Who knew masala chai can be this invigorating, that too a vegan version of masala chai! One sip of this beverage and it could be your family's new favorite! I know that it is for my family.
Vegan masala chai is the one drink that suits any weather and any time of the day. A few cups of chai change the mood and increase our taste buds.
I prepared this masala chai with Oat milk, fresh ginger, and ground spices. So, now you can have a fabulous Indian chai using non-dairy milk with no compromise in taste.
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Why this recipe
Hailing from an Indian household, making chai has never seemed like a chore to me.
Ever since I sipped it for the first time this day, Indian masala chai has been my favorite beverage. But preparing it in a vegan way takes a little trial and error.
There are several alternatives for milk, and getting the right one that hits the right note can be a challenge.
If that sounds like a problem you have experienced, you will be excited about this recipe today because I have made that easy for you.
If you like this chai recipe, be sure to also try my herbal tea recipe like the lemongrass tea.
Ingredients notes
- Non-dairy milk: There are plenty of plant-based milk options to prepare chai tea. After trying several options, I find Oat milk to come out as a winner to make a fabulous and creamy masala vegan chai.
- Loose tea leaves: To make any Indian chai tea leaves are key ingredients. Just go with your favorite Indian tea powder brand. I used the Red label brand and you can find them in any Indian grocery store.
- Fresh ginger: Using freshly crushed or grated ginger as opposed to bottled ginger paste, in the masala chai will enhance the tea flavor.
- Spice blend: For this recipe, I have used whole cloves spice and green cardamom pods. Alternatively, you could also go with store-bought masala tea powder or homemade masala chai spices.
- Sugar: Using raw sugar in chai is optional. I make them both ways with and without sugar to suit my family's preference. Feel free to skip it if you prefer it that way.
Vegan milk for tea
In my 6 years of being a vegan, I was very excited to try every non-dairy milk. I had used almost all the plant-based milk options to make Indian chai tea recipes.
After several trials and error rounds, I concluded that Oat milk delivers the masala flavors in a creamy base. It comes closest to the traditional Indian chai.
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If you are interested in learning more, check out this article: best vegan milk for tea that I found helpful about vegan milk options for chai recipe.
Instructions to make chai
Place a small saucepan over a medium flame and add water, oat milk.
Add crushed clove, cardamoms, and ginger. (using a mortar and pestle)
Add tea powder and mix well. Let it come to a boil over medium heat.
As the tea comes to a boil, the color of the vegan chai will change and all the spice flavors are released.
After a minute, remove the pan from heat and strain the vegan chai into a cup using a fine mesh strainer.
Now, add sugar to suit your taste preference. Stir well and serve hot!
Enjoy the vegan cups of chai with Indian snacks like broccoli samosa, chakli, etc.
Recipe FAQ’s
Oat milk seems to be the best choice that delivers the masala flavors without compromising on the creaminess, in my opinion. This version comes closest to the traditional masala chai.
Yes, Chai can be made without milk. Just boil the water with loose-leaf black tea with a blend of spices. Then strain the tea and serve with or without sugar. This is a great way to avoid milk products and another version of the vegan chai recipe.
Traditionally masala chai is prepared with milk, whole spices, fresh ginger, and sugar.
Yes, vegan chai can be done with your own preferences. Personally, I make vegan chai without sugar.
'Chai' is made only with milk, loose tea leaves, and sugar with no additional spice blends whereas Masala chai is loaded with flavors from fresh ginger and other supporting spices.
Vegan Chai latte has a milder taste of spice and tea compared to Vegan Chai. That's because lattes are prepared with more milk (steamed) that lightens the flavor and Vegan Chai is prepared with less milk to retain flavors from tea leaves and spices.
Expert tips
- Add any whole spices that you like for example use fennel, cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns.
- You can always modify the quantity for spices. If you dont like to add more cardamom, reduce it to just one. Likewise, the quantity of ginger can be adjusted to suit your taste.
- Indian chai is a beverage that should be enjoyed hot. Reheated chai do not taste good as the fresh ones do.
- For the best vegan chai use plain oat milk from Costco or the Silk brand original oat milk. f you like to venture out further, feel free to use other plant-based milk like almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, and cashew milk.
- For the cup size, you could use any size of your choice, but be sure to use the same cup to measure the water.
- I mixed half a cup of water for every cup of oat milk to get the right consistency. You could skip the water altogether or add more water as per your taste.
- Vegan Masala Chai with almond milk is also a good choice and this will be thinner compared to oat milk. Be sure to add less water, if you use almond milk.
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Masala Chai (Indian Tea)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat milk (plain,original slik brand)
- ½ cup water
- 2 teaspoon tea powder - red label brand
- ½ inch ginger grated or crushed
- 1 cloves spice (lavanga)
- 2 pods of cardamom
- 1 teaspoon Sugar - optional
Instructions
- Place a small saucepan over a medium flame and add water, oat milk.
- Add crushed clove, cardamoms, and ginger. (using a mortar and pestle)
- Add tea powder and mix well. Let it come to a boil over medium heat.
- As the tea comes to a boil, the color of the vegan chai will change and all the spice flavors are released.
- After a minute, remove the pan from heat and strain the vegan chai into a cup using a fine mesh strainer.
- Now, add sugar to suit your taste preference. Stir well and serve hot!
- Enjoy the vegan cups of chai with Indian snacks like samosa, chakli, etc.
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Video
Notes
- Add any whole spices that you like for example use fennel, cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns.
- You can always modify the quantity for spices. If you dont like to add more cardamom, reduce it to just one. Likewise, the quantity of ginger can be adjusted to suit your taste.
- Indian chai is a beverage that should be enjoyed hot. Reheated chai does not taste good as the fresh ones do.
- For the best vegan chai use plain oat milk from Costco or the Silk brand original oat milk. f you like to venture out further, feel free to use other plant-based milk like almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, and cashew milk.
- For the cup size, you could use any size of your choice, but be sure to use the same cup to measure the water.
- I mixed half a cup of water for every cup of oat milk to get the right consistency. You could skip the water altogether or add more water as per your taste.
- Vegan Masala Chai with almond milk is also a good choice and this will be thinner compared to oat milk. Be sure to add less water, if you use almond milk.
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Atharva Sharma
This recipe is just woah I loved your recipe very much. As I had drink masala chai of MahaChai's very much and I love their taste so so much. As they uses their own ingredients for making their tea special.
eathealthy75
I haven't had a great chai in ages! Pinned, and I'm so excited to treat my mom and I to these this week! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Uma Raghupathi
Thanks! Hope you and your mom will like this chai 🙂
Anjali Lalani
This is exactly what I have at my moms everytime i vist =) i like mine with green tea leaves and loads of ginger!
Uma Raghupathi
Nice to your version:) Thanks!
Linda and Alex @ Veganosity
I've yet to try a chai that I like. Maybe because I always order them in coffee shops and they don't do it right? Yours sounds and looks so good, I'm definitely going to try it.
Uma Raghupathi
Thanks Linda 🙂 Yes in coffee shop it won't taste good.
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health
i havent had chai in such a long time - thank you for the reminder.
Uma Raghupathi
Thanks ?
Howie Fox @ HurryTheFoodUp
Saved! This looks awesome, Uma! Will give this chai a go 😀
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you Howie! Let me know your opinion:)
veggiesdontbite
I love a good chai tea. Nice that you make it at home!
Uma Raghupathi
Thanks 🙂 yes I love to make every day!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
Uma, your Chai Masala looks so delicious! I look forward to trying it!
Uma Raghupathi
Thanks Amy! I hope you will like it:)
Strength and Sunshine
What a great drink to sip on in the winter!