If you have ever wanted to try a cookie that feels both indulgent and refreshingly unique, this Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. With the bold green hue and delicate earthy flavor of matcha powder beautifully combined with a tender, gluten-free base, these cookies manage to be both soft and satisfyingly chewy. They offer a creative twist on the classic cookie, making them perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a plant-based treat packed with character and color. Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon snack or a gathering where you want to impress your friends, these cookies are a joyful way to bring matcha magic into your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity, with just a handful of ingredients that each play a vital role in creating the perfect matcha cookie. Each item adds its own special touch—whether it’s the vibrant color, the subtle sweetness, or that tender crumb—and when combined, they harmonize beautifully for a cookie that’s more than the sum of its parts.
- 1 cup gluten-free measure-for-measure flour (or regular all-purpose flour): Provides the structure while keeping the cookies light and chewy.
- 1½ teaspoons matcha powder: The star ingredient, delivering that unmistakable bright green color and earthy flavor.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough to be soft and tender.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Adds a slight lift and ensures a lovely texture.
- ⅛ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- ½ cup sugar: Sweetens the cookies naturally, complementing the bitterness of matcha.
- ¼ cup canola oil: Keeps the cookies moist and tender without overpowering the delicate matcha taste.
- 3 tablespoons water: Binds the ingredients together while keeping the dough soft.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the overall flavor profile.
- ¼ teaspoon white miso (or additional ⅛ teaspoon salt): A unique touch that enhances umami and makes the taste more complex.
How to Make Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350° F to ensure it’s ready when your dough is mixed. This is a key step because a properly heated oven helps the cookies bake evenly and develop their signature texture and color.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, matcha powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. For best results, sift the matcha into the dry ingredients to avoid any dark green clumps in the cookies. This simple step ensures a smooth, even color that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sugar, canola oil, water, vanilla extract, and white miso until completely smooth. This might take a couple of minutes, but it’s worth it for that silky, homogenous mixture which makes the dough come together flawlessly.
Step 4: Combine into Dough
Fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture gently until the cookie dough forms. Don’t worry if it feels wetter than your typical cookie dough—that’s normal! If it’s too sticky to handle, chilling it for about 30 minutes in the fridge will help make portioning easier.
Step 5: Portion and Arrange
Using a cookie scoop or a heaping tablespoon, portion the dough and place each piece onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Keep the cookies about three inches apart to give them room to spread as they bake.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake at 350° F for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Then transfer them to a cooling rack to firm up—this step is crucial to achieve the gentle chewiness these cookies are known for.
How to Serve Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies shine on their own, but a light dusting of powdered sugar or an extra sprinkle of matcha powder can add a lovely finishing touch. For a little extra flair, try dipping half the cookie in melted vegan white chocolate for contrast and elegance.
Side Dishes
Pairing your Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe with a cup of hot green tea or a creamy plant-based milk is a dream come true. The subtle bitterness of the matcha melds beautifully with these drinks, enhancing both the experience and the flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange these vibrant green cookies on a simple white plate or stack them with parchment sheets in between for a charming rustic look. They’re also wonderful tucked into gift boxes as a thoughtful homemade present that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store your Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and chewy for up to five days, making them perfect for enjoying throughout the week without any fuss.
Freezing
If you want to keep them longer, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag. When wrapped well, they maintain their flavor and texture for up to three months. Just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
To bring that freshly baked warmth back, pop the cookies in the oven at 300° F for about 5 minutes or microwave them briefly for 10-15 seconds. This revives their softness perfectly, making each bite just as delightful as the first.
FAQs
Can I use regular flour instead of gluten-free flour?
Absolutely! This recipe works well with both gluten-free measure-for-measure flour and regular all-purpose flour, so feel free to choose the version that suits your dietary preferences.
What can I substitute for canola oil?
You can use other neutral oils such as vegetable oil, avocado oil, or light olive oil. Just avoid strong-flavored oils to keep the delicate matcha flavor front and center.
Why is white miso included in the recipe?
The white miso adds a subtle umami note which enhances the depth of flavor in these cookies. If you don’t have it, simply use an extra pinch of salt to maintain a balanced taste.
Can I make this recipe without sugar?
While sugar is essential for texture and sweetness, you can experiment with natural sweeteners like coconut sugar or maple syrup, adjusting the quantities slightly to taste.
Do these cookies keep well for gifting?
Yes! They hold up nicely when stored properly, making the Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe a wonderful choice for sharing homemade love with friends and family.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend this Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe enough if you love treats that blend unique flavors with simple ingredients. Each cookie bursts with the subtle bitterness and beautiful color of matcha, wrapped in a tender, chewy bite. I hope you dive into this recipe soon and find yourself reaching for these cookies again and again, sharing them with friends or savoring a quiet moment with a cup of tea.
Print
Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten Free
Description
These Vegan Matcha Cookies are a delightful treat blending the earthy bitterness of matcha with a soft, chewy texture. Made with gluten-free flour and simple pantry ingredients, they’re a perfect plant-based snack that’s both flavorful and easy to prepare in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup (120 grams) gluten-free measure-for-measure flour (or regular all-purpose flour)
- 1½ teaspoons matcha powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sugar
Wet Ingredients
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 3 Tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon white miso (or additional ⅛ teaspoon of salt)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by heating your oven to 350° F (175° C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature as you prepare the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, matcha powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. To avoid dark green spots from the matcha, sift it into the dry ingredients if preferred.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk the canola oil, water, vanilla extract, and white miso thoroughly in a small bowl until the mixture is completely homogenous, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Make the Dough: Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until a cookie dough forms. The dough will be wetter than usual; if it’s too wet to handle, refrigerate it for about 30 minutes to firm up.
- Portion the Dough: Use a cookie scoop or heaping tablespoon to drop portions of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them roughly three inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes until they are set but still soft in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack. Let them cool completely before enjoying their delicate texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a uniform color, sift matcha powder with the flour mixture.
- If using regular flour instead of gluten-free, the texture may be slightly different but still delicious.
- Chilling the dough helps manage the slightly wetter consistency for easier handling.
- White miso adds umami and depth; if unavailable, a small extra pinch of salt works as a substitute.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of sugar on top before baking for added crunch and sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan