Dreamy Matcha Bowl Recipe

There are mornings when I just need a comforting bowl of goodness to ease me into my day and that’s when I turn to this Matcha Bowl Recipe.  It never lets me down.  The dreamy flavor combination of tropical coconut, banana, mango and pineapple, plus creamy yogurt and a hint of citrus freshness makes this gorgeously green matcha bowl recipe deliciously nutritious to eat.

Since we eat with our eyes, smoothie bowls really make a statement and are a great way to make your breakfast more visually appealing and therefore more appetizing.  Whether you are making this for yourself, serving it up for your overnight guests or finding new ways to get the kids involved with eating healthily, this bowl of delicious nutrition will not let you down. 

It also makes a great post-workout recovery meal.  It’s loaded with electrolytes, protein and nutrients that will aid your recovery by easing aching joints and rebuilding damaged muscle tissue. 

What is Matcha?

Originating from Japan, matcha is a fine green powder ground from the leaves of green tea plants.  Matcha is known to contain a high concentrate of antioxidants due to the method that is used to farm and harvest the leaves of the tea plants.   This is great news from a health viewpoint, as antioxidants are known to reduce cell damage and lower the risk of some diseases.   

If you’re looking for a ‘pick-me-up’ and an alternative to coffee then Matcha could become your new go-to. It does contain caffeine but impressively it also contains a compound amino acid called L-theanine, which is said to alter how the caffeine affects us. So whilst it can help to improve our attention, memory and reaction time in the same way that caffeine does, the L-theanine has a calming effect. This enables us to feel alert but helps to avoid the slump in energy levels that we sometimes feel after drinking an excessive amount of coffee.   

The popularity of matcha continues to soar.  It’s used as an ingredient in hot and cold drinks as well as savoury dishes, desserts and breakfasts such as this fabulous matcha bowl recipe.

What Ingredients Should I Use for my Matcha Bowl Recipe?

I’ve used a combination of tropical fruits plus colorful and nutritious berries, nuts, and seeds to decorate the top in this matcha bowl.  Feel free to let your imagination run riot and change the ingredients up to make the recipe as appealing as you like.  Use what’s in season, what you enjoy eating, and what you have available in your fridge or store cupboard. 

If you are planning to free-style your matcha bowl it’s worth considering the ratio of liquid to fruit to ensure you get the right consistency.  You want a luscious creamy texture and something that is dense enough for your toppings to lay on top rather than sinking.  Here are a few ideas to consider:

Start by deciding what liquid to use as a base for your smoothie bowl.  Oat, almond, coconut or dairy milk are all great choices.  Each will add a slightly different flavor and of course may need consideration depending on your dietary requirements. 

For extra creaminess you could substitute some of the milk for yoghurt.  I always suggest Greek yoghurt for it’s delicious creaminess and high protein content, but non-dairy alternatives are widely available from the chiller isle in supermarkets and delis these days.  Cashew or coconut yoghurt are especially delicious.  Cashew yoghurt has a more nutty flavour and creamier texture than coconut.  And coconut yoghurt tastes, well, coconutty.

You then need to decide what delicious fruits to add.  Think about what’s in season and what you already have at home in your fridge or freezer.  I do love eating with the seasons and try to buy fresh when I can.  But there are always times when a recipe will call for an ingredient that’s not in season and quite honestly, life is too short to wait until it comes available.  That’s where frozen fruits come into their own. 

For smoothie bowls it’s better to use frozen fruit anyway as this will help to give the creamy thick consistency you need.  Using frozen fruit also helps to prevent ice crystals that you sometimes get with using ice cubes.   

I find that having a stash of frozen fruit means that you’ll be able to whip up a smoothie bowl or smoothie at a moments’ notice no matter what the season.  They take zero preparation as all the chopping has already been done for you and they retain almost all of their nutrients.  Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, mango and pineapple are my go-to.  Any combination of these is great.

I’m yet to come across frozen bananas from a supermarket probably because they are so mainstream and widely available to buy.  I do always peel, chop and freeze bananas for a couple of hours beforehand when I’m using them in a smoothie bowl.  Again, they just help to firm up the smoothie bowl and add a creamy texture as well as a delicious mouth-feel.

You can add matcha powder as I have done for an added boost of nutrients.  Often I’ll add a scoop of good quality protein powder if I’m making a post-workout smoothie bowl.  I’ve also heard that blue or green spirulina can be added too.

For me the toppings are the best part of your smoothie bowl.  They add colour, texture, flavour, nutrition and fun!  Here’s where you can let your imagination go wild!  Here are some of my favorites:

Fresh fruit and berries

Oats

Flax seeds or ground flax (Also known as linseeds)

Chia seeds

Pumpkins seeds

Sunflower seeds

Poppy seeds

Almonds

Walnuts

Hazelnuts

Cacao nibs or dark chocolate nibs

Coconut flakes

Edible flowers

If you want to add sweetness or to enhance the flavour of your smoothie bowl you could add a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract or perhaps a teaspoon of honey, maple syrup or stevia.  I try to avoid adding sweetness to my smoothie bowl and rely more on the sweetness of the fruit.  If you are accustomed to eating sweet food and want or need to reduce the amount you eat then try reducing your consumption over a gradual period.  It is possible to wean yourself off sugary foods and sweeteners to a point where you just don’t desire them anymore.

More Delicious Smoothie Bowl Recipes

Smoothie bowls are a joy to eat and such fun to make. Bring out your creative side by going wild with the toppings or keep it simple with a few oats and a handful of chopped nuts. The choice really is all yours. If you like the soothing bowl of goodness that is my delicious Matcha Bowl then why not try this tropical taste sensation – my Passionfruit Smoothie Bowl with Mango and Pineapple?

Matcha Bowl Recipe