Recently discovered matcha and wondering how to incorporate it into more of your cooking?
You’re in luck, because I’ve collated a huge list of delicious matcha recipes, from drinks, to desserts, and even savory dishes.
Let’s dig in.
What’s so good about matcha?
Matcha is a unique ingredient that has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide.
The finely ground green tea powder stands out for its vibrant color, earthy, bitter flavor, and incredible health benefits.
It’s PACKED with antioxidants, particularly EGCG, which has been linked to boosting metabolism and supporting heart health.
It also contains plenty of amino acids like L-theanine, which promotes relaxation and mental clarity.
Matcha is what’s known as a ‘superfood’ and I think it brings a touch of elegance to any dish you use it in.
Matcha drinks
Most people tiptoe into the world of matcha with a matcha latte. But you can do so much more with the magic powder.
Use it in smoothies, mocktails, and even cocktails.
Matcha and strawberry layered smoothie
This vibrant and refreshing smoothie combines the earthy flavors of matcha with the sweetness of strawberries.
With its distinct layers, it’s not only delicious but also visually appealing.
This smoothie is perfect for a healthy morning pick-me-up or an afternoon refresher.
Lemon matcha cocktail
This invigorating cocktail is a fusion of citrusy lemon and matcha flavors.
The zesty lemon highlights the matcha’s natural bitterness, creating a delightful and balanced drink.
It’s a far cry away from the usual sickly sweet mocktails you find in bars!
Matcha gin sour
Elevate your classic gin sour with the addition of matcha.
The matcha complements the botanicals in the gin and adds a lovely green color to the cocktail.
The recipe uses raw egg whites, but if this grosses you out you can swap it for aquafaba (or chickpea liquid) instead.
Psst… learn about storing aquafaba here so you can always have some on hand.
Iced matcha latte
This creamy and refreshing drink is perfect for those hot summer days.
Made with matcha powder, milk, and ice, it’s a delightful way to enjoy the benefits of green tea while cooling down.
Customize with your choice of milk and sweetener for the perfect iced matcha experience.
And you don’t have to stick with sugar for the sweetener, you can also try honey, condensed milk, or even vanilla extract.
Matcha mojito
A creative twist on the classic mojito.
The matcha mojito combines the earthy flavors of matcha with the refreshing blend of mint and lime.
It’s a unique and drink that has always gone down a storm at my summer BBQ’s.
Chocolate matcha smoothie
Indulge in this decadent smoothie, which combines the rich flavors of chocolate with the earthiness of matcha.
This drink is not only delicious but also packed with antioxidants.
Enjoy it as a morning treat or a satisfying afternoon snack.
Psst… this would be a great way to introduce your kids to matcha.
Matcha desserts
Matcha has taken the dessert world by storm.
Partly because it’s an easy way to get some color into your dish, but also because of how well the subtle bitterness of matcha complements sweet flavors.
Matcha and red bean popsicles
Celebrate warmer weather with these delightful red bean matcha popsicles, a nostalgic treat that will remind you of childhood days.
The recipe yields about 12 popsicles, and featuring a unique blend of red bean and matcha flavors.
For the matcha mixture, simply whisk together matcha powder, whole milk, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
To create layered popsicles, fill the molds half way with one mixture and freeze for an hour before adding the second layer.
Matcha Portugese custard tarts
This dessert has a delightful contrast between crispy, flaky pastry and soft, semi-sweet custard filling, enhanced by the distinct flavor of matcha.
Betty recommend using a pasta maker to roll the dough out. This makes sure the layers are nice and even.
And always remember to sift your matcha powder when you’re baking with it, because it has a tendency to lump.
Psst… got leftovers? Learn how to freeze egg tarts here. And if you want to reheat the egg tarts, use the oven.
Matcha cupcakes
Match and strawberries worked so well together in my smoothie recipe, I had to turn it into cupcakes.
Could they look prettier?!
I don’t think so.
And they have a surprise filling of strawberry preserves in the middle.
Matcha coconut cream buns
Try something a bit more tropical and pair your matcha with coconut.
The buns are light and fluffy, then filled with an airy cream.
Psst… you want the cream to be as cold as possible before you whip it, so keep it in the fridge until just before and use a chilled bowl and beaters.
And if you don’t have any coconut extract, you can use coconut liquor instead.
Matcha tiramisu
What’s better than a homemade tiramisu?
A homemade matcha tiramisu.
You only need seven ingredients and there’s no baking involved (so there’s not much that can go wrong!).
Pro tip: can’t find ladyfingers? You can make your own! Or use sponge cake as a substitute.
Matcha mousse cake
Fancy cake but don’t want anything too heavy?
Try a mousse cake.
The bottom layer is a delicate chiffon cake.
The different colors of mousse are made by incorporating different amounts of matcha powder. To save time you can stick to making one color of mousse (which is what I did when made this!).
Matcha glazed donuts
I think these matcha donuts are PERFECT for halloween.
The green color is spooky, and donuts are universally loved. This recipe baked the donuts instead of frying them, which means you don’t have too worry too much when you’re digging into a third!
Pro tip: double dip the donuts for a nice thick glaze. And to reheat your donuts use the microwave.
Matcha panna cotta
Ever since I made my first panna cotta (a white chocolate and hazelnut one), I was hooked. The process is easy, and the resultant dessert is so smooth and creamy.
And the layers form themselves!!! It’s like magic.
The matcha powder will sink to the bottom of the mixture while it’s setting, naturally forming layers.
For the best color, use a high quality matcha powder. Cheaper version will sometimes ave a yellow or grey tint.
Matcha truffles
Surprise everyone with chocolate covered matcha truffles.
Matcha isn’t the only green ingredient in these truffles either, they also contain avocado!
It sounds strange but the avocado adds so much creaminess and it keeps the truffles healthy.
Psst… add a few drops of coconut oil to the chocolate to make it extra smooth.
Matcha brownies
Saving the best until last… the ultimate dessert, a brownie!
This recipe uses milk chocolate chips, but I tried it with white chocolate chips and it was amazing.
If you can’t pick you can always do a mix. You could even throw a few caramel chips in there too.
And as always, here are some brownie reheating tips. You don’t even need to worry if you undercook your brownies because it’s fixable!
Savory matcha
Most matcha recipes are sweet, but it’s unique bitter notes can work well in savory dishes too.
From Italian, to Mexican and British. And dinner to breakfast, you can find a use for matcha in every occasion!
Matcha spaghetti and shrimp
There are loads of different ways you can color spaghetti. Spinach is a popular ingredient for making green pasta.
And now we have matcha.
This recipe keeps the sauce simple, so the earthy notes of the matcha and the sweetness of the shrimp can really shine through.
Matcha guacamole
You can pretty much add a spoonful of matcha to anything, and this guacamole dish is a great example of this.
It’s a simple guacamole recipe with some matcha added in for luck.
Add as much or as little as you like.
Pro tip: for a buttery texture, start with room temperature avocados.
Matcha granola bars
I wasn’t sure if these belonged in the dessert section or here.
But they’re not that sweet and you can eat them any time if day so I went with savory!
They’re packed with super foods like goji berries, pumpkin seeds, and almond butter. And they’re really easy to customize.
Get your favourite fruits and nuts and mix them in, and make a big batch because granola is easy to store!
Matcha gnocchi
Go on a culinary adventure and combine Japanese and Italian flavors.
Pillowy gnocchi, a rich and savory sauce, and some crisp leaves to finish the dish off.
This is a dish you’d find in a 5* restaurant.
Need some side dish inspiration? Check out my recommendations for the best things to pair with gnocchi. I also have guides on how to store and reheat gnocchi.
Matcha popcorn
Upgrade movie nights with green popcorn – it’s ideal if you’re watching a scary movie!
Jee makes her popcorn on the stove, and mixed the matcha with melted clarified butter to make sure the seasoning sticks.
Clarified butter is the secret ingredient because it has a much higher smoke point compared to normal butter so won’t burn.
Psst… need a clarified butter substitute? I got you covered – Schmaltz is AMAZING for popcorn.
Matcha eggs Benedict
This innovative breakfast dish elevates the classic eggs Benedict by adding matcha to the hollandaise sauce.
Most people will probably think you’ve added spinach, so it will be a surprise ingredient!
Matcha pairs well with ham, salmon, asparagus and spinach. So you can use the hollandaise on any variation of this dish.
And I’ve also got some delicious ideas on sides to go with eggs Benedict here.
Matcha salt
Mix matcha with salt to create a umami filled seasoning powder.
The salt will add a distinctive flavor and a pop of color to your dishes.
Sprinkle it over roasted vegetables, grilled meats, fish, avocado toast, salads or even edamame. The possibilities are endless.
What type of matcha is best to use in cooking
There are a few different types of matcha you can buy, but which one is best for baking?
Ceremonial grade matcha is considered the highest quality and is used in tea ceremonies. It’s made from the youngest, shade-grown tea leaves, which are meticulously hand-picked and ground into a fine powder.
Culinary grade matcha is made with slightly more mature leaves.
And then you have matcha latte mix, which is a pre-blended mix of of matcha powder, sugar, and milk powder.
You can use either ceremonial or culinary grade matcha in your cooking, but avoid using matcha latte mix. The extra ingredients will mess with the taste and texture of your recipe.
Ceremonial grade matcha is more expensive, which means it’s not always an option for cooking with (depending on your budget).
And it’s got a more delicate flavor that can get lost if you’re using lots of other bold flavors alongside it. One big positive of using ceremonial grade matcha in cooking is the color, it will give you a super vibrant green.
Culinary grade matcha is more versatile and budget-friendly.
It has a bolder, more robust flavor that means it can hold its own against other ingredients, but the bitterness is more pronounced than with ceremonial grade matcha.
A downside to the culinary option is that it’s color doesn’t have the same vibrancy as the more expensive ceremonial option. You recipes can sometimes end up with a brown tinge.
For recipes where I’m going to be taking pictures, I use ceremonial grade. But for everyday use I go for culinary grade.
Related: tried and tested replacements for matcha.
Matcha Smoothie [And 25 More Delicious Ways To Enjoy Matcha]
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups spinach
- 2 cups strawberries frozen
- 1 cup mango frozen
- 2 cups milk any kind
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp matcha
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup to taste
- salt to taste
Instructions
For matcha layer
- Blend half the milk, spinach, matcha, mango, lemon juice and 1 tbsp honey together.
- Pour into glasses and place in freezer while you make the strawberry layer.
For the strawberry layer
- Blend the rest of the milk, strawberries, and 1 tbsp of honey.
- Take the matcha layers out of the freezer and pour the strawberry layer on top.
- Enjoy!
