Spiced Banana Chai Tea Smoothie
This creamy chai smoothie packs all the warm, spiced flavors of your favorite chai latte into a refreshing, naturally sweetened breakfast smoothie. With just four ingredients and a quick blend, it’s so easy to throw together and will have you hoppin’ out of bed with enthusiasm!
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: Indian
- Primary Cooking Method: Blender
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free option
- Skill Level: Easy
Spending too much on that chai tea latte at Starbucks? Or worried about the potential for gluten cross-contamination in their blenders? Try this creamy, naturally sweetened chai smoothie instead! It captures all the cozy flavors of your coffee shop fave (the vanilla, the warming spices, and just the right touch of sweetness) minus the sugary syrups and steep price tag. Of course, it’s icy cold rather than piping hot, but that’s kind of why I love it! So, skip the line and make this delicious drink right at home…and my Blended Iced Coffee, while you’re at it!
I LOVE how easy it is to make, too. With just four simple ingredients thrown into a blender, you can whip up this chai-inspired drink in minutes. Brewed tea steeped in milk creates a rich, full-bodied base, while frozen banana adds natural sweetness and a creamy texture. It’s light, satisfying, and endlessly refreshing. Once you try it, you’ll love making all summer and into fall when you crave those warm spices, even in a chilly drink – trust me!
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chai Smoothie
If you’re a chai lover, this smoothie is for you. It’s the perfect blend of creamy and refreshing, with all the warm spices you adore. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Delicious (real) chai flavor. Chai tea is steeped in warm almond milk and then blended with sweet, frozen banana (and vanilla) to recreate all those cozy, aromatic notes you crave from your favorite chai tea latte (but in smoothie form). No powdered mixes. No steep coffee shop prices. Just pure chai bliss.
- Naturally creamy and sweet. Frozen banana adds a smooth, creamy texture and natural sweetness to this smoothie, making it indulgent without the added sugar, cream, and/or syrups you might find in your coffee shop fave.
- Quick and easy to make. With just four ingredients and minimal prep, you can whip up this refreshing treat in minutes. Steep the tea in advance, freeze the banana overnight, and you’re ready to blend first thing in the morning.
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delicious smoothie. Gather your ingredients (just four of them) and get to blending! Please see the recipe card for precise measurements.
- Unsweetened almond milk – Really, any dairy or non-dairy milk will work. Stick with something unsweetened, though. This smoothie is sweet enough as is (thanks, banana!).
- Chai tea bag – If I’m making this in the morning, I go with caffeinated chai. If I want it for dessert (or just later in the day), decaf is the way to go. The choice is yours!
- Frozen banana – Choose a very ripe banana (the riper, the sweeter), and cut it into chunks for faster freezing. Make sure the banana is very ripe before putting it in the freezer, and make sure it’s very frozen before blending.
- Vanilla extract – The vanilla is optional, but I love the sweet depth it adds to the smoothie.
- Cinnamon (for garnish) – You can leave it off if you’d like, but I think it’s a fun finishing touch.
Tips for Success
Achieving the perfect chai smoothie is easy with these tips and tricks! Give them a read before you fire up the blender.
- Don’t skip the chill. For two reasons. First, if you try to blend this smoothie while the almond milk is hot, it won’t be a smoothie at all. Second, the tea needs plenty of time in the fridge to steep and infuse its flavors into the almond milk.
- Start with a VERY ripe banana. A ripe banana adds natural sweetness to your smoothie, so you won’t need extra sugar. Look for one with brown spots for the perfect flavor.
- Freeze that banana. Freezing your banana before blending creates a creamy, milkshake-like texture. Peel the banana, slice it (for faster freezing), seal it in a freezer bag, and pop it in the freezer. Check out my post on how to freeze bananas for more tips.
- Use a high-powered blender. A quality, high-powered blender like my favorite, a Blendtec blender, ensures all your ingredients blend smoothly, giving you a creamy, lump-free chai smoothie.
Variation Ideas
Looking to switch things up? Here are some fun and delicious ways to customize your smoothie:
- Protein addition. Whether it’s vanilla protein powder, a scoop or two of almond butter (or peanut butter!), or a 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt, go ahead and bulk this smoothie up with some protein to fuel your day!
- Chocolate chai. I’m a big fan of chocolate and chai. Put them together, and…oh my gosh…so good! Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to this chai smoothie and tell me that’s not heaven.
- Try a dirty Chai. This is a popular drink that combines Chai tea with a shot of espresso. Reduce the milk slightly and blend in a chilled shor of espresso or swap 1/4 cup of the milk with cold brew coffee.
- Make it a smoothie bowl. Want to spoon instead of sip? Use a little less almond milk (for a thicker consistency), pour the smoothie into a bowl, and top as you like. Granola, sliced fruit, nuts, seeds, and/or a drizzle of nut butter or caramel would all be fabulous choices.
How to Store Extras
- Refrigerator. Store this chai smoothie in an airtight container (such as a mason jar) in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days. Shake well before drinking, as separation may occur.
- Freezer. Pour the chai smoothie into a freezer-safe container, leaving a bit of space at the top to allow for expansion. Alternatively, pour it into ice cube trays and seal the trays in freezer bags. Either way, you can store this smoothie in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it in the fridge and then blend until smooth.
More Easy Smoothie Recipes
Looking for more delicious smoothie ideas? Check these out!
Chai Tea Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened 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
- cinnamon for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Heat 1 cup unsweetened almondmilk 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 1 Chai tea bag in the milk and place in the refrigerator until chilled.
- Combine the tea-infused milk, 1 very ripe frozen banana cut into chunks, and 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.
Notes
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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
Thank you so much!! I am truly honored!
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.
Thanks! Hope you like it!!
This smoothie sounds wonderful! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing at Showcase Your Talent Thursday!
Thanks!! Hope you enjoy!
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.
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.
I found you through dessert stalker! This looks great. When I get a vitamix I’ll have to try it!
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.
Oh yum! I want this smoothie right now! I’ll have to try this with my favorite chai tea – Celestial Seasonings Thai Coconut Chai.
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.
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!
I know, I saw that and couldn’t believe it!!
We are on the same wavelength with food! Speaking of which, I totally need to try your strawberry cheesecake smoothie too. 🙂
I know! Well, I am definitely not a vegetarian, but I do enjoy vegetarian recipes, so love getting ideas from you.
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
So happy to join the party. I hope you do get to try this. I always keep bananas in my freezer for smoothies.
This smoothie sounds tasty. Love strawberry and coconut together. Your little guy is so cute. He looks so happy with his strawberry loot.
He did have a lot of fun, but probabaly more fun eating the strawberries and jam and smothies and fruit leather 🙂
Perfect for a summer day! Love this, thanks for sharing! Pinning.
Thanks for stopping by and for the pin!