Warming, Spiced & Healing: My Favourite Ways to Use Chai Spice

There’s something deeply comforting about the scent of chai — a blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves that instantly makes your kitchen smell like home. My Chai Spice Blend is inspired by the traditional masala chai of India, but I’ve made it just a touch more versatile so you can use it in both sweet and savoury dishes.

✨ Why I Love It (and Why You Will Too)

Chai spices aren’t just delicious — they’re deeply nourishing. Many of these spices have been used for centuries for their health-boosting properties:

• Cinnamon – anti-inflammatory, helps balance blood sugar

• Ginger – aids digestion, anti-nausea, warms the body

• Cardamom – supports gut health and breathes life into bakes

• Clove & black pepper – antioxidant-rich and immune-boosting

Together, they create a grounding, warming flavour that brings a sense of calm and clarity — perfect for slow mornings, cosy evenings, or festive gatherings.

Buy Chai Spice Blend Here

Below are four beautiful ways to use this spice blend in your kitchen:

☕ Elmarie’s Chai Latte

Serves: 2
Time: 10 minutes

This is how I start my mornings in autumn — warm, spiced milk with a little sweetness and a lot of soul.

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups milk of your choice (I love oat or full cream)

• ½ cup water

• 1–2 tsp Elmarie’s Chai Spice Blend

• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)

• 1 black tea bag (optional, for a traditional chai)

Method:

1. In a small pot, combine milk, water, chai spice, and sweetener.

2. Heat gently over medium heat until steaming (don’t boil).

3. Add the tea bag if using and steep for 3–5 minutes.

4. Froth or whisk for a creamy texture.

5. Pour into mugs and sprinkle with a little extra spice.

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🥣 Chai-Spiced Oats with Roasted Apple & Nuts

Serves: 2
Time: 15 minutes

Creamy oats meet spiced apples — this is breakfast that feels like a hug.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 2 cups milk or water

• 1 tsp Chai Spice Blend

• Pinch of salt

• 1 apple, sliced

• 1 tsp butter or coconut oil

• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup

• Handful chopped almonds or walnuts

Method:

1. In a saucepan, cook oats with milk/water, chai spice, and salt until soft and creamy.

2. Meanwhile, sauté the apple slices in butter and honey until golden.

3. Serve oats in bowls, topped with apples and a sprinkle of nuts.

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🌀 Chai Cinnamon Rolls

Makes: 8 rolls
Time: 2.5 hours including rising

These are the ultimate treat — soft, fragrant rolls with layers of chai spice and brown sugar.

Dough Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour

• 2¼ tsp instant yeast

• 2 tbsp sugar

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup warm milk

• 60g butter, melted

• 1 egg

Filling:

• ⅓ cup brown sugar

• 1½ tbsp Chai Spice Blend

• 2 tbsp softened butter

Glaze:

• ½ cup icing sugar

• 1 tbsp milk

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Mix and knead for 10 min until smooth.

2. Let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1 hour).

3. Roll out dough into a rectangle. Spread with butter, sprinkle with sugar and chai spice.

4. Roll up, slice into 8 rolls, and place in a greased baking dish.

5. Let rise again for 30 minutes. Bake at 180°C for 25–30 minutes.

6. Drizzle with glaze and serve warm.

 

🍠 Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter & Chai Spice on Yogurt

Serves: 8
Time: 1 hour

This is an absolutely stunning side dish — creamy, crunchy, sweet, salty, and full of warming spice.

Ingredients:

For the potatoes:

• 5 large sweet potatoes

• 5ml Chai Spice Blend (or ground mixed spice)

• 5ml cumin seeds

• 5ml smoked paprika

• Olive oil

• Salt & pepper

For the brown butter miso:

• 100g butter

• Handful sage leaves or rosemary sprigs

• 5ml chilli flakes

• 15ml honey

• 10ml miso paste or soy sauce

• 10ml water

• Salt & pepper

To serve:

• 500ml double cream yogurt

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• Zest of 1 lemon

• Roasted peanuts or pumpkin seeds

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C and line a tray with baking paper.

2. Slice sweet potatoes into thick rounds or wedges. Toss with olive oil, chai spice, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper.

3. Roast for 45–50 minutes, until caramelised and soft.

4. In a small pot, melt butter with sage and chilli until golden brown and nutty. Remove from heat and whisk in honey, miso, water, and seasoning.

5. Mix yogurt, soy sauce, and lemon zest. Spread onto a large platter.

6. Arrange roasted sweet potatoes over the yogurt, drizzle with the warm miso butter, and scatter with roasted nuts or seeds.

💡 Tip: This dish is even better served at room temperature — perfect for entertaining.

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🫖 Let Chai Bring You Back to the Table

Whether you’re starting your morning or hosting a dinner party, my Chai Spice Blend brings warmth and balance to whatever you’re cooking. Let it become a little ritual — a teaspoon here, a swirl there — always grounding, always comforting.

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