Delicious Matcha Protein Shake: A Must-Try!

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Hey everyone! Today, we're whipping up a super yummy Matcha Protein Shake that's not just tasty but also packed with good stuff to keep you going. This shake is bright green, super creamy, and tastes like a sweet, earthy treat - a perfect breakfast or after-workout snack!

I'm sure you've heard about matcha already! Matcha comes from Japan and it's a special kind of green tea that's ground into powder, which is becoming more and more popular. For a good reason! It is not just tasty, it's also packed with health benefits.

First off, matcha is loaded with antioxidants, especially something called catechins, which help your body fight off free radicals. These antioxidants are great for keeping your skin looking great and for overall health. Plus, matcha has a little caffeine, but it also contains an amino acid called L-theanine. This combo gives you a calm, focused energy without the jittery feeling you might get from coffee.

I love matcha because it is so versatile! You can enjoy it as a traditional tea, matcha latte, like they do in Japan, or mix it into smoothies, lattes, and even baked goods. Its bright green color makes everything look more fun and vibrant!

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Ingredients
Instructions
Variations
Equipment
Storage
Top tip
FAQ
Related

Ingredients

Our matcha protein shake recipe blends milk and vanilla protein powder to create a creamy, protein-packed base with a hint of sweetness. The addition of matcha green tea powder, frozen banana, baby spinach, honey, vanilla extract, and chia seeds offers a boost of antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber.

Unsweetened Milk: Choose any milk you like! For this recipe, my milk of choice is unsweetened almond milk. It’s great for those keeping an eye on their calorie intake, with roughly 30 calories per cup and almost no saturated fat. If almonds aren't your thing, feel free to swap it out for oat milk, regular low-fat milk, or coconut milk.

Vanilla Protein Powder: A scoop of this helps pump up your daily protein intake, essential for muscle repair and growth, usually providing about 20-25 grams of protein per scoop. In this recipe, I use vanilla whey protein powder. If vanilla isn’t your go-to, chocolate or even unflavored protein powders can be used as substitutes to suit you better.

Matcha Green Tea Powder: This vibrant green powder is not only eye-catching but packed with antioxidants known as catechins, which are great for your heart health, and skin! Matcha adds a distinctive earthy flavor that’s a bit like grass or spinach. It is also rich in fiber and contains about 70 mg of caffeine per teaspoon.

Frozen Banana: Bananas are a powerhouse of potassium and provide natural sweetness to your shakes. Having it frozen helps thicken the shake, giving it a smooth, ice-cream-like texture.

Baby Spinach: This leafy green is a nutritional superhero, virtually invisible in the shake but high in iron, magnesium, and vitamins A and C. It’s a great way to sneak in some veggies without changing the flavor profile much!

Honey: A natural sweetener, honey is packed with antioxidants and can help with digestion. For a vegan option, agave syrup or maple syrup can replace honey, both offering unique flavors and sweetness levels.

Chia Seeds: These tiny seeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and a little protein boost.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to blend your ingredients into a delicious and nutritious matcha protein smoothie.

Starting with the liquid ones, toss all the ingredients into your blender.

Blend it all up until it's super smooth. Add a little more milk if it's too thick.
Pour it into your favorite glass and sprinkle with chia seeds.

Hint: For the creamiest shake, use a powerful blender and make sure your banana is really frozen.

Variations

With this recipe, the sky is your limit! Here are some ideas on how to mix it up a notch if you are in the mood for something specific.

For a tropical twist, choose coconut milk and use a pineapple or mango instead of a banana. This version is perfect if you are looking for a summery, refreshing drink that feels like a mini-vacation in a glass.

Another idea would be to add a mix of frozen berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries to pack this shake with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber.

For different flavors, try out this refreshing watermelon protein shake!

Equipment

All you need is a good blender to make everything smooth and creamy.

Storage

Drink up your Matcha Protein Shake fresh if you can. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container or a shaker bottle in a fridge for up to 24 hours.

Top tip

For an optimal vanilla matcha protein shake experience, consider adding a source of healthy fats into your shake, such as a few slices of avocado or a teaspoon of almond butter. Fats help your body to absorb the nutrients more efficiently.

FAQ

Can I make this shake without protein powder?

Absolutely! If you prefer not to use protein powder or don't have it on hand, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt or silken tofu to still get a good amount of protein.

Is there a caffeine-free version of this recipe?

Matcha naturally contains caffeine, which might not suit everyone. For a caffeine-free version, you can substitute matcha powder with caffeine-free green tea powder.

How can I sweeten my smoothie without honey?

If you're avoiding honey, there are several other sweeteners you can use, such as maple syrup, agave nectar, or even a couple of pitted dates.

How much caffeine is in this shake?

There's about as much caffeine as in a small cup of coffee, thanks to the matcha. It's perfect for a little pick-me-up without making you feel jittery.

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