Name: Instant Pot Masala Chai
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Tea
Ingredients: 3 black tea bags; 2 cups water; 1/2 cup milk; 2 cinnamon sticks; 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 4 cloves; 1 star anise; pinch cardamom; 3 tbsp honey, maple syrup or agave

Jump to Recipe

Skip the lines at the coffee shop and enjoy a spiced Masala Chai at home! This from scratch recipe is made even easier using your Instant Pot!

Masala Chai is my go-to coffee shop order. I love to start my day off with this spiced tea, whether it’s a hot mug in the winter or over ice in the summer. It’s a perfect year-round choice.

Now though, I can easily skip the lines and the expensive price tag and make it at home. This Instant Pot Masala Chai is beyond easy to make for yourself, or for a crowd.

Why Make Masala Chai In An Instant Pot?

You might question why someone would make chai in an Instant Pot. It’s actually very fast and simple to make it on the stove. But there are definitely pros to making it in your pressure cooker:

You don’t have to watch the pot – just drop it all in and let it sit
It makes it super easy to make for multiple servings or more than one person
You have the freedom to do other things while it simmers
No messy milk overflow to clean up after

Ingredients Needed: scroll down for full recipe with exact measurements

Black tea bags
Water
Milk
Cinnamon sticks
Ground ginger
Cloves
Star anise
Cardamom
Honey

How To Make Instant Pot Masala Chai

Heat the water and once it’s hot to the touch, add the tea bags. Steep for 4 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags.

How To Make Masala Chai on the Stovetop

If you don’t have an instant pot, or would prefer to make it on the stove, it’s very easy. Heat the water to an almost simmer in a large sauce pan, then add the tea bags. Allow to steep for about 4 minutes. Remove the tea bags (they can be thrown away at this point). Add the milk and the spices and simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes. Strain out the spices and serve. You can add the spices in at the same time you add the tea bags and let the spices simmer longer if the flavor isn’t quite strong enough for your taste preference.

How to Make Masala Chai in a Slow Cooker

If you are not in a hurry, the slow cooker will also make a delicious Masala Chai. Simply add the water to the crock of your slow cooker. Stir in the spices, you could also use a spice bag to make for easier straining. Simmer on high for at least 4 hours, I wouldn’t simmer more than 8 hours. Steep the tea bags in the spiced water for about 5 minutes. Strain the tea and discard the tea bags. Stir in the milk until heated through. Serve.

How to Make Cinnamon Whipped Cream

I love to top my Masala Chai with a simple homemade Cinnamon Whipped Cream. It just adds to the cozy factor. To make it, beat ½ cup heavy cream with 1 tablespoon confectioners sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Beat it for 2 minutes until soft peaks form. Add a dollop on top of your drink.