Matcha Protein Shake

Packed with protein, this matcha protein shake is made with matcha, spinach, and protein powder for a nourishing, filling way to start your day.

Includes simple swaps to easily make this nut-free, paleo and vegan friendly!

about this matcha protein shake recipe

If you feel like you’re a little late to the matcha party, not to worry, this simple breakfast shake will help you fall in love with the earthy green tea in no time!

If you haven’t tried matcha before, it’s a Japanese green tea powder made from finely powdered dried tea leaves.

So just like green tea, matcha is high in antioxidants and naturally caffeinated (but definitely less than your morning cup of coffee or black tea does).

This means it can give you stable energy without the crash, making it a great, quick breakfast shake to fuel your day.

I enjoy a healthy smoothie most mornings and this lightly sweet, creamy banana matcha protein shake is a new favorite in my weekly rotation, but it also make a great snack or afternoon pick-me-up!

how to make smoothies & shakes with staying power

When it comes to filling smoothies, Kelly LeVeque, a guest on the Feel Good Effect podcast a number of times, talks about about the benefit of her Fab Four Smoothie method.

Her method involves adding fiber, fat, and protein to a smoothie to keep blood sugar stability stable and keeps you filled up for hours.

So I wanted to create some shake options for you using her formula as a base!

It’s important to note the Kelly typically advises keeping the fruit amount low, so feel free to use less banana in this smoothie to make it a true Fab Four option.

The powerhouse combination of fiber, fat and protein in this smoothie makes it more filling and satiating than a smoothie that’s only fruit-based or a shake that only has protein powder & water.

The fiber in this smoothie comes in the form of the banana, spinach, and flax seed.

The fat comes in the form of the ground flax seed and almond milk.

And the protein can be found both in the ground flax seed and the protein powder.

process & tips for making this matcha protein shake

All you need to do is add all your ingredients to a blender and let it work it’s magic.

Before you know it you’ll be sipping on a delicious, nutrient dense protein shake!

Note, this vegan matcha smoothie is only slightly sweet from the natural sweetness of the banana and the vanilla protein powder. 

So be sure to use a protein powder that you like the taste of!

For a sweeter shake option you can add 2 teaspoons of pure maple syrup or 1-2 pitted dates before blending.

ingredients & modifications

Matcha powder: If you haven’t tried matcha before, it’s a Japanese green tea powder made from finely powdered dried tea leaves. Look for culinary grade matcha in the tea & coffee aisle at your local natural foods store, or find it online.

Frozen banana: You can also use fresh banana in place of frozen banana in this recipe. The banana adds some natural sweetness to the smoothie.

Baby spinach: I like to use tender, non-bitter greens for smoothies. But you can use any greens you like that blend easily and work well with these other ingredients. Some baby kale would work well in addition to (or in place of) spinach here, too.

Unsweetened milk of choice: Any milk will work great in this recipe. I used almond milk, but you can also use cashew milk or traditional milk instead. For a nut-free option try hemp milk, coconut milk or oat milk. If you like a thinner consistency in your smoothies, add more milk.

Ground flax seed: Ground flax seed adds fiber and a dose of plant-based protein. I find it easier to use ground flax seed but you could also add whole flax seeds if you have a high speed blender.

Vanilla protein powder: You can use any protein powder you like the taste of. To keep this recipe vegan friendly, be sure to use a plant-based. To keep this recipe paleo friendly, be sure to use a grain-free and dairy-free protein powder.

Tip: If using fresh banana in place of frozen, be sure to add ice to the blender for better texture.

more easy smoothie recipes

Pink Smoothie

Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

Sour Apple Smoothie

Cacao Smoothie

Berry Protein Smoothie

Sweet Potato Smoothie

Pineapple Cucumber Smoothie 

Pear Smoothie

Banana Walnut Smoothie

Glowing Green Smoothie

Cranberry Smoothie

this recipe is…

Dairy FreeGluten FreeNut FreePaleoVeganVegetarian

I hope you’ll make this easy Matcha Protein Shake recipe soon.

If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

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