananas? Perfect combo. I would love one of these RIGHT now!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks – who would have thought, right?!
Hezzi-D says
I love Chai Tea latte’s but have never had a Chai smoothie! This looks really good and perfect for summer!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I know, I had never seen one before till I saw the original recipe, but knew I had to try it.