Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a fresh and festive way with this Matcha Parfait! Layers of creamy green smoothie, nutrient-packed matcha chia pudding, and fun toppings like kiwi and bee pollen come together for a delicious, naturally green dessert or snack. This treat is beautiful and packed with nutrients and healthy fats, which makes it the perfect alternative to artificially dyed treats.
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a finely ground green tea powder made from specially grown tea leaves, known for its vibrant color and unique flavor. Originating from Japan, it’s packed with antioxidants, making it a favorite for those seeking health benefits from their beverages or desserts. Beyond traditional matcha tea, it has become a versatile ingredient in recipes like smoothies, baked goods, and even matcha ice cream, a creamy, popular dessert that highlights its earthy, slightly sweet taste.
Why You’ll Love This Matcha Parfait Recipe
I’ve been saying this for years — St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday where everyone expects green food. And do not think I am talking about those offensive green bagels from the local bakery. Green food dye is out of the question, healthy friends. You have a huge opportunity to get spinach and avocado into smoothies and no one will think it’s weird!
Since St. Patrick’s Day is all about embracing green, this recipe lets you do that naturally! Forget about food dyes and instead enjoy the beautiful hue and subtle matcha flavor that comes from using finely ground green tea leaves. I love combining textures—smooth, creamy, crunchy, juicy—and this parfait is no exception. Plus, this healthy St. Patrick’s Day dessert is endlessly customizable, making it a favorite for both adults and kids. With its vibrant layers and wholesome ingredients, this healthy snack is as fun to make as it is to eat!
Ingredient Notes
For the Matcha Chia Pudding
- Unsweetened almond milk: Homemade is my favorite, but store-bought works too. You can also use coconut milk. Use oat milk if you’re nut-free.
- Dates or sweetener of choice: Dates are a natural sweetener. Feel free to use stevia or any type of sweetener you enjoy or have on hand. Adjust based on your preferences.
- Matcha powder: Use high-quality matcha for the best flavor and color.
- Chia seeds: The base of this pudding, offering omega-3s, fiber, and a satisfying texture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds to the flavor of the pudding.
For the Green Smoothie Layer
- Frozen banana: Creates a creamy texture, like soft-serve ice cream.
- Kale or spinach: Adds nutrients and a mild flavor. Spinach is more subtle, while kale offers a slightly stronger taste.
- Vanilla extract
- Unsweetened almond milk: This serves as the liquid base for blending the smoothie, creating a creamy consistency without adding extra sweetness. Feel free to substitute with your preferred milk.
- Ice: Helps thicken the texture, making it more like soft-serve ice cream.
- Optional add-ins: Frozen cauliflower, avocado, or hemp seeds for extra creaminess and nutrients.
For Toppings
- Bee pollen: Adds a crunchy, golden “pot of gold” touch—perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.
- Kiwi: Offers a juicy, tangy bite and contrast to the creamy layers.
For exact ingredient amounts and instructions, see the printable recipe card below.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make the Matcha Chia Pudding
Step 1: Blend almond milk, dates, and vanilla until smooth. Strain if you need to.
Step 2: Add matcha powder and chia seeds to a container. Stir in the almond milk mixture, dissolving the matcha and breaking up any clumps of chia seeds.
Step 3: Let sit for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.
Make the Smoothie Layer
Step 4: Combine frozen banana, kale or spinach, vanilla, and almond milk in a high-powered blender.
Step 5: Blend the ingredients until they are smooth and creamy, adjusting liquid as needed for a consistency like soft-serve ice cream.
Assemble the Parfait
Step 6: Divide the smoothie mixture into glasses or jars.
Step 7: Layer the matcha pudding on top.
Step 8: Garnish with diced kiwi and a sprinkle of bee pollen for a festive, nutritious touch.
Expert Tips
- Use a matcha tea powder that’s high in quality. The better the matcha, the brighter the green and the smoother the flavor.
- The pudding can be made up to two days in advance, making assembly quick and easy.
- For a creamier smoothie layer, use a high-powered blender like a Vitamix and add just enough liquid to keep it moving.
Serving Tips
This works perfectly to serve during breakfast or a midday snack. Serve the parfait in clear glasses or jars to showcase the vibrant, eye-catching layers. For the freshest look and texture, add the toppings just before serving. You can use any fresh fruit as toppings, such as fresh strawberries or blueberries, though they won’t align with the green theme.
To create a festive St. Patrick’s Day spread, pair the parfait with other green-themed recipes like green breakfast cookies, green muffins or a creamy matcha latte.
Storage Tips
The pudding will last for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. The smoothie layer is best prepared fresh for the creamiest texture, but any leftovers can be frozen in an ice cube tray and blended later for a quick and convenient option.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! This recipe is naturally vegan as long as you use a plant-based milk and skip the bee pollen.
Yes! Try spirulina or moringa powder for a similar green hue and nutrient boost.
Make sure the matcha pudding is well-chilled and thickened before you layer it on top of the smoothie. Use a spoon to gently layer it to maintain the clean lines.
Yes, try maple syrup, honey (if not vegan), or a few drops of liquid stevia as an alternative.
The chia pudding can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. While the smoothie layer is best made fresh for the creamiest texture, you can freeze the blended smoothie mixture in an ice cube tray and re-blend it when ready to assemble. Add the toppings right before serving for the freshest taste.
More Chia Seed Recipes
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Matcha Tea Parfait Recipe
Ingredients
- For the matcha chia pudding:
- 1 ¼ cups unsweetened almond milk, preferably homemade
- 3 pitted dates or sweetener of choice, to taste (optional)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon matcha powder
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- For the green smoothie bowl, one suggestion, feel free to use your favorite:
- 2 cups frozen banana pieces
- 1 cup chopped kale, stems removed or spinach leaves
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ – ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice, you just want enough to get the blender/Vitamix going – Vitamix will need less
- a handful of ice if your almond milk is sweetened
- You can also add extras to your smoothie like a few pieces of frozen, cooked cauliflower, hempseeds, ½ an avocado
- Fun Toppings for St. Patrick’s Day: bee pollen and diced, peeled kiwi
Instructions
- To make the chia pudding: Place almond milk, dates, and vanilla in blender and process until dates are pulverized. A Vitamix does a great job with this. If your blender leaves the dates too chunky, you can strain the mixture before adding it to the chia seeds.
- Add matcha powder and chia seeds to a medium container and add almond milk mixture. Stir immediately to dissolve matcha and loosen up chia seeds. Allow to sit on countertop and stir every 5 minutes so you don’t end up with blobs of chia seeds. After 15 minutes, it should have thickened.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour. I usually do this the night before. Stays in the fridge for as long as your almond milk would.
- Place all smoothie ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or Vitamix or other high-powered blender. Add almond milk and vanilla. Process until smooth and creamy. I find that the food processor needs a little more liquid and a few more seconds to achieve the desired consistency, which is like soft serve ice cream.
- Divide the smooothie mixture into short glasses or wide-mouthed jars. Top with chia pudding. And garnish with diced, peeled kiwi and a sprinkling of bee pollen.
Notes
- Use a matcha tea powder that’s high in quality. The better the matcha, the brighter the green and the smoother the flavor.
- The pudding can be made up to two days in advance, making assembly quick and easy.
- For a creamier smoothie layer, use a high-powered blender like a Vitamix and add just enough liquid to keep it moving.
- The pudding will last for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. The smoothie layer is best prepared fresh for the creamiest texture, but any leftovers can be frozen in an ice cube tray and blended later for a quick and convenient option.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
How do I know what the best brand of organic match tea? I am looking on Amazon…I read purchasing in the tin is better.
Pique and My Encha are my favorites!
Love Love all these yummy looking recipes! Cant wait to try them!!! Miss you! Love, Peggy
Thanks, lady! xoxo