Love the creamy, minty taste of a Shamrock Shake? These no-bake Matcha Protein Bites give you that same flavor with a boost of protein, healthy fats, and natural energy from matcha—perfect for a snack or sweet treat!
If you love the creamy, minty flavor of a Shamrock Shake but want something that fuels your body, these Matcha Protein Bites are the perfect solution. Naturally green from matcha (no artificial dyes here!), these bites are packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you energized.
Think of them as a no-bake, nutrient-dense snack that works as a pre-workout boost, afternoon pick-me-up, or even a sweet treat.
Why You’ll Love These Matcha Protein Bites
Matcha and protein are a perfect match because they complement each other in both nutrition and function.
- Balanced Energy – Matcha provides a steady release of caffeine and L-theanine, which promotes focus and calm energy without the jitters. When paired with protein, it helps sustain energy levels even longer.
L-Theanine is a natural compound that helps you feel calm without making you sleepy. It works well with caffeine by reducing jitters and promoting steady energy. You can take it as a supplement, but the only food source is green tea.. source
- Packed with Protein– With protein powder and nut butter, these bites support muscle recovery and keep you full longer.
- Digestive-Friendly Combo – Unlike coffee, matcha is gentler on digestion, and when combined with protein (especially plant-based options), it creates a well-rounded, easy-to-digest option for pre- or post-workout nutrition.
- Customizable – Make them nut-free, add chocolate, or adjust the sweetness to your liking.
Substitutes and flavor variations:
For a festive, protein-packed snack, these bites come together with just a few simple ingredients which you can customize to meet your dietary needs!
Nut-Free Version – Swap almond butter for sunflower seed butter. Use
Chocolate Lovers – Use chocolate protein powder, add chocolate chips, or a dark chocolate drizzle.
No Protein Powder? – Replace it with extra gluten-free oat flour, flax meal, or almond flour to maintain texture.simple gluten-free Ingredients
How to Make Matcha Protein Bites
Below is an overview of the instructions for these shamrock-inspired matcha protein bites. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Start by grinding gluten-free oats into a fine, flour-like texture using a food processor or blender—if you’re using oat flour, you can skip this step. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the oat flour, almond flour, vanilla protein powder, and a teaspoon of matcha powder.
- Next, stir in the creamy almond butter, maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well incorporated. If the dough feels too dry and isn’t holding together, add a bit more maple syrup, one tablespoon at a time, until you get a sticky consistency that easily forms into a ball.
- Now, it’s time to shape the bites! Scoop out small portions and roll them into 1–1.5-inch balls, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop the tray into the freezer for about 20–30 minutes to help them firm up.
- For an extra touch, mix a little matcha powder with vanilla protein powder and toss the chilled bites in the mixture to give them a light, green coating. You could also use coat the bites in a little crushed pistachio to give them a little green crunch! Similar method as my chocolate pistachio bites.
- Store these protein bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage (about six weeks). They’re the perfect grab-and-go snack with a fun St. Patrick’s Day twist! 🍀
More of Our Favorite
Gluten-Free No-Bake Bites
Common questions
Yes! Matcha naturally contains caffeine, but thanks to L-theanine, it provides a smooth, steady energy boost without the crash.
Absolutely. Just replace the protein powder with extra oat flour, flax meal, or almond flour to maintain the right texture
For matcha protein bites, culinary-grade matcha works best. It blends well and has a milder taste than ceremonial-grade matcha
No-Bake Matcha Protein Bites Recipe
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 23–25 bites 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These shamrock-inspired Matcha protein bites make for a healthy snack for pre-workout, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a nutritious sweet gluten-free St. Patrick’s Day treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (80g) gluten-free rolled oats or ¾ cup gluten-free oat flour (see notes)
- 1 cup (96g) blanched fine almond flour
- ½ cup (60g) vanilla protein powder
- 2–3 teaspoon culinary grade matcha powder (divided)
- ⅔ cup creamy no-stir almond butter (other creamy nut or seed butter may be substituted)
- ½–⅔ cup maple syrup or honey
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- Optional – ¼ teaspoon mint extract for that shamrock shake flavor
- Optional – ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, grind oats into a flour-like texture. If using oat flour, skip this step. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Add almond flour, protein powder, and 1 teaspoon matcha. Whisk to combine.
- Stir in almond butter, ½ cup maple syrup, and vanilla and mint extract. Mix well. If the mixture is too dry, add 2–4 tablespoon more maple syrup until it holds together. Fold in dark chocolate chips, if using.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop and roll the dough into 1–1.5-inch balls. Place on the sheet and freeze for 20–30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix a little matcha and vanilla protein powder. Transfer bites to a ziplock bag, add the matcha mixture, and shake to coat—or roll them by hand. See notes for other coating options.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 week or the freezer for up to 6 weeks.
Notes
Plant based protein powder (pea, hemp, rice, pumpkin seed, etc) works best for this recipe, but if you don’t have any on hand you can play around with other ingredients that are similar in weight/protein.
If preferred, crushed pistachio may be substituted for the coating to keep them green and give them a little crunch! Similar method as my chocolate pistachio bites.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- chill time: 20
- Category: snack
- Method: mix
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 protein bite
- Calories: 101
- Sugar: 4.3 g
- Sodium: 26.1 mg
- Fat: 4.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.5 g
- Fiber: 1.1 g
- Protein: 4.6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg













Wow, I like a lot of green foods! But my favorite is avocados 🙂
My favorite green food is definitely avocado. I eat it every day! But grilled asparagus would be a close second.
oh yes, so good that buttery green
I think brussels sprouts might be my favorite green food. Or broccoli. I’ve always loved broccoli haha
me too! or zucchini!
Avocado for sure!
I was thinking of making some sort protein bar for St. Patrick’s day. All I could think about was adding spinach or some vegetable though! I am so glad I came across this – matcha is a much better alternative.
I love green vegetables – spinach and broccoli are my favorites!
Healthy would be green beans. I eat them raw every day with lunch.
Not healthy would be any pistachio or mint ice cream.
I love okra!
Good idea, I have some matcha powder in the cupboard just waiting for a project like this.
I have a completely unopened bag of Matcha powder in my cupboard from a while ago. Looks like your balls are calling me. 😉
I’ve been obsessed with matcha as well! What a great idea to roll the bites in it!
oh my goodness! these are so darn cute! I love shamrock shakes from mcdonalds but unfortunately i haven’t had one in ages!!!
haha you’re not missing out on Mcdonalds.
I really like spinach salads 🙂
My favorite green foods are spinach, broccoli, and swiss chard. Totally intrigued by this recipe. Love that green color!
My favorite green foods are avocado and spinach.
Green is my favorite color! Love the look of these healthy bites and the ingredients sound yummy! Favorite green food? Avocado!
My favorite green food? Artichokes!
Green foods are my favorite. From asparagus to broccoli to kale to romaine lettuce to avocados, I love them all! These healthy bites sound awesome, especially since I’ve been on a big matcha kick lately.
Guacamole!
My fave green food? Brussel sprouts!
These look really yummy! My fav green food is broccoli or spinach, not sure if that is odd or boring 😛
brussels!!! can’t. eat. enough!
I need some relaxation in my life!!
Avocados!!!!
hmmm favorite green food…either green smoothies or roasted broccoli!
These looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe, Lindsay.
These are genius! Loving that vibrant green color …and I’m quickly realizing I need to get some matcha!
Avocados are my favorite.
These look amazing!!! I can’t wait to try them! I wish mine would have turned out that green. The most recent organic matcha I got wasn’t very bright and I was bummed I had used the last of what I had previously in the balls vs coating them. Plus it bummed me out for my other recipes but hey they still get the health benefits of mactha!
those balls are so puuuurty. I need to try matcha powder!
Since I only have 4 left in my freezer…Yes they’ve lasted that long…I could really use these…LOL. Happy Weekend Friend! XOXO
Those awful McDonalds St. Patricks shakes…just kidding…well sort of and green peppers!
My favorite green food is broccoli, but it may become these protein bites!!
I love pistachios 🙂 and I can always eat green peppers!
Matcha balls!!! I need to make these. Stat.
My fave green food is green grapes!
Test comment
I would enter but I already won last time AND I ate them all! 🙂
my favorite green food is avocado 🙂
How fun are these?!
YUM! these look so yummy and festive too 😉 I have never had matcha tea! (you aren’t surprised, I know hehe)
I’m not able to comment on your site on my mobile device. Keeps telling me I’m spam or maybe I can’t add. 😉
Lindsay -LURVE the natural color on these little bites! You know what – I haven’t yet tried matcha green tea to cook/bake with, it might be my favorite green food once I do. Currently though I adore spinach! Whether it be savory or sweet, spinach is my go to for natural green coloring!
My favorite green food is broccoli or spinach. I like using spinach greens instead of iceberg for a salad. Zucchini is also good. I like fresh veggies.
you speak my GREEN language! hehe
This is perfect. I actually thought about emailing you yesterday to ask if you had a preferred brand of matcha. I found one on Amazon that is best seller for culinary uses. So…I wasn’t sure. I think my favorite green food may be asparagus, or peas, or kale, or …. I like most green foods!
Oh yes! i can totally recommend one brand. Or maybe you will win? hehe
These Healthy Bites sound delicious. My fav green food is probably kale, especially made into kale chips with lots of nutritional yeast on top!
These are too cute and they sound amazing! Totally pinned & stumbled this one 🙂
I love veggies!! Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach! Yum
Favorite green food: Mint chocolate chip ice cream! 🙂
Yum these look fantastic! I add matcha powder to my water almost everyday it is so yummy and I really enjoy it! Thanks for sharing this clever recipe 😉 xo C
I’m not sure I have ever had a true shamrock shake but I do love matcha!
I keep meaning to buy coconut flour! Thanks for reminding me.
Oh these look awesome! But I’m pretty sure I said that about your last recipe too Lindsay. Another one for my Pinterest I think. Thanks for this. 🙂
Thanks Lindsay! Ok, it feels good to be more on the front end of a health trend, than the hind. HAHA. Luckily, I read more amazing health and fitness blogs like this, so I can be WITH the times, instead of behind. What thrills me most about these balls is the color and texture….they practically look mossy, in the best way. LOVE LOVE, and am excited to try!
My favorite green food would probably have to be green smoothies!
So hard to pick!! Spinach or kale or sugar snap peas or asparagus..
I have matcha powder just itching to be used 🙂 Favorite green food is a toss up between broccoli and avocados!
Mint chocolate chip ice cream! Wait, does that count?? 😉
These look amazing! I used to drink matcha latte’s and protein shakes when I worked at Starbucks and they were my favorite! Never would have though to put them in a healthy bite! Such an interesting recipe. Oh, and favorite green food is probably swiss chard or spinach!
I love green leafy goodness!
these are such a fun color!
I love green smoothies! I have them almost daily!
I will always and forever love green smoothies–in fact I’ve been adding a tsp of matcha to mine lately and it’s fantastic!
I love spinach and asparagus! But I’m probably a bigger green tea fan.
I love kale chips!
I love love love matcha lattes <3 These bites look amazing! Didn't know about all the super powers of matcha and now I love it even more.
Green foods? I have so many favorites. Lately I've been loving zoodles, brussels sprouts, kale, arugula, spinach…. the list goes on.
Happy Friday <3
I love matcha! I would say a matcha green tea latte… is that food? haha
I love the use of the banana chips in these so creative. And they are so green. I haven’t tried matcha yet but this would be a great way to! love it!
yes, matcha is everywhere….and I am not sure how I feel about it yet as I messed it up the first time and it put me off! I need to give it another try! Love that you are just such a genius with these healthy bites. Love them!
My favorite green food is probably spinach, I know that sounds lame though… pistachios are awesome too! Love the healthy shamrock shake in bite form- yum!
These look great! I started using matcha after doing a review a few months ago. I might need to give these a try this weekend!
Oh yum! I want to try these for sure! St. Patrick’s Day is such a fun holiday–so many variations of green foods we can play with!
Matcha is the way to go! Natural green! I love all things green though 😉
These are beyond festive, I love them!
My fav green food…I don’t know if I can choose.
Big fan of spinach and any fresh herb.
THESE LOOK AWESOME! Can you believe I’ve never had a shamrock shake? But if they taste like the way these seems like they’d taste, I’m sure they’re awesome!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!!
I totally agree! Matcha really is powerful and amazing!
These look so good, and of course so festive and pretty! I have too many favorite green foods to pick one 🙂
avocado is my favorite green food for sure! Ive actually never tried matcha or a shamrock shake!!
My favorite green food would be brussel sprouts. I also like parsley alot!!I’ve never tried Matcha before but these bites look so lucky and delicious I just might have to run right out and get some!!!!!!!!!!!!!!