Vegan Matcha Smoothie (No Banana)

This energizing vegan matcha smoothie is made without banana and is rich in nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants. Easy to make at home with just 4 healthy ingredients in 5 minutes. Vegan, gluten free, nut free and soy free.

Why You’ll Love This Smoothie

• High in antioxidants
• Thick and creamy
• Boosts energy

This vegan matcha smoothie is a healthy caffeinated drink for matcha lovers and is made without any banana. The flavour is tropical, sweet, tangy and matcha-y. Enjoy it first thing in the morning for a boost of energy without a crash later in the day, like coffee.

This smoothie contains matcha powder which has an earthy, natural taste. Matcha powder is made from finely ground green tea leaves and has been shown to improve brain, heart and liver health. Matcha has lots of antioxidants like vitamin C and polyphenols which help to lower risk of chronic diseases over time.

There are two kinds of matcha powder—ceremonial grade and culinary grade. For smoothies you should use culinary grade matcha powder which is less expensive than ceremonial grade matcha powder.

This yummy smoothie also has spinach which is another rich source of antioxidants. Spinach is a very healthy smoothie ingredient because it’s beneficial for eye and skin health, digestion and strengthening immunity.

Ingredients Needed

These are the ingredients you will need to make this vegan matcha smoothie.

Matcha powder: Use culinary grade matcha powder for smoothies.

Spinach: Wash the leaves free of any dirt before adding to the blender.

Frozen mango: Creates the thick, creamy base of the smoothie and adds a mild tropical flavour.

Oat milk: The liquid that brings all of the other ingredients together to blend smoothly and adds a creamy consistency.

For ingredient amounts and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Benefits

Hydrating

Staying properly hydrated is a basic requirement for optimal health. By incorporating daily smoothies you can maintain your ideal hydration level more easily. Start each morning with a smoothie for easy hydration!

High fibre

Easily get more fibre in your every day diet! In addition to being generally healthy, getting enough fibre can be extremely helpful for weight loss as it helps keep you feeling full for longer, without adding calories. Fibre also helps improve our gut health.

Nutrient dense

Vegan smoothies are a great way to get more nutrient rich foods in each day. By blending them into a single meal, it’s super quick, easy and fun! Choose ingredients like dark leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds and fruits to make your smoothies nutrient rich.

Variations

Make it sweeter

For a boost of sweetness add 2-3 medjool dates. Be certain the pits have been removed before adding to the blender. Another easy sweetener option is to add 1-2 tablespoons of agave or date syrup.

Try an alternative plant milk

This recipe uses oat milk but you can try using any plant based milk you prefer. Some alternatives include soy, almond or cashew! You can also make your own plant milk from scratch.

Adjust the consistency

If you prefer a thicker consistency you can try the recipe using a bit less liquid than what is suggested. If you want a thinner consistency, try adding a bit of extra liquid to the recipe.

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to blender.

• Start blending at low speed for 5-10 seconds. Increase to high speed and blend for 1-2 minutes. Use the blender tamper to push ingredients down towards the blades.

• Pour into a glass and serve your vegan matcha smoothie.

Prep & Blending

Use frozen greens

Dark leafy greens can boost your smoothies nutritional content easily. Greens don’t have to be fresh for blending. Frozen greens like kale and spinach are perfect for adding into smoothie recipes. Be aware that if you want your smoothie to be a certain colour, greens may alter it.

Use a tamper

Push ingredients down towards the blades while blending using the tamper that comes with your blender. This helps to avoid thick smoothies from getting stuck, so you don’t have to stop blending and scrape down the sides of the container.

Don’t over blend

Try to blend your smoothie for less than a couple of minutes. If blended for too long, even thick smoothies will become thin. This is because the heat generated by the blades and motor of the blender heat up your ingredients while they are being blended.

Use a high power blender

For smoothies that have a perfectly smooth and creamy texture use a high powered blender such as a Vitamix. It can break down any ingredients to much finer particles than standard blenders, and more nutrients are released. A high speed blender also reduces the time you need to blend your recipe, which helps keep it nice and cold.

Chill your glass

By placing your smoothie glass in the freezer for a few moments you can help your smoothie stay cool for longer. This is especially helpful if you’re in a hot climate. Pop it into the freezer while you are prepping and blending, then take it out when it’s time to pour your finished smoothie!

FAQ’s

Does this matcha smoothie taste like grass?

This vegan matcha smoothie has an earthy taste but in a good way. If you like the flavour of matcha tea you will find it very enjoyable. It has a subtle tropical hint to it from the mango, and is not overly sweet. Oat milk balances out the other ingredients with a creamy, mild flavour.

Can I lose weight with smoothies?

Smoothies are an excellent weight loss food! This is because they are generally lower calorie and higher in fibre and nutrients. Due to high water content, the large volume of a smoothie helps your stomach to feel satiated. And the fibre keeps you feeling full for longer, without feeling weighed down or tired like a huge meal would.

Can smoothies be refrigerated?

Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately after blending, while they are freshest. However you can refrigerate most smoothies for 1-2 days in an airtight container such as a jar.

Can I make smoothies without a high speed blender?

Yes, you can still make smoothies with a regular blender. It might take more patience depending on the recipe, but it can work. Turn off the blender to scrape down the sides of the container, and secure the lid before continuing to blend. Repeat as needed. Alternatively you can add a small amount of additional liquid to the recipe, which should help.

How can I increase the protein?

If you wish for your smoothie to have a higher protein content, you can simply add (more) protein powder to the recipe. Plain unsweetened plant based protein will work in any smoothie. Alternatively you can try adding hemp seeds or even silken tofu.

Related

Vegan Matcha Protein Smoothie

White Chocolate Matcha Smoothie Bowl

Mint Chocolate Protein Smoothie (No Banana)

Strawberry Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie

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