Easy Vegan Matcha Ice Cream Recipe (3 Ingredients)

Vegan matcha ice cream is a luscious cold treat infused with earthy green tea that will tantalise your taste buds. With every scoop, you'll feel the smooth texture of the ice cream melt in your mouth, leaving you craving more. If this sounds delicious, let's learn how to make vegan matcha ice cream.  

We like to make vegan matcha ice cream at home in two ways. The first method uses coconut cream, which has a rich and creamy texture. Meanwhile, the second method uses soy milk, which gives it a neutral base flavour that makes the green tea shine. 

There are numerous ways to make this dessert, but our vegan version is better in taste and texture because, despite being dairy-free, it still tastes smooth and creamy.

As both methods are no churn, not using an ice cream machine, we will show you a few additional steps to get a similar texture. Feel free to watch our YouTube video tutorial for a visual demonstration of both recipes.

Jump to:

• Easy Vegan Matcha Ice Cream (3 ingredients)
• How to make vegan matcha ice cream (no machine) 
• Easy Vegan Matcha Ice Cream Recipe (3 ingredients)
• Green Tea Ice Cream without Coconut Cream
• Using an ice cream maker
• Vegan Matcha Ice Cream Cooking Tips 
• How to store
• Toppings

Easy Vegan Matcha Ice Cream (3 ingredients)

The three main ingredients in our easy vegan matcha ice cream recipe are coconut cream, green tea powder, and sweetener. We will use sweetened condensed coconut milk as the sweetener in our recipe.

Matcha

We recommend using culinary-grade green tea powder for our recipe. This grade provides a bright green colour and a smooth, sweet taste. 

You can also use ceremonial-grade matcha powder if you enjoy its intense flavour. However, it is much more expensive, and the Japanese usually drink this premium green tea powder.

Although culinary-grade matcha is the second-highest grade, it still has a lovely smooth taste, much like its ceremonial equivalent. We use this in dessert as it is more affordable and provides a similar smooth taste.

Coconut cream

Thick, full-fat coconut cream is essential when making this dairy-free matcha ice cream. This ingredient helps create the dessert's texture and richness. 

If you can't find this, you can also make coconut cream by refrigerating coconut milk overnight. This will help it separate into the cream part and the water at the bottom. The texture is so much better compared to using coconut milk, and you wouldn't have to whisk more times.

However, add some dairy milk if you'd prefer a non-vegan green tea ice cream. It will make the dessert even more indulgent.

How to make vegan matcha ice cream (no machine) 

The best vegan matcha ice cream recipe does not require a machine since it uses coconut cream. The high-fat content of the coconut helps to thicken the mixture, while the matcha and sweetener add flavour. Although using an ice cream maker is much easier, you can still easily make our vegan matcha ice cream recipe without a machine.

1. Before you begin, chill your coconut cream and other ingredients for at least 24 hours before making your green tea dessert. This step will help the mixture freeze faster and produce a thick and smooth texture. In addition, it will allow the cream to separate from the liquid, making it easier to use.
2. Then, whisk the chilled coconut cream, green tea powder, and sweetener in a large mixing bowl until well combined. Whisk until there are no lumps. You can also use an electric whisk.
3. Next, freeze the mixture. Pour it into a freezer-safe container, such as an ice tray and place it in the freezer. Remove the container from the freezer every hour and stir or whisk the mixture vigorously for a few minutes. This action will incorporate air into the mix. It will also help prevent ice crystals from forming. Repeat this process every couple of hours until the vegan matcha coconut ice cream reaches your desired consistency. 
4. After freezing your green tea dessert, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping. This step will help it soften slightly and make it easier to scoop.

Green Tea Ice Cream without Coconut Cream

Green tea ice cream without coconut cream is an excellent option if you prefer something without the coconut taste. Plant-based milk is a good alternative that we like to use to make matcha vegan ice cream at home.

However, as soy milk contains less fat, the texture will be less creamy than that of coconut milk. Instead, it will be more popsicle-like.

If you don't want soy milk, try using a thick, rich variety like oat milk. Choosing a thick plant-based milk is essential when making vegan matcha ice cream without coconut cream. Thin or watery plant-based milk will produce less thick and smooth, satisfying results. You also don't want something overpowering the green tea flavour either. 

Oat milk is a popular choice for making this dairy-free matcha ice cream because it has a milky and slightly sweet flavour that pairs well with the earthy taste of green tea. It also has a similar consistency to dairy milk, making it an excellent substitute for traditional recipes. Almond milk is another wonderful choice of milk that is not too sweet and does not overpower the taste of green tea.

Ingredients

• 175g of Sweet condensed coconut milk 
• 175ml of Soy milk
• 1.5 tablespoons of Culinary-grade matcha powder

Method

The method is similar to coconut cream but has a few minor changes.

1. Start by sifting the matcha and then adding the sweet condensed milk. Whisk it all up until combined.
2. Then, pour the soy milk and whisk together for a few minutes. You'll want to whisk until it's well combined, but you're not looking for the mixture to thicken or whip up.
3. Next, place the mixture into the freezer and let it freeze for about 1 hour. 
4. After an hour, remove it and whisk the mixture for a few minutes. Then, pour the mixture into the same container and pop it back into the freezer.
5. Let it freeze further for another 30 mins to 1 hour. Then, take it out and whisk it together for the second time. 
6. Once you've finished whisking, pour the mixture into a container and freeze for at least 30 minutes. We wanted to make them into popsicles, so we're using an ice cream mould.

Using an ice cream maker

You can also use our recipe in an ice cream maker. If you use a machine, the texture will be a really smooth and give you a lovely soft-serve consistency.

Place the mixture of coconut and sweetener into your blender to make vegan matcha ice cream with an ice cream maker. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until the mixture is smooth. Then, add green tea powder and blend until smooth, for about 30-60 seconds.

Finally, use your machine to freeze the mixture. The device will speed up the freezing process with some churning action, resulting in smaller ice crystals and a smoother dessert.

Vegan Matcha Ice Cream Cooking Tips 

Since we've tried our easy vegan matcha ice cream recipe a few times, we've discovered some secrets to ensuring this dairy-free dessert is perfect. If you want to make the ideal green tea dessert, you need to follow a few key steps to avoid issues with taste or texture. Here are our solutions to common yet easily solvable problems.

Not thick enough

If the consistency of the healthy vegan matcha ice cream needs to be thicker, it may be because you have yet to leave it to freeze long enough. In this case, leave it in the freezer for longer (at least two hours) until it reaches the desired consistency.

Furthermore, you can add 2 teaspoon of cornstarch to help thicken the mixture and create a smoother consistency. You can also use a combination of liquid (like agave syrup) and granulated sweeteners (or coconut sugar) to create a lovely, thick, creamy texture. 

Not sweet enough

If you find that your dairy-free dessert is not sweet enough, there are a few things you can do to fix it. First, add some sweeteners such as raw agave or maple syrup. These vegan-friendly options add sweetness to your dessert without using refined sugars.

However, it is crucial to start with a small amount and taste-test the dessert before adding more. Adding too much sweetener can make the result overly sweet and detract from the delicate green tea flavour.

If your dessert needs to be sweeter, you can gradually add more sweetener until you achieve the desired level of sweetness. Remember, it's always better to add a little bit at a time and taste as you go rather than too much all at once.

Can't taste the matcha

If the taste is not strong enough, you can adjust the amount of green tea powder you add to the coconut milk. Green tea powder is the key ingredient that provides a unique and distinct flavour to healthy vegan matcha ice cream. 

Be careful not to add too much green tea powder at once, as this can result in an overpowering bitterness that will mess up the dessert's flavour profile.

Additionally, green tea powder can vary in intensity, so you must taste the mixture as you add more and adjust the amount accordingly. 

Remember that the intensity of the flavour will also depend on the quality of the green tea powder used. So be sure to use high-quality culinary-grade green tea powder to achieve a smooth and earthy flavour and to avoid the typical bitter aftertaste of lower-quality powders.

Too icy

Non-dairy milk tends to have a high water and low-fat content, forming hard and icy crystals when frozen. As more water is in the ice, it will melt faster, leading to changes in the melting process. The melting process can affect the final product's perception of creaminess. 

Therefore, choose plant-based milk that is higher in fat, such as coconut, cashew, or oat cream, as they can help make your non-dairy treat creamier. Furthermore, the higher fat content will help emulsify the mixture and prevent ice crystals from forming.

Another tip is to ensure your mixture is chilled thoroughly before churning. This tip will help it freeze more evenly and prevent ice crystals from forming in your vegan matcha ice cream. If you use a machine, over-churning the mixture can cause it to become too icy. Be sure to follow the recommended churning time for your machine. 

How to store

Store your dessert in a shallow container with a tight-fitting lid to minimise the air that comes into contact with the dessert. This type of container helps prevent freezer burn to the dessert and keeps it from absorbing odours from other foods in the freezer. We recommend storing your cold dessert in the back of your freezer, as the temperature is usually more consistent.

If stored properly, this no-churn treat can last up to 2-3 months in the freezer. However, we recommend eating it within the first month to ensure optimal freshness and flavour. In addition, green tea acquires a bitter taste when exposed to air, so the longer you keep it, the more bitter your green tea dessert will taste. 

Toppings

Adding toppings to your easy vegan matcha ice cream recipe is a fun way to customise the dessert. Chocolate chips, crushed Oreos, and white chocolate are popular choices that can add a delicious crunch. 

Chocolate chips enhance sweetness, while crushed Oreos add a soft crunch. White chocolate can provide a rich complement to the earthy taste of green tea. For a unique twist, try making coffee jelly and adding it as a topping.

Furthermore, adding strawberries to vegan matcha ice cream is another great option. Strawberries provide a slightly tangy flavour that pairs well with the earthy taste of green tea.

Next, try red bean paste to add an interesting chewy texture to the healthy vegan matcha ice cream. Red beans traditionally pair well with the flavour of green tea - so it's a great combo if you want to try out more Japanese flavours.

To incorporate other toppings into your cold dessert, whisk the coconut, green tea powder, and sweetener. Gently mix the chocolate, strawberries, or red beans to distribute them evenly throughout the mixture.

Then, follow the same freezing process described earlier, removing the mixture from the freezer and stirring or whisking every hour to prevent ice crystals from forming. Finally, sprinkle the remaining toppings on the top to seal the flavour.

If you enjoy other green tea desserts alongside our best vegan matcha ice cream recipe, you must also try making matcha brownies. However, if you are feeling adventurous and want to experiment with other exciting textures, why not look at our tempura ice cream recipe? It's perfect if you're looking for a deep-fried, hot and cold guilty escape.

If you love cooking as much as we do, we have plenty more ideas for you to try. So, subscribe to us on YouTube to start your culinary adventure.