Matcha Granola (Gluten Free + Vegan)
This Matcha Granola has clusters of oats, coconut flakes, almonds, and pepitas tossed with earthy matcha powder. Whether you enjoy it over yogurt or by the handful, this gluten free and vegan granola probably won’t last long.
Hi from the sky! I’m currently cruising at over 10,000 feet in the air, en route from Seattle to San Francisco for a few days to spend time with my sister and my mom. I spend a lot of time on airplanes – I’m probably on a plane at least once a month, and it’s some of my most productive work time.
With my earbuds in, music blasting, and no chance for distraction via Facebook or Instagram or a phone call from one of my parents, I can focus and get more work done in the hours while I’m hurtling through the air at unnatural speeds than I can in the same amount of time sitting at home, at my desk.
Being cut off from the world does wonders for my focus…except for that one time that the guy sitting next to me decided it was his personal duty to make comments on all the photos I was editing, and kept leaning over to give me grammar tips while he watched me write. It was not appreciated – personal space is already limited on planes, bro.
Thankfully, the girl next to me is happily passed out with not a care in the world about what I’m doing, or editing, or writing (and damn, that would’ve been awkward to write if she had been reading it, huh?). On that note, let’s talk about matcha! If you haven’t ever had or heard of matcha, it’s a kind of green tea.
However, it’s a super antioxidant packed version of green tea that has some major nutritional benefits. Average green tea does have antioxidants, but matcha has 137 times the amount that traditional steeped green tea does. It’s because instead of just steeping the tea leaves, you’re actually consuming the whole leaf and your body is receiving all the nutrients in it.
Matcha tea leaves are ground into a powder, which is traditionally than combined with water using a special whisk to make the power tea. I discovered the joys of matcha after I decided to ween myself off coffee last year, and switched my Starbucks order to a green tea latte. I quickly became obsessed with the creamy, earthy drink and started making them at home too, but it took a while for my matcha powder to make it’s way into something other than a drink.
And now that I’ve tried it…I’m going to be matcha-ing everything! I wasn’t sure how matcha would be with granola, and I was a little hesitant to try it, but I’m SO glad I did because this matcha granola is everything.
The granola recipe is straightforward and comes together super quickly, like all my granola recipes. You could have it in the oven in 5 minutes, easy. The base of the granola is rolled oats and flaked coconut – the flaked coconut is so good here and tastes perfect with the matcha powder! I also added a combo of sliced almonds and pepitas, but you can use your favorite nuts or seeds – I love the extra splash of green color the pepitas add though!
The granola is sweetened with maple syrup, though honey could also be used if you’re not vegan. The granola is baked up until golden and crispy, and it’s not until after the granola is baked that we add the matcha powder. By tossing the granola in the powder after it’s baked, we amplify it’s earthy flavor and make the most of that bold green color.
This coconut matcha granola is crunchy and sweet with the perfect amount of grassy green tea flavor. Add a sprinkle of matcha granola to your yogurt parfait or acai bowl, or snack on it by the handful like I’ve been doing 😉 enjoy!
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Matcha Granola (Gluten Free + Vegan)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Category: Breakfast
Ingredients
- 1½ cups rolled oats (gluten free if necessary)
- 1½ cups unsweetened flaked coconut
- ½ cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil (melted)
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons matcha powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300º F.
- In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, flaked coconut, pepitas, and sliced almonds.
- In a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine the coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. Pour over oat mixture and toss to coat completely. Spread mixture out onto a large baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, stirring once halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes. Transfer the granola to a large bowl, sprinkle matcha over top and toss to combine.
- Store in an airtight container for up to several weeks.
Hope you have a blast in San Francisco, Rachel! This granola looks fantastic! I’ve only tried matcha tea once, and I wasn’t the biggest fan, but I think it could’ve been how the coffee shop prepared it. However, I think I would like it in granola…sounds like such a healthy treat!
Loooove this granola, girlfriend! The color is fabulous and all the flavors you packed in here sounds devine! I could eat this plain all day long or top it on all the things! Cheers!
P.s. hope you have a safe flight and tons of fun with the fam!!
I’ve still never had matcha!! Can you believe it?! I see it on blogs but I haven’t actually seen it at the market….I guess that trend hasn’t made it’s way to rural Tennessee yet haha! When it does I am definitely making this granola!
It is my dream to be as chill as you on a plane. That’s amazing. When I fly I’m the one with my nails digging into the armrest. Haha. But I want to get better.
This granola is genius. I’ve never thought of putting matcha in it. This is the kind of granola that makes you feel like you can take over the world after eating it!
This matcha granola is so fun! Love that it’s GF and vegan. We just started stocking matcha at the coffee shop I work at, and I’ve been seriously obsessed with it every since.
This is such a fun way to use matcha!! I use it for drinking all the time but haven’t really played with it any other way! I need to get on this! :)
I love matcha tea, so this granola would go perfect with it for breakfast! Looks so delicious!
I absolutely love this combination – so fun! Your airplane story made me laugh out loud – personal space, people! :)
Oh I totally understand! I tried working on an airplane once and it was SO awesome! Never do I get to just work without any social media or internet or phone calls or texts or CHILDREN! Lol. Definitely my plan for our trip in a couple weeks!
Hahaha so funny, but so true! Ah I can’t believe we’re meeting so soon. I’m SO EXCITED! <3
What is Matcha Powder, how is it packaged and what kind of store would I buy it in?
Hi Jean. Matcha powder is ground green tea leaves. You can buy it at most health food stores or order it online. The kind I bought was packaged in a resealable pouch, but it sometimes comes in small tins as well. Here’s an Amazon affiliate link to the brand I used: http://amzn.to/1Wm1kvH
I am yet to try matcha. This looks wonderful :)
Can you believe I’ve never tried making granola? I love matcha and this just may be the recipe that finally convinces me to do it :) So gorgeous!
No way! You’ve got to try it out, Becky! :) Thanks so much.
Thanks for the recipe. Does the granola of the photos baked for 1 hr? I baked mine for that long and is really brown (some more minutes and it would be burnt). Many thanks.
Hi Susana, yes it is! But some ovens run hot, so if yours is one of those, that could be it!
This granola sounds delicious Rachel! I have yet to try anything matcha! This looks like the perfect recipe to start with! Enjoy your visit!
Haha! Plane rides when you’re sitting next to nosy people are the WORST! ;) But enjoy your little vacay, Rachel! I’m just gonna be sitting over here DREAMING about this gorgeous granola—that matcha addition is just too genius!
You’re in SF right now? So close to me! At least I’m seeing you next week right? :) Have a wonderful trip! This granola is such a pretty color and I love matcha flavors!
Oh gosh! I hate when people look over your shoulder – & then to make comments!! That’s just absurd. This granola, on the other hand, is simply amazing :) I love trying new granola flavors, so I’ll have to try this one next!
Oh I bet this is so good! I’ve snuck matcha into cookies before and just loved it. I know this granola would be a hit. Enjoy your trip!!