Sensible tea-lovers will agree that a cup of warm tea is an oasis in the midst of a cold, grey day. Adding this Bulletproof Butter Chai Latte recipe to your day is the perfect way to sit back, relax, and recharge while nourishing yourself with some healthy fat and protein too. Self care has never been more delicious!
Sweet, warm spices, tea, and creamy foam all make up a butter chai latte, also known as a bulletproof chai latte. Typically chai has warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, clove, and black pepper, making it the perfect drink in the winter.
(But truth be told, I drink it year-round. Here’s my non-bulletproof iced version: Iced Chai Tea Latte.)
This butter chai latte has milk, butter, coconut oil, and gelatin or collagen to boost the nutrition content, with a bit of raw honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
You could settle for an ordinary chai latte at a coffee shop but why do that when a bulletproof butter chai latte is so easy to make at home, and a million times better for you?
What Does “Bulletproof” Mean?
Many of you are familiar with bulletproof coffee. The typical bulletproof coffee is made from a special low-toxin coffee, butter, and MCT oil. When blended together it emulsifies and takes a lovely, foamy consistency.
It’s great in theory, but you can also just take the main concept (high quality coffee – or tea – blended with healthy fats) and apply it without the special branded coffee or expensive MCT oil. (I’m not totally sold on the value of separating out the MCTs in coconut oil, which has some pretty amazing health benefits as a whole, but I’m also not as opposed as I used to be.)
In my opinion, the blending of healthy fats into your beverage is the smartest aspect, and this can easily be applied to a lot of other drinks! (Check out my Bulletproof Hot Milk Recipe, which I make frequently for my kids to help curb those late afternoon hangries.)
Is the Bulletproof Butter Chai Latte Healthy?
It sure is! No junky ingredients, and no sketchy additives – just whole foods ingredients that nourish your body.
Most fancy coffee shop beverages have a ton of sugar in them, plus other additives. I’ve tried a few of them, but they often don’t cut it. They are simply too sweet, so I tend to not buy beverages out often. (It’s really a good thing if you think about it – my wallet and body both thank me for it.)
It’s also super easy to customize – if you’re sensitive to sugar (even natural forms), then omit the maple syrup, or stevia can easily be used. If you don’t want to use dairy you can leave out the butter and increase the coconut oil.
No collagen or gelatin on hand? It can be left out (but you should definitely order some for next time!)
When you create your own drinks from scratch, you control what goes into them, which is a big win… which brings me back to this delightful drink, the bulletproof butter chai latte.
Butter in My Tea? Really??
Butter makes everything better right? After all, there is butter chicken, butter on hot biscuits, butter on a spoon… well maybe not that… although my grandma did like to eat a slab of butter on a cracker. You get the point – butter makes the world a happier place. I also like to drizzle it on my soup, and make fudge with it.
Did you know that adding butter to tea is actually a very old tradition? Tibetans have been making tea with butter and milk for over 1000 years! The creator of the Bulletproof brand was inspired to create his blend after a trip to Tibet.
In the high Himalayan mountains where the air is thin and cold, butter tea provides nourishment and warmth. Additionally, it helps prevent dehydration.
Is a Bulletproof Butter Chai Latte Filling?
A butter chai latte is more substantial than your typical chai latte but I don’t think that it can take the place of an entire meal. I know from personal experience that while I don’t like to eat very much in the morning, if I have just this, I am left hungry within an hour or two.
This is best paired with a real food breakfast full of protein, healthy fats, and grains (if that’s your thing). If you need more breakfast ideas be sure to get a copy of Beth’s gluten-free breakfast recipe ebook: The Breakfast Revolution.
Helpful Tips & Tools
Note: I make my own chai concentrate blend to keep in the fridge that I reheat when I want to make this recipe. So convenient!
Bulletproof Chai Latte
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk raw, almond, coconut, or other milk of your choice
- 1/2 cup chai concentrate or 1/2 cup strongly brewed chai
- 1/2 TBS butter
- 1/2 TBS coconut oil
- 2 tsp maple syrup or raw honey
- 1 TBS gelatin or collagen optional
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch unrefined salt
Instructions
- If you are using chai concentrate, reheat until warm. If you are using a tea bag, pour boiling water over the tea bag and allow to steep for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the bag.
- Heat the milk over low heat until warm.
- Add the butter, coconut oil, maple syrup or raw honey, gelatin, vanilla extract, and unrefined salt to a blender.
- Pour in the warmed chai and milk. Blend on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until everything is incorporated and frothy. You can also use an immersion blender to mix the latte instead.
Nutrition
How do you like to drink your chai?
Original post and recipe written by Katie Mae Stanley. Updated and edited in November 2019 by Beth Ricci.
Thanks for subscribing to Red & Honey!
