Matcha isn’t only good in a latte, it’s also amazing in a smoothie! It adds a nice flavor and also a soft energy boost that won’t leave you with a caffeine crash like coffee. This easy banana matcha smoothie recipe is creamy, thick, and naturally sweetened! Make it for days when you need both caffeine and a filling breakfast. You can keep it simple or make it into a protein matcha smoothie!

Here’s how to make a matcha smoothie at home!

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a finely ground green tea powder made from grinding shade-grown tea leaves called tencha. It has an earthy and vegetal flavor, and sometimes has a deep umami flavor as well. Depending on the origin and blend, matcha green tea can also have different flavors, including sweet, creamy, nutty, umami, savory, roasted, chocolate, and more.

It’s also a superfood with lots of antioxidants and a healthy, sustainable caffeine boost. It’s perfect on its own, in a latte, or smoothie form!

Is Matcha Good in Smoothies?

Yes, matcha is a great addition to smoothies. It’s a superfood powder boost to any drink, which is why so many smoothie bowl bars have it as a topping. Matcha has a nice earthy and umami flavor, and pairs well with a lot of fruits and milks. But besides flavor, it also has a lot of antioxidants and nutrients that are beneficial for our health.

It’s also a nice way to combine a latte and a smoothie together, so you get a caffeine boost and fruits simultaneously.

What is in a Matcha Smoothie?

Most matcha smoothies are made of matcha powder, milk, sometimes ice, and banana. However, there are dozens of variations from blueberry matcha, strawberry matcha, mango matcha, and more! You can also find some that are more frappe-like with matcha powder, milk, ice, and a sweetener.

However, my matcha smoothie recipe has matcha powder, high-protein yogurt, milk, protein powder, banana, and milk for a protein matcha banana smoothie. The protein powder is optional, but it is great if you’re trying to incorporate more protein into your diet.

This is a healthy and filling matcha green tea smoothie!

What Does a Matcha Smoothie Taste Like?

Without the protein powder, this matcha smoothie is sweet, creamy, and earthy from the banana and matcha. I love the addition of yogurt for a creamier and slightly tangy flavor. But with some vanilla protein powder, it tastes more like a banana and vanilla milkshake with a hint of earthiness. And both ways taste great!

Matcha Smoothie Recipe

What You’ll Need:

• Blender

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp matcha powder
• ½ scoop protein powder (optional)
• 1 frozen banana
• ⅔ cup milk
• ½ cup Icelandic or Greek yogurt
• 2 – 3 banana slices (for garnish)

How to Make Matcha Smoothie

1. Freeze Banana. Peel and cut a banana into chunks and store it in a bag or container. Then freeze for 3 – 4 hours or overnight until completely frozen.
2. Blend Ingredients. Add frozen banana, matcha powder, protein powder if desired, milk, and yogurt into a blender cup. Blend for 10 seconds or until smooth and no visible chunks or clumps of powder.
3. Pour and Garnish. Pour smoothie in a separate glass and garnish with a few slices of banana and a sprinkle of matcha powder.
4. Serve and Enjoy! Serve with a straw or drink straight.

Tips for the Best Matcha Smoothie

• Use a Ripe Banana: Ripe bananas are sweeter and add a lot of flavor to your smoothie! You don’t want to use one that’s overripe, though, because it tends to be like fruit alcohol sweet rather than banana sweet. I like using bananas that are yellow with a few brown spots for the best flavor.
• Use a Strong Flavored Matcha Powder: Since there is a lot of dairy and fruit in this smoothie, matcha that leans more bitter and earthy is best! You’ll be able to taste it in the smoothie, instead of being washed away.
• Add Ice: If you want a colder and more frosty smoothie, add some ice and make a creamy and icy smoothie that’s perfect for hot days. Just make sure to drink it fast so that the ice doesn’t melt and make your smoothie watery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fruits pair with matcha?

Matcha pairs well with most fruits like bananas, apples, strawberries, cherries, and more. Since it’s earthy, it complements a lot of bright and tart flavors. I like to pair it with mango since it’s juicy and sweet, and matcha adds a lot of depth.

How much caffeine is in this smoothie?

1 serving of matcha is roughly 1 tsp, which has about 50 mg of caffeine. This recipe uses 2 tsp, so that’s 100 mg of caffeine, which is a little less than a standard latte using a double shot of espresso, which is 120 mg of caffeine. So, this smoothie definitely packs a punch!

How much protein is in this smoothie?

This smoothie has a lot of protein in it! The yogurt, milk, and protein powder add roughly 28 grams of protein to this smoothie. That’s almost a third of someone’s daily intake of protein!

Other Healthy Matcha Recipes

Matcha smoothies are super easy to make at home and taste delicious! You can use matcha powder in other ways, like in a latte, soda, refreshing beverage, or other delicious drink. Here are some matcha recipes to try next:

• Matcha Hot Chocolate
• Protein Matcha Latte
• Healthy Matcha Soda
• Date Matcha Latte
• Banana Matcha Latte