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Home » Smoothies

Vanilla Matcha Smoothie

Published on 11.12.2021 by Jen Hansard

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matcha smoothie

This vanilla matcha protein shake is perfect as a satisfying breakfast or delicious mid-morning snack. Softened cashews, coconut water, cashew milk, matcha powder, frozen banana and vanilla come together for a tasty protein-packed, antioxidant-rich matcha smoothie recipe.

The moderate level of caffeine along with mood-stabilizing L-theanine in the matcha powder provides sustained energy without any of the anxious jittery sensations you experience from a cup of coffee.

How to Make a Matcha Smoothie

It’s incredibly easy to make a matcha green tea smoothie:

  1. Soak raw cashews in the ¼ cup coconut water for 20 minutes to soften. You can skip this step if you're crunched for time, yet this smoothie will be creamier with this step.
  2. Add the cashews + coconut water, cashew milk, matcha powder, banana, ginger and vanilla to blender.
  3. Blend until smooth.

Cashew milk provides the creamiest result, yet you can swap it with oat milk, almond milk, or the plant milk of your choice. Matcha powder has an earthy taste, so the banana in this recipe helps balance it out. You may swap the banana with cauliflower or avocado for lower sugar, yet you will also lose the sweetness.

Make sure both the coconut water and cashew milk are unsweetened.

ingredients for a matcha smoothie recipe

Tips for a Creamy Smoothie

This smoothie is a cream machine, which is why I call it both a matcha smoothie AND a matcha shake... it really does have a shake-like texture. To achieve this, I take the extra step to soak the raw cashews before blending. Here are a few different ways you can soak your cashews:

Method #1: soak the cashews overnight for 8 hours in the coconut water. If you choose this method, put the cashew/coconut water mixture in the fridge.

Method #2: Soak the cashews in boiling hot water for 10 minutes. This is what I call the "flash-boil" method when there's no time to waste. Drain and then add to blender. You'll lose some nutrients, yet you'll still get the cream factor. Add the coconut water directly to the blender since it wasn't part of the soaking in this method.

Make this incredible matcha smoothie recipe for breakfast or snack and enjoy a delicious and energizing drink full of health benefits!

Health benefits of a matcha protein shake

Adding matcha powder to this smoothie is an easy way to incorporate a load of health benefits into your diet. Matcha tea is a powdered form of green tea leaves. Just ¼ to ½ teaspoon of matcha powder has the same antioxidant content as 8 to 10 cups of green tea. Matcha is a great source of L-theanine, a rare amino acid which promotes well-being, relaxation, concentration and focus.

A scientific literature review found that green tea catechins have a number of health benefits, including protecting against cardiovascular disease, aiding in cancer prevention, and possessing anti-inflammatory properties. But that's not all! I specifically chose the ingredients in this smoothie for their super powers:

Cashews and cashew milk: This protein-packed nut is good for your heart.

Coconut water: This thirst-quenching water alternative is packed with electrolytes.

Matcha powder: Scoop this antioxidant-rich powder into your smoothie.

Banana: Banana adds sweetness without causing your blood sugar to spike. With low-glycemic sugars and pectin, bananas thicken your smoothie.

Vanilla: Adds a low-calorie boost of flavor while providing magnesium.

matcha protein shake

Common Questions About a Matcha Smoothie

Is matcha effective in a smoothie?

Yes! Matcha bought in America is pretty much always going to be found in powder form. So you'd use the same kind of powder for tea as you would in this smoothie. Just scoop it in and enjoy the natural caffeine + antioxidants.

What fruit goes well with matcha?

Since matcha powder has a strong, earthy flavor, pairing it with naturally sweet tasting fruit helps to balance out the earthiness. I chose bananas for my matcha smoothie recipe, as well as fresh ginger to add another flavor profile.

Does matcha help you lose weight?

Green tea is found in most weight loss supplements. Studies show that it may speed up your metabolism which helps you burn more fat.

healthy snack

Protein Shakes for Everyone

Green smoothies are great and all, yet sometimes I just wanna drink a protein shake. But... store-bought protein shakes are notorious for weird ingredients, additives, fake flavors and way too many ingredients. So I opt to make my own. Here are a few of my fav recipes that definitely match up to the matcha protein shake below:

  • Chocolate protein shake
  • Caramel protein shake
  • Vanilla protein shake
  • Post workout green shake
  • Berry protein shake
  • Cinnamon date shake
  • Chia green shake
  • Ultimate breakfast shake

Which flavor is calling your name? Let me know which one of these becomes your go-to... they're too delicious not to make it into the smoothie rotation!

protein shake

Vanilla Matcha Smoothie

5 from 3 votes
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The mellow taste of matcha with sweet vanilla, blended into a delicious, creamy smoothie. Enjoy any time of the day, this recipe is perfect for breakfast, pre- and post-workout and midnight snacks, too!
Total Time7 minutes
Servings1 smoothie

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon raw cashews
  • ¼ cup coconut water
  • ¾ cup cashew milk
  • 1 teaspoon matcha (or more, if desired)
  • 1 banana (frozen)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon ginger root (optional)
  • 1 scoop Protein Smoothie Boost (optional)

Instructions

  • Soak cashews in coconut water for 20 minutes to soften. You can skip this if in a hurry, yet it will be creamier if you soak.
  • Add cashews with water to blender.
  • Add cashew milk, matcha, frozen banana, ginger and vanilla to blender.
  • Blend until smooth and creamy.

Notes

  • If you prefer a sweeter matcha, add 2 pitted medjool dates to the blender.

Nutrition (estimated)

Calories: 270kcal (14%) Carbohydrates: 37g (12%) Protein: 7g (14%) Fat: 11g (17%) Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 6g Sodium: 187mg (8%) Potassium: 712mg (20%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 18g (20%) Vitamin A: 276IU (6%) Vitamin C: 12mg (15%) Calcium: 28mg (3%) Iron: 3mg (17%)
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dawn

    December 11, 2021 at 11:32 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was quite a change from the simple green smoothies. Liliana called it fancy. It is fancy, elegant, and sophisticated. The soaked cashews and banana create the creaminess. The vanilla and matcha make a wonderful combination! Thoroughly enjoyable! I will definitely make this again!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      December 13, 2021 at 8:55 pm

      Pinkies up when drinking this one amiright Dawn?! LOL. So glad you loved it!

  2. Pitah

    October 31, 2021 at 10:24 am

    Hi, Thank you for this recipe. You mentioned swapping the banana with cauliflower or avocado. I would like to alternate with each. Please provide the amount for each. Thank you.

    Reply
  3. Liliana C.

    May 29, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    I'm drinking a vanilla matcha smoothie right now. I feel so fancy. Haha! It's delicious. I really do like it. I especially like the fresh ginger in it. I asked my husband what he thinks of it. He's drinking his right now too. He sums up his opinion in a word, "Good." That means that I will be making this again! Thank you for the recipe, Jen.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      May 30, 2020 at 1:07 pm

      That's awesome, Liliana! I love ginger and it's def a great addition to this tasty smoothie. 🙂

  4. sarah henisa

    May 10, 2020 at 1:07 pm

    excited to make this!!! I want to use coconut cream and green powder for added goodness! Cashews have been extinct lately around our area.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      May 11, 2020 at 3:16 pm

      Any type of plant-based beverage will work!

  5. Erin

    May 10, 2020 at 12:16 pm

    5 stars
    I never think about adding cashew milk to a smoothie, can't wait to try it

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      May 11, 2020 at 3:15 pm

      Cashew milk is so creamy and delicious!

  6. Olivia

    May 10, 2020 at 11:13 am

    5 stars
    I'm going to ask my kids to make this for me today for Mother's Day. Momma needs it!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      May 11, 2020 at 3:15 pm

      What a great Mother's Day drink!

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Jen hansard blogger at Simple Green Smoothies About

I'm Jen Hansard, mom of two, plant-based foodie, adventure junkie + cookbook author.

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