Vanilla Matcha Latte with Oat Milk (4-Ingredient)

This simple oat milk vanilla matcha latte is so creamy, done in 5 minutes, super rich in flavor and extra satisfying! You can use a real vanilla bean or vanilla extract: both will give you such an amazing deep flavor. I will also show you how to make this matcha latte 1- using a blender without having to use any fancy tools OR 2- using a traditional bamboo whisk. You will also have the option of making hot matcha lattes or iced matcha lattes following this recipe. This version is made completely dairy-free and is so easy to make right at home!

If you haven’t noticed yet, I am absolutely obsessed with everything matcha, including baking with matcha powder and making matcha cookies or making all sorts of fun drinks such as a blueberry iced matcha latte.

But, I actually enjoy matcha more often simply as a vanilla matcha latte, so I wanted to show you how I make it.

This recipe is super simple, quick to make and SO full of flavor! Combining matcha powder with a vanilla flavor really is amazing here. It adds some extra sweetness and a mild nutty background of flavor that balances out the mild bitterness from the matcha so perfectly.

You'll have the option to use either vanilla extract OR a real vanilla bean, it's up to you and I'll give you guidelines for both ways. Both the extract and fresh vanilla will give you a delicious result, so use what's available and easiest for you.

I also recommend making it using oat milk since it is amazing to make vegan lattes or all sorts of warm drinks (such as hot chocolate!). It is super creamy and has a thick consistency, plus, it is naturally a little sweet, meaning you won't have to add as much extra sweetener to your latte.

As a side note, matcha tea is traditionally part of a tea ceremony in Japan. Don't let this intimidate you, this fine green tea powder is easy to use right at home and makes for the most delicious lattes! I found mine online and even though matcha can be a little expensive, I usually make a ton of recipes using just one order.

Plus, making matcha latte yourself right at home is really less expensive than buying it at a coffee shop. You will also be able to flavor it and sweeten it the way you want!

Let me know if you gave it a try! ❤️

Highlights of this recipe

• Perfect cozy drink that's healthy and loaded with antioxidant
• Made simply with oat milk, matcha powder, vanilla and sweetener
• Can be made using a blender OR the traditional way
• Provides a small amount of caffeine and a little boost of energy, but that's less strong or acute than actual coffee
• Best at-home coffee shop-style matcha latte!
• Fully vegan, dairy-free and naturally gluten-free

Matcha latte: how it tastes and why drink it

Matcha latte (or green tea latte) is a simple and delicious drink made with ground green tea leaves (matcha powder) and some milk. 

Matcha powder is a very fine powder with a vibrant green color that can boost your energy levels and help your focus stay sharp, which can also help you cut on your coffee consumption. There are so many health benefits of matcha: it is packed with nutrient-dense chlorophyll, rich in antioxidants and it is known to provide anti-inflammatory benefits if consumed regularly, just to name a few.

But there is so much more to its amazing nutrition: matcha green powder has a big earthy flavor that somehow is very unique and oddly addictive. It carries an almost bitter flavor that when paired with a hint of sweetness, such as naturally sweetened oat milk, vanilla and maple syrup in this case, becomes a delight. 

Vanilla-flavored matcha latte and options

Vanilla and matcha are simply meant to be together! 

When making this recipe, I love to use a whole vanilla bean. The flavor simply feels more real and intense. Plus, the tiny black dots make the creamy white foam so appetizing. It just feels like a treat to myself when using the real stuff. 

I used the vanilla beans from the company Vanilla bean kings that I ordered online and it was perfect. 

BUT, vanilla beans are expensive and not essential to make an amazingly flavorful drink. You can also use pure vanilla extract to make it as well, but here is the trick: you will need a whole tablespoon of the extract to flavor it. And also, make sure to use real vanilla extract and not some imitation for best flavor. If you only have vanilla bean paste, then use this instead!

Blender oat milk matcha latte

I enjoy making matcha lattes in a more traditional way using a matcha sifter and bamboo whisk (check out my matcha chai latte to see how I do this). BUT, I actually often end up making my matcha lattes using my blender. So, if you are not fully equipped with the usual matcha latte tools, then don't let this stop you!

Why use a blender when making matcha lattes:  

• No grainy green tea residue is left in your cup. The blender will make sure the powder is fully dissolved into the milk and won't tend to sink at the bottom of your cup, anyway not as quickly as when whisked manually.
• No need to sift the matcha powder: the powder is so fine that it tends to clump together while storing. When whisking it manually, it is recommended to first sift the powder into the cup to help incorporate it into the milk and avoid lumps. Using a blender will have you skip this step!
• I tend to use my blender when making more than one matcha latte at once. I can just blend a larger amount and don't have to whisk each cup by hand.
• Look at that elegant thick froth! The blender pretty much whips the matcha-oat milk to a thick and luscious mixture, which creates a beautiful foam layer over the matcha tea after being poured into the cup.

Ingredients you'll need

• Matcha green tea powder: there are different grades of matcha you can choose from. Ideally, use ceremonial matcha (premium grade) when making lattes (keep the culinary grade for when baking or making smoothies). I use the ceremonial grade matcha powder from Matcha Organics. BUT, if you only have culinary-grade matcha, then it's fine, use this instead.
• Oat milk: I love the unsweetened oat milk from Oatly when making lattes, although you can use your favorite plant-based milk.
• Sweetener: I used maple syrup, but any sweetener will work, such as brown sugar, agave nectar, coconut sugar or even simple syrup.
• Vanilla Bean OR Vanilla extract: both work great. If you do have vanilla syrup, then use it and skip the sweetener.

Best non-dairy milk for lattes

I absolutely love using oat milk when making a vegan latte or most hot drinks, actually. It is thicker, with a natural subtle sweet flavor and I love the way it froths. I know there are many brands that actually advertise themself as plant milk specifically to make lattes, but I just use regular oat milk (actually, we use the one from Oatly) and it does an amazing job. Try to use full-fat oat milk for the best creamy result.

Plus, oat milk is our favorite milk we keep in the house for all things such as oatmeals, smoothies, cereals and baking. Our kids are going to a nut-free preschool, so I usually only keep nut-free milks in the house during the school months.

If you are new to making lattes at home, I suggest you try out a few brands to find your favorite type of milk! If you don't have oat milk, feel free to use your milk of choice, such as almond milk, cashew milk or soy milk. Or even, try making it using coconut milk for an ultra-creamy vanilla matcha latte recipe. 

How to make it

Here is my method when using a blender, which is perfect if you are just starting out and don't have all the equipment for making matcha latte yet OR if you wanted to make matcha lattes for more than one person, then your blender will make it easier and quicker too.

BUT, keep reading below to learn how to make it using a bamboo whisk instead. Also, check out my match chai latte post where I show this more traditional technic as well.

Prepare the vanilla bean (if using)

(Skip this step if using vanilla extract)

Place the vanilla bean on a wooden board and slice it lengthwise using a sharp small knife. Try to cut only the top portion of the shell (as opposed to all the way through), I find it easier to get the tiny black seeds that way.

Open up the bean using your fingers and place the blade of your knife at one extremity, perpendicular to the bean without slicing it. Then, remove the seeds by scraping the interior of the bean: the seeds should stick to your blade.

Warm up your milk (and infuse the vanilla flavor)

Transfer the milk to a small pot and add the emptied vanilla bean plus all the tiny black seeds from the vanilla bean. Alternatively, simply add a tablespoon of vanilla extract to the milk if not using a fresh vanilla bean. 

Stir and warm up on medium-low heat until warmed up to your liking. You don't want to boil/cook the milk, as it can curdle or clump, but the milk might slightly thicken and get bubbly. Stir often and keep the heat low (stay around so it does not overflow). 

Once warmed up, remove and discard the emptied vanilla bean (I use tongs, careful not to burn yourself). 

Blend

Pour the vanilla hot milk into a blender and add the matcha green tea powder and your sweetener. I use about 1 tablespoon of maple syrup because I like mine on the sweeter side, but you can start with less to see how you like yours. 

Blend on high for about one minute or until nice and frothy.

Pour into a mug and enjoy!

How to make an Iced Vanilla matcha latte

You can easily make an iced version of this drink, which is perfect to enjoy on hot summer days when looking for a refreshing matcha drink. 

To make it, skip warming up your milk completely. Instead, add everything cold to a blender (milk + vanilla bean seeds/vanilla extract + maple syrup + matcha powder) and blend until frothy.

Then, pour over ice cubes in a tall glass and drink cold.

As a side note: I believe that infusing the vanilla bean into the milk while it is warming up makes the flavor more pronounced, so you might want to consider using vanilla extract when making it cold instead. Or, add the vanilla seeds and emptied vanilla bean to the milk and let it sit in the fridge overnight so the flavor has enough time to infuse. Remove the bean before blending.

How to make it using the bamboo whisk and frother

If you don't have a blender or feel like going the traditional way, then here is how you can make a delicious matcha latte using your matcha tools:

• Warm up the milk with the vanilla bean and seeds on the stove (or vanilla extract), just as described. 
• Meanwhile, sift the matcha powder into your serving cup and add about ¼ cup of warm water (aim for about 175º). Then, using your traditional matcha whisk (or simply a small whisk), dissolve the matcha powder by whisking vigorously (fast sideway motions are best). It should take about 30 seconds for the matcha to dissolve and the mixture should become slightly frothy without any obvious matcha clumps.
• Remove the vanilla bean from the warm milk and using your electric milk frother, foam the milk to desired texture. Then, pour the matcha mixture into the cup and enjoy right away. 

A few helpful tips

• Feel free to make the vanilla milk ahead of time, especially if using a real vanilla bean, as this would allow more time to infuse the milk with a deeper flavor. In that case, warm up the milk with the vanilla bean and then transfer it to an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Be sure to let it cool down first and also, keep the empty vanilla pod in the milk to boost the flavor even more. Slightly warm up before using.
• You can add a tiny amount of coconut oil to the blender to help froth the milk and stabilize the foam.
• You can swap the maple syrup for granulated sugar, especially if making your latte using a blender, it would dissolve very easily!
• No vanilla extract or vanilla bean? Then use vanilla-flavored oat milk!
• Adjust the amount of matcha powder you are using: I like about 1 teaspoon of matcha powder per cup of milk. But if you are looking for a stronger matcha flavor, then simply add more!

More matcha recipes

• Mini matcha brownies
• Matcha chocolate oatmeal
• Matcha white chocolate cookies
• Iced blueberry matcha latte
• Matcha chai latte
• Matcha coconut balls
• Strawberry matcha smoothie
• Iced matcha lemonade
• Matcha granola
• Mango matcha latte

More tea or latte recipes

• Chia seed tea
• Lemongrass ginger tea
• Oolong peach tea
• Butterfly pea flower latte
• Pink latte
• Cardamom latte
• Strawberry latte
• Peanut butter latte
• Iced dirty chai latte

I hope you enjoy this vanilla matcha latte recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!

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