Breakfast

Chai-spiced Apple Pancakes

Chai Masala

I thought I had reached the pinnacle of pancake bliss when I recently ate a round of pancakes at my local Aunt Emma’s Restaurant. That was until I came across this recipe for Chai-spiced Apple Pancakes in the cookbook New Indian Basics by Preena and Arvinda Chauhan. This recipe makes use of ‘chai masala’ or a spice blend often used in making Indian tea (chai), but can also be used to flavor cakes and syrups. Spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, fennel and nutmeg and often used in the spice blend:

photo credit: Anna Pustynnikova, Getty Images

Best to grind your own spices or use powdered?

To get the best flavor, first toast your spices in a fry pan for several minutes to bring out the maximum flavor, then grind them in a coffee grinder. I used whole fennel seed, cinnamon sticks, cardamom, cloves, and white and black peppercorns. Alternatively, using powdered spices is perfectly fine if you want to save time!

Toasted and finely ground Chai Masala blend

Chai-spiced caramelized apples add the crowning touch!

Apples are first peeled and finely sliced, then slowly stewed in a mixture of butter, maple syrup, and a teaspoon of chai masala. These caramelized apples are so delicious, I also mix them in my yoghurt and as a topping on my muffins!

To serve, top your pancakes with the spiced apples, a cloud of whipped cream, and some more maple syrup.

Pancakes with Chai-spiced Apples

Print Recipe
Serves: 5-6 pancakes

Ingredients

  • Chai Masala whole spices:
  • 2 Tbsps. green cardamom pods
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp whole cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 tsp white peppercorns
  • 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
  • Ground Spices:
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp ginger powder
  • Pancake Batter:
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup 2% or whole milk
  • 2 Tsps. vegetable or sunflower oil
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat or buckwheat flour
  • 1 tsp Chai Masala (optional)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Chai-spiced Apples:
  • 1 Tbsp butter or ghee
  • 1 tsp pure maple sryup
  • 2 Honey Crisp or Gala apples, peeled and thinly-sliced
  • 1 tsp Chai Masala spice (see recipe above)
  • 1-2 Tbsps water
  • Whipped Cream and Maple Syrup to serve

Instructions

1

To toast the whole spices, heat a small skillet to medium high and add all the whole spices. Toast for several minutes until the cardamom pods swell a little and the spices start to release their aroma. Let cool and transfer to a clean coffee grinder and grind on the finest setting. (Alternatively, you could grind the spices with a mortar and pestle). Add the ground nutmeg and ground ginger powder to the mixture. After using, store the spices in an airtight container.

2

To make the pancake batter, whisk the eggs ,milk, and oil together, Fold in the flours, chai masala, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and mix until smooth. Let mixture rest for at least ten minutes.

3

For the chai-spiced apples, peel the apples and slice thinly. Over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the maple syrup. Add the apples and chai masala and little water. Cover with lid, reduce heat and let mixture cook for 5-8 minutes until the apples are soft and caramelized.

4

To serve, top the pancakes with some of the spiced apples, some whipped cream, and maple syrup.

April 12, 2026 By
9
About

I've lived in Paris, Adelaide and San Diego and love to create tasty recipes from around the world!

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9 Comments

  • Reply
    angiesrecipes
    April 12, 2026 at 8:21 pm

    Awesome that you even made your own chai masala blend which must be particularly fresh and flavourful. These pancakes look fantastic.
    angiesrecipes recently posted…Spicy Chicken Kebabs with Tomato SalsaMy Profile

    • Reply
      Fran Flint
      April 13, 2026 at 7:43 am

      Thanks for your comment, Angie! I’ve even been adding the chai masala to my yogurt and other food!

  • Reply
    Frank | Memorie di Angelina
    April 14, 2026 at 8:39 am

    What a lovely idea, Fran. And color me impressed that you make your own spice blend.

  • Reply
    Ben | Havocinthekitchen
    April 14, 2026 at 1:00 pm

    Such a cozy and flavourful idea, Fran! I love the chai-spiced apples – sounds like the perfect warm and comforting breakfast.

  • Reply
    David Scott Allen
    April 14, 2026 at 4:31 pm

    I love when “chai-spiced” recipes call for grinding the spices and not simply using a chai teabag. First, not a tea fan. Second, and most important, toasting and grinding spices makes a huge difference. While we are not pancake eaters, I want to make this as a dessert for my Indian dinners. This, served on yogurt or even ice cream, will be dreamy. Thanks, Fran.
    David Scott Allen recently posted…Recipe for SachertorteMy Profile

  • Reply
    Karen (Back Road Journal)
    April 15, 2026 at 7:57 am

    Your photos make this dish even more tempting.

  • Reply
    Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
    April 24, 2026 at 9:10 am

    Fran, this sounds wonderful! Why do I never think to top pancakes with apples?! We’re not coffee drinkers, so I don’t have a coffee grinder and I’ve learned with fennel seeds that the mini food processor attachment that came with my immersion blender is not good for grinding spices. May have to get a coffee grinder now!

  • Reply
    Jeff the Chef | Make It Like a Man!
    April 25, 2026 at 10:41 am

    Where have these pancakes been all my life? I love chai spice, and I love pancakes – so this is for me.

  • Reply
    2pots2cook
    April 28, 2026 at 6:49 am

    Love this amazing spices’ mix! Never thought to add them to pancakes. Love the idea very much!
    2pots2cook recently posted…Roasted StrawberriesMy Profile

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