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20 Matcha Recipes You Must Try At Home

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by Namiko Hirasawa Chen. Updated November 5, 2024
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Love matcha green tea? From creamy lattes to irresistible cookies, tiramisu, and weekend waffles, here are my favorite matcha recipes to enjoy any day or for a special treat.

White cups containing Matcha Latte with a turip latte art.

20 Matcha Recipes You Must Try at Home

Matcha is a long-standing staple in Japan that never goes out of style. With its vibrant green hue, earthy aroma, and versatility, it’s an exceptional ingredient in both traditional tea and modern Japanese sweets.

As someone who grew up with matcha as part of daily life in Japan, I’ve rounded up my favorite matcha recipes for you to enjoy—whether it’s a relaxing latte or a special dessert. Let’s bring on the matcha magic!

Nami’s Tips on Making the Best Matcha Recipes

Use high-quality matcha: For the best results, choose matcha imported from Japan, where the processing and grinding are consistent. Look for a vibrant green color and a fresh, grassy aroma, which are signs of quality.

Know your grades:
- Ceremonial grade – Best for drinking straight, whisked with hot water.
- Culinary grade – Ideal for baking, cooking, lattes, and smoothies. Quality still matters for flavor and color.

Store and use promptly: Once opened, store in an airtight container away from light and heat, and use within a month for the best taste and color.
Where to buy: I get mine from Ippodo Tea Co. (一保堂) in Kyoto. In the US, you can also find pure matcha at Mitsuwa, Marukai, Nijiya, specialty tea shops, or major stores like Costco, Whole Foods, and Target. When buying online, check that it’s 100% matcha powder with no additives.

Learn more in my Matcha (Green Tea Powder) pantry page.

If you try any of my matcha recipes below and enjoy them, please leave a comment and let me know your favorite!

White cups containing Matcha Latte with a turip latte art.

Matcha Latte

4.84 from 72 votes

Learn how to make a creamy and frothy cup of homemade Matcha Latte! This steaming hot beverage with green tea powder and your choice of dairy or plant-based milk (oat, soy, or almond milk) is packed with antioxidants and tastes better than Starbucks.

“Thank you for this recipe! I’ve been making matcha lattes for a while but wanted to improve it and this definitely did that” — Julia

Tall glass cups containing Iced Matcha Latte.

Iced Matcha Latte

4.88 from 33 votes

Iced Matcha Latte takes just minutes to make but will keep you energized all day long. Learn how to make this ice-cold beverage at home that tastes better than Starbucks.

A black plate containing matcha green tea cookies.

Matcha Cookies

4.79 from 672 votes

Buttery and brimming with a sweet, earthy flavor, these Matcha Green Tea Cookies are perfect for a cozy afternoon snack or a holiday cookie swap. I added white chocolate chips to create a fun visual contrast with the cookies' green hue, but feel free to leave them out.

“This is my all-time favorite cookie recipe. Matcha isn’t very popular in my country, so these always satisfy my cravings for it. And I get a ton of smiles when I hand them out too.” — SRD

Seven matcha muffins in brown paper wrappers are arranged on a white plate. Four muffins have white icing drizzled on top, while the other three are plain. The scene is bright and inviting, with a hint of a coffee cup and utensils nearby.

Matcha Muffins

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These Matcha Muffins are soft, fluffy, and vibrant green with the earthy aroma of green tea powder. They’re lightly sweet, perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea. Drizzle them with icing or enjoy them plain—their delicate flavor shines either way.

A Matcha Basque Burnt Cheesecake on top of the parchment paper.

Matcha Basque Burnt Cheesecake

4.71 from 191 votes

Basque cheesecake with matcha? Yes, please! This custardy cheesecake delights with a lingering, sweet green tea flavor you won’t be able to resist.

“I have made it several times over the last month, so I can master it but also because the family always want more! One week I even made it twice. Thanks for all your tips.” — Jenny

A few slices of matcha marble pound cake served on a wooden board.

Matcha Marble Pound Cake

4.83 from 273 votes

All my friends and family agree that this Matcha Marble Pound Cake is always a crowd-pleaser. It tastes even better the next day, so be sure to make it ahead of time!

” I am very happy with how this turned out. It’s tender and moist but not overly greasy or buttery like some other recipes. The taste is really exquisite. It has a subtle but deep flavor. I used ceremonial-grade matcha that’s sweet and not bitter, and I think the higher quality makes a huge difference in the outcome.” — Kumi

A Madeleine pan containing matcha green tea madeleines dusted with powdered sugar.

Matcha Madeleines

4.84 from 54 votes

Classic French cookies with a Japanese twist, these Matcha Madeleines make a dreamy sweet treat. Enjoy them with friends over a cup of Japanese tea, such as sencha, hojicha, or genmaicha.

Glasses containing Green Tea Smoothie.

Matcha Smoothie

4.84 from 25 votes

Start your morning with this delicious and refreshing Matcha Smoothie made with banana, almond milk, and green tea powder.

“Another delicious recipe Nami, all ingredients blends well and complements each other.” –Lesley

A Japanese kutaniware bowl containing matcha green tea ice cream served with wooden spoon.

Matcha Ice Cream

4.83 from 291 votes

The best matcha ice cream strikes the perfect balance of earthy, sweet, and slightly bitter notes. I’ll show you how to make matcha ice cream just like the premium ones you’d find in Japan—using only four simple ingredients

“It’s been hard to find matcha ice cream in UK grocery stores and I’m so glad I came across this recipe. WOW, amazing flavor and such an easy-to-follow recipe.” – Jane

A black plate containing 3 matcha souffle pancakes with fresh whipped cream and maple syrup on the side.

Matcha Soufflé Pancakes

4.76 from 74 votes

These matcha pancakes are incredibly airy and fluffy, like eating cottony clouds! Top them with homemade whipped cream, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a final sprinkle of matcha powder for the perfect finish.

“Very tasty recipe! The instructions were very thorough and clear too, which I appreciated.” – Macy

A Japanese plate containing matcha chocolate.

Matcha Chocolate

4.81 from 71 votes

Now you can recreate one of Japan’s most popular souvenirs at home with this decadent Matcha Chocolate recipe. It’s one of my favorite edible gifts to bring to friends and neighbors, leaving a lasting impression.

“Wow! I’m forever grateful for this recipe… I still can’t get over the fact how easy this was and how well it turned out.” – Romy

White ceramic plates containing a slice of matcha Swiss roll.

Matcha Swiss Roll (Roll Cake)

4.84 from 270 votes

Fluffy sponge cake filled with a swirl of fresh matcha cream, and it's hard to stop at just one slice. To achieve the perfect texture, be careful not to overmix the batter.

“As an aspiring culinary student, I honestly really enjoyed this recipe the two times I made it. I’m ready for round 3.” – Stephen S

matcha tiramisu cake made with soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone custard filling.

Matcha Tiramisu

4.81 from 160 votes

This is my Japanese twist on the classic Italian dessert. If you love tiramisu, you are going to fall head over heels for this one.

“This is honestly just one of the best desserts I’ve ever eaten in my life. I’ve always been a fan of tiramisu, and normally I prefer to keep it as its traditional thing (or else it turns into something else, surely?!). But, but, but…This is otherworldly.” – runawateater

Matcha Checkerboard Cookies on a wire rack.

Matcha Checkerboard Cookies

4.69 from 104 votes

Get in a festive mood with these stunning Matcha Checkerboard Cookies. Crisp and light with a subtle green tea powder flavor, these beautiful shortbread cookies practically melt in your mouth. Anyone can make them! They're perfect to share at a cookie swap or party.

Matcha and Warabi Mochi

How to Make Matcha (Japanese Green Tea)

4.63 from 27 votes

High in antioxidants, Matcha green tea offers many great health benefits and calming effects. Drinking this beloved Japanese tea could be your new morning routine. Learn how to make a perfect cup of Matcha (Japanese Green Tea) at home!

“I learned a great deal from your thoughtful article and the way you presented the matcha recipe.” – Tony

Green tea chiffon cake served on a white plate.

Matcha Chiffon Cake

4.81 from 120 votes

I love serving this chiffon cake for a crowd because it’s light and airy. It keeps well in the fridge, so I usually bake it ahead of time.

“Loved this cake, served it with fruit and cream. It was a hit!” – Mary

A wooden plate containing matcha green tea steamed cakes.

Matcha Steamed Cake

4.96 from 46 votes

Steamed Cake, or Mushi Pan (蒸しパン), is a light, fluffy, and soft cake, and because they are steamed, these Green Tea Mushi Pan make a wonderful snack for little kids.

“I have made this recipe about 30 times, its super easy to make and is delicious.” – Brad

A black plate containing a slice of Matcha Gateau au Chocolat dusted with powdered sugar.

Matcha Gateau au Chocolat

4.68 from 46 votes

This Matcha Gateau au Chocolat is a Japanese take on the classic French chocolate cake, made with white chocolate and green tea. It’s rich, moist, and packed with flavor. Warm it up slightly before serving—the melty texture is irresistible!

“Made this cake last weekend for my son’s birthday. It was a big success, we all enjoyed it so much.” – Helen S

A plate of matcha waffles is served with halved strawberries and blueberries on a rustic wooden table. The waffles are arranged on decorative paper, with coffee and more waffles visible in the background.

Matcha Mochi Waffles

4.88 from 8 votes

Level up your weekend brunch with my snowflake-shaped Matcha Mochi Waffles. With lovely matcha and caramelized sugar, they're crispy on the outside and delightfully chewy and bouncy inside for a truly irresistible sensation.

A wooden plate containing matcha donuts.

Matcha Donuts

4.87 from 23 votes

These wildly popular Matcha Donuts are downright addictive! I bake mine at home to make them a bit healthier, and you can skip the chocolate glaze if you prefer a less sweet treat.

“OMG they are so good!” – Charity

A glass containing matcha pudding with whipped cream.

Matcha Pudding

4.86 from 48 votes

Smooth and delicate, my triple-layered Matcha Pudding with Japanese red bean paste is easier to make than you think. I love serving it as an after-dinner dessert for a small crowd.

“This is now my favorite gelatin dessert! So easy to make and taste sooooo good!” – Agnes