Thick creamy Zucchini Matcha Oatmeal for a deliciously GREEN bowl of breakfast. Bright green tea flavor, naturally sweetened, veggie-laced, and morning easy!
Morning lovers. Matcha lovers. Easy breakfast lovers. This one is for all of you.
And matcha-loving morning-haters too actually – perhaps this can change your mind. Or just stick with your snooze button ways, and know this recipe tastes equally as yum as an extra late brunch. Not that I speak from experience or anything.
It’s a rare (and tragic) day in my world that doesn’t involve matcha. Usually in the shape of an iced latte with a side of afternoon computer work and the comfortable hum of a coffee shop. Most of my blog posts would not be written if it weren’t for that, it’s one of my most favorite parts of my workdays. But there is plenty of room in my day (and heart ♡) for more matcha in a cozier, spoon-not-sip form. That’s where this thick and creamy Zucchini Matcha Oatmeal comes in.
Yup I just nonchalantly snuck veggies in on you, cool? Zucchini in oats isn’t new or anything, it has it’s own hashtag at this point. So if I was a trendy human I would call this matcha #zoatmeal. But I am not. Plus autocorrect is just not having it.
Look, I’m not a veggie-loving, salads all day everyday kind of person. My instagram handle will never involve the word kale, of that I am sure. So I am not exaggerating or going all healthy food blogger on you when I say I legitimately prefer oatmeal with veggies cooked in. It breaks up the oat mushy-ness in a much-better-than-it-sounds kinda way. Riced cauliflower and grated zucchini are my favorites. Or carrots but then I’m always tempted to put frosting on top which sorta kills the whole BREAKFAST thing.
Since green was already the goal with this matcha bowl, I used grated zucchini AND zucchini blended into the cooking liquid. You can use all grated or all blended, but I like the mix for texture and color.
And if you are thinking: Since when does oatmeal involve a blender? a) with me everything involves a blender and b) since it’s date-sweetened. Or at least it can be. Medjool dates make it extra creamy and naturally sweet, but maple syrup is fine too.
Blender-inclusive date-sweetened zucchini oatmeal making looks something like…
- zucchini
- coconut milk
- dates (or maple syrup)
- vanilla
- matcha
- salt
Blend until creamy, then pour into a saucepan with:
- rolled oats
- grated zucchini
And cook just like any ol’ pot of oats – 10ish minutes on medium-low stirring occasionally. And then pile on the toppings because no bowl of oats is insta-complete without.
Smoothies, you’ve got some serious GREEN breakfast competition now!
Zucchini Matcha Oatmeal
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: american
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Thick creamy Zucchini Matcha Oatmeal for a deliciously GREEN bowl of breakfast. Bright green tea flavor, naturally sweetened, veggie-laced, and morning easy!
Ingredients
- 1 small zucchini (100g)
- 1 cup coconut milk (240g) or nondairy milk of choice
- 2–3 pitted medjool dates (60g) OR 1-2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp matcha powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (50g)
Instructions
- Grate half of the zucchini (about 1/3 cup grated) and roughly chop the other half.
- In a blender combine the chopped zucchini, milk, sweetener of choice, matcha, vanilla, and salt. Blend.
- Add to a medium saucepan along with the oats and grated zucchini.
- Simmer over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes stirring occasionally until thick and creamy.
- Pour into a bowl. Top with banana, coconut, hemp seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 24
- Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 58
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 13
Keywords: breakfast, meal prep, veggies, healthy, tea, vegan
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Is it necessary to press the water from the zucchini after grating it?
Nope don’t need to here, it will evaporate out as it cooks 🙂
Although I’m a veggie lover, I’m all about sneaking more veggies throughout the day, especially when it tastes sweet! Plus, since it’s date-sweetened, I absolutely need to try this!
Haha I try to be more of a veggie lover, I LOVE veggie spring rolls and veggie smoothies but straight up salad is not so much my style 😀 Yes yes, date-sweetened oats are so good/ Makes them extra creamy, I love doing it with chocolate oats too!
I truly love this idea of the zucchini in the oats!!! ♥ not to mention that zucchini has such a great great lovely texture ☺, it actually thickens, while still adding lightness and smoothness all at the same time…….. ♥ lovely ☺♥
Yes the zucchini texture is awesome! Similar to in smoothies, the creaminess it adds is lovely 🙂 Thank you my dear!
I love your creativity! The best kind of zucchini is undetectable and used strictly for color 😉 And your comment about always involving a blender is so true – but in the best way possible! I am always looking for new ways to use matcha (I’ve acquire quite a collection!) and this recipe is an easy and tasty way to start incorporating it in more than just lattes. I know what I’m having for St. Paddy’s Day breakfast =)
A matcha collection? Oooh now I’m intrigued, I’m always trying different brands and different forms. I just made matcha coconut butter cups today–SO GOOD💚 It was a little bit purposely St. Paddy’s themed, but honestly any excuse to make more matcha things😊
Hahaha, ok, now that explains why I’ve seen this before! I can’t believe zucchini oatmeal is so popular it has it’s own hashtag, LOL! I swear I’ve only seen it I think once and I thought it was on your page. You crack me up…”My instagram handle will never involve the word kale,” lmao! So, you don’t like kale, do ya?? hahaha I’m one of those weirdos that eats greens straight out of the bag plain…kale, spinach, arugula, you name it. I love the fresh taste of raw veggies and greens so much. Ok, I don’t know if I’d be brave enough to put zucchini in oatmeal since I think of it so much as a savory food, minus hiding it in desserts, but I am in love with how creamy and thick it made the oatmeal! I also love that it is matcha-flavored! You are the matcha queen and I always love what you do with it. The color is just too beautiful! This is certainly so much healthier than a big blog of peanut butter and chocolate for breakfast on oatmeal, haha! Love it Natalie!
Yeah so I clearly overestimated how okay the world was with zucchini in oatmeal. I thought it was old news, but based on teh responses I’m gettin on this post I was very wrong–lot’s of “interesting” and “creative” lol😆 Perhaps I should’ve started with CHOCOLATE zucchini oatmeal, that always has a way of making the weird seem more approachable. Ah well, live and learn. Straight out of the bag?? No dressing or anything😮 Wow, I admire you. Like I could do it, I don’t dislike the taste, but um wouldn’t be my first snack choice…or my 2nd through 100th ha. Maybe I ate too many humongous salads in my raw days, now I’m burnt out. Yeah let’s go with that😉 Mmmm but chocolate and peanut butter oatmeal will always be a fave too! Thanks Brandi😊
Natalie, since you’re so close with food processors, which one do you use & what non-expensive one would you recommend? Haven’t tried this recipe yet, but I can already say that I love it! xx
Hi Ines! I use and love my Vitamix blender, highly recommend, but I realize it’s expensive. The certified reconditioned Vitamixes are great and somewhat cheaper, in the $300-$400 range. I have worked with the Ninja blender a little bit and it’s not bad although nowhere near as powerful and won’t last the 8+ years my vitamix has. And although not a blender, the Cuisinart food processors are great as well. They can’t do smoothies like a blender would but for recipes they are great. This is the one I have: http://amzn.to/2piqeRd Hope that helps!
Recipe looks intriguing, in the best way. I don’t really do matcha though. I’ll do some experimenting with cocoa, vanilla, nuts??? Thanks for inspiring creativity in the kitchen.
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Hi Kendra! Yes I think chocolate would be a great place to start with the zucchini oat thing 🙂 You could add grated zucchini to this recipe: https://www.feastingonfruit.com/fudge-brownie-oatmeal/ it would be delicious!
Oh my goodness Natalie that looks amazing. I only found your blog a month or two ago so I haven’t had time to check out your whole archives yet.
Now you’ve got me craving a matcha latte!! I totally remember the days of sitting in the corner of a coffee shop (with a matcha latte or chai) and working on some writing…there’s something about the atmosphere that is so cozy and sparks creativity. OK, I’m working on leaving shorter comments here and I’m already failing! 😂😂 Let me try and get back on track 😉 I have a folder of your oat filled recipes filed away for the day I reconcile with oats and when I do, at the rate we’re going, I will be eating oats for every meal, snack, and dessert for several days 😂😍 This oatmeal is calling my name!!! I love zucchini in oatmeal, but paired with dates, coconut milk, and matcha?!? I can only imagine the creaminess! And that shade of green is my favorite!! I’ve been doing a lot more green smoothies lately and I always know I’ve made it creamy enough (and not overly kale-y) when I see that color 😉
Oooh but you were painting such a lovely cozy coffee shop image there, that takes descriptive non-brief-comment words😂 AIP to oat-itarian, I can see the blog post title now lol. I bet this flavor combo would be delicious with that creamy buckwheat cereal you have me wanting to try with your last post too though! Hmm funny my issue with green smoothies is usually wanting to turn them overly chocolate-y not overly kale-y😆 Definitely doesn’t make for the prettiest color either though😜 Anywho…I have faith that oatmeal is somewhere in your future, but for now happy weekend💚
Your nutrition facts dont count the toppings correct?
Correct! Since those are probably going to be different for everyone😊
Thanks for a delightful recipe! Really enjoyed the hidden zucchini, it makes the oatmeal even more filling! I made the version with dates, 2 was enough for me! The dates also make it more filling! Also made the fudge brownie oatmeal and added the same amount of zucchini that’s in this recipe, it was also a delight! Thanks so much!
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Appreciate your feedback and inspiration!
Hi Natalie! Is coconut milk canned or is it the variety from carton? Is it ok to substitute vanilla extract to vanilla powder? How much do you suggest? Thanks so much! I can’t wait to try this zoats!
Have a nice day:)
I used the carton variety here, and yes vanilla powder will work! I’d recommend the same amount. Hope you enjoy!