This gluten free matcha green tea mochi is a delicious Japanese dessert that is so easy to make. It has a soft, chewy texture with a slightly sweet and earthy flavor from the matcha. If you are looking for a fun new dessert to try, give this easy matcha mochi recipe a try!

A stack of 3 pieces of matcha mochi on a grey plate.

Have you ever tried matcha green tea? It has become very popular at many coffee shops, and you can enjoy matcha lattes anywhere. You can find matcha in both culinary and ceremonial blends. You can also bake with it!

Matcha is delicious in baked goods like this matcha green tea mochi recipe. If you have tried Japanese mochi or Hawaiian Butter Mochi in the past, this flavorful match twist will be worth trying.

If you love dessert as much as we do, check out all of my delicious gluten free dessert recipes.

Matcha powder in a white bowl with a wooden spoon.

If you love matcha, give this Matcha Green Tea Mini Bundt Cakes recipe a try, too!

Why This Matcha Mochi is Great:

  1. This matcha mochi recipe is easy to make, with just a few ingredients.
  2. You can make this mochi regular or vegan.
  3. You control how sweet the mochi turns out by how much sugar you add.
  4. It has a fun, chewy texture.

If there are any other curious vegans checking out this recipe, I just wanted to report that I used vegan butter (Miyoko’s in this case) and it worked perfectly. Delicious recipe! Leftovers are great warmed up in the microwave too.”

Kenny
Sandi's Pick
MATCHA USDA Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder Culinary Grade Powdered Matcha (8 Ounce Bag)

This matcha powder is good for baking. It is ground really fine and there are no clumps. For baking my recipes, I recommend mixing 1-2 tablespoons of sugar into the matcha powder.

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Is Matcha Gluten Free?

In most cases, matcha powder should be gluten free. Matcha is a type of green tea that is ground to powder. The problem comes when manufacturers add flavoring and other ingredients to matcha powder.

Some matcha blends are not gluten free. It is important to read the ingredients carefully when buying any matcha green tea powder.

Matcha Mochi Ingredients:

Note that matcha green tea powder does have some caffeine, so if you are making this for kids, you may want to consider lowering the amount of matcha. I wouldn’t serve this to kids at night.

  • Matcha – I used culinary-grade matcha. There is no need to buy the more expensive ceremonial matcha for this recipe. Matcha is not considered a really sweet dessert, so if you like a sweeter dessert, you will want to increase the amount of sugar.
  • Sweet Rice Flour – You will find the Mochiko brand at most grocery stores. You can find other brands in most Asian markets.
  • Baking Powder – Matcha already has a slightly bitter taste, so it is very important to use aluminum-free baking powder.
  • Coconut Milk – Use canned coconut milk.
  • Butter – I recommend using unsalted butter. If you are dairy-free, you can use plant-based butter.
  • Sugar – Use white cane sugar. I do not recommend coconut sugar, or it will turn your mochi brown.

🔑 Sandi says: Do not buy regular white rice flour. It will not work to make mochi!

Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:

Adding matcha powder to the flour.

Step 1: It is so easy to make matcha mochi. Add the dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl and whisk to blend. Add the matcha with the dry ingredients.

Step 2: In a smaller bowl, melt the butter with the coconut milk and whisk to blend them. Add the rest of the wet ingredients and whisk.

Matcha batter whisked in a bowl.

Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and use your whisk to blend them. The batter will be thinner than what you will see in most of my other recipes. This is normal.

NOTE: You can also use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer to make mochi batter.

Step 4: Grease an 8×8 pan and pour the matcha mochi batter into the pan.

Step 5: Bake the green tea mochi at 325º F for 20 minutes. For best results, allow the mochi to cool before you slice it fully.

☘️ Fun Idea: This matcha mochi recipe would be a fun treat for St. Patrick’s Day since green food is so popular on this holiday. It has a great vibrant green color! Try this Gluten Free Matcha Banana Bread for more fun with green food.

Tips and Recipe FAQ:

What does matcha taste like?

Matcha has an earthy taste. It tastes a bit like greens but with sweetness, too.

What is Mochi?

Matcha mochi is a traditional Japanese sweet made from glutinous sweet rice flour and green tea powder (matcha). You will see mochi shaped in small rounds or square pieces.

You can find them plain or filled with sweet red bean paste or other fillings such as strawberries or mochi ice cream. Matcha mochi is often enjoyed as a snack or dessert in Japan and is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. and other parts of the world due to its unique taste and texture.

How do you store mochi?

This mochi will keep fresh for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator or up to 4 months in the freezer.

When does matcha powder go bad?

Matcha powder should keep fresh for up to a year. It is best to store it in an airtight container in your pantry.

If you love the flavor of matcha, I have several delicious gluten free recipes with matcha to try! This Matcha Chia Pudding makes a great healthy breakfast.

Reader Adaptations:

Pinterest user Follow Your Bliss sent a photo of her finished mochi on a plate.
Pinterest user Follow Your Bliss sent a photo of her finished mochi.

Everyone at work loves this recipe! Also delicious with powdered purple yam”

Follow Your Bliss, Pinterest user

Check out this fun matcha mochi web story, too!

More Mochi Recipes:

A stack of 3 pieces of matcha mochi on a grey plate.

Matcha Green Tea Mochi

Sandi Gaertner
This is an easy gluten free matcha green tea mochi recipe.
4.67 from 130 votes
an egg free allergen icon
gluten free allergy icon
nut free allergen icon
soy free allergy icon
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Gluten Free Cookies and Bar Recipes, Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 12 pieces
Calories 143 kcal

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Glutinous Sweet White Rice Flour Mochiko brand
  • 1 cup coconut milk other types of milk also work
  • 2 tablespoons matcha powder * see notes
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder aluminum-free

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Spray baking dish with non-stick spray. (I use coconut oil spray.)
  • Mix all dry ingredients including sugar.
  • Whisk to blend.
  • Add melted butter and coconut milk.
  • Stir well. You can also use an electric mixer or stand mixer with a whisk attachment.
  • Put into a prepared baking dish. I used an 8×8 pan.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until done in the middle. The baking time may vary depending on the size and depth of your pan.

Notes

  1. I recommend using culinary-grade matcha green tea powder. Ceremonial matcha powder is more expensive and it isn’t necessary for this recipe.
  2. Many matcha powdered have added sweeteners and other ingredients. If you are gluten free, please be sure to read the ingredients label to make sure the matcha is gluten free.
  3. Matcha can be bitter so I recommend adding additional sugar if you like your mochi sweeter.
  4. Make this recipe vegan by using plant-based butter.
  5. Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for up to 4 days.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 3mgPotassium: 86mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 183IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

This post was updated from an older August 2017 post with more detailed recipe instructions.

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Recipe Rating




63 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Thank you Sandi. This recipe is very good. I love it. Mine turn out dark green inside and the outside light green. This is the second time I made.

  2. Hi
    I have made this recipe twice now…the first time it came out way too sticky on the inside so i corrected for more flour in the second batch and same thing. There isnt anything cakey in the middle only gummy like a traditional mochi ball. What am i doing wrong?

  3. If there are any other curious vegans checking out this recipe, I just wanted to report that I used vegan butter (Miyoko’s in this case) and it worked perfectly. Delicious recipe! Leftovers are great warmed up in the microwave too.

      1. Could you substitute coconut milk for oat milk? This looks delicious, I want to try it!

      2. Hi Mia, I haven’t tested oat milk because it isn’t certified gluten free. If you do try it, please do come back to let me know because I am sure others wonder this too.

    1. Hi Mia, Mochi is made with the sweet rice flour because it is a bit stickier. I don’t think this recipe works with regular rice flour. You should be able to find the sweet mochi rice flour on Amazon.

    1. Hi Hannah, I have only used unsalted butter. If you use salted, please come back and let me know how it turns out.

  4. 5 stars
    Good recipe thank you!just enough sweetness to satisfy my cravings.I used Bob’s Red Mill sweet white rice flour 100% gluten free.I will definitely make this again coz it is easy peasy. 🙂

    1. I am so glad you liked this matcha mochi recipe Maria. I even more appreciate your taking the time to come back and tell me. You made my day 🙂

  5. This recipe appears to have the same proportions as the Butter Mochi recipe, but does not include an egg. Should an egg be included, or is there a reason it is omitted? Thanks!

    1. Hi Christina, these are two very different recipes. There shouldn’t be an egg in this recipe. The butter mochi recipe was shared with me and that recipe does require an egg. I hope this helps. Sandi

    1. Hi Michele, I am not sure. I find asking the store is really good about these questions. Please let us know what you find out 🙂

  6. 5 stars
    I love coconut mochi, I make these as part of my Christmas baking list but I love the addition of Matcha! And also love that these are naturally gluten free, I can gift these to friends with gluten allergy, so win win in my book!