This creamy chocolate matcha protein shake is packed with 34g of plant-based protein! Energizing, dairy-free, and ready in 5 minutes. The perfect breakfast or post-workout shake!
Craving more decadent, dairy-free smoothies? Try my chocolate brownie smoothie, chocolate peanut butter smoothie, or this peanut butter and banana smoothie next.
🔍 A Quick Look: Chocolate Matcha Protein Shake
- 📝 Recipe Name: Chocolate Matcha Protein Shake
- 🕒 Total Time: 5 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 1
- 🎯 Key Ingredients: Matcha powder, cocoa powder, frozen banana, plant-based milk, oats, protein powder
- 🌱 Dietary Info: Vegan, dairy-free, naturally sweetened
- 👩🍳 Flavor Profile: Chocolatey, lightly earthy, creamy, not overly sweet
- ✨ Best For: Breakfast, post-workout, afternoon pick me up
- 💕 Why You’ll Love It: Packed with 34 grams of plant-based protein, plus filling oats, rich cocoa, and matcha for calm energy. Keeps you full and energized!
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One of my favorite gym smoothies inspired this chocolate matcha protein shake recipe. The first time I blended matcha with cocoa powder, I was hooked. The chocolatey richness paired with the calm energy of matcha felt like the perfect pick-me-up — indulgent, but still nourishing.
This matcha green tea smoothie works beautifully as a healthy breakfast, post-workout option, or anytime you want something that tastes really good and keeps you full.
Why This Recipe Works
- Matcha tea provides a calm, steady energy without coffee jitters
- Cocoa powder adds richness without refined sugar
- Oats, bananas, and protein keep you full longer
- Naturally dairy-free, no yogurt or ice cream needed
- Easy to adjust sweetness, protein, or thickness
Want more creamy, dairy-free blends? I keep a growing collection of yogurt free smoothie recipes that are simple, filling, and delicious.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here's what you'll need to make this chocolate matcha protein shake recipe:
- Matcha powder: Similar to my vegan matcha cookies, I recommend using culinary-grade matcha powder. Ceremonial-grade matcha works better for tea, like in my traditional matcha tea recipe.
- Cocoa powder: Get unsweetened. Cacao powder works too, but you may want to add a little more sweetener.
- Plant-based milk: Oat, soy, almond, coconut, and homemade cashew milk all work well. For a thicker, creamier smoothie, oat or soy milk are my go-to.
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.
Browse more vegan smoothie recipes or try my chocolate cherry spirulina smoothie, orange cream smoothie, and licuado de nopales (cactus smoothie).
How to Make a Chocolate Matcha Protein Shake
For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Step 1: Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender in the order listed.
- Step 2: Blend on high for 45-60 seconds or until creamy. Add more milk if it’s too thick or ice cubes if it’s too thin.
Tested Tips
- Matcha varies in strength and bitterness. If you're new to matcha shakes, start with ½ to ¾ tablespoon, blend, taste, and add more for a stronger green tea flavor.
- Use frozen banana for the creamiest texture. If you prefer it less sweet or want a matcha smoothie without banana, swap half or all of the banana for frozen cauliflower or avocado.
- If the smoothie tastes bitter (especially if using cacao powder), add 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup or a pitted date.
Make it Your Way
- Swap half of the banana with frozen blueberries or acai for a fruity chocolate matcha smoothie. And if you love fruity variations, try my blueberry smoothie recipe without yogurt, this banana acai smoothie, or my strawberry smoothie without yogurt next!
- Toss in a handful of fresh baby spinach for a green boost. You won't even taste it. If flavor matters, don't use frozen as it changes the flavor.
- Reduce the liquid by about half, blend until very thick, and make it a smoothie bowl. Top with granola, berries, cacao nibs, or nut butter.
If you’re in the mood for something sweet to go with this matcha protein shake, my easy chocolate mug cake or pumpkin mug cake recipe makes the perfect cozy treat alongside your smoothie.
Storage & Meal Prep
- Storage: This smoothie is best fresh, but you can store it in a sealed jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Meal prep: You can prep freezer packs by adding all ingredients except the liquids to a bag or jar. For more vegan breakfast recipes, try my high protein chia pudding breakfast or banana overnight oats.
- This matcha smoothie pairs well with my chocolate chip vegan banana bread, oat bran muffins for an easy, make-ahead breakfast or snack. Find more in my meal prep guide for beginners.
Chocolate Matcha Protein Shake FAQs
Yes. Matcha powder blends especially well in smoothies because it’s finely ground and mixes smoothly. It adds a gentle, steady energy boost and pairs well with creamy ingredients like banana, oats, and plant-based milk.
Matcha is made from finely ground whole green tea leaves, while traditional green tea is steeped and discarded. Because you consume the whole leaf, matcha tends to have
Matcha pairs best with fruits that are naturally creamy or mildly sweet. Banana is the most common, but blueberries, strawberries, mango, and acai also work well. These balance matcha’s earthy flavor without overpowering it.
For most people, yes. Matcha contains caffeine, but it’s often experienced as gentler than coffee because it’s part of whole green tea. Many people enjoy drinking it regularly, especially when paired with food or blended into a smoothie.
Very acidic ingredients (like large amounts of citrus juice) or overly bitter flavors can clash with matcha’s taste. Using too much matcha powder can also make a smoothie bitter, so it’s best to start small and adjust to taste.
Perfect Pairings
These recipes go great alongside this matcha protein smoothie recipe:
Did you try this recipe? Let me know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing it on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest! 💛
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Matcha Protein Shake
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup plant-based milk, oat, cashew, or soy
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon matcha powder, see Notes
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 scoop vegan chocolate protein powder
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon flax seeds, OR chia/hemp seeds, or omit
- 1 large frozen ripe banana
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender in the order listed.
- Blend on low, then increase to high for 45–60 seconds until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust as needed: add more milk to thin or a few extra ice cubes to thicken.
- Pour into glasses and serve immediately. Sprinkle with cacao nibs for crunch.
Video
Notes
- Matcha strength varies. Start with ½ to ¾ tablespoon if you're new to matcha and adjust to taste from there.
- If the smoothie tastes bitter (especially with cacao), add 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup or a pitted date.
- For a no-banana option, use frozen cauliflower or avocado for creaminess.
- If your blender struggles, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time and blend again.
- If you want to thicken the texture without watering it down, add more frozen banana or oats instead of extra ice.
- For post-workout, keep the protein powder and add hemp seeds. For breakfast, add oats or a spoonful of nut butter for staying power.
- Top with granola, berries, cacao nibs, or homemade nut butter recipe.
Nutrition
Julie Gaeta is a plant-based recipe creator, certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and mom of nine who's been plant-based for over 20 years. She's cooked approximately 4,382 pots of beans and can't vacation without her juicer and pasta pot. Her work has been featured in HuffPost, Yahoo, YourTango, and other major outlets. She helps others simplify wellness and feel good again through her blog, coaching, and weekly newsletter.
Julie Gaeta says
If I had to pick a favorite smoothie, it would be hard, but this would be in the top for sure. Chocolate and matcha are perfect together, and this one is creamy, energizing, and just so good!