Banana Matcha Latte: The Viral Breakfast Recipe

Read time: ±4 minutes | Last updated: May 2026

The banana matcha latte is the drink that has taken over your social media feed, and rightly so. A creamy base of blended banana and oat milk, topped with a layer of bright green ceremonial matcha. It tastes like a milkshake, but without the sugar, dairy, or guilt. Naturally sweet thanks to the banana, full of flavor thanks to the matcha, and ready in 5 minutes.

We make this recipe with ceremonial Unmatched Matcha from Kagoshima. Its mild umami pairs surprisingly well with the creamy sweetness of banana. The result is a drink that is simultaneously breakfast, latte, and treat.

At a glance

Ingredients

For the banana base:

• 1 ripe banana (the riper, the sweeter)

• 100 ml cold oat milk (or almond milk)

For the matcha layer:

• 2 grams of ceremonial Unmatched Matcha (approx. 1 teaspoon)

• 40 ml warm water (70 to 80 °C)

For the glass:

• 100 ml extra cold oat milk

• A generous handful of ice cubes

• Optional: pinch of cinnamon or vanilla extract

Preparation: step by step

Step 1: Blend the banana base

1. Peel the banana and break it into pieces.

2. Add the banana pieces and 100 ml of cold oat milk to a blender.

3. Blend for 15 to 20 seconds until a smooth, creamy paste forms. This is your banana base.

Pro tip: Always use a ripe banana. A ripe banana has brown spots on the skin and is naturally sweeter. Unripe bananas give a less sweet and slightly bitter result. Tip: peel overripe bananas and freeze them for later use; they are perfect for this recipe.

Step 2: Make the matcha shot

1. Sift 2 grams of Unmatched Matcha into a wide bowl or shot glass.

2. Add 40 ml of warm water (70 to 80 °C, never boiling).

3. Whisk with a chasen (bamboo whisk), milk frother, or fork until a smooth, frothy paste forms.

4. Let the matcha shot cool for 1 to 2 minutes.

Pro tip: No chasen? A milk frother or shaker bottle works perfectly for this recipe too.

Step 3: Build the layers

1. Pour the banana base into a tall glass (approx. 350 to 400 ml).

2. Add a generous handful of ice cubes.

3. Slowly pour the extra 100 ml of cold oat milk over the ice.

4. Mix the cooled matcha shot with a splash of cold milk and slowly pour this as the final layer on top.

5. Optional: sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or matcha powder over the top layer.

Pro tip: Slowly pour each layer over the back of a spoon for the most beautiful layer separation: creamy yellow on the bottom, white in the middle, bright green on top.

The result: creamy, sweet, green

If everything goes well (and it will, this recipe is almost impossible to ruin), you now have a glass with a creamy banana base, a cold milk layer, and a bright green matcha top layer. Stir everything together before drinking. The flavors meld into a creamy, naturally sweet drink with the characteristic umami depth of ceremonial matcha.

It is breakfast and latte in one. The banana provides slow-release carbohydrates and potassium; the matcha provides caffeine, L-theanine, and EGCG. Together, you have energy for the entire morning, without the sugar crash.

Nutritional values (approximate)

Zero grams of added sugar. All sweetness comes from the banana. With almond milk instead of oat milk, you’re around 130 kcal.

3 variations on the banana matcha latte

Banana matcha smoothie bowl. Use a frozen banana and less milk (50 ml) for a thicker consistency. Pour it into a bowl and top with granola, chia seeds, and a drizzle of matcha. Breakfast in bowl form.

Warm banana matcha latte. Heat the oat milk, blend the banana into it, and add the matcha shot. Stir everything together. Perfect for cold mornings. The banana provides a natural creaminess that you cannot replicate with foam.

Banana peanut butter matcha. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut butter to the blender with the banana base. The peanut butter adds protein and a nutty flavor that works surprisingly well with the umami of matcha. Approx. 250 kcal, a full meal replacement.

Tips for the perfect result

Use ceremonial matcha. In this recipe without added sugar, you immediately taste the quality of the matcha. Culinary grade matcha tastes too bitter here compared to the soft sweetness of the banana. Ceremonial Unmatched Matcha provides the full, soft umami that makes this recipe complete.

Ripe banana is essential. The riper, the sweeter and creamier. Bananas with brown spots on the skin are ideal. Green bananas give a stiff, less sweet result.

Frozen banana for extra creaminess. Peel the banana, cut into pieces, and freeze for at least 2 hours. The frozen pieces provide a thicker, milkshake-like texture and make the drink colder without extra ice.

Lots of ice. The ice keeps the layers separate and the drink cold. Without ice, the layers will mix immediately.

More matcha recipes? Check out the iced pink matcha latte, the coconut matcha cloud, and the mango matcha latte.

Why banana and matcha go so well together

Quick answer: Banana brings creamy sweetness and slow-release carbohydrates that balance the umami of matcha. The combination provides stable energy without a sugar crash: caffeine + L-theanine for mental focus, banana + fiber for physical energy.

The combination works on two levels. Flavor-wise, the natural sweetness and creaminess of banana dampens any potential bitterness from the matcha, while the umami of matcha adds depth and complexity to the banana. It’s the same logic as banana with peanut butter or banana with chocolate: sweet and savory enhance each other.

Nutrition-wise, they complement each other perfectly. The banana provides slow-release carbohydrates and potassium (good for muscles and blood pressure), and the matcha provides caffeine, L-theanine, and EGCG (good for focus, energy, and antioxidant protection). Together, you have a drink that keeps you going all morning long, without the crash of a sugar-laden smoothie.

Frequently asked questions

What is a banana matcha latte?

A banana matcha latte is a layered cold drink with a blended banana base, cold milk, and a matcha top layer. It combines the creamy sweetness of banana with the umami of ceremonial matcha. You make it in 5 minutes with 5 ingredients, without added sugar.

Which banana is best to use?

A ripe banana with brown spots on the skin. The riper it is, the sweeter and creamier the result. For a thicker, milkshake-like texture, use a frozen banana.

Can I drink this as a breakfast replacement?

Yes. A banana matcha latte contains approximately 150 to 180 kcal, 32 to 38 grams of carbohydrates, 64 mg of caffeine, and 400 mg of potassium. Add a tablespoon of peanut butter or chia seeds for extra protein and fiber if you want it as a full breakfast.

Which milk pairs best with this recipe?

Oat milk is the most popular choice: creamy and neutral. Almond milk is lower in calories. Coconut milk adds a tropical note. All three work well.

Can I make this recipe warm?

Yes. Heat the oat milk, blend the banana into it, and add the matcha shot. Stir everything together. The warm version is creamier and more comforting, perfect for cold mornings.

Breakfast in a glass

The banana matcha latte is proof that a healthy breakfast doesn’t have to be difficult. Five ingredients, five minutes, zero grams of added sugar. A banana you already have in the fruit bowl, matcha you are already drinking, and oat milk you already have in the fridge. That’s all you need.

And the best part: it tastes like a treat but nourishes like a meal. Stable energy until lunch, without the crash, without the guilt. Try it tomorrow morning.

Order ceremonial Unmatched Matcha and make your first banana matcha latte tomorrow morning. Free shipping in the Netherlands on orders over €50.