Matcha powder, banana and kale form the base of this delicious matcha smoothie that will give you a natural energy boost! Perfect as a healthy breakfast or snack. Simple ingredients and naturally vegan.
I didn't always love matcha.
The first time I tried it, I thought it was the weirdest thing I'd ever eaten. The taste was bitter and unlike anything else I've ever had.
Fast forward a couple of years, and I'm obsessed. A trip to Japan helped (many things are matcha-flavoured there - we even ate it sprinkled on potatoes!), as did matcha's increasing popularity, but also my tastebuds changed.
These days, I love the slightly bitter, fresh grass-like flavour. Whether it's in a matcha latte, in baking or oatmeal, I can't get enough.
And this matcha smoothie recipe is such a delicious way to use it, particularly as breakfast or a morning snack.
Not only do you get a gentle energy boost from matcha's natural caffeine (much calmer than coffee), but you're enjoying two servings of produce (banana and kale) as well as healthy fats, and protein if you choose.
Try it when you want a green smoothie recipe with a boost - or whenever you need an energy kick!
What is matcha?
Matcha is a finely ground green tea powder made from young tea leaves. It has a stronger concentration than regular green tea (which uses the whole leaf).
Originally grown in China (and brown in colour), nowadays most matcha is grown in Japan (and is usually bright green). The fine powder is high in antioxidants, making it a popular superfood and it is used in a wide range of foods from lattes to baking.
What are the health benefits of matcha?
Not only is matcha high in antioxidants which can help prevent cell damage, but it's also been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, among other benefits.
Matcha contains protein and fibre, and the caffeine in it seems to have a slower release than coffee - I always find I get a less intense, more sustainable boost of energy with matcha than I do with coffee!
Looking for more nourishing breakfast recipes? Try my turmeric oatmeal.
Main ingredients
Matcha powder - Use whichever matcha powder you have in this smoothie, but in my opinion a high quality powder that's bright green in colour is superior both in taste and nutrients to the brownish powder. I recommend buying from a local tea store as they'll have higher quality powder than many online stores.
Banana - Use frozen or fresh fruit, and don't skimp on this! It will provide a creamy texture and sweetness to balance out the slightly bitter matcha flavour.
Kale - Again, fresh or frozen is good. You won't notice the taste and it's a great way to boost the nutrients (vitamin c etc.) in this smoothie. You could also sub in fresh spinach.
Milk - Use your favourite or milk alternative. I like using oat, almond, coconut milk or soy milk for extra creaminess.
Shredded coconut - This gives the smoothie extra creaminess and helps balance the flavour of the matcha. You could also sub in coconut cream.
Vanilla - Adds a rich sweetness. Optional but I recommend it.
How to make a matcha smoothie
Add all ingredients to a blender (I love using my Vitamix as it blends tougher vegetables like kale really well) and blend on high power until completely smooth (about 30-40 seconds). If needed, stop and scrape down the sides of the jug between blending.
Pour smoothie into a glass and optionally top with any of the following: matcha powder, banana slices, hemp seeds or shredded coconut.
See my step-by-step of how to make this banana matcha smoothie.
Tips
Use frozen ingredients - Not only will using frozen banana/kale give your smoothie a creamy texture, but it will save time if your ingredients are pre-chopped and ready to go! Great for busy mornings.
Give it a protein boost - Especially if you're making this smoothie for breakfast, protein is a great addition to make it more filling. I personally love adding a scoop of my favourite pumpkin protein powder, as well as some hemp seeds or chia seeds.
Storage
This matcha banana smoothie is definitely best consumed fresh! Because of the blending process, smoothies oxidize, turn brown and lose nutrients quite quickly making them less than ideal as a make-ahead food.
If however you want to make meal prep as easy as possible, I recommend prepping and storing smoothie ingredients in the fridge, so they're ready to go when you want, and all you have to do is blend!
More smoothie recipes
Best Easy Matcha Smoothie (5 Minutes)
Special Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 small kale leaf
- 1 cup milk of choice (I use almond, soy or oat milk)
- 1 tbsp shredded coconut
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon sweetener of choice (optional, see note)
Optional add-in
- 1 scoop protein powder
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend on high power until completely smooth (about 30-40 seconds).
- Pour into a glass and optionally top with any of the following: matcha powder, banana slices, hemp seeds or shredded coconut.
Notes
Nutritional information per serving
If you’ve tried this matcha green tea smoothie, please leave a comment or tip for others below!
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Elizabeth
The perfect quick breakfast! So tasty and loved the matcha kick.