Start you day with this High Protein Chai Smoothie (Vegan) to get just the right dosage of caffeine and protein along with lots of deliciousness. It also is a great post workout recovery beverage and is made with all the healthy ingredients.
I often like to make my protein smoothies without protein powder. Hence, I added all the natural superfoods in it.
In order to keep this chai smoothie plant based and nutritious, I sweetened it with dates.
Masala Chai is my favorite and I make it regularly every day. Its a popular Indian hot beverage. With this idea on my mind I blended masala chai into a smoothie.
Therefore, I discovered this vegan chai smoothie infused with spices and other natural ingredients.
What is masala chai?
Masala chai also known as chai is made by brewing black tea (preferably loose tea) in water. Then, it is flavored with with spices and simmered with milk. It is served hot with sugar.
History of chai
Its a popular hot beverage in South Asia. It originated in India. However, producing tea in India was made popular during the British rule when Britishers feared the domination of Chinese tea. It is now worldwide popular. Assam is the largest tea producer where the tea leaves are grown and processed.
I love chai so much that I made chai cookies also so as to get the maximum flavor of my favorite beverage.
Ingredients
Ingredient notes
Black Loose tea – its easily available in any Indian store and gives a more authentic taste of masala chai to this smoothie recipe. However, you may use black tea bags if loose tea is not available.
Spices – I have used common spices that is used in Indian chai everyday.
Seeds – I used the combination of chia seeds and hempseeds in order to make this chai smoothie high in protein.
Almond milk – oat milk also works in this smoothie.
Dates – I love the combination of dates to enhance the flavor of masala chai. They compliment each other really well. However, you may use banana to sweeten this smoothie if desired.
For detailed measurement of ingredients, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to make
Step 1 – Brew
In this step, I boiled water in a saucepan and stirred in loose tea. I let it brew for few seconds and immediately added cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, black pepper and cloves to it.
Then, I let it brew for about 1-2 minutes on a low flame and turned it off. Next, I strained the chai in a glass with the help of a strainer.
Then, I discarded the leftover tea and spices that was filtered in the strainer and kept the chai aside.
Step 2 – Blend
Firstly, in a blender, I combined almond milk, dates, hempseeds and chia seeds and brewed tea.
Secondly, I blended it until smooth and creamy.
Lastly, I poured it in the serving glasses and enjoyed immediately.
It was refreshing and so delicious and so healthy too.
Expert tips
- Make sure to brew the tea leaves along with the spices for only 1-2 minutes. Do not over cook or else it will taste bitter.
- I recommend using high speed blender so that dates are well blended in the smoothie for the best results.
This taste best when served immediately. If kept for long this chai smoothie will loose its taste and aroma.
Yes, plant based protein powder is fine. Skip the seeds and use 1 scoop of plain unflavored protein powder so that the flavor of chai stays intact.
In India, we drink chai everyday and yes its ok and healthy to drink 1-2 cups of chai everyday. I have added more nutrition to this smoothie and hence it can be enjoyed everyday too.
More vegan protein smoothie recipes
Mocha Protein Smoothie
Superfood Green Smoothie
Chia Hemp Smoothie
Vegan Kale Smoothie
Strawberry Shortcake Protein Smoothie
Coffee Hemp Smoothie
This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click on them and make a purchase, I will get a small commission. Moreover, I share only those products which I use personally and love.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did. I am very excited to hear back from you.
Where to find me?
Follow me on Facebook or on Twitter. You may tag @kiipfit on Instagram with your recipe remake images because I would love to see what you cooked.
Did you make it?
If you get a chance to make this recipe then please leave your feedback in the comments below along with a 5-star rating.
In addition, you may checkout my cookbook for everyday comfort vegan recipes.
High Protein Chai Smoothie (Vegan)
Ingredients
For Chai
- 1 cup water
- 2 tsp black loose tea
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
- 1/4 tsp ginger powder
- 1/4 tsp crushed black pepper
- 4 whole cloves
For Smoothie
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 8 whole pitted dates
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 cup hemp seeds
Instructions
- In a saucepan boil water. At the first boil add black loose tea. Let it brew at medium – high flame for 1 minute.
- Add cinnamon powder, cardamom powder, ginger powder, black pepper and cloves into the saucepan. Let it boil for 30 seconds at medium flame. Turn it off and strain it in a glass. Keep the chai aside.
- In a blender, combine almond milk, dates, chia seeds, hempseeds and strained chai.
- Blend it until smooth and creamy. Pour it in the serving glasses and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- This recipe is not a very strong flavored masala chai. If you like strong flavors of chai then add 4 tsp loose tea instead of 2 tsp loose tea.
- If desired you may substitute the ground spices with whole spices. 1/4 inch cinnamon stick instead of cinnamon powder, 2-3 green cardamom pods instead of cardamom powder, 1 -2 tsp grated fresh ginger instead of ginger powder. These substitutes give a stronger flavor to the chai.
- If substituting the ground spices to whole spices, then as soon as the water boils add black loose tea and all the spices. Let them brew all together for 1-2 minutes at medium-high flame. Then turn it off and strain.
- This chai smoothie tastes best when served immediately. If kept for longer it may lose its taste and aroma.
Nutrition
Sindu says
Chai with a magical twist 😍soooo new to me !!
Gennifer Rose says
Pinned! Looks so creamy with a bit of spice 🙂
Gennifer Rose
Jenni LeBaron says
I love all of the flavors in this. This will be great for breakfast!
monika says
I just found your blog today and wanted to thank you for this recipe. I cannot wait to try it…I think I will make this on Saturday morning
Jenn says
Oh yes, thank you!!! I am making this right now! I drink a cup of chai tea each morning and this is the perfect twist to my favorite tea. Yay!!! Thank you 🙂
Gunjan says
Let me know how it turned out for you 🙂
Sue-Tanya McHorgh says
This looks really good. I love a good smoothie. I would love to try this.
Joan says
I have only had tea masala but this looks extra delish and yummy and would love to try it, thank you for sharing the recipe.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
This look amazing! I love all things chai! I love that its healthy as well!
jessica says
what an interesting combination, i’ve never thought to mix these flavors for a smoothie (:
PRANITA DESHPANDE says
Really it gives nice relief to us when we are tired . You have made it fantastic.
Gunjan says
Thank you Pranita.
Anvita says
I love the ingredients you have used to make this shake. such a better alternative to the actual chai.
Paola says
OMG, I need to try this. The combination of the spices with the loose tea sound amazing 😍
Gunjan says
Thank you Paola. It indeed is amazingly delicious.
Willow says
I love chai tea. I bet it tastes great in a smoothie!
Gunjan says
My husband loves it so I would confidently say yes.
Jenni says
This looks really good. I love smoothies in the morning and switching it up helps keep things interesting for me.
Gunjan says
It indeed is interesting and different form the regular smoothies.
Ruthie says
This looks amazing!! My kind of smoothie!
Nicole Parise says
That looks delish! Will definitely try to make it!
Nicole Parise – NicoleParise.com
Ciera Chang says
Yum this looks and sounds delicious! Chai is my favorite and I love protein smoothies, so I need to try out this recipe!
xoxo, CiCi